Serengeti National Park – Leading National Park in Africa 2025

Serengeti National Park – Leading National Park in Africa 2025

At the 2025 World Travel Awards (WTA) and Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony held June 28 at the Johari Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Serengeti National Park once again proved why it sits at the heart of Africa’s safari dream. Tanzania’s flagship park took home not one but two of the continent’s top honors: Africa’s Leading National Park 2025 and Africa’s Leading Big Five National Park 2025. These titles are no surprise for a park that has consistently captured the world’s imagination, from famous filmmakers to first-timers. But what makes Serengeti win these two awards? Let’s explore.

The Wild Still Reigns Supreme in the Serengeti.

Spanning 14,763 square kilometers in northern Tanzania, the Serengeti is one of the last remaining ecosystems on earth, where wildlife continues to roam freely in large numbers. Its name, derived from the Maasai word “Siringet” (meaning “endless plains”), perfectly describes the landscape. Think golden grasslands, dotted with acacia trees stretching to the horizon under open African skies.

It’s in this park that nature stages its greatest show – the Great Migration, where nearly two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle move in their relentless quest for greener pastures. The drive of this huge, enormous event stems from the wildebeest’s unique ability to sniff out rain hundreds of miles away.

The Big Five Live Here

Winning Africa’s Leading Big Five National Park 2025 wasn’t about the stats of tourists coming into this park. It’s about abundance, diversity, and the drama of wildlife viewing.

Serengeti is one of the best places on earth to spot all of the Big Five. Yes, it has the largest count of lions of any park in the world. Yet, you can spot elephants, often around riverbanks and woodlands. Leopards are elusive and hard to spot, but there are higher chances of spotting them in trees in the central region of the park. Buffaloes often gather in large herds. Rhinos are rare, but protected in specific areas like near the Moru Kopjes. So, we don’t doubt that title.

As Brandon, our recent guest, had to say, “If you were to go to only one African park, make it Serengeti.”  We totally agree with him. This park still has unexplored nature worth seeing.

Why Serengeti Keeps Winning?

It’s the seventh time in a row Serengeti has won the Africa’s Leading National Park award (since 2019). Here’s why Serengeti has consistently topped the awards list:

Timeless ecosystem

Serengeti is part of a much larger ecosystem, which comprises the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Kenya’s Masai Mara. Not only that, this ecosystem encompasses other game reserves and controlled areas.

The Serengeti is one of the oldest and significant ecosystems in the world. It has slightly changed over a million years.

Exceptional game viewing

Wildlife is abundant all year-round, not just during migration. Any time you visit, you’ll spot herbivores like buffalo, giraffes, impalas, elephants, elands, and hartebeests.

A large concentration of predators like cheetahs, leopards, lions, servals, hyenas, and bat-eared foxes add to the mix.

A variety of landscapes

The open plains, riverine forests, kopjes, and acacia woodlands support a variety of animal species. This makes it a stunning wildlife sanctuary.

Global Recognition

Serengeti holds the world-famous recognition UNESCO World Heritage Site, that title it claimed in 1981. Countless documentaries and films have featured the Serengeti, including BBC’s Planet Earth and Serengeti Series, and The Lion King.

Best time to visit Serengeti (Month by Month)

Serengeti is a year-round destination. Every time you visit this park is quite different from the other. Here’s how every month offers unique highlights.

Month	Experience
January-March	Calving season in the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu, ideal for predator action
April-May	Green season – lush scenery, fewer crowds, lower rates
June-July	Beginning of migration, herds move north, with greater numbers for river crossings.
August-October	Dramatic Mara River crossings in Northern Serengeti
November-December	Short rains begin; migratory herds start returning south.

Serengeti National Park – Leading National Park in Africa 2025  : How to Get to Serengeti

Fly-in

Daily flights from Arusha, Zanzibar, or Dar es Salaam to Seronera Airstrip are available. Other airstrips in Serengeti include Kogatende (north), Grumeti (west), Lobo (northcentral), and Serengeti South.

Road safari

Start from Arusha via the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Naabi Hill Gate. The drive takes 6-8 hours. Or start from Mwanza via Sengerema to Ndabaka Gate, then proceed to Seronera. The drive takes 5-6 hours. Both drives include game viewing en route.

Where to Stay in Serengeti

There’s no shortage of world-class places to rest your head – from luxury lodges to mobile camps. Here, we pick a few of them, but check our complete guide to selecting accommodation based region.

Luxury picks

• Four Seasons Serengeti – spa, infinity pool, and wine cellar
• Lemala Nanyukie – modern tents near Seronera, superb for cats
• One Nature Nyaruswiga – tennis, telescope for stargazing, exclusive tents, and a plunge pool

Midrange safari

• Serengeti Tortilis Camp – eco-friendly and close to action
• Kati Kati Camp – classic tented experience in the heart of the Serengeti
• Kubu Kubu Tented Camp – swimming pool, ideal for big cat sightings

Final word

Serengeti doesn’t just win awards, it earns them. As East Africa celebrates its 2025 WTA winners, Serengeti stands tall – a living reminder of what wild Africa once was and still can be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Serengeti win Africa’s Leading National Park?

Because of its unmatched wildlife density, ecological importance, and exceptional safari infrastructure.

What makes Serengeti a Big Five destination?

All five iconic animals – lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and black rhino are present and are a common sighting on most multi-day safaris.

How does Serengeti compare to Masai Mara?

Serengeti is bigger, offers more diverse habitats, and hosts a larger portion of the migration. Masai Mara is more compact and better for short trips.