Here are eight key Serengeti safari tips to help make your visit
as smooth and magical as possible.
Stretching across the vast plains of northern Tanzania,
the Serengeti derives its name from the local Maasai word
meaning 'land of endless plains'.
For centuries, the Maasai people have shared this dramatic landscape with its wildlife
and earned a fearsome reputation as warriors and skilled cattle herders.
Like much of the wildlife in the Serengeti, the semi-nomadic Maasai followed the rains.
The Serengeti is governed by two distinct seasons: wet and dry.
The wet season is split into two halves:
the short rains and the long rains,
with a dry pause in between.
The dry season, which occurs June through to October,
is generally viewed as the most optimal for wildlife spotting.
This actually has nothing to do with the volume of animals, but instead the ease of seeing them.
Shorter grass makes animals more easily visible,
whilst drying streams and water holes cause many to flock to an increasingly smaller area.
However, this by no means insinuates that other months are lousy. Not at all.
The Serengeti offers absolutely phenomenal wildlife spotting all year round.
And, in fact, visiting out of season has its big advantages.
For those who are keen to skip the heavier crowds,
the wet season can bring a feeling of having the park all to yourself.
This brings us to perhaps the greatest consideration for many when choosing what time to visit.
The Serengeti sets the stage for one of Earth's most spectacular natural events ...
a colossal movement of wildebeests across the landscape,
on an endless pursuit of fresh water and grass,
otherwise known as the Great Migration.
The wonderful thing is that the Great Migration is not a singular annual event;
in fact, it's never-ending and follows a loose circular path around the park,
meaning regardless of when you visit Tanzania, you have the possibility of catching it.
Undoubtedly one of the most unique and popular times to visit is during the famous Grumeti and Mara River crossings.
This is where streams of wildebeests brave the crocodile-infested waters to press on northwards towards the Masai Mara.
These river crossings typically occur from June through to September each year.
Note that this also coincides with the peak dry season,
so we highly recommend booking at least several months in advance
to give your operator the best chance of securing first-choice accommodation.
This is especially true for groups. Camps in good proximity to the river crossings tend to book up quickly.
Another notable event in the calendar occurs around late January, February and March
in the southern Serengeti ...
The wildebeest calving season sees as many as 8,000 calves born daily on the southern plains.
Here you witness nature at its rawest and most merciless, as new life struggles against an ominous massing of predators.
Much less alone than the river crossings, but many would argue just as spectacular.
Lion, rhino, elephant, leopard and Cape buffalo –
first coined the Big Five by colonial big game hunters for their notorious danger and difficulty to hunt on foot.
So how can you maximise your chances of a spot?
Most importantly here is the length of time you spend on safari.
And this goes for all wildlife spotting in the park.
In the company of a good guide, you will likely see a comprehensive variety of animals within two to three days.
Lion, elephant and Cape buffalo thrive in strong numbers throughout the park.
And, in fact, the Serengeti holds the largest population of lions in Africa,
numbering 3,500 in 300 prides.
However, the elusive leopard and black rhino may need a little more time or luck.
Leopards are most abundant in the Seronera Valley
and can usually be spotted shading in the branches of kigelia or acacia trees.
The eastern black rhinoceros is most frequently spotted near granite outcrops known as 'kopies' in the centre of the park.
We recommend venturing into neighbouring Ngorongoro for those keen to boost their chances of a spot.
Conveniently, some operators pass through as part of a safari itinerary.
Sometimes overlooked, but your guide is probably the most important component of your safari.
You'll be spending several days with him or her, after all.
Tanzanian hospitality and friendliness is second to none,
and often your guide becomes one of the best memories of your adventure.
So it's important to choose the right person.
It also goes without saying that a well-trained guide is key to a successful, fruitful safari.
We recommend investing the time to familiarise yourself with a reputable operator,
and doing a little homework on reviews.
Trustpilot and Google are good places to check.
A bonus tip here: learn a few Swahili phrases
and you will be met with boundless smiles and appreciation!
There is some science behind the khaki earth tones.
These neutral colours repel the heat,
and do a good job of disguising any splotches of African dust and soil.
Two colours to avoid are blues and blacks;
these have been found to attract tsetse flies.
Not what you need in your life.
In terms of fabrics, light and breathable materials make life so much more comfortable.
However, do bear in mind that as the sun falls, temperatures cool considerably.
This comes as a surprise to many visitors,
considering the Serengeti sits a stone's throw from the Equator.
But long sleeves are very wise for camp.
For a full packing list, check the link in the description below
The main takeaway here is that you really don't want to feel uncomfortable out on safari.
Getting sunburnt, bitten or feeling clammy can be irritating
and take[s] your focus away from the wildlife.
So [it's] best coming prepared.
For those hoping to capture excellent photography out on safari, equipment is key.
The truth is that a smartphone, or basic point-and-shoot, won't really cut it.
You will see plenty of wildlife up close,
but a strong digital zoom or a lens with a focal length of at least 200 millimetres and above is necessary for more distant shots.
This may sound controversial, but my best advice for those lacking in the right equipment,
would be to put your camera or smartphone down,
and soak it up with your eyes.
i'm not saying don't take any photographs, of course,
but a vision burned into your memory will beat any number of pixelated photos on your iPhone.
For those equipped with larger lenses,
a small beanie bag can be invaluable for stabilising your shots in the vehicle.
And a quick note on drones: drones are prohibited in the Serengeti National Park,
and will be confiscated. Be aware.
For many making the long journey, combining a safari with another one of Africa's bucket list adventures can be well worth it.
Thankfully, Tanzania is blessed with some of the world's most epic adventures,
and many travellers choose to combine a safari with a Mount Kilimanjaro climb,
or a relaxing beach holiday in gorgeous Zanzibar.
One of my favourite additions is a journey to the Ugandan highlands to meet rare mountain gorillas.
Here you get up close and personal with these animals in a remote, mountainous jungle environment.
For those with the time, these nearby adventures can complement your safari fantastically.
Last, but not least, a common mistake that some visitors make is arriving with a checklist mentality
or a set of defined expectations.
Remember that this is wilderness at its absolute rawest; there are no scripts here.
You are a drift in the animal kingdom,
far from the lights, pollution and noise of our own.
Arriving with an open mind and simply allowing yourself to succumb to its spell
will make the experience so much more enjoyable.
Every visit is unique, and every visitor will have their own story to tell.
The mighty Serengeti never fails to steal a piece of your heart.
If you enjoyed this video, please hit the thumbs up and subscribe for more informative adventure travel content.
Feel free to pop any questions you may have in the comments below,
and I will do my best to answer them as soon as possible.
This is Jess reporting from Follow Alice, wishing you an extraordinary trip!