A name that conjures images of vast plains teeming with herds of wildlife, Serengeti rolls out sky views painted with the shades of dusk and dawn. More than being among Africa’s most visited national parks, this location is a symbol of classic African safari adventures.
Covering over 30,000 sq. km, the Serengeti reminds wildlife enthusiasts of the Great Migration. This site offers millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles traversing its plains in the ancient ritual of life and survival. Besides viewing wildlife activity in its rawest attire, you can indulge in adrenaline-pumping activities like camping and trekking and even explore sites of archaeological interest.
Most tourists think capturing wildlife events is among the only things to do in Serengeti. We’ve created this guide to bury that myth and enlighten you on 17 different activities to do in Serengeti.
What are Some of the Best Things to Do In Serengeti?
Whether traveling with your family, solo, or with your buddies, these 17 things to do in Serengeti will make an unforgettable mark in your travel diaries.
1. Witness The Great Migration
The quest for fresh grazing and water drives millions of animals across the expansive Serengeti. Labeled amongst the seven wonders of Africa, this annual phenomenon offers a unique spectacle of nature’s rhythm and raw animal power.
Observe drama unfold as these animals face the treacherous waters filled with lurking crocodiles and gushing currents. This test of survival showcases predator-prey interactions in their most primal form.
Note that during the calving season of late January through February, the southeastern zone of Serengeti becomes a nursery. With around 8,000 young animals each day, you can spot many predators attempting to hunt down these newborns. This delicate balance of life and death in the wild will keep you engrossed through every safari.
2. Visit The Olduvai Gorge
Tucked away in the Great Rift Valley, Olduvai Gorge reveals the pioneering archaeological discoveries made by Louis and Mark Leakey in the mid-20th century. Their findings, including ancient fossil remains and stone tools, have helped decode blank pages of human ancestry and the environment in which early humans evolved.
Explore the on-site museum, which displays replicas of artifacts unearthed in the area. Informative exhibits explain the area’s geological and anthropological significance, providing context for the millions of years of history embedded in the gorge’s layers.
You can gather views on the origins of humankind while strolling around nature’s marvelous views. Unsurprisingly, the steep sides and scenic surrounding plans let you contemplate the vast timelines of human history in silence.
3. Book Game Drives
Game drives are the quintessence of the Serengeti safari experience, offering dynamic encounters with the park’s diverse fauna. Opt for early morning drives to hear the magical sounds of nocturnal animals making their last rounds before resting. Evening drives capture the beauty of African sunsets, casting a warm glow over the plains. This invents dramatic backdrops for wildlife photography.
What’s best is that Serengeti’s wide, open landscapes offer unobstructed views of big game and birdlife. The flexibility to choose private game drives allows personalized explorations. This means you can request a sighting attempt for elusive leopards or herds of elephants in play mode.
You’re likely to witness various animals, from the majestic lions lounging after a hunt to graceful giraffes browsing on acacia trees.
4. Discover the Seronera River Valley
The abundance of water here makes this central zone of the Serengeti an ideal place to spot numerous scenes of wildlife activity. Be prepared for some serious sightings—the Seronera area is particularly famed for its large populations of big cats—lions, leopards, and cheetahs. You’ll see them on kopjes scanning for kills or enjoying the shade under acacia trees.
Not to forget, the region’s rivers and open plains support a thriving population of herbivores like impalas, zebras, and elephants. This calls for more predator-prey breakouts and photographic opportunities to glue into your travel journal.
Explore the Seronera on morning, afternoon, or full-day game drives. The enormousness of this area ensures that it rarely feels overcrowded, allowing for intimate wildlife encounters.
5. Explore the Retina Hippo Pool
Located in remote sections of the Serengeti, the Retina Hippo Pool lets you spot large numbers of hippos in their natural habitat. This deep, muddy pool is a sanctuary where hippos spend their days happily submerged in cool water. Beware during dusk since that’s when they step out to graze.
Very few locations allow you to safely observe hippos without disturbing them. The Retina Hippo pool is one spot where you can notice their interesting social dynamics. Also, it’s not uncommon to see crocodiles and several other antelope species around the pool.
Nonetheless, the sounds of the hippos—grunting and splashing—are the limelight of most visits, adding to the immersive thrill of exploring the true wild.
Image Source: Great Adventure Safari
6. Get a Bird’s Eye View from a Hot Air Balloon
Floating silently above the plains at dawn promises beautiful panoramic views of the vast landscape with dozens of animal species. From above, the Serengeti also reveals its hidden waterways, endless kopjes, and the true scale of the migration, which is typically invisible from the land level.
These flights usually begin their way upwards at dawn. Thus, passengers like you can witness a spectacular sunrise as the plains warm up. Soon, the animals kickstart their routine. From aloft, you can see herds of wildebeests powering across the savannah and lions returning from a hunt. You’ll feel your heart melting at the sight of elephants wandering in family groups.
The peacefulness of gliding over the Serengeti is contrasted sharply with the harshness of on-ground sightings.
7. Visit The Moru Kopjes
Moru Kopjes are iconic landscape features scattered throughout the central Serengeti. They’re recognized for their massive boulders and views from the perspective of wildlife inhabitants. Moreover, these rocky outcrops provide shelter and capture water in natural pools, making them a go-to spot for animals in the dry season.
Kopjes are specifically known for their resident lion pride and leopards using these elevated spots for sunbathing and as lookout points for prey. Interestingly, kopjes aren’t all about wildlife viewing; some are steeped in local lore and history, featuring ancient Maasai paintings. Don’t be shy to question your tour guides on tales of the Maasai’s historical and cultural ties to these rocky formations.
Tip: The areas around Moru Kopjes were known for the rare black rhinos that can sometimes be spotted among the rocks.
Image Source: Serengeti National Park
8. Experience The Maasai Culture and Way of Life
You can’t miss engaging with the Maasai people. This indigenous ethnic group has their entire life and culture closely intertwined with the East African savannah. Look for safari tours offering visits to Maasai villages. Here, you can watch traditional dances, participate in ceremonies, and indulge in the Maasai way of life.
You can also learn about their:
- Cattle-herding practices
- Ancient African customs
- Distinctive clothing, beadwork, and jewelry
- Views of social status and community milestones
- Handmade crafts
- Spear-throwing styles
- Bush knowledge with Maasai warriors
You’ll be left with a greater appreciation for Tanzania’s intricate balance between communities and nature.
9. Witness Grumeti River
This river in western Serengeti is an essential part of the annual Great Migration and is mostly famous for its thrilling crocodile encounters. In the peak migration months of May and June, some of Africa’s largest crocodiles attack the crossing animals.
Outside the migration period, the Grumeti River is serene and lush, housing permanent wildlife residents like hippos, giraffes, and 200+ bird species. The riverine environment offers excellent potential for bird watching and cherishing the quieter side of the Serengeti. Try booking either boutique or luxurious lodges alongside the river for a comfortable wildlife viewing experience.
Guided tours along the riverbanks on foot may lead you to explore smaller creatures and plants for a deeper ecological understanding.
10. Opt for Guided Nature Walks
If truth be told, many jeep-based safari tours cannot match the up-close and personal views of guided nature walks. You’ll be accompanied by seasoned guides who educate you on the abundance of flora and fauna. From identifying animal tracks and bird calls to learning about medicinal plants and the micro-ecosystems you never knew existed—guided nature walks in Tanzania’s Serengeti are a must.
More than this, these walks allow for a sensory exploration of the wilderness. It’s your chance to feel the textures of the landscape and relish the fresh, earthy scent after rain, also called petrichor. Most importantly, you can hear nature’s subtle and intriguing sounds that are often drowned on game drives.
11. Reserve Meals in the Bush
Dining in the bush under star-studded skies is an experience you must not miss in Serengeti. Topped with lanterns illuminating your table and campfires crackling nearby, these three-course affairs come with the excitement of local ingredients and flavors.
Your meals are prepared and served in the middle of the wilderness, all with the taste of gourmet cuisine and stunning views of the savannah. To add, breakfasts may be served at sunrise after an early morning game drive, freshly locally brewed coffee, and a full English breaky amidst the sounds of the waking bush.
If the occasion calls for it, special bush meals are available for romantic or special celebrations. From a champagne breaky on the plains to a sundowner in a secluded location, your options are aplenty.
12. Enter the Serengeti Visitor Center
Near Seronera, this center presents a wealth of information about the park’s ecosystems, wildlife, and history—all through well-organized exhibits and informative displays. Since Serengeti is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll also find walking trails with a series of informative plaques explaining the various animal and plant species in this kingdom.
Right from educational videos on display to observe the behaviors and habits of Serengeti’s wildlife to presentations that enlighten you on the basics—the entire experience is a teaser before the actual thrill kicks in.
Walk into the shop and take home souvenirs, maps, and books about Africa’s cultural hotspots. Another interesting feature of the center is the nearby kopje which visitors can climb.
13. Step Into the Ngorongoro Crater
Descending into the Ngorongoro Crater is like entering a natural amphitheater brimming with wildlife. This vast volcanic caldera is home to one of the densest concentrations of African wildlife, including the Big Five.
The crater floor, with its open grassland, freshwater ponds, and acacia woodlands, displays a range of habitats supporting hundreds of species.
Due to conservation regulations aiming to minimize human impact, touring the crater is often done in a single day. Nonetheless, the drive down introduces you to the local Maasai community, who’ve been grazing their cattle alongside wild animals for centuries.
Tip: This location supports a large chunk of the endangered black rhinos.
14. Set up Camps
Camping in the Serengeti is as immersive as it gets in the African bush. Choose an experiential tourist package in one of the designated campsites. Rest assured, you’ll find public sites with basic amenities to exclusive campsites where privacy and comfort are priorities. If you’re looking for the ruggedness of the wild and would like to be exposed to more natural elements, opt for public sites. That’s where the traditional camping experience is.
If comfort is your calling, look for camps in more secluded locations. You’ll have access to camp attendants, dining tents, and hot showers.
Keep in mind that camping allows for flexibility in your safari itinerary. You can wake up at dawn for early morning game drives when wildlife is most active, and enjoy sunsets over the savannah with evening drives.
15. The Bologonja Springs
Bologonja Springs is a peaceful area in northern Serengeti, near the Kenya border. This spot is well-fed by the Bologonja River, creating a verdant oasis that attracts large volumes of wildlife during the dry season.
This area is less frequented by large tourist groups, making it a delightful detour from more trafficked zones. Thus, you can silently enjoy the sights of herds of elephants, giraffes, and several antelope species that come to drink and graze.
Furthermore, the springs are surrounded by dense forest and riparian vegetation. This lush environment attracts herbivores and predators like lions and leopards lurking in the underbrush. Keep your eye out for the contrast between the dry savannah and the green areas around the springs!
Image Source: Serengeti National Park
16. Visit the Lobo Valley
The rocky outcrops and rolling hills present a scenic backdrop to beautify your safari vacation. Consider adding guided bush walks to your Tanzania safari itinerary to explore the deep-seated flora and fauna on foot under the guidance of experienced rangers.
Note that this valley is pristine in its finest literal sense. Scattered with woodlands and hilly ranges decorated with granite kopjes, the area is renowned for its ancient rock formations.
Even better, the 90 square miles of the valley are rich in old buffalo bulls, Klipspringer antelopes, and the wildlife-enthusiast-favorite—the Big Five.
17. Go to Lake Natron
Last on our list by no means indicates that you shouldn’t visit Lake Natron. This beautiful alkaline lake lies in the shadow of the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai. It’s known for its otherworldly landscapes and is surrounded by salt-encrusted flats. In the dry season, these flats appear as a cracked canvas of white against the deep reds of the shallow waters, colored by microorganisms thriving in the high-saline environment.
This area is the only regular breeding zone in East Africa for over 2.5 million endangered Lesser Flamingos feeding on the algae in the lake’s waters.
Put on your hiking gear and climb to the summit of Ol Doinyo Lengai. The Maasai people call it the Mountain of God!
Key Takeaways
Your vacation to Serengeti cannot possibly fall short of entertaining activities. Whether you’re a wildlife freak, adventure junkie, or photographer looking to capture wildlife’s most genuine moments, the Tanzanian people are waiting for you to land.
Our wildlife experts and safari guides consider sustainability and environmental preservation as pillars of their hospitality ethics. Be sure to visit Serengeti with the same mindset and keep the hygiene of these wildlife reserves in your best interest.
Ready to jump right into the heart of Africa’s wildlife activity? Speak to our experts and book personalized Serengeti safari tours today.
Bonus Read: Do give our travel blog section a read to discover the marvels Tanzania has to offer.
