Central Serengeti is leopards on Seronera fig trees. Northern Serengeti is wildebeest plunging into the Mara River. They're 4 hours apart and feel like two different parks. Here's how to choose — and why most of our 7-day trips combine both.
Quick answer
Central Serengeti (Seronera) is the year-round wildlife heartland — best for leopards, prides of lion on kopjes, and resident game. Northern Serengeti (Kogatende, Lamai) is the seasonal Mara River crossings hub — only worth visiting July through early October. If you have 4+ nights inside the park and travel in July, August, September, or early October, combine both. If you have fewer nights or travel outside that window, stick with Central. They're a 4-hour drive or a 30-minute bush flight apart.
What's special about Central Serengeti
Central Serengeti is the Seronera Valley. The Seronera River runs through it year-round, supporting:
- The highest density of leopards in the park — guides check the fig trees along the river every morning. We have a 90% leopard sighting rate in Central Serengeti.
- Multiple lion prides resident on the kopjes (rocky outcrops). Big males defend territories here.
- Cheetahs on the southern plains in early year, more concentrated kopje cheetahs year-round.
- Elephants, giraffes, zebras, topis, hartebeest, gazelle, hippo pools.
This is where the classic safari photos come from — lions on rocks, leopard in tree, golden grass. Year-round wildlife. TANAPA manages it as the heart of the park.
What's special about Northern Serengeti
Northern Serengeti is the crossings hub. Two sectors:
- Kogatende: south of the Mara River, used for crossings going north (June-July) and south (September-October).
- Lamai: north of the Mara River, used for crossings going south (typically August-September).
You're sitting in a tented camp 30 minutes from the river. When a crossing starts, your guide gets a radio call and you race over. Sometimes you wait three days. Sometimes you see five crossings in a morning.
Outside July-October, Northern Serengeti is quiet — wildlife is still there, but the spectacle is gone. Most camps close November-June. Don't book Northern Serengeti for an April trip.
How to combine them
Our most-booked migration itinerary:
- Day 1: Arusha → Tarangire (1 night)
- Day 2: Tarangire → Ngorongoro (1 night, descend the crater day 3)
- Day 3: Ngorongoro → Central Serengeti (2 nights)
- Day 5: Central → Northern Serengeti (3 nights)
- Day 8: Northern Serengeti airstrip flight to Arusha → home
This gives you Central's leopards + Northern's crossings + Ngorongoro's rhinos. We charge $3,400-$4,200 per person mid-range for this in peak season; $2,400-$3,000 in green season (when only Central is worth visiting). See full pricing on the cost guide.
If you only have 3 nights inside Serengeti
Pick Central. You'll see more variety. Northern is a single-experience destination — you go for crossings, period.
If you're outside July-October
Pick Central or split between Central and Southern (Ndutu). Skip Northern entirely. Most camps in Northern are seasonal and won't be open anyway.
Western Corridor — the third option
The Western Corridor sees the Grumeti River crossings in late May through July. Smaller, less crowded, fewer vehicles. We use it for guests who want a quieter migration experience or who can't get to Northern Serengeti in peak. The Grumeti Reserves private concession on the corridor's northern edge is one of East Africa's best-managed wildlife concessions.
What to ask your guide
Before you commit to dates, ask: "Where will the herd likely be in [your travel month] based on the last 3 years?" A good guide will give you a probability range, not a guarantee. Migration timing is rainfall-dependent — there's always uncertainty. Our live migration tracker shows current location.
Frequently asked questions
Is Central Serengeti good year-round?
Yes. Resident wildlife stays. Lion prides, leopards, elephants, cheetahs are year-round.
When are crossings most frequent in Northern Serengeti?
Mid-July through mid-September is peak. Crossings can happen any day in this window but are unpredictable — they often follow short rain showers that prompt the herd to move.
How do I get from Central to Northern Serengeti?
Drive (4-5 hours, scenic) or fly (Seronera airstrip → Kogatende airstrip, 30 min). Most of our 7-night Serengeti trips do drive one way and fly the return.
Can I fly directly into Northern Serengeti?
Yes. Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, and Regional Air run scheduled flights from Arusha to Kogatende and Lamai. Roughly $250-350 per person one-way.
Which has better lodges?
Both have excellent options. Singita, andBeyond, Asilia, and Nomad operate camps in both regions. Mid-range options are slightly more numerous in Central.
