Lake Manyara National Park

January is a lush and vibrant time in the Serengeti, marking the peak of the calving season. The southern plains come alive with newborn wildebeests and zebras, offering a spectacular wildlife experience. The weather is warm with occasional showers, creating a green and flourishing landscape. This period is ideal for observing young animals and their interactions with predators, all while enjoying a relatively quiet park with fewer tourists.

February continues the calving season with a high concentration of newborns across the southern Serengeti. The lush vegetation supports large herds of wildebeest and zebra, and predator activity remains high, making it an exciting time for wildlife viewing. The weather remains warm with occasional rains, and the park is still less crowded, providing excellent opportunities for intimate wildlife experiences.

By March, the calving season begins to wind down, and the herds start moving northward. The landscape remains green and vibrant due to ongoing rains, but the vegetation starts to thicken, which can make wildlife spotting more challenging. However, the park’s reduced number of visitors means a more serene safari experience, and the start of the migration northward offers exciting prospects for observing the moving herds.

April is characterized by heavy rains, making it one of the wettest months in the Serengeti. The landscape transforms into a lush paradise, but the roads can become muddy and challenging to navigate. Wildlife viewing can be more difficult due to dense vegetation and wet conditions, but the park’s reduced tourist numbers offer a quieter experience and a unique opportunity to see the park in its most verdant state.

May continues with the long rains, maintaining the park’s lush, green appearance. The increased vegetation can obscure wildlife, making sightings more difficult. However, this is a less crowded time, providing a peaceful safari experience. As the migration herds start moving north, there are opportunities to witness the beginnings of the migration, offering a quieter but still engaging wildlife experience.

June marks the beginning of the dry season, with warm, pleasant weather and minimal rainfall. The landscape starts to dry out, and wildlife concentrations increase around water sources, making it easier to spot animals. The Great Migration typically begins its journey northward, and the park’s clearer conditions provide excellent opportunities for viewing river crossings and large gatherings of wildlife.

July is one of the prime months to visit the Serengeti, as the dry season is in full swing. The Great Migration reaches the northern Serengeti, where dramatic river crossings occur. The dry conditions ensure clear visibility and easier access to wildlife, though it is also the height of the tourist season. The warm weather and high concentrations of wildlife make for an unforgettable safari experience.

August continues with excellent conditions for wildlife viewing as the Great Migration remains in the northern Serengeti. The dry, warm weather makes for clear skies and easy access to the park’s various wildlife hotspots. This is an ideal time for witnessing the spectacular river crossings and observing large predator populations, though it can be quite busy with tourists.

In September, the dry season persists, providing excellent conditions for game viewing. The Great Migration herds are still moving south, and wildlife remains concentrated around water sources. The dry weather and open landscapes make it easier to spot animals, and the crowds start to thin out slightly, offering a more relaxed safari experience compared to peak months.

October marks the transition from the dry season to the short rains. The Great Migration herds continue their southward movement, and wildlife is concentrated around remaining waterholes. The landscape begins to show signs of green as the rains approach, and the park sees fewer tourists, making for a more tranquil and enjoyable safari experience.

November brings the start of the short rains, with occasional showers and a rapidly greening landscape. The migration herds continue moving south, and the park’s transformation into a lush environment offers beautiful scenery. The reduced number of visitors and vibrant landscape provide a serene and picturesque safari experience.

December features ongoing short rains, which further enhance the park’s lush and green appearance. The calving season begins in the southern Serengeti, with herds returning and newborn animals becoming more common. The warm weather and vibrant environment, combined with fewer tourists, create an ideal setting for observing new life and enjoying a peaceful safari.