Eastern Serengeti

The East Serengeti is the park’s most remote and untamed frontier. While it receives fewer visitors than the central and northern regions, those who venture here are rewarded with a sense of isolation and some of the most spectacular predator sightings in Africa. It is a land of rugged beauty, characterized by windswept plains and towering granite outcrops.

The Land of the Cheetah

The East Serengeti is world-famous among safari enthusiasts for the Gol Kopjes. These ancient granite formations rise like islands from the sea of grass and are widely considered the best place in the entire Serengeti to find cheetahs. The open nature of the Salei Plains and Angata Kiti provides the perfect habitat for these high-speed hunters to spot and chase their prey.

The region is also home to fascinating geological wonders. Nasera Rock, a massive 50-meter-high monolith, is a landmark of immense cultural and ecological importance, having sheltered humans for thousands of years. Nearby, the deep and dramatic Ol Karien Gorge serves as a vital nesting site for thousands of Ruppell's Vultures, which can be seen soaring on the thermals above the canyon.

Wilderness and Isolation

East Serengeti offers a variety of hidden treasures, from the wildlife-rich Sametu Marsh and Kopjes to the remote Barafu Gorge and Kopjes. The Lemuta Hill provides one of the best vantage points in the park, offering a 360-degree view of the migration routes. Unlike the busier regions, you will often have these incredible sightings entirely to yourself.

Regional Highlights

• Gol Kopjes: The premier cheetah-spotting location in Africa.
• Nasera Rock: A stunning monolith with archaeological significance.
• Ol Karien Gorge: A dramatic canyon and vulture sanctuary.
• Sametu Marsh: A permanent water source attracting resident big cats and elephants.

When to Visit

The East Serengeti is best visited during the rainy season and the subsequent "green season" (November to May). During this time, the plains are covered in lush grass, attracting the migration herds and their following predators. In the dry season, the area becomes very arid, and wildlife tends to congregate around the permanent water of the Sametu Marsh.