How to get to Serengeti National Park : Serengeti national park is the most popular wildlife safari destination in the world and Tanzania as well located in the remote corner of the planet, however regardless of its remoteness the park is easily accessible. Most of the Tanzania safaris start from either Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport found in Arusha city.
From Arusha City, travelers can connect to the park by either using a vehicle or by a domestic or chartered flight.
Serengeti national park is among the few places on earth where nature’s ancient riles and seasonal cycles have been more or less unaltered, the park is fairly easy to access. Flying from Arusha to one of the airstrips in the park is one of the most convenient ways to get to Serengeti national park, driving to Serengeti national park using a 4×4 safari vehicle is possible.
Getting to Serengeti by Air
International Air Travel
The recommended point of entry to Serengeti national park is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) located between the towns of Moshi and Arusha, this airport is about 200 miles / 320 kilometers from the southern entrance of Serengeti national park.
There are several international flight companies to choose from such as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operating daily flight, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines operating a few times of the week. Kilimanjaro International Airport also has daily connections with Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International airport) thus offering more international flight possibilities.
Airlines such as British Airways, Emirates and other fly into Tanzania’s capital Dar es Salaam (DAR).
Note: arriving at Dar Es Salaam may require you to have an extra overnight and a domestic flight on a small regional airline which has luggage restrictions.
Regional Air travel
Flying from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) is the most preferable mode of transport for Serengeti fly-in safaris, from these airports you will fly to one of the 7 airstrips serving S taking approximately 1-5 hours.
All domestic flights are operated by local airlines such as Grumeti Air or Coastal Aviation, once you land at the airstrip, staff from Focus East Africa Tours will pick you up and transfer to your lodge and also explore the park.
It is also possible to fly from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
When traveling from the Lake Victoria area, Mwanza Airport (MWZ) is the most preferred airport to use. There are also direct flights from Serengeti national park to Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam and other national parks in Tanzania such as Lake Manyara national park, Tarangire national park among others.
Serengeti fly-in safaris (private airstrips)
If you are looking for a faster and more convenient way to get to Serengeti national park, a scheduled or private flight is the best option, some of the more exclusive lodge in Serengeti national park, have their own airstrips and are able to arrange direct scheduled and private charter flights from Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport to their airstrips.
Getting to Serengeti national park by road
Serengeti drive-in safaris
Road is the most popular way to get to Serengeti national park and the best way to do it is by booking a drive-in safari, Serengeti drive-in safaris start from Arusha town and it takes approximately 7-8 hours to get to Serengeti national park .
Serengeti self-drive safaris
The park is accessible while using a safari vehicle that can be rented from a safari company or by your own vehicle. In most cases vehicles from safari companies such as Focus East Africa Tours come with an experienced safari guide, if you are driving by yourself. Note that a 4X4 vehicle is required to access the roads of Serengeti, also petro is sold at Seronera in the Southern Serengeti.
Serengeti national park access gates
The park is accessed using 4 main entry and exit points that are Naabi Hill Gate, Ndabaka Gate, Klein’s Gate and Bologonya gate.
Naabi Hill Gate
Naabi Hill Gate is the main gate for Serengeti national park and this is why it is the busiest gate in the park, this gate is located approximately 45 kilometers from Seronera and it is open between 06hours and 18 hours daily.
Ndabaka Gate
Ndabaka Gate is the main access gate for the western corridor area approximately 1.5 hours drive from Mwanza and 145 kilometers from Seronera. Ndabaka Gate is open between 0600 hours and 18 hours on a daily basis, however note that the last entry is at 1600 hours.
Klein’s Gate
Klein’s Gate is located in the far north-east of the Serengeti, the gate is open between 0600hours and 1800 hours on daily. Note: the last entry on this gate is 1600hours.
Bologonya Gate
Bologonya gate is located en-route to or from Kenya.
Serengeti national park fees
Gaining access is done through one of the above mentioned gates, however each individual is required to pay park fees. If you book a safari through Focus East Africa Tours, Serengeti park entrance fees are always included in the organized safari packages.
The following are the entrance fees
Serengeti national park fees
The fees always change basing on the period as shown below
| Category | Fees per person, per 24 hours |
| Per adult (16+ years old) | US$ US$ 82.60 |
| Per child (between 5 and 15 years old) | US$ 23.60 |
| Children below the age of 5 years old | free of charge |
Rules and regulations
- Reduced rates are only applicable for EAC member stat citizens (citizens of Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda), these individuals are required to present valid passports upon entry.
- Proof of identification is mandatory to all visitors at the entry gates
- Serengeti park fees can only be paid by Mastercard, Visa or Tanapa (Tanzania national parks) smart card. cash or other cards are not accepted.
- All fees are for single entry
- Serengeti park fees once paid are non-refundable
- Expatriates or residents and their dependants living in Tanzania must have one of the documents resident permits Class A, B, C, exemption certificate, temporary pass attached with government receipt plus acknowledgement letter, diplomatic passport or ID.
Note: the above Serengeti park fees are subject to change
