How To Get to Serengeti National Park From Dar Es Salaam?

Pairing Dar es Salaam and Serengeti National Park provides a real Tanzanian experience of the urban and the rural. The city bursts with culture, activities, beaches, and gastronomical delights. Whereas, Serengeti offers the ultimate wildlife adventure. Thankfully, how to get to Serengeti from Dar es Salaam is pretty straightforward to arrange.

Best Way To Get To Serengeti National Park From Dar Es Salaam?

The best way to get from Serengeti National Park from Dar Es Salaam is by flying. Choices include flying directly to one of Serengeti’s seven airstrips or another major airport where your tour can pick you and your party up. Visitors can select from standard domestic flights and charters.

Flying to Serengeti National Park From Dar Es Salaam

Flying to Serengeti National Park often begins from Dar es Salaam’s International Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). It has flights to Arusha Airport (ARK). From there, travelers are either fetched from their tour operator or hop onto a smaller plane and head to one of Serengeti’s nearby airstrips:

• Fort Ikoma
• Kirawira
• Kogatende
• Lobo
• Serengeti Kusini
• Saskwa Grumeti
• Seronera

Another option is flying from DAR to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), about 50K from Arusha. It’s an excellent option for those who want to combine climbing a mountain with a safari. JRO has connections to Arusha and shuttle flights to Serengeti airstrips.

Can I Drive to Serengeti National Park From Dar Es Salaam?

Driving to Serengeti National Park from Dar Es Salaam is inadvisable. The journey takes about 15 hours, and at least 70% of the country’s roads are unpaved. 

The inter-city highways are, but as Country Reports puts it, “maintenance schedules are erratic, and even good roads may deteriorate precipitously.” Adding to the challenge, the roads often lack street markings and a shoulder. 

It is safer and less stressful to leave the driving up to an experienced tour operator who knows the way and is familiar with the conditions. They can fetch you from JOR, ARK, or an airstrip in a robust vehicle that can handle the ruts, potholes, and “washboard” texture.

Lastly, the Serengeti National Park advises against taking self-driving safaris, and those who do must rent a 4X4. 

Does Tanzania Have Wildlife Parks Other Than Serengeti? 

Tanzania is full of wildlife. Many of our Serengeti tour packages include visiting other parks, including:

• Lake Manyara National Park
• Lake National Park
• Ngorongoro Crater
• Tarangire National Park

What Can Visitors Do in Dar Es Salaam? 

Dar es Salaam is known for being a food lover’s paradise. While excellent culinary delights can be found throughout the country, Dar es Salaam takes it to another mouthwatering level. However, feasting isn’t the only pleasure Dar es Salaam offers. 

There are many other things to do in Dar es Salaam, including:

• Take the ferry over to Zanzibar (the trip is 1.5 hours)
• Stroll through the Botanical Gardens
• Bargain hunt in Kariakoo Market
• Visit Kivukoni Fish Market
• Explore the National Museum
• Snorkel at Mbudya Island (15-minute motorboat ride) 
• Hang out in Oyster Bay
• Walk down Temple Road

Conclusion

Make your journey to Serengeti National Park from Dar es Salaam easy by booking one of our tour packages. These adventures are designed by experienced tour managers who know how to take the stress of travel out of your vacation. Don’t see the right safari for you? Call us, and we can customize your perfect adventure.