Where to stay in Serengeti

Seronera Valley

Seronera is the beating heart of the central Serengeti, defined by acacia woodlands and intersecting river systems that attract high concentrations of resident wildlife. It feels bustling during peak months. You can walk out of your tent directly onto game drive tracks, and the Serengeti Visitor Centre and the Retima Hippo Pool are key nearby landmarks.

Kogatende

Located in the remote far north, this area consists of undulating hills bordering the Maasai Mara. It feels wild and exclusive, dominated by frantic river crossing action between July and October. While you cannot walk freely due to predators, camps sit right on the migration paths, with the main Lamai Wedge and the Mara River itself acting as key geographic anchors.

Ndutu Plains

Technically part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area but functioning as the southern Serengeti ecosystem, Ndutu is defined by short-grass plains and shallow soda lakes. It feels open, dusty, and extraordinarily alive with newborn calves and hunting cheetahs. Lake Ndutu and the ancient acacia forests are the main natural landmarks here.

Grumeti River

The western corridor follows the winding Grumeti River toward Lake Victoria, featuring dense riverine forests and vast floodplains. It feels quieter and more heavily forested than the central plains. The Kirawira area and the Grumeti River itself are primary landmarks, offering exceptional sightings of giant Nile crocodiles and resident plains game.