One of the most common mistakes when planning a Tanzania safari is thinking that "the Serengeti" is one fixed place. It is not.
The Serengeti is 14,763 km² — almost three times the size of the Netherlands. It stretches from the plains of Ndutu in the south, through the central Seronera Valley, to the western corridor along the Grumeti River, all the way to the Northern Serengeti at the Mara River on the Kenyan border.
Each zone looks different. Each season one zone is better than another. And the choice of zone can make the difference between a good safari and the safari of your life.
Zone 1: Seronera — the heart of the Serengeti
The central Seronera zone is the most visited zone, and for good reason: it is the best for leopards and lions year-round. The Seronera River attracts animals throughout the year — even in the dry season there is always water.
Jonas's tip: "The acacia trees along the Seronera are the favourite spot of leopards. We scan those trees systematically every morning. I estimate that 70% of all leopard sightings in the Serengeti happen here."
Best time: The whole year. Most leopards: year-round. Most visited: also most crowded in peak season (July–August).
Accommodation: Most lodges and camps are in or near Seronera. Easiest to reach from Seronera Airstrip.
*Best for: Leopard, lion, hyena, hippo (river), good all year.*
Zone 2: Ndutu — the nursery of Africa
Ndutu lies in the far south of the Serengeti — technically partly in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area but functionally part of the Serengeti ecosystem.
From January to March, wildebeest gather here for the calving season. Hundreds of thousands of calves are born within just 2–3 weeks. Cheetahs, lions and wild dogs know this — it is one of the most dramatic spectacles in nature.
Jonas's tip: "If you only do a Tanzania safari once in your life and are flexible with timing, choose Ndutu in February. The calving season is pure theatre of nature. Predator hunters know this. And cheetah sightings in Ndutu are the most reliable in all of Tanzania."
Best time: December–March.
*Best for: Cheetah (most reliable!), wild dog (rare), wildebeest calves, dramatic predator action.*
Zone 3: Western Corridor — the Grumeti River crossing
The western corridor runs from Seronera westward along the Grumeti River. From May to June the migration passes through here heading north — and the Grumeti crocodiles are waiting.
The Grumeti crossing is less dramatic than the Mara crossing but also less crowded. You see metre-long crocodiles attacking groups of wildebeest as they try to cross. Impressive and sometimes confronting.
Jonas's tip: "If you want to see the river crossing but avoid the crowds at the Mara, Grumeti in May–June is your place. Fewer vehicles, more authenticity."
Best time: May–June.
*Best for: Migration crossing (Grumeti), crocodiles, buffalo, lion.*
Zone 4: Northern Serengeti — the Mara River crossing
The Northern Serengeti is the most dramatic part of the park. Here, at the Mara River, the famous river crossings take place where thousands of wildebeest plunge into the water at once — with waiting crocodiles.
These are the images you see in documentaries. They are real. But they require patience: you may wait for hours at the river before a herd decides to cross.
Jonas's tip: "Plan at least two half-days at the Mara if you want to see the crossing. And take a guide who knows which crossing points are the best. I know those places by heart after twenty years."
Best time: July–October.
Accessibility: The Northern Serengeti is further from the central airstrips. Plan an internal flight or extra driving time.
*Best for: River crossings, crocodiles, lion, cheetah (August–September).*
Which zone do I choose for my safari?
This is my recommendation based on your travel date:
- January–March: Ndutu zone. Calving season, cheetahs, fewer crowds, green landscapes. - April: Better to choose Ngorongoro or Tarangire — the Serengeti gets more rain in April. - May–June: Western Corridor for the Grumeti crossings. - July–October: Northern Serengeti for Mara crossings. Or Seronera for those who don't want to go north. - November: Seronera — less crowded, migration returning south. - December: Ndutu — migration arriving, first calves.
Combining multiple zones? Then you need at least 5–6 nights in the Serengeti. Less than 3 nights in one zone is too little to really taste the atmosphere.
Ask us for no-obligation advice — we plan trips daily based on exact dates and interests.