The southern Serengeti is one of the best place to never miss visit in any Serengeti, Tanzania wildlife safari especially during the green season of December to April when the great wildebeest migration is at its best at this place. The world-famous Serengeti plains are found in this region. During the green season, these nutrient-rich plains are home to massive migrating herds of wildebeest and zebra. Over two million animals will be dispersed throughout the broad plains, making for magnificent wildlife watching. Predators (lions, cheetahs, and hyenas) are plentiful in addition to the enormous migratory herds.
The scenically magnificent Southern Serengeti spans from the bottom of the Central Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Maswa Game Reserve, with grassy plains interspersed with granite kopjes. It’s one of the greatest places to watch the animals of the Great Migration, with vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle arriving to calve between December and May, and then making their journey northwards again at the start of the dry season in search of new grass. The Southern Serengeti is especially beautiful in February, with millions of young wildebeest taking their first steps on the plains and being stalked by hungry lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, who are plentiful in the area.
The Southern Serengeti is a seasonal zone, as most of the herds have fled during the dry season, from May to October, when the plains are parched and there isn’t much left to graze. Because so much of the Southern Serengeti is outside the national park, lodges and camps allow off-road driving, which is prohibited elsewhere.
Safari Highlights in southern Serengeti
On daily game drives in the Southern Serengeti, visitors can witness the Great Migration in action, whether it’s baby wildebeest being born and taking their first steps on the lush green plains in the early months of the year, or vast herds on the move as they track their course northwards towards the Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya.
It is one of the few areas where you can watch the Great Migration in its entirety: herds returning to feed in December as the green season begins; babies being born in January and February; and herds departing as the grass begins to dry towards the end of the rainy season.
Walking safaris are available in the Southern Serengeti, which is one of the few sites in the Serengeti where they are available. Exploring the bush on foot is one of the best ways to immerse oneself in the outdoors while also learning about the tiny animals that game drives overlook.
In addition to game drives and walking safaris, the hot air balloon safaris are also available In the Southern Serengeti, with a launch location nearby. A gentle daybreak flight will provide you with breathtaking views of the broad plains as well as a unique perspective on wildlife. A hot air balloon safari tour in Serengeti to observe baby wildebeest being born on the plains is a great way to spend your one week (February) Serengeti wildlife safari.
The Serengeti Cheetah Project, based in the Southern Serengeti, is tracking cheetah populations in the hopes of aiding in the conservation of this critically endangered animal. Some camps in the area aid cheetah conservation by inviting guests to contribute to cheetah research by contributing images and information about cheetahs they’ve seen on game drives.
Travel Advice/ safari tips to southern Serengeti
Because game viewing in the Southern Serengeti is seasonal, there are only a few permanent lodges and one permanent tented camp in the region. Several mobile campgrounds, ranging in price from inexpensive to luxurious, are operational during the Great Migration months.
For the wildlife safari tour to Serengeti during the Great Migration months of December to March, make sure to book well in advance, as the few accommodation options fill up quickly.
If you want to combine a Serengeti safari with a few days in the nearby Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Southern Serengeti is a great place to start.
Accommodations in southern Serengeti
Some of the accommodations where you can stay in your wildlife safari tour in southern Serengeti national park, includes
- Ndutu safari lodge
- Ndutu under canvas
- Nyikani migration camp
- Olakira migration camp
- Sanctuary kichakani Serengeti camp
- Sanctuary Kusini camp
- Serengeti safari camp (nomad)
- Serengeti wilderness camp
- Serengeti woodlands camp
- Serengeti mobile camp
SOUTHERN SERENGETI OTHER TOURIST HIGHLIGHTS
MOST WELL-KNOWN FOR
- Home to the Great Migration from December-April
- The best place to see predators such as lions and cheetah in action (hunting)
- Stunningly beautiful landscapes.
- A popular location for filmmakers and photographers.
SIZE
- 1,900 square miles.
TOPOGRAPHY, SCENERY AND LANDSCAPES
- Short Grass Plains
- Granite Kopjes
- Lakes
- Small Hills
- Valleys And Depressions
MAIN SPECIES
- Wildebeest
- Zebra
- Eland
- Lion
- Leopard
- Cheetah
- Giraffe
- Elephant
- Hyena
- Jackal
