Central Serengeti

Central Serengeti, Serengeti National Park is truly a world spectacle to behold, and of course, one of the last remaining wildlife parks on earth where wildlife thrives naturally. Countless movies and documentaries feature this world-class destination. If a scene captivates you the most in Disney’s The Lion King, it’s time to see it by yourself.

Serengeti hosts the wildebeest migration, a one-of-a-kind mammal migration featuring over 1.7 million ungulates moving across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. It’s a tradition that has been there for many years. In addition to that, the big five and big cats are fascinating species to tick off the bucket list.

To explore the entire park, you need to spend a lifetime within this park. That’s why you need to choose the region of this park you’re going to visit. Serengeti has five regions or zones: central Serengeti, southern Serengeti, northern Serengeti, western Serengeti, and eastern Serengeti. In this guide, we cover all you need to know about the central Serengeti.

The central Serengeti.

The central Serengeti is at the heart of this world-famous park. It’s where you’ll find park headquarters, a small museum, a coffee shop, the main airstrip of the park, and a myriad of safari accommodations. This part is roughly 5,000 square kilometers in size and consists of different habitats like grassy plains, rivers, woodlands, and kopjes.

The main drawcards of this region include the Seronera Valley on the south, Moru Kopje, Simba Kopje, and the Seronera River.

What is so special about the central Serengeti?

1. It’s perfect for year-round game viewing.

The diverse habitats it harbors like the endless plains and the Seronera River make food (pasture) and water available throughout the year. As a result, the wildlife is resident. You’re guaranteed to spot giraffes, impalas, hippos (in the Retima Pool), monkeys, elands, caracals, and wild cats.

2. It’s home to the big cats.

Seeing lions, leopards, and cheetahs is on many travelers’ bucket lists. And this region is where you can spot all these predators in a day. For such a reason, it has been called the big cat capital of the world.

3. It has countless accommodation options

As the heart, where many flights land, the central Serengeti boasts plenty of lodging options. From luxury to midrange budget accommodations, here you have many options to choose from based on what you prefer and how much you plan to spend.

4. It’s home to the Big Five.

The Big Five are residents of the central Serengeti. Elephants and buffalo are abundant in grasslands and woodlands. Lions lounge in the kopjes near Seronera while leopards camouflage in the banks of the Seronera River. Rhinos are a difficult sighting, but may be seen in the Seronera valley and Moru Kopje.

What can I do in the central Serengeti?

It depends on what you want to experience. Here are general activities to do while you’re in the central Serengeti.

1. Game drive.

This activity is affordable and a better way to uncover the wonders of the Serengeti. Morning game drives reveal the Serengeti at its prime. The endless plains turn into amber and rose as illuminating sunshine hits them. Bring your camera because leopards are out there basking in the sun. Also, the birds sing melodies that resonate with your heart. What a feeling.

Evening game drives are better for searching for big cats, especially if you want to witness a leopard on the hunt. This excellent hunter will stalk their prey for even long time then attacking it abruptly. If not caught, a high-speed chase follows. That moment is worth a recording in wildlife films, but congrats if you caught it with your eyes.

2. Balloon safaris.

No flight beats a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti. The activity is reserved for anyone willing to pay the extra fee (usually $599 per head). But it’s worth it. It starts at 5:00 a.m. with preparations and a short briefing from the pilot. Then the balloon is lit, lifting the basket (carrying you) hundreds of meters off the ground.

A swift float follows the wind direction, allowing you to have a birds-eye view of the park. After (almost) an hour, the pilot starts the descent to a prepared landing site. Following up after you land is a toast of champagne to celebrate the milestone and well-prepared bush breakfast.

3. Birding

If you care about singing birds or a flying banana (yellow-billed hornbill), this central region of the Serengeti will please. Serengeti as a whole has over 500 bird species, but the number of species you’ll record in the Seronera is staggering.

Here, you can meet the Tanzania-endemic grey-breasted fowl in the vast plains. Nothing pleases like seeing a giant ostrich run to protect its plumage or eggs. You may spot secretary birds, Kori bustards, shrikes, Fisher’s lovebirds, and Ruppel’s vulture.

A pro tip is to keep your camera close. You may want a photo shooting a bird. Also, bring binoculars as some birds might not be so close to discover their uniqueness.

4. Trek the wildebeest migration.

The central Serengeti welcomes over 1.7 million wildebeests alongside zebras and gazelles between April and June on their way to the western corridor and between October and December as they rush to the southeastern plains and Ndutu.

Watching massive herds cover the southern plains of Seronera is intriguing. The predators also never stay away from their prey. You may witness opportunistic hunters like lions, hyenas, and wild dogs take advantage of sick or young wildebeest.

When to visit the central Serengeti?

The central Serengeti offers year-round game viewing opportunities. Any time you go there, you’re guaranteed to tick off many animals off your list. But for smooth wildlife viewing safaris, June – October is the best time. The park has dry trails, thin vegetation, and easy-to-spot animals as they congregate at waterholes, streams, and rivers.

The months of March, April, and May are very wet, but they offer unique birding trips, wildebeest migration, and photographic opportunities.

How can I get to the central Serengeti?

You can get to the Seronera in two ways: by road and by flight.

By road.

Most guests start their road journey from Arusha. The journey is 7 hours long and follows the highland road into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and finally into the Naabi Hills Gate, the main entrance gate of the Serengeti.

The drive from Arusha to Serengeti is an adventure on its own. Some guests take a stop at the Meserani Snake Park to see reptiles, while others prefer the Maasai village.

By flight

You can catch a 1-hour flight at Arusha Airport to the Seronera Airstrip. This is the most convenient way if you want to skip the bumpy, long drive.

Where to stay in Seronera?

As we mentioned earlier, countless accommodations offer services in this region. Here, you can choose commercial, high-end lodges or budget-friendly camps. No matter which lodging option you choose, we are certain you’ll have fun. The table below shows a list of some lodges.

From the big five to the abundant accommodations and services, the central Serengeti is a place every adventure-seeker must visit. Ready to discover wonders on your own? Call our expert to start planning. Your unforgettable African adventure is just a call away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the drive from Arusha to Serengeti really like? Will I miss out by not flying?

The drive is long (about 7 hours), but it’s an adventure in itself. You’ll pass through highlands, local villages, and even the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. If you want to save time and energy, a flight is more convenient, but the road gives you the full journey.

How do I choose the right region of the Serengeti if I only have a few days?

If your time is limited, the Central Serengeti (Seronera) is the best all-around choice. It’s rich in wildlife year-round. You’ll have the chance to see big cats, elephants, giraffes, and possibly even part of the migration—all without needing to move around too much.

Will I actually see lions and leopards here, or is that just lucky timing?

In the Central Serengeti, it’s more than just luck. This area is known as the “big cat capital” for a reason. Lions and leopards are commonly sighted, especially near the Seronera River and kopjes. Cheetahs are also regularly seen on the open plains. With an experienced guide, your chances are very high.