Salei Plains

The Salei Plains are a vast, arid wilderness located in the rain shadow of the Ngorongoro Highlands. Home to the rare fringe-eared oryx and dominated by the "Mountain of God" volcano, this remote expanse offers an authentic "Martian-like" safari.

Details

The Salei Plains represent the Serengeti’s wild and arid cousin. Located east of the Gol Mountains and lower in altitude than the main Serengeti, these plains receive significantly less rainfall, creating a stark and beautiful semi-desert environment. The horizon is dominated by the looming presence of Oldoinyo Lengai (the “Mountain of God”), the last active volcano in the NCA Highlands. Salei is a place of intense light and “Martian-like” vistas, offering some of the most authentic cultural encounters with Maasai pastoralists in all of Tanzania.

The topography is characterized by vast, flat, arid plains peppered with scrub and low-lying bushes. The soil is heavily influenced by the volcanic ash of Oldoinyo Lengai, which towers over the eastern edge of the plains. The landscape feels boundless and stark, with the rugged silhouette of the Gol Mountains forming a jagged wall to the west.

Despite the harsh environment, the Salei Plains host a unique array of desert-adapted species:

The Rare Oryx: This is one of the best places in Tanzania to spot the fringe-eared oryx, a magnificent antelope perfectly adapted to life in arid, water-scarce regions.
Arid-Land Specialists: Look for Grant’s gazelles and golden jackals, both of which are capable of surviving long periods without standing water.
The Predator Cycle: During the green season, when temporary flushes of grass appear, the plains can suddenly fill with migratory life, followed closely by nomadic cheetahs and lions that utilize the sparse scrub for ambush cover.

Seasonal Highlights

Month	Season	Weather	Wildlife Sightings	Rec.
Jan	Green Season	60 - 85 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant	Yes
Feb	Green Season	60 - 85 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant, Wildebeest Calving	Yes
Mar	Green Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant	Yes
Apr	Green Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant	Yes
May	Northward Migration	56 - 81 F Mostly sunny	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant	Yes
Jun	Beginning of Dry Season	56 - 81 F Mostly sunny	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant (early June only)	Yes
Jul	Dry Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny	- - - - -	No
Aug	Dry Season	55 - 81 F Mostly sunny	- - - - -	No
Sep	Dry Season	55 - 81 F Mostly sunny	- - - - -	No
Oct	Dry Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny	- - - - -	No
Nov	Southward Migration	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Giraffe, gazelle, Walking Safaris and Cultural Interactions	Yes
Dec	Beginning of Green Season	60 - 83 F Mostly sunny with few showers	Wildebeest Migration and Zebra Migration, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant	Yes