Serengeti National Park

The Ultimate Safari Adventure

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania covers vast grasslands, acacia woodlands and seasonal rivers. The landscape supports large herds of wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, lions, elephants and many bird species. Visitors can witness the annual migration when millions of animals move across open plains. Guided safaris provide close encounters with wildlife while respecting natural habitats. The park’s dry season runs from June to October, offering clear views and cooler temperatures. Rangers monitor conservation efforts alongside local Maasai communities who maintain cultural ties to the land.

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National Park in Tanzania

$$$+

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.8

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	3
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	1

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in Serengeti, especially by the park guides, staff, and in accommodations. However, Maasai and Swahili are more common in the rural areas, so it's helpful to learn a few phrases or have a guide.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Serengeti National Park Summary

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World-class for wildlife safaris. Watch the great migration, spot lions and elephants and enjoy guided game drives across vast savannas.

Place score

7.9

Best at:

Natural sites

Wildlife

Luxury

Guided tours

Stargazing

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 6

Travel Beginners

Tanzania – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type D , Type G Type D: Type G: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) £1 ≈ TZS 3,520.45
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Tanzania’s larger cities, but cash is still the most widely accepted form of payment. Credit cards are accepted in some establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in Tanzania, typically around 5-10% in restaurants. Taxi fares should be rounded up, and small tips for hotel staff are common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not common in Tanzania, and alcohol is typically consumed in licensed venues like restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in outdoor public spaces and designated indoor areas. Many restaurants and public spaces have non-smoking sections.

Independence Day (9 December)	Celebrates Tanzania’s independence from British colonial rule
Saba Saba (7 July)	Industry Day

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt
Other:	Tanzania is famous for its stunning wildlife, including safaris and Mount Kilimanjaro. The coast also offers beautiful beaches, particularly around Zanzibar.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

❄️

Jan

☁️

Feb

🌥️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

🌤️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

🌥️

Oct

☁️

Nov

☁️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - Feb., June - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, Nov. - Dec.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Great Migration location: southern plains December to March, western corridor May to June, northern Serengeti July to October

Mara River crossings usually July to September, in the far north of the park

Long rains April to May: some camps close and dirt roads can become impassable

Don't miss

🦓 Witness the incredible Great Wildebeest Migration spectacle
🚙 Take a thrilling game drive to spot the Big Five
🎈 Enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon safari over plains
🏞️ Explore ancient human history at Olduvai Gorge site
🦏 Visit Moru Kopjes, famous for lions and black rhinos

You've been here?

Why travel to Serengeti National Park?

If you’ve ever dreamed of witnessing the Great Migration, spotting the Big Five or simply immersing yourself in nature, Serengeti is the place. The park’s vast plains are home to an abundance of animals, from lions to elephants and the birdlife is spectacular too. The park is also known for its luxurious safari lodges and exclusive experiences. However, it’s important to note that Serengeti can be expensive, especially during the peak migration season. Also, prepare for long travel times from nearby cities like Arusha and be cautious of park rules to ensure your safety.

🎡Places for activities

1 Olduvai Gorge
2 Lake Ndutu
3 Balloon Safaris Camp
4 Serengeti Visitor Center

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Seronera River
2 Grumeti
3 &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
4 Simba Kopjes
5 Lake Magadi (Moru Kopjes)

🎈Events

Great Migration
Serengeti Safari Marathon
Maasai Mara Cultural Festival
Serengeti Wildlife Photography Festival
Tanzania Safari Week
Ngorongoro Crater Rim Festival
Tanzania Cultural Week
Serengeti Birdwatching Festival
Maasai Festival
Great Wildebeest Migration Observation

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Knowledge before you go

Plan a multi-day safari to maximize wildlife viewing windows.
The park stretches across vast plains; wildlife visibility varies by season and area.
Respect park rules, stay with guides and keep a safe distance from animals at all times.
Consider a hot air balloon safari for a unique perspective, often available during early morning flights.

How to travel to Serengeti National Park

You can fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport and from there, take a short flight to Seronera airstrip or drive to the park from Arusha (about 6 hours). Alternatively, there are charter flights directly to the park from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

Access summary

From Seronera airstrip: 10–45 min lodge transfer by 4x4 safari vehicle.
From Arusha: 1-hour domestic flight to Serengeti airstrips; 7–8 hours by road.
From Kilimanjaro Airport: Connect via Arusha then fly into central Serengeti airstrips.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Serengeti National Park

Serengeti offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury lodges and tented camps to more affordable options like public campsites. Many visitors choose exclusive lodges inside or near the park for a more comfortable and immersive safari experience.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Meliá Serengeti Lodge Member of Meliá Collection

8.9

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti Tanzania

10.0

Lobo Wildlife Lodge

8.7

Zebra kemangore Bush Tented Lodge

9.0

Asanja Africa Luxury Tent

8.0

Elegance Lodge &Hotel

Mapito Safari Camp, Serengeti, Autograph Collection

LA'TONNA SAFARI HOTEL

Neptune Serengeti Luxury Tented Camp

Serengeti Misako Luxury Camp

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Serengeti National Park

To get around Serengeti, it’s recommended to either rent a 4x4 vehicle or go on a guided safari tour. The park is vast and having a knowledgeable guide can make the experience even better. For those interested, there are also internal flights to nearby airstrips, like Seronera.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-76 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 76% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-12 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to TZS) is 12% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Mwanza, Tanzania - 186 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£56	£131	£358
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£45	£113	£300
🍝 Food per day	£10	£15	£41
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£3	£16

Notable additional fees: Conservation fee US$82.60 (£62.04) per person per 24h in peak season, US$70.80 (£53.18) mid-Mar to mid-May (incl. VAT). Sleeping inside adds about US$70.80 (£53.18) a night. Gates are cashless; arrange payment via your operator.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£5
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£1.80
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.80
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3.40
☕ Cappuccino	£1.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.75

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.17
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£10.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.65

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£1.90
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£14
🤧 Cold medication	£3.40
💇 Basic haircut	£3.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Serengeti is generally safe for travelers, but you must adhere to safety rules, especially during safari game drives and walking tours. Wildlife encounters can be unpredictable, so always follow your guide’s instructions to ensure your safety.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Serengeti are limited and for serious health issues, you’ll need to be transported to Arusha. Ensure you have travel insurance and basic first aid supplies. Malaria is prevalent, so consider preventative medication.

Accessibility

Serengeti is difficult to access for those with mobility issues, as much of the park is rough terrain. However, there are accessible accommodations and some roads that offer a more comfortable ride. It’s worth checking accessibility before booking.

Tap water

Tap water is not potable in Serengeti, so always drink bottled water. Most accommodations will provide water bottles and you should bring extra if you're going on long game drives or walks.