What to see in Serengeti National Park in September?

Serengeti is indeed a top wildlife sanctuary in Africa. Famed for its unique, massive trek of millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, Serengeti harbors one of the oldest, never-changing ecosystems on Earth. And it always delivers beyond visitors’ expectations – whether it’s your first time or you’re a returning visitor.

One of the common questions our clients ask about Serengeti is about the wildebeest migration. They’re unsure if they will have a glimpse of this spectacular event. Others would ask if there’s still wildlife in the Serengeti; the wildebeest have moved into the Masai Mara. We are here to address all your questions.

What happens in the Serengeti in September?

The main event happening in the Serengeti every September is the Mara River crossing. This event happens in the far north of the park. The migration herds start to cross this crocodile-infested river from August through October. But in most seasons, September sees countless crossings because the animals have realized that they don’t have any other choice than braving the high-speed torrents and lethal Nile crocodiles.

These crossings usually happen from both sides – the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. Some parts of the river traverse the Serengeti, while others traverse the Masai Mara. Therefore, you can watch a crossing in the Serengeti.

In simple words, in September you’ll see:

• Mara River crossings.
• Massive wildebeest trekking
• Countless predatory movements.

Is September a good time to visit Serengeti?

Yes, September is the best time to visit the Serengeti. The weather is still calm and predictable. The vegetation is also thin, making it easier to spot wildlife. And large herds of grazers congregate at rivers and streams to quench their thirst. September is also a shoulder season when the park receives a few visitors. This enables you to secure spots in the best camps and lodges at the best price.

What to do in the Serengeti in September?

As we mentioned earlier, witnessing the Mara River crossings is the first thing to do in the Serengeti in September. Apart from this, you can do the following:

1.    Seeing the Big Five.

Serengeti tops the list of the best parks to see all the Big Five. The Big Five animals are not such big as their name suggests. And if size is king, some of them, especially the lion and leopard, can’t beat the hippo and giraffe. However, the name ‘Big Five’ usually refers to five animals, which are extremely dangerous to hunt on foot. These are the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo.

To see these animals quickly, set off for the central region, also called the Seronera. They find refuge in the spectacular Seronera Valley, with lions preferring the grassy plains and kopje region, and leopards on the banks of the Seronera River. Elephants and buffalo herds are common in the wooded section of the region, while the black rhinos live near the Moru Kopjes.

2.    Searching other animals.

Serengeti isn’t just about the Great Migration and the Big Five. It boasts many other wildlife species worth seeing. You’ll encounter giraffes, impalas, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, and even the rare African hunting dogs. Other animals include bat-eared foxes, elands, dik-diks, jackals, hartebeest, crocodiles, hippos, bushbucks, and monkeys.

3.    Hot air ballooning.

Picture a scenic view of the wide savannahs turning amber and rose as the sun emerges. And it just finds you already floating in the air, watching spectacular landscapes and wildlife. That’s a glimpse of a balloon flight in the Serengeti.

This experience enables you to glide past large wildebeest herds and watch elephants move like tiny objects. Depending on the wind, the pilot can navigate at low altitude, just above trees, to give you an intimate experience.

After an hour, you then land at a landing site. A celebratory breakfast accompanied by champagne is provided to commemorate your exceptional achievements. Thereafter, you can proceed with your daily routines or head to the camp for relaxation and reflection.

4.    Birdwatching.

You can watch resident birds in the Serengeti. The park’s 500 bird species are distributed throughout the park. Here, you can see rollers, kingfishers, eagles, ostriches, vultures, cranes, turacos, owls, secretary birds, ground hornbills, and more.

Where to stay in the Serengeti in September?

It depends on where you are.

If you’re visiting the migration area, which at this time is the northern Serengeti, there are plenty of places to stay. If you want luxury camps, you can stay at Olakira Migration Camp, Serengeti Under Canvas, Lemala Kuria Hills, Sayari Camp, and Serengeti Bushtops. For budget options, consider Ubuntu Migration Camp, Kenzan Mara Tented Camp, Mara River Camp, Serengeti Wilderness Camp, and Heritage Mara Camp.

Wrapping up.

Some information might be misleading, especially regarding the wildebeest migration in September. But we choose to stand on the right side to update you about the wildebeest migration. Even if you miss this event (which rarely happens), you can still tick off the Big Five and see many animal species.