The Eastern Serengeti is a lesser-traveled but deeply rewarding section of Tanzania’s world-famous Serengeti ecosystem. While many visitors focus on the central Seronera area or chase the Great Migration in the north and west, the eastern region offers a more remote, wild, and exclusive safari experience. It’s a haven for true wildlife enthusiasts and photographers seeking intimate game viewing far from the crowds.
Characterized by sweeping open plains, rocky outcrops (kopjes), and gently rolling hills, the Eastern Serengeti is home to some of the park’s highest concentrations of predators, especially cheetahs. The vast, open terrain makes it ideal for these swift cats, and sightings of cheetahs hunting on the plains are relatively common. Lions and leopards are also present in healthy numbers, especially around the kopjes where they rest and scan the grasslands for prey. Hyenas, jackals, and other carnivores thrive here too, drawn by the plentiful antelope and other grazers that roam the region.
Unlike more visited sections of the park, the Eastern Serengeti has fewer roads, fewer camps, and fewer tourists, which enhances its raw and untamed atmosphere. This sense of isolation allows for longer, uninterrupted game drives and the possibility of having a wildlife sighting all to yourself. It also makes the area a favorite for professional filmmakers and researchers.
One of the region’s key advantages is that it offers excellent game viewing year-round. While it may not always host the densest herds of the Great Migration, it consistently delivers high predator activity and resident wildlife including giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, warthogs, ostriches, and a wide range of birds of prey. During the green season (typically November to May), the landscape becomes lush and dramatic, providing excellent photographic opportunities and a chance to witness calving in some antelope species.
Access to the Eastern Serengeti is typically through the Naabi Hill Gate or via light aircraft to Seronera Airstrip, followed by a transfer eastward. The area is best explored with a knowledgeable guide and through operators that understand its remote nature. Accommodation includes a few select mobile camps and eco-luxury tented lodges, offering exclusive experiences with sweeping views and close proximity to wildlife.