How To Get To Serengeti National Park 

Even though Serengeti is one of the most untouched natural lands in the world, getting there is actually pretty easy. Most international travellers first fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport. 

Once you land and go through immigration, your safari company will pick you up in their vehicle and drive you to Serengeti. Those that prefer not to drive can plan to take a short transfer flight to one of Serengeti’s landing strips. Our clietns prefer to take a flight because it's a very long drive and the roads are very bumpy. 

You can also combine the two choices. For example, you can fly to Serengeti and then leave for another park in Tanzania via the safari vehicle. 

If you’re combining a Serengeti safari with other northern circuit parks, you will take a safari vehicle to the other parks including Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara. 

Travelling to Serengeti By Air 

The easiest way to get to Serengeti is to fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). It’s located in Moshi close to Arusha. Many international airlines fly into Kilimanjaro including Turkish Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and Kenya Airways. 

If you want to fly with a larger airline like British Airways or Emirates, you will need to fly into Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR) in Dar Es Salaam and then connect to JRO. 

Kenya’s main airport in Nairobi (NBO) also has many international flight options. Some travellers find it cheaper to fly into NBO depending on where they are coming from. Connecting to JRO or DAR from Nairobi is very easy and quick. 

Regional Airlines 

If you’re already in Tanzania visiting Dar Es Salaam or Zanzibar, you can take a regional airline such as Air Tanzania or Precision Air. These smaller airlines fly into Arusha Airport (ARK). 

Many travellers fly into Arusha because Serengeti is easily accessible from this smaller airport. Coastal Aviation and Grumeti Air take you directly to Serengeti from Arusha by using one of the park’s seven airstrips. 

Depending on where in the park you’re landing, it can take anywhere from one hour to 5 hours to get there. Your lodge or campsite staff will then pick you up from the landing strip and take you to your accommodation. 

It can take about 45 minutes to 2 hours to get to the lodge depending on where it’s located in relation to the landing strip. 

Private Airlines 

If you want the fastest and most convenient way of getting to Serengeti, you can take a private charter flight. Many of the top lodges have their own landing strips and you can take a direct flight from ARK or JRO to the lodge. 

Travelling to Serengeti By Road 

Travelling to Serengeti via car while taking is a more common way of getting to Serengeti. Your safari staff will pick you up from JRO or ARK and drive you directly to Serengeti. 

You will first drive to Arusha and then it will take about 8 hours to get to Serengeti. You will stay overnight at one of Tanzania’s many wildlife sites on the way. 

Driving to Serengeti is a more favorable option for travellers that want to see more of Tanzania’s culture and landscape. 

Driving is also better for those that are planning to visit other national parks  and not just Serengeti. 

Depending on your itinerary, you might head to Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara before going to Serengeti since they are closer to Arusha. Some people prefer to go to Serengeti first and then go to the other parks if they are heading back to Arusha after their safari excursions. 

Access to Serengeti National Park 

Serengeti has four main gates. Your entry point will depend on where in the park you are sleeping. Your safari guide and driver will let you know which gates you are entering and exiting from if the exit point is different. 

Naabi Gate 

Most safari travellers come to this gate as it’s the main entry point. It’s the closest gate to Seronera. Your safari itinerary will involve a day in Serenora as this is a popular place to spot big cats and predators in action. 

Klein’s Gate

 This gate is located in the northeast part of the park. The northeastern parts of the park are less crowded so your guide may bring you here if you’re looking for fewer tourists and a more remote location.

 
Bologonya Gate 

This gate is for those that are traveling to or from Kenya. It’s just south of the border between Tanzania and Kenya. 

Ndabaka Gate 

This is another common entrance point for travellers. It’s in the western part of the park. The Great Migrations starts in the west as the animals prepare to cross the Grumeti River. If you’re visiting Serengeti at the start of the migration, you might enter through this gate. 

Travelling to Serengeti Made Easy!

Many people think since Serengeti is in such a remote location that it’s not easily accessible. This couldn’t be further from the truth. With 7 airstrips and many gates for land entrance, it’s easy to get to the national park. 

At Tanzania Safaris we  makes all the travel logistics easy as we will arrange your regional flights or your airport pickups for you!