Parking
Use the signed visitor/parking area at Naabi Hill Gate; join the walking path from the gate area. Confirm parking and access instructions with TANAPA or your safari guide.
Overview
About Naabi Hill Nature Trail
Naabi Hill is a short, signed walking loop at Naabi Hill Gate, the Serengeti’s southeastern entrance. From the gate-area access, a paved approach reaches the rocky footpath that circles and climbs the outcrop to the observation point before returning toward the gate. The mapped walking line is about 0.3 mile (0.45 km) and usually takes about 30 minutes, but the surface is uneven and exposed. The lookout opens over the short-grass plains; stay on the designated route because wildlife uses the surrounding area.
Why go
- One of the few designated places in Serengeti where you can walk a signed trail.
- Elevated kopje vantage that’s excellent for spotting migration herds December–June.
- Handy restrooms and a small shop at the gate for quick resupply.
Heads up
- Busy entrance gate can mean crowds and lines, especially during peak migration.
- Fully exposed; rock gets hot and glare is harsh at midday.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Serengeti map
Full mapElevation1,726–1,741 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Serengeti Tour Guide
Your drive to Naabi Hill Nature Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Serengeti National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Serengeti audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Naabi Hill Gate: Boundary and Practical TipsListen
“You're reaching Naabi Hill Gate, which marks the official boundary between the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Serengeti Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Naabi Hill: The Serengeti's Eastern Gateway
- Secretary Birds: The Snake Stompers
- Calving Season: The Serengeti's Epic Baby Boom
- 132 audio storiesacross Serengeti’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 1 trails, 84 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Naabi Hill Nature Trail
Trail ExperienceThe route begins at the gate-area visitor access, follows a short paved-stone footway east to…
The route begins at the gate-area visitor access, follows a short paved-stone footway east to the rocky hill, then follows the mapped path around the outcrop and back toward the gate. Expect a brief climb, uneven rock and strong sun exposure. The route is best treated as a short viewpoint walk rather than a backcountry hike.
Logistics and FacilitiesNaabi Hill Gate is reached from the Ngorongoro side by the B144 and is a practical stop for…
Naabi Hill Gate is reached from the Ngorongoro side by the B144 and is a practical stop for entry formalities, visitor information, restrooms, supplies and a picnic break. Confirm current access, fees and walking instructions with TANAPA or your safari guide. Start from the signed gate-area path and use only designated visitor areas.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Serengeti
645 sightingsLionMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
234 sightingsLeopardMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
273 sightingsCheetahMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
542 sightingsElephantMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
132 sightingsCape BuffaloMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
190 sightingsWildebeestMost seen around 5 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Serengeti. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
