The experience of a Serengeti Safari is a unique chance to connect with nature and wildlife. Here you can see the Great Migration, when different animals, including zebras and wildebeest, cross the region.
Planning a Serengeti safari can be challenging for any traveler, as you want to ensure you make the most of this incredible experience. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide with everything you need to know before your trip.
Where is Serengeti National Park?
The park is found in northern Tanzania and it stretches over 14,763 km2. It is located in the eastern Mara Region and the northeastern Simiyu Region.
How to go to the park?
There are many ways to get to Serengeti. Find here all the options so you can choose the one that suits you best:
By plane
The fastest way to get to Serengeti is by plane, you can take a direct flight to one of the park’s airstrips. There are several daily flights from the major cities in Tanzania like Arusha, Kilimanjaro, and Dar es Salaam.
The option most people choose is getting to Kilimanjaro or Arusha and from there going with a safari tour to the park.There are also tours that take you to a private airstrip inside the park!
By road
The primary gateway for road travel to the Serengeti safari is Arusha. The distance is about 325 km and the drive takes around 7 to 8 hours. The road is a little bumpy but the views are worth it and you can see wildlife.
There are a lot of safari tours that go from Arusha and Kilimanjaro to the park. Some even stop at other points of interest and parks so the ride becomes a really enjoyable experience. Depending on the option you choose, some may include an overnight stay in another park.
By combination of the two
The last option you can choose is the Fly-In Safari. With this experience, you will fly into one of the Serengeti airstrips and then continue the safari by road. This way you can see the amazing landscape from above and reduce the travel time.
Entry points
The main gate is Naabi Hill Gate, it is open between 6am and 6pm every day. Ndabaka entrance is the access for the Western Corridor Area, it has the same opening times but the last entry is at 4pm.
Is it safe to visit?
A visit to the park and a Serengeti safari is perfectly safe as long as you follow the rules and guidelines set up by the park staff and your guide. Also, keep in mind the safety recommendations.
People even agree it is one of the safests parks to visit in Tanzania. There are professional Park Rangers and security personnel that take care of the premises every day to ensure every visitor has a safe experience during their visit. To further ensure the safety of the park, all hotels, camps and lodges have their own guards on duty 24/7. Their job is to monitor the movements of wild animals near those locations.
What animals live in Serengeti?
Serengeti National Park is the home of many amazing animals. That’s why a lot of people choose this park to be able to see them close and in their natural habitat.
Here you will find, among others:
- Elephants
- Buffalos
- Giraffes
- Rhinoceros
- Zebras
- Gazelles
- Wildebeest
- Lions
- Leopards
When is the Serengeti migration?
Another reason why so many people choose this park is because here you can witness the Great Migration. At this time, wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and other herbivores cross the ecosystem.
If you want to see this amazing time, it’s important that you choose the right time for your visit. After the births that occur at the beginning of the year, the animals start moving in April and May from the southern corridor to the western one.
In June and July the migration is in the Grumeti area heading north.It is a great time to see the spectacular river crossings. In August and September you can see the Mara River crossing in the north. At this time, the animals gather around waterholes and rivers.
The most common FAQs
How much does a Serengeti safari cost?
The cost of your adventure depends on how luxurious you want it to be, the means of transportation and the date you choose for the trip. To get an idea, a mid-rage safari costs between $350 and $600 per person per day.
The accommodation with this option would be comfortable lodges or tented camps with en-suite facilities. With this price the park fees, meals, transportation and sometimes additional activities are included.
You can find cheaper options and more luxurious ones depending on what you want your experience to be. We recommend checking some options with different safari tours so that you choose the one that works best for you.
What should you wear?
You should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants so that you don’t get exposed to the sharp vegetation and insects. We also recommend a hat, sunglasses and good walking shoes. Your clothes should be in neutral colors so that they don’t scare away the local fauna.
It tends to be very hot during the day and get chilly at night so we recommend you dress in layers so that you are prepared for the variations.
How many days does the experience take?
The safari tours offer different time options for you to choose from. There are ones that last 2-3 days and give you a general overview, 4-7 days options, and 8-12 days or more.
The more days you spend there, the more things you get to see. We recommend you spend at least three days so you get to see the animals and the scenery and your visit doesn’t feel rushed.
