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If you are planning on going to a safari, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania should be on top of that list.  Here is how you plan a perfect trip to Serengeti.

Planning a trip to Serengeti National Park can be as organized or as flexible as you want it to be. From group tours for all ages offering customizable multi-day packages to self-driving experiences for those who have been on a safari in Africa several times, Serengeti offers it all. Still, due to its massive size (Serengeti is almost as big as Slovenia) and large options for safari experiences, you will need some basic information on when in the year is the best time to go, what kind of experience are you looking for and of course, how much money are you planning to spend. These are my best tips on how to plan a trip to the Serengeti National Park.

Map of Serengeti National Park

Entering Serengeti by road

Most travellers enter the Serengeti National Park through the Naabi Hill Gate. It is located in the southeastern part of the park and it will be your obligatory stop, if you were to drive straight through from Arusha.

Furthermore, in order to enter the Serengeti National Park from Arusha, travelers would have to drive through Ngorongoro Conservation Area and still pay a transit fee. The drive from Arusha takes around 7 to 8 hours and is simply a full day of continuous driving and barely time for a stop.

The drive is long and exhausting. That is why most tour operators offer a combination of the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the Tarangire National Park in a single tour.

Additionally, there is no public transportation connecting Serengeti to the nearby towns, but don’t worry. Most tour operators will include the drive from Arusha or the nearby airports in your tour package

Airstrip in Serengeti

How expensive is to visit Serengeti

Unlike other national parks in eastern and southern Africa, where entrance fees and transfer costs are low, a visit to Serengeti is a big expense for anyone traveling on a budget. Transfers, transit fees, game drives, park fees and accommodation fees add up very quickly. Also, with a wide range of customizable safari options available, figuring out an average cost without taking into consideration what exactly you would like to do is a little bit pointless

Proffesional Safari Vehicle - 6 window Seats

There are big budget-influencing factors that can help you determine how expensive your visit to Serengeti can be. Before you contact tour operators or start planning your own independent trip, ask yourself following questions:

What level of comfort would you like to have for accommodation?

self-camping, budget camp, tented lodge or an all-inclusive lodge, among others

NOTE: You have to sleep inside the national park. Even though costs are higher, distances are way to far for you to enter the national park every day and see the most of it.

What time of year are you planning to visit Serengeti?

July to October is considered the high season while November to December & April to May are low season. December to March is considered calving season, which is one of the most popular times to visit Serengeti – also quite expensive.

What kind of activities do you want to add to your itinerary?

Are you interested in doing several days of game drives around the park, cultural tours that get you more in contact with the Maasai ethnic group or simply several days of relaxation.

How are you planning to get to Serengeti?

Driving or flying? This is probably the most influential factor in determining your budget. While driving is obviously cheaper, you will end up spending at least 1,5 days in a vehicle. On the other hand, flying will increase your budget significantly, but will give you more time to spend inside the park – especially if you are planning a trip for just a few days.  

To give you an estimate of the potential cost of a safari in Serengeti. If you decide to do self-camping, private driver safari with 2 game drives, and cook meals by yourself, expect to spend around 200-250 EUR per day.

“If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa”  –  John Hemingway – Writer.

Entering Serengeti by air

For those traveling with a higher budget and less time, there are several airstrips throughout the park, allowing visitors to fly within easy reach of whichever camp or lodge they have booked.

Kusini and Ndutu airstrips are located in the south and serve mostly luxurious tented camps, while Seronera airstrip is located in the heart of the park and serves most travelers entering by air.

Other airstrips are Lobo, Kleins, and Kogatende in the north; and Grumeti and Sasakwa airstrips in the west side of the country. These are also airstrips mostly used by guests staying at any of the luxury camps in those areas.

Flights from Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, or Ngorongoro start at 200 EUR for a round trip and they can be arranged through the tour operator or directly with the lodge you are staying.

Serengeti in High Season or Low Season? 

“For travelers looking to visit Serengeti or Masai Mara, the beginning of November is probably the best time to visit. Prices are low because the low season began, the chances of rain might be low and the possibility of seeing large concentrations of  wildebeest are still high at the border between Masai Mara and Serengeti.

Self-driving in Serengeti

This is probably one of the most searched questions for road trip lovers and the simple answer is – yes, you can self-drive and camp at Serengeti National Park. However, entrance fees are higher for self-drivers and you need proper off-road driving skills in certain situations.

Furthermore, you need to understand basic safari etiquette when it comes to observing animals from a distance, know the rules of the national park and be ready for any inconvenience you will find along the way.

Extra tanks with gasoline, basic knowledge on how to repair a vehicle and proper maps are essential to avoid any bad experience.

“self-driving in Serengeti is a magical experience. However, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone without the proper experience. Self-driving makes way more difficult to find animals in the wild. At the same time, we have lots of inconveniences with travelers getting lost or stuck. It happens more than you think and its expensive, annoying and frustrating for anyone encountering this situation.”  – Serengeti Ranger.