East Serengeti

The East Serengeti is a seasonal masterpiece that transforms into a lush, green eden from November to May. Home to the world-famous Gol Kopjes, this region boasts the highest concentration of cheetahs in Africa and offers the park's most exclusive "off-the-beaten-path" adventure.

Details

The Eastern Plains are a massive, 3,200-square-mile expanse stretching from Naabi Hill all the way to the Ngorongoro Highlands and the active volcano, Mount Lengai. While these plains appear as a parched, semi-desert “moonscape” during the dry season, the arrival of the rains in November triggers an explosion of life. This is the Serengeti’s most seasonal region; it is only during the “green season” (November–May) that it becomes a prolific wildlife theater. For the adventurous traveler, the East offers a stunningly beautiful, remote wilderness that feels worlds away from the more traveled central circuits.

The Cheetah Capital of Africa

The crown jewel of the East is the Gol Kopjes. These ancient granite outcrops act as the primary hunting grounds for the highest concentration of cheetahs in Africa.

The Gazelle Connection: Unlike the resident cats of the woodlands, the East’s cheetahs are largely migratory, following the massive herds of Thomson’s Gazelle to the short-grass plains.
The Hunt: Being strictly diurnal (daytime) hunters, the open horizons of the East provide the perfect stage to witness the world’s fastest land animal sprinting in pursuit of its prey.
Ethical Viewing: Because cheetahs are incredibly fragile, visitors are urged to maintain a respectful distance. Over-eager vehicles can cause mothers to abandon their cubs or their hard-earned kills.

Predators and the “Commuters”

The East is not just for cheetahs; it is the center of predator activity during the wet season:

The Hyena Clans: This region hosts the largest concentrations of hyenas in the ecosystem. Massive clans of up to 30 individuals “commute” from their dens in the Central Serengeti to feast on the migratory herds here.
Nomadic Lions: While most lions are resident, about 20% of the population is nomadic. These “opportunistic” prides follow the migration to the Gol Kopjes, though they are rarely seen further east toward the Salei Plains.

The Great Migration: The Salei Plains

The East plays host to a distinct segment of the Great Migration—sometimes numbering into the hundreds of thousands—that separates from the main southern herds.

Nutrient-Rich Soils: The herds congregate on the Salei Plains because the soil here is closest to the volcanic highlands. Millions of years of volcanic ash have created a soil so rich in phosphorus and minerals that it is essential for the health of lactating mothers and growing calves.
Remote Splendor: The Salei Plains receive the least rainfall in the ecosystem, but when they do turn green, they offer the best “off-the-beaten-track” game viewing in Northern Tanzania, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Gregory Rift Wall.

Seasonal Highlights

Month	Season	Weather	Wildlife Sightings	Rec.
Jan	Green Season	60 - 85 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration, Zebra Migration, Thomson's Gazelle Migration, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Buffalo, Hippo	Yes
Feb	Green Season	60 - 85 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration, Zebra Migration, Thomson's Gazelle Migration, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Buffalo, Hippo	Yes
Mar	Green Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Cheetah, Hyena, Eland Migration, Thomson's Gazelle Migration	Yes
Apr	Green Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Cheetah, Hyena, Eland Migration, Thomson's Gazelle Migration	Yes
May	Northward Migration	56 - 81 F Mostly sunny	Cheetah, Hyena, Eland Migration, Thomson's Gazelle Migration	Yes
Jun	Beginning of Dry Season	56 - 81 F Mostly sunny	Cheetah, Hyena, Eland Migration, Thomson's Gazelle Migration (early to mid June only)	Yes
Jul	Dry Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny	Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo	Yes
Aug	Dry Season	55 - 81 F Mostly sunny	Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo	Yes
Sep	Dry Season	55 - 81 F Mostly sunny	Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo	Yes
Oct	Dry Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny	Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Impala, Buffalo, Hippo	Yes
Nov	Southward Migration	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration, Zebra Migration, Thomson's Gazelle Migration, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Buffalo, Hippo	Yes
Dec	Beginning of Green Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration, Zebra Migration, Thomson's Gazelle Migration, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Buffalo, Hippo	Yes