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Serengeti in October

October is the Serengeti's turning month. The herds start back south through Lobo and the east, the last crossings can still happen early on, the heat peaks before the short rains, and prices start to fall while the northern camps are still open.

If you only want the answer

October is very good value: the model gives 31.2°C days, the hottest of the year, and 37 mm of rain over 7 days, with the short rains possibly starting late in the month. Crossings are still possible early on, and the herds start south through Lobo and the east. TANAPA's concession fee drops to US$59 on 1 October and Lemala moves to mid-season rates, while the mobile camps in the north close on 31 October.

Serengeti weather in October: the hottest month

The model gives October 31.2°C by day, the hottest of the year, 18.7°C at night and 37 mm of rain over 7 days. The model runs slightly warm by day at this time of year, but the pattern is right: heat builds until the short rains break it, and they can start late in the month. Measured nights are cooler, around 13 to 16°C. Monthly rainfall from the model is approximate.

The roads are still dry and dusty for most of the month. If the short rains come early, the black-cotton tracks in the west and south are the first to soften.

The herds turn south

In October the herds start to move south from the north through Lobo and the eastern Serengeti, and crossings of the Mara River are still possible early in the month. The timing depends on the rain: a late start to the short rains can keep the herds in the north into November.

Lobo, in the north-east, sits on the route south, so a camp there or in the Wogakuria hills puts you near the passing herds without the August crowds at the river. Lobo airstrip is served by scheduled flights from Arusha.

Shoulder prices, and the last month in the north

On 1 October TANAPA's concession fee for lodge guests drops from US$70.80 to US$59 per adult per night, with VAT, and the special campsites drop to US$50 plus VAT. Lemala moves to its mid season: Ewanjan at US$427 per person sharing and the Mara camp at US$560. Asilia's Dunia and Namiri Plains move to their secret-season rates of US$920 and US$1,400.

Not everyone drops. Elewana's Serengeti Migration Camp and Asilia's Sayari Camp keep high-season rates to 31 October. October is also the last month for the northern mobile camps: Lemala's Mara camp and the Nasikia camp at Kogatende close on 31 October, and Asilia's Olakira leaves Bologonja at the end of the month.

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