Getting to Serengeti National Park
How to Get to Serengeti Park: Flights, Road & Safari Access Tips.
The Serengeti National Park can be accessed by road as well as by air transport. As such, it is quite possible to incorporate the Serengeti National Park into several Tanzania safari trips. Typically, tourists will access the park from either Arusha or JRO airport through a safari vehicle or an internal flight from one of the park’s airstrips, depending on their budget and time.
Travellers can also reach the Serengeti through western Tanzania via Mwanza, from Zanzibar by domestic flight, or as part of a Kenya-Tanzania itinerary, though border and flight arrangements need to be planned in advance.
Quick Answer: How Do You Get to Serengeti National Park?
You can reach Serengeti National Park by road or domestic flight. The most common starting point for any traveller is either Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport, from where they travel to the park either by road or fly to airstrips like Seronera, Kogatende, Grumeti, and Kusini, depending on which section of the park they want to visit. Flying is faster, but the road enables you to go to places like Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Manyara.
| Travel Option | Best For | Main Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Fly-in safari | Limited time | Saves travel time |
| Road safari | Northern Circuit | Combines several destinations |
| Fly-in, drive-out | Convenience + sightseeing | Combines both options |
| Kenya–Tanzania route | Multi-country safari | Connects Maasai Mara and Serengeti |
| Zanzibar–Serengeti flight | Beach + safari | Convenient combination itinerary |
International Airports for a Serengeti Safari
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Located between Arusha and Moshi, Kilimanjaro International Airport is the main international gateway for most northern Tanzania safaris, including trips to Serengeti. International connections vary by airline and season, and travellers arriving at JRO can continue to Serengeti either by road or by connecting to a domestic flight.
Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)
Tanzania’s busiest airport, on the eastern coast in Dar es Salaam, is popular with travellers combining a Serengeti safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday. From Dar es Salaam, travellers typically connect to northern Tanzania by domestic flight or incorporate Serengeti into a wider Tanzania itinerary.
Nairobi, Kenya (NBO)
Nairobi is another useful international gateway for travellers combining Kenya and Tanzania. Depending on the itinerary and current flight schedules, travellers can connect from Nairobi to northern Tanzania or arrange a Kenya-Tanzania safari combining the Maasai Mara with the Serengeti.
Flying to Serengeti
Domestic and safari flight operators serving Serengeti routes may include Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, Regional Air, and Flightlink, though specific routes and schedules change and should be confirmed with your operator or travel agent when booking.
Popular routes typically include Arusha/Kilimanjaro to Serengeti airstrips, Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar to Serengeti airstrips, and Nairobi to Serengeti via Kilimanjaro or direct charter. Flight times vary by departure point, destination airstrip, and routing. Some services are relatively short, while others take longer because of intermediate stops.
Serengeti Airstrips
- Seronera Airstrip: Centrally located, one of the main air access points for central Serengeti and useful for year-round safari itineraries.
- Kogatende Airstrip: An important access point for northern Serengeti, useful for itineraries targeting the Mara River area, particularly during the migration season (roughly July–October).
- Grumeti Airstrip: Useful for western Serengeti itineraries and the Grumeti River area.
- Kusini Airstrip: Useful for southern Serengeti itineraries, including travel during the January–March calving period.
- Ndabaka Airstrip: Useful for travellers heading to western Serengeti and itineraries entering through the Ndabaka area.
Travel by air cuts down on travel time and allows one to view the savannah landscape from above.
Getting to Serengeti by Road
Typical Northern Safari Circuit Route
Most road safaris begin on the path from Arusha to either Lake Manyara National Park or Tarangire National Park, followed by Ngorongoro Conservation Area and ending at the Serengeti National Park.
How Long Does It Take to Drive to Serengeti?
Driving time depends on your starting point, which Serengeti gate you use, and where your lodge or camp is located within the park. From Arusha, reaching Naabi Hill Gate generally takes roughly 6–8 hours over a distance of about 230–330 kilometres, depending on the exact route. Reaching Seronera in central Serengeti typically adds another one to two hours beyond the gate. The road is paved as far as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area entrance, with gravel roads for the remaining stretch, which can be slower and dustier, especially during the wet season. Stops at other parks along the way can make the overall journey longer.
Serengeti Entry Gates
- Naabi Hill Gate (East/Central): The most frequently used gate for travellers coming from Arusha via Ngorongoro.
- Ndabaka Gate (West): Convenient for travellers approaching from Mwanza or Lake Victoria, via a different road than the Ngorongoro route.
- Klein’s Gate (NorthEast): Located near the Kenya border and the Maasai Mara, considerably further from Arusha by road.
- Bologonja Gate (North): A northeastern access point near the Kenya border. This should not be treated as a standard tourist border crossing; travellers crossing between Kenya and Tanzania need to use an approved border route and complete the necessary immigration procedures.
Read more about the Gates of Serengeti National Park in detail.
By Air or Road: Which Is Better?
| Option | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| By Air | Faster, scenic, convenient for short itineraries | Higher cost, stricter luggage limits, less sightseeing en route |
| By Road | More economical and flexible sightseeing, combining Northern Circuit destinations | Longer journey; road conditions vary |
| Fly In, Drive Out | Combines convenience with sightseeing | Requires more careful itinerary planning |
Many travellers combine both: flying into the Serengeti to save time, then driving back out through Ngorongoro and other parks to experience the full Northern Circuit.
Alternative Ways to Reach Serengeti
From Mwanza
Travellers arriving in western Tanzania can approach the Serengeti through the Mwanza area and Ndabaka Gate. Travellers coming from Uganda can also incorporate western Tanzania into a longer overland or regional itinerary, depending on their route and border arrangements.
From Kenya
Travellers based at the Maasai Mara can combine their trip with the Serengeti National Park, but this requires planning an approved international border crossing and completing immigration procedures; it’s not a casual drive-through, and arrangements depend on your safari operator.
From Zanzibar
Domestic safari flights can connect Zanzibar with Serengeti airstrips on selected routes and schedules, making it possible to combine a Zanzibar beach holiday with a Serengeti safari.
How the Best Time to Visit Affects Your Route
June–October (Dry Season): Generally favourable for wildlife viewing, with drier conditions that can make road travel easier.
January–March (Calving Season): Southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area are important areas for travellers interested in the wildebeest calving season, and nearby airstrips can provide convenient access depending on current flight schedules.
July–October (Migration River Crossings): Northern Serengeti, accessed via Kogatende Airstrip, is important for travellers targeting the Mara River area, though the timing and location of crossings vary year to year.
April–May (Wet Season): Roads can become more challenging due to rainfall and muddy conditions; flight schedules and access arrangements should be confirmed in advance.
Tips for Getting to Serengeti
- Book early: Flights and lodges can fill up months in advance, especially during migration season.
- Combine with other parks: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater are natural additions to a road-based route.
- Choose the right gate or airstrip: Base your choice on which part of the Serengeti you plan to visit.
- Check luggage limits: Domestic safaris are quite restrictive about luggage allowance, so you should check with your airline before you travel and pack your luggage in a soft case.
- Stay flexible: Movement of wildlife can change, especially during migration, and flying gives you the option to make changes to your schedule.
- Consider travel insurance: Helpful considering the nature of the travels that you will undertake.
FAQs About Getting to Serengeti
How do I get to Serengeti National Park?
By road from Arusha via Ngorongoro, or by domestic flight to one of the park’s airstrips.
Can you fly directly to Serengeti?
Yes, domestic flights connect Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar to several Serengeti airstrips.
How long does it take to drive from Arusha to Serengeti?
Travelling to Naabi Hill Gate from Arusha takes about 6 to 8 hours through the roads, depending on several factors.
Which airport is best for Serengeti?
The Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is mainly used by tourists for northern Tanzania safaris.
Can I fly from Zanzibar to Serengeti?
Yes, on selected routes and schedules, a popular way to combine a beach holiday with a safari.
Can I travel from Kenya to Serengeti?
Yes, however, it needs an authorized border crossing and process of immigration, which is done better by your safari company.
Which Serengeti airstrip should I use?
It depends on your destination in the park: Seronera for central Serengeti, Kogatende for the north, Grumeti for the west, and Kusini for the south.
How much does it cost to get to Serengeti?
The price will vary according to your mode of transportation, whether you travel by road or air, from which location you leave, what time of the year you go, and whether transportation is included in your safari trip or not. Normally, flying will be more expensive than travelling by road.
Can I drive from Arusha to Serengeti in one day?
Yes, it is possible to drive from Arusha to Serengeti in a day, although the journey takes several hours. Many itineraries break up the journey by visiting destinations such as Tarangire, Lake Manyara or Ngorongoro along the way.
Plan Your Serengeti Safari
Be it an adventurous road safari in the Northern Circuit, a flight to the Serengeti or a combination of both in fly-in/drive-out arrangements, we will be able to plan the route in relation to your travel dates. Please get in touch with us for a safari arrangement in the Serengeti, which may include transport, accommodations, and linkages to places like Ngorongoro, Tarangire or Zanzibar.
