"Saison des naissances dans le sud du Serengeti (Ndutu) — 500 000 gnous naissent en 3 semaines, prédateurs en pleine action."
Expert on Serengeti · 1 contributions
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Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·Editor
Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·EditorThe best periods
The best time to visit Serengeti is July to October for the Great Migration in the north, January-February for the calving season in the south. The most recommended months are Février, Mars, Avril, Mai, Juin, Juillet, Août, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Décembre.
Jui, Aoû, Sep, Oct
Grande Migration au nord — fenêtre reine
- ✅Traversées spectaculaires de la rivière Mara : gnous attaqués par crocodiles, scènes parmi les plus puissantes du règne animal
- ✅Climat sec et tempéré (15-25 °C), visibilité maximale, conditions photographiques exceptionnelles
- ✅Concentration de prédateurs (lions, léopards, guépards, hyènes) sur les troupeaux en mouvement
- ✅Apogée de la grande saison sèche : herbe basse, faune intacte des points d'eau
- ❌Haute saison absolue : camps mobiles du nord complets 6-9 mois à l'avance, tarifs au plus haut
- ❌Affluence sur les principaux points de traversée de la Mara, queues de 4x4 lors des grandes scènes
- ❌Températures fraîches le matin (10-15 °C), couverture chaude recommandée pour les game drives à l'aube
Jan, Fév
Saison des naissances au sud (Ndutu) — alternative exceptionnelle
- ✅500 000 gnous naissent en 3 semaines dans le sud du Serengeti — concentration record de prédateurs
- ✅Scènes de chasse fréquentes : guépards, lions, hyènes en pleine action sur les jeunes vulnérables
- ✅Tarifs intermédiaires (15-25 % moins chers qu'en juillet-août), affluence raisonnable
- ✅Lumière douce et paysages photographiques verdoyants (herbe fraîche)
- ❌Quelques averses tropicales, surtout vers la mi-février
- ❌Le nord du Serengeti (Mara) est vide de gnous — pas de Grande Migration au nord à cette période
- ❌Camps du sud (Ndutu, Lake Masek, Kusini) à réserver 4-6 mois à l'avance
Mar, Avr, Mai
Grandes pluies — basse saison
- ✅Tarifs au plancher : -50 à -70 % sur les lodges et camps par rapport à juillet-août
- ✅Paysages verdoyants, ciel dramatique, photos exceptionnelles en lumière humide
- ✅Très peu de visiteurs — expérience quasi privée sur les points iconiques
- ✅Migration entamée vers le nord-ouest (couloir Grumeti)
- ❌Pluies intenses, pistes du Serengeti parfois impraticables, certains camps fermés en avril-mai
- ❌Visibilité réduite sur le gibier (herbe haute, animaux dispersés)
- ❌Vols intérieurs en Cessna parfois retardés ou annulés par les orages
- ❌Saison du paludisme la plus active (humidité maximale)
Juin, Nov, Déc
Saisons intermédiaires
- ✅Juin : début de la migration vers le couloir ouest (Western Corridor) — traversées de la rivière Grumeti
- ✅Novembre-décembre : retour des troupeaux vers le sud du Serengeti, concentrations sur les plaines centrales
- ✅Conditions climatiques généralement favorables (averses courtes, soleil dominant)
- ✅Tarifs encore raisonnables avant la haute saison de Noël
- ❌Imprévisibilité météorologique : alternance d'orages et de belles éclaircies
- ❌Fin décembre : retour de la haute saison touristique (Noël/Nouvel An)
Month-by-month climate
Temperatures, rainfall and sunshine in Serengeti across the 12 months.
| Jan | Fév | Mar | Avr | Mai | Juin | Jui | Aoû | Sep | Oct | Nov | Déc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 16° | 17° | 17° | 16° | 16° | 16° | 15° | 16° | 17° | 17° | 17° | 16° |
| Max | 27° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 30° | 32° | 29° | 28° |
| Mer | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pluie | 100mm | 79mm | 77mm | 149mm | 40mm | 5mm | 4mm | 9mm | 28mm | 24mm | 140mm | 93mm |
| Soleil/j | 10.7h | 11h | 10.9h | 10.4h | 10.7h | 10.5h | 10.3h | 10.4h | 10.7h | 11h | 10.5h | 10.8h |
Tourist crowds
Monthly attendance levels (0 = empty, 100 = saturated).
Jan
75
Fév
78
Mar
50
Avr
30
Mai
35
Jui
70
Jui
92
Aoû
98
Sep
88
Oct
75
Nov
55
Déc
80
Average flight prices
Average round-trip Paris → Serengeti by month.
Jan
$1,026
Fév
$1,048
Mar
$778
Avr
$702
Mai
$756
Jui
$918
Jui
$1,188
Aoû
$1,350
Sep
$1,134
Oct
$994
Nov
$886
Déc
$1,058
Frequently asked questions
How many days to spend in the Serengeti?+
Minimum 3 nights for coherent discovery of one zone (e.g., central Serengeti at Seronera, or northern Serengeti for the Mara in July-October). Ideally 4-5 nights to combine two zones (e.g., 2 nights centre + 2 nights north in July-October, or 2 nights centre + 2 nights south in January-February). Beyond 5 nights, you can explore the western corridor (Grumeti) or extend to Tarangire for the complete Northern Circuit.
Where is the Great Migration depending on the season?+
Consistent annual cycle. __January-March__: southern Serengeti (Ndutu) — calving season. __April-May__: centre, movement westward. __June__: western corridor (Grumeti) — first river crossings. __July-October__: north (Mara) — dramatic crossings. __November-December__: return south via the centre. Tell your operator which month you're travelling so they position you in the right place.
How much does a Serengeti safari cost?+
Plan a minimum of __400-500 USD/day/person__ for a budget safari in shared permanent camp (4x4, guide, full board, park fees included). Comfort standard: __600-900 USD/day/person__ in mid-range lodge (Serena, Sopa, Mbalageti). For high-end mobile camps following the migration (Asilia Olakira, Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp, &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas): __1,200-2,000 USD/day/person__. Luxury camps (Four Seasons, Singita Grumeti, Sayari): __2,000-4,000 USD/night/person__. These rates include game drives, meals, internal transfers and park fees — internal Cessna flights still need to be added (200-400 USD/segment).
Which is the best camp or lodge?+
The best depends on season and budget. To __follow the migration__, mobile camps (Asilia Olakira, Nomad, &Beyond Under Canvas) which move 3-4 times/year with the herds are unbeatable. For a __permanent lodge in central Serengeti__: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti (luxury, pool), Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge (excellent value), Lemala Ewanjan (intimate charm). In the __north (Mara)__: Singita Mara River Tented Camp (absolute luxury), Sayari Camp (Asilia), Lemala Mara Tented Camp. In the __south (Ndutu, January-February)__: Ndutu Safari Lodge, Lake Masek Tented Camp, Kusini Camp.
Is the sunrise hot-air balloon over the Serengeti worth the price?+
Yes, without hesitation, it's one of the most memorable experiences possible. Take-off at 6 am from the central zone (Seronera) or Tarangire, 1-hour flight over the plains at 100-300 metres altitude, observation of herds and predators from the air, landing followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. Count on __550-650 USD/person__ all-in. Book in advance through your safari operator. Reference companies: Serengeti Balloon Safaris, Adventures Aloft, Miracle Experience.
Can you do a walking safari in the Serengeti?+
No, walking in the bush is __prohibited__ in Serengeti National Park for safety reasons (dense megafauna, numerous predators). All game drives are done in open-top 4x4 from and to the lodge. To experience walking, head to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) in the south, where walks accompanied by armed rangers are part of standard activities. In the Serengeti, you can however take a __hot-air balloon flight__ for a unique aerial perspective.
Is the Serengeti accessible to children?+
Yes, provided some adaptation. Most lodges accept children from age 6 (mandatory belted seat in 4x4). Long safari days can be tiring — prefer lodges with pools for breaks (Four Seasons Serengeti, Serengeti Serena) and shorter legs. Cessna flights reduce road hours. Specialist operators (Asilia, Lemala) offer family programmes with children's activities (bush workshops, staged Maasai encounter, footprint tracking training). Count on a global budget 20-30% higher than a standard adult trip. Avoid travelling with children under 6: health risks (malaria), discomfort of long trips, limited interest for very young.
Our verdict
The Serengeti is, without the slightest exaggeration, the ultimate safari experience in the world. The combination of its area (14,750 km²), megafauna density (4,000 lions, 5,000 elephants), annual Great Migration and zone diversity makes it a destination every African wildlife enthusiast must visit at least once. Count on a minimum of 3 nights in the park, ideally 4-5 to explore several zones. Favour July to October for the northern migration (Mara), January-February for the southern births (Ndutu). Imperatively combine with the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire for a complete Northern Circuit, then 4-5 nights in Zanzibar for the beach recovery. Choose a serious operator and accept the cost (€4,000-7,000 for 14 days all-in) — it's one of those trips that justifies the financial and logistical effort.
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