JT015 days / 4 nights4 pax
Classic Northern Circuit Wildlife Safari
A compact, high-impact safari for first-time visitors who want Tanzania's signature wildlife destinations in one well-paced itinerary.
Starting from / person
USD 1,350
Serengeti National Park · Tanzania
Discover the Legendary Serengeti
Experience the extraordinary landscapes, remarkable wildlife and unforgettable safari journeys of Tanzania's Serengeti.
About Serengeti
The heart of the African safari
The Serengeti National Park lies in northern Tanzania, stretching from the Kenyan border almost to Lake Victoria. At nearly 14,750 square kilometres of protected savanna, woodland and riverine forest, it is the flagship of Tanzania's Northern Circuit and one of the most famous wildlife destinations on earth.
Its landscapes range from the endless short-grass plains of the south to the granite kopjes of the centre, the wooded riverine corridors of Seronera and the rolling hills of the western and northern corridors. Each zone supports a different mix of wildlife and a different chapter of the annual Great Migration.
The Serengeti is home to all of the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino — alongside cheetah, giraffe, hippo, crocodile and more than 500 bird species. It is the stage on which two million wildebeest and zebra perform their endless migration in search of fresh grazing.
Together with Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti forms the Northern Tanzania safari circuit — a sequence of parks that can be travelled in one flowing journey, each with its own character and wildlife.
Wildlife Experience
The greatest wildlife show on earth
The Serengeti protects one of the richest concentrations of wildlife left in Africa. These are the animals our guests most often meet on the plains.
Lions
Serengeti is one of the best places in Africa to see lions — prides resting on the kopjes, hunting in the long grass and ruling the plains at dusk.
Elephants
Great herds move between water and woodland, especially around Tarangire and the Serengeti riverine fringes, where ancient baobabs tower above them.
Leopards
The most elusive of the big cats, leopards rest in the acacia and sausage trees along the Seronera river, spotted by patient guides who know their favourite branches.
Cheetahs
Serengeti’s open plains are prime cheetah country. Look for them on termite mounds and low rises, scanning the grassland for prey.
Giraffes
Masai giraffes move gracefully through the acacia woodland, browsing the high canopy and silhouetting the horizon at sunset.
Zebras
Plains zebras travel alongside wildebeest in their millions, their stripes a living pattern across the golden grass.
Wildebeest
Over 1.5 million wildebeest form the engine of the Great Migration, constantly following fresh grazing across the Serengeti ecosystem.
Other wildlife
Buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, jackals and more than 500 bird species complete one of the richest wildlife spectacles on earth.
The Great Migration
Two million animals on the move
The Great Migration is the year-long movement of around 1.5 million wildebeest and 400,000 zebras across the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, following the rains and fresh grazing in an ancient, unending cycle.
Between January and March the herds gather on the southern short-grass plains for the calving season, when hundreds of thousands of calves are born within weeks. From April they move north and west, reaching the Mara River in the far north between July and September — the famous river crossings, where the herds plunge across crocodile-infested water.
By late October the herds turn south again, completing the circle. Migration patterns vary with rainfall, grazing conditions and other natural factors, so sightings and specific river crossings can never be guaranteed — but our guides plan each route around the most current wildlife information.
Wildlife sightings and migration locations are natural events and cannot be guaranteed. Route planning is always adjusted to current conditions.
Best Time to Visit
A year-round safari destination
The Serengeti rewards visitors in every season — the right time depends on what you most want to see.
June – October
Dry season (peak wildlife viewing)
Sparse vegetation and concentrated water sources make this the easiest time to find wildlife. The dry season is peak safari time, with the great river crossings usually happening between July and September in the north.
January – February
Calving season
The southern Serengeti plains host the wildebeest calving season — hundreds of thousands of calves born within weeks, drawing predators and offering dramatic, fast-moving sightings.
November – December
Short rains & green season
The plains turn green, crowds thin and birdlife is spectacular. Showers are usually brief and wildlife remains plentiful, with lower rates and quieter lodges.
March – May
Long rains (low season)
Heavier rainfall makes some roads difficult, but the landscape is lush and dramatic. Some camps close; those that stay open offer the lowest rates and fewest visitors.
Safari Experiences
How we explore the Serengeti
Every Jarian safari is private and tailor-made. These are the experiences we arrange across the Serengeti and the wider Northern Circuit.
Private game drives
Your own 4x4 with a pop-up roof and a personal driver-guide, travelling at your pace with a window seat for everyone.
Guided wildlife safaris
Professional English-speaking guides trained in wildlife behaviour, safety and photography positioning.
Photography-focused safaris
Routes and timing planned around the light and the shot, with guides who understand positioning and patience.
Multi-day Serengeti safaris
Two or more full days in the park to reach the deeper corners and follow the herds across the ecosystem.
Serengeti & Ngorongoro combinations
Pair the endless plains with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater for the densest wildlife concentration in Africa.
Northern Circuit safari experiences
Link Serengeti with Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Arusha National Park into one flowing journey.
Accommodation
Where you stay in the bush
We coordinate accommodation across every category, matched to your budget and travel style. Specific lodges and camps are confirmed in your final quotation based on availability.
Luxury safari lodges & camps
Permanent lodges and tented camps in prime locations, with full amenities, fine dining and panoramic views over the plains.
Mid-range accommodation
Comfortable lodges and tented camps that balance location, comfort and value — the most popular choice on the Northern Circuit.
Tented camps
Classic canvas tented camps, from public campsites to semi-permanent seasonal camps that follow the migration.
Budget & camping options
Designated campsites and budget lodges for travellers who want to spend more time in the bush and less on the room.
Accommodation names and contracted rates are confirmed in the final quotation based on availability and your preferred category. Unverified supplier information remains unpublished until reviewed.
Serengeti Safari Packages
Journeys through the Serengeti
Approved itineraries that include the Serengeti in their route. Every booking is private and confirmed with a tailored quotation.
JT01
JT0310 days / 9 nights4 pax
Grand Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Holiday
The signature Tanzania combination, giving guests more time in Serengeti before a relaxed Zanzibar finish.
Starting from / person
USD 2,550
JT0412 days / 11 nights4 pax
Northern Circuit Explorer & Zanzibar Discovery
The extended discovery itinerary for travellers who want a wider variety of Northern Circuit habitats and more time for wildlife viewing before Zanzibar.
Starting from / person
USD 2,950
Your Serengeti Adventure
Your Serengeti adventure starts here.
Let Jarian Travel help you plan a memorable Tanzania safari based on your travel dates, interests and preferred experience.