Ko Pt Seasons
Seasons

A Year On The Plains

Month planner
Updated each season
Month planner
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
January
Calving starts on the short grass around Ndutu. Warm days, quick showers, and predators never far from the herds.
Where
Ndutu, Ngorongoro, Lobo
Weather
17 to 29°C, short showers
Crowds
Moderate at Ndutu, low elsewhere
A Tour 3
3°25′S 35°30′ENdutu
8
nights

Calving On The Short Grass

Arusha, Ngorongoro, Ndutu, Olduvai

Best January to March
From$6,240
See the route
Ko Tour 6
1°59′S 34°54′ELobo
7
nights

Long Grass Prides

Arusha, Lobo, Bologonja, Seronera

Best December to February
From$5,880
See the route
February
The calving peaks. The plains fill with newborns and the big cats work in plain sight, most mornings before nine.
Where
Ndutu, Southern Serengeti
Weather
17 to 29°C, short showers
Crowds
Moderate, busiest around Lake Ndutu
A Tour 3
3°25′S 35°30′ENdutu
8
nights

Calving On The Short Grass

Arusha, Ngorongoro, Ndutu, Olduvai

Best January to March
From$6,240
See the route
Ko Tour 6
1°59′S 34°54′ELobo
7
nights

Long Grass Prides

Arusha, Lobo, Bologonja, Seronera

Best December to February
From$5,880
See the route
March
The last calves arrive and the first long clouds build. Herds stay south while the grass lasts, then they start to fidget.
Where
Ndutu, Ngorongoro
Weather
16 to 28°C, rain building late
Crowds
Low, falling through the month
A Tour 3
3°25′S 35°30′ENdutu
8
nights

Calving On The Short Grass

Arusha, Ngorongoro, Ndutu, Olduvai

Best January to March
From$6,240
See the route
Ko Tour 7
3°00′S 35°05′ENdutu
6
nights

The Ndutu Zebra Pans

Arusha, Ngorongoro, Ndutu

Best January to March
From$5,240
See the route
April
The long rains. New grass, heavy skies and very few vehicles. Some camps close, the ones that stay open cost less.
Where
Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Maasai Mara
Weather
15 to 26°C, rain most afternoons
Crowds
Very low, you may have a valley alone
No route is at its best in April. A guide can still build one around the weather.
The Green Season, Up Close
May
The rain eases and the herds gather to move. Green from edge to edge, with the light after a storm hard to beat.
Where
Central Serengeti, Maasai Mara
Weather
14 to 25°C, rain easing
Crowds
Very low until the last week
No route is at its best in May. A guide can still build one around the weather.
The Green Season, Up Close
June
The dry season opens. The herds push through the western corridor and elephants start to fill Tarangire.
Where
Western Serengeti, Tarangire
Weather
13 to 26°C, dry
Crowds
Moderate, rising after mid-month
A Tour 1
2°25′S 34°55′ESerengeti
9
nights

The Kopjes Circuit

Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Seronera, Lobo

Best June to October
From$7,480
See the route
A Tour 2
3°50′S 36°00′ETarangire
6
nights

Baobab Dry Season

Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara

Best June to October
From$4,960
See the route
July
The first herds reach the north. Clear days, cold starts, and the Grumeti crossings give way to the Mara.
Where
Northern Serengeti, Maasai Mara
Weather
13 to 26°C, dry
Crowds
High at the Mara, low in the west
A Tour 1
2°25′S 34°55′ESerengeti
9
nights

The Kopjes Circuit

Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Seronera, Lobo

Best June to October
From$7,480
See the route
Ko Tour 5
1°30′S 35°05′EMara
5
nights

Hippo Bends Of The Mara

Nairobi, Mara Triangle, Mara North

Best July to October
From$4,120
See the route
August
The herds reach the Mara River and start to cross. Dry, cool at dawn, busy at the famous crossings, so we use the northern ones.
Where
Northern Serengeti, Maasai Mara
Weather
14 to 27°C, almost no rain
Crowds
High at Sand River, low near Lamai
A Tour 1
2°25′S 34°55′ESerengeti
9
nights

The Kopjes Circuit

Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Seronera, Lobo

Best June to October
From$7,480
See the route
Ko Tour 5
1°30′S 35°05′EMara
5
nights

Hippo Bends Of The Mara

Nairobi, Mara Triangle, Mara North

Best July to October
From$4,120
See the route
September
The herds spread across the north and cross in both directions. Fewer vehicles than August, the same river.
Where
Northern Serengeti, Maasai Mara
Weather
15 to 28°C, dry
Crowds
Moderate, thinning week by week
Ko Tour 4
2°27′S 34°49′ESeronera
7
nights

Cheetah Country

Arusha, Seronera, Moru, Grumeti

Best June to October
From$5,620
See the route
Ko Tour 5
1°30′S 35°05′EMara
5
nights

Hippo Bends Of The Mara

Nairobi, Mara Triangle, Mara North

Best July to October
From$4,120
See the route
October
Herds moving south through Lobo. The grass is short, the cats are easy to find, and the first clouds show up late in the month.
Where
Lobo, Northern Serengeti, Tarangire
Weather
16 to 29°C, first showers late
Crowds
Low to moderate
A Tour 1
2°25′S 34°55′ESerengeti
9
nights

The Kopjes Circuit

Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Seronera, Lobo

Best June to October
From$7,480
See the route
Ko Tour 5
1°30′S 35°05′EMara
5
nights

Hippo Bends Of The Mara

Nairobi, Mara Triangle, Mara North

Best July to October
From$4,120
See the route
November
The short rains bring the herds back south. Dust settles, birds arrive, and most of the plain is ours to ourselves.
Where
Lobo, Seronera, Tarangire
Weather
17 to 28°C, short storms
Crowds
Low
No route is at its best in November. A guide can still build one around the weather.
Ask a guide
December
Green returns to the south and the herds settle in. Lion prides hold the long grass around Lobo, away from the holiday traffic.
Where
Lobo, Southern Serengeti
Weather
17 to 29°C, short showers
Crowds
High at Christmas, low before it
Ko Tour 6
1°59′S 34°54′ELobo
7
nights

Long Grass Prides

Arusha, Lobo, Bologonja, Seronera

Best December to February
From$5,880
See the route
12
Seasons

Months, Six Regions,
One Honest Table

PPeak game viewing
GGreen season, fewer vehicles
CCalving on the plains
Region
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Serengeti South
C
C
C
G
G
P
P
Serengeti North
P
P
P
P
P
Maasai Mara
G
G
P
P
P
P
Tarangire
G
G
G
G
G
P
P
P
P
P
G
G
Ngorongoro
C
C
C
G
G
P
P
P
P
P
P
G
Nyerere
P
P
G
G
P
P
P
P
P
P
A blank month is not a closed month. It is a quieter one, and we will say so.
Open the month planner
Ko Post 1
Green season

The Green Season, Up Close

April and May bring rain, new grass and very few vehicles. Some camps close. The ones that stay open cost less, and the light after a storm is hard to beat.
Read the field note
Planning

Timing Questions

How early should I book?

For July to October, eight to twelve months out. Green season can often be arranged in eight weeks.

Can you promise a river crossing?

No, and be wary of anyone who does. The herds decide. We place you near the likeliest crossings for your dates and keep the days loose enough to move.

Is it safe to travel in the rains?

Yes. Storms are usually short and fall in the afternoon. Some tracks turn to mud, so a guide may change a route on the day, and a few camps close in April and May.

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