While the weather in the Serengeti National Park is pleasant and consistent throughout the year, we think summer is a particularly spectacular time to visit. The dry season runs from June to October and provides the best wildlife viewing opportunities while the Great Migration takes place in the north.
With new life emerging after the green season, there’s plenty to see at this time of year. So here are some of our favourite things about summer safaris in the Serengeti – and the best place to experience it all is, of course, from the air.
Sunny weather
During the dry season you can expect bright days and plenty of sunshine. With afternoon temperatures averaging about 25 degrees celsius, there’s a lovely warmth in the air without being too unbearably hot.
The skies are usually bright and clear during the summer, making for the perfect balloon safari conditions. You’ll be able to see as much of the breath-taking landscapes below as possible, without too much interference from clouds.
Of course, the temperatures can drop lower during the evenings and nights, and while it’s not too hot during the day, you will still need to protect yourself from the sun. We suggest wearing clothing that will keep you cool and shaded, such as light linen fabrics and a wide-brimmed hat.
In the evenings, you’ll want to pack some warmer clothes to keep off the chill and cover any exposed skin to avoid those nuisance mosquito bites.
Vast vegetation
The plants in the Serengeti form the oldest and the largest ecosystem in the world. Dominated by open savannah grasslands and dotted with all kinds of acacia tree species, the best way to get a good look and feel for the national park’s newly growing vegetation is from the sky.
Our balloon safaris would look completely different without the scenic views of the vast range of plants below. The fauna relies so heavily on the flora, as everything is so intricately connected, making it as beautiful sight to behold as the wildlife it inhabits.
During the summer months, the thick bush thins out, making space for new life. Keep your eyes peeled for Sausage Trees, Wild Date Palms, Whistling Thorns, and Fig Trees as we glide gently over the plains below.
Remarkable wildlife sightings
Many people choose to visit the Serengeti National Park during June, July and August, as this is considered the best time to spot the Great Migration in the Kogatende and Bologonja areas of the north. Calving season of the wildebeest begins in January and continues into March, so by the summer the young animals are migrating to the north with their parents.
During this time, over a million and a half wildebeest, zebras and gazelles move through the savannah, criss-crossing rivers and gathering at waterholes, so you might just get the chance to witness an iconic river crossing on the Mara River.