Month-by-Month Guide to the Central Serengeti

Month-by-Month Guide to the Central Serengeti

The Central Serengeti — the area around Seronera Valley where Land of Nature Camp is located — offers outstanding wildlife viewing in every month of the year. Unlike camps positioned in the far north or south of the ecosystem, our central location means you are always within reach of major wildlife action regardless of the season. Here is what each month brings.

January and February

The short dry spell between the rains produces crystal-clear skies and dramatic afternoon light. The migration herds are on the southern Serengeti plains for the calving season, and a full-day safari from our camp to the Ndutu area gives you front-row access. An estimated 8,000 wildebeest calves are born every day during the peak calving weeks in February, attracting extraordinary predator concentrations. Around camp, resident lion prides are active, and the green vegetation makes for stunning photography.

March and April

The long rains arrive, transforming the Serengeti into a lush, green paradise. Game viewing is still excellent — the animals do not disappear when it rains, and the wet-season light is beautiful. Visitor numbers drop significantly, making this a peaceful time to experience the bush. Migratory birds arrive from Europe and Asia, boosting the species count. Rates are lower, and the camp has a wonderfully exclusive atmosphere. Rain typically falls in short afternoon bursts, leaving mornings clear for game drives.

May and June

The rains taper off, and the migration herds begin their northward march through the Central Serengeti. This is one of the most exciting periods at Land of Nature Camp, as columns of wildebeest and zebra stream past the camp area in numbers that defy comprehension. The grass is still green but drying fast, creating excellent visibility. Predators are highly active as they exploit the moving herds. June is a wonderful shoulder-season month offering peak wildlife action with fewer visitors than July or August.

July and August

Peak season in the Serengeti. The migration herds have largely moved to the northern Serengeti and the Mara River crossing areas, but the Central Serengeti's resident wildlife — lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and vast herds of resident grazers — remains exceptional. The Seronera Valley leopards are easier to spot now that the grass is short and golden. This is also the best period for a full-day safari to the Western Corridor or the Grumeti River. Evenings are cool and clear — ideal for stargazing.

September and October

The dry season reaches its peak. Vegetation is sparse, the Seronera River is one of the few remaining water sources, and animals congregate in extraordinary densities. Hippo pools are packed, crocodiles bask on exposed sandbanks, and lion prides patrol the riverbanks. The migration herds begin drifting back southward through the Central Serengeti from late October, and encounters with the returning columns are among the season's highlights. October is an outstanding month — excellent game viewing, warm weather, and relatively fewer visitors than August.

November and December

The short rains refresh the landscape and trigger dramatic afternoon thunderstorms that produce spectacular lighting and rainbow photography opportunities. The migration herds are moving south through the Central Serengeti toward the calving grounds, and the returning columns make this another excellent period for migration viewing from our camp. The flush of new grass attracts grazers, which in turn attract predators. November and December are underrated months in the Serengeti — excellent wildlife, beautiful scenery, and the camp at its most intimate.