How to Get to Serengeti National Park

Before you can reach the Serengeti, you first need to arrive in Tanzania. Choosing the right international airport is crucial because it determines the flow of your entire itinerary.

Option A: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – The Best Choice

For 90% of safari travelers, the best option is to fly directly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). This airport is strategically located halfway between the towns of Arusha (the safari capital) and Moshi.

Why choose JRO? It is the closest international hub to the Serengeti. From here, you are perfectly positioned to start a northern circuit safari.

• Arrival Process: After landing, you can take a private transfer to Arusha (about 1 hour away). Most travelers spend one night in Arusha to rest before starting their safari the next morning.

• Direct Connections: Several major international airlines fly into JRO, including KLM, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.

Option B: Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) – The City Option

Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest city and commercial hub. While it is far from the Serengeti, it can be a good entry point if you find a significantly cheaper flight or if you plan to visit the southern parks (like Nyerere National Park) first.

• The Connection: If you land in Dar es Salaam, you will need to take a domestic flight to get to the Serengeti. You can fly from DAR to Arusha Airport (ARK) to start a road safari, or fly directly into one of the Serengeti’s airstrips.

Option C: Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) – The “Bush & Beach” Option

Many travelers choose to start their holiday with a few days of relaxation on the white sands of Zanzibar before heading to the bush. You can fly internationally into Zanzibar, enjoy the beach, and then catch a direct flight to the Serengeti.

If you want to maximize your time watching wildlife and minimize your time traveling, taking a domestic “bush flight” is the best option. These small, Cessna-style aircraft offer a thrilling way to see the landscape from above.

• Flying from Arusha to Serengeti: If you have arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport and stayed the night in Arusha, you can skip the long drive and fly straight to the park. Flights depart from Arusha Airport (ARK)—a small regional hub on the west side of town.

• Flight Time: Approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. The View: You will fly over the Ngorongoro Crater and the Great Rift Valley, offering stunning aerial photo opportunities.

• Flying from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam: There are daily scheduled flights connecting Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam to the Serengeti.

• Direct Access: These flights usually land at the key airstrips inside the park, such as Seronera (Central Serengeti) or Kogatende (Northern Serengeti). This allows you to have breakfast by the ocean and lunch in the bush.

Choosing the Right Airstrip

The Serengeti is massive, so you must book your flight to the airstrip closest to your lodge or the Great Migration.

• Seronera Airstrip: Best for Central Serengeti (year-round wildlife).
• Kogatende Airstrip: Best for Northern Serengeti (River Crossings, July–October).
• Ndutu Airstrip: Best for the Southern plains (Calving Season, January–March).
• Grumeti Airstrip: Best for the Western Corridor (May–June).

For the true explorer, driving to the Serengeti is the classic African experience. It allows you to see the changing landscapes, visit local villages, and witness the gradual transition from civilization to wilderness.

There are four main road routes to enter the park, depending on where you are coming from.

Route 1: The Classic Safari Route (From Arusha via Ngorongoro)

This is the most popular route used by almost all safari operators. It is a beautiful, paved journey that turns into a rough adventure road as you get closer to nature.

• The Journey: You will depart Arusha and drive west through the town of Karatu. From there, you enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

• The Highlights: This route is incredible because it is a “game drive” before you even reach the Serengeti. You will drive up the misty slopes of the crater, drive along the rim with a view of the crater floor, and then descend onto the short-grass plains.

• The Gate: You will enter through Naabi Hill Gate. This is the main entrance to the Serengeti. It is famous for its rocky kopje, where you can climb up and see the endless plains stretching to the horizon while your guide sorts out the park permits.

• Travel Time: The drive from Arusha to Naabi Hill Gate takes about 6 to 7 hours, but most people break it up by stopping at Lake Manyara or Tarangire National Park for a night along the way.

Route 2: The Western Approach (From Mwanza via Ndabaka Gate)

If you are coming from the Lake Victoria region or have flown into Mwanza city, this is the best route for you. Mwanza is Tanzania’s second-largest city and sits right on the shores of the lake.

• The Journey: The drive from Mwanza to the Serengeti is much shorter than from Arusha. It takes about 2 to 3 hours on a good tarmac road to reach the park gate.

• The Gate: You will enter through the Ndabaka Gate. This gate leads you directly into the Western Corridor of the Serengeti.

• The Experience: This route is fantastic for seeing the Grumeti River and its massive crocodiles and hippos. It is less crowded than the main eastern entrance, offering a quiet and exclusive start to your safari. As you drive east from Ndabaka, the landscape changes from riverine forest to the classic savannah of the central park.

Route 3: The Northern Connection (From Kenya via Sirari Border)

For travelers who are combining the Masai Mara in Kenya with the Serengeti in Tanzania, this is the overland option. Instead of flying, you can cross the border by road.

• The Border: You will cross at the Isebania/Sirari border post. This is west of the parks. You cannot drive directly from the Mara Reserve into the Serengeti; you must go around to the main road.

• The Journey: After clearing customs and immigration at Sirari (Tanzania side), you will drive east toward the park.

• The Gates: You can enter through the Ikoma Gate or the Tabora B Gate. These gates are located in the Northern/Western part of the park.

• Travel Tip: This is a long travel day. The road from the border to the park can be rough, but it positions you perfectly for the Northern Serengeti. It is ideal if you want to follow the path of the migration from Kenya back into Tanzania.

Route 4: The Adventurer’s Route (Via Lake Natron to Klein’s Gate)

This route is not for the faint of heart, but it is arguably the most scenic drive in Northern Tanzania. It is perfect for those who want to get off the beaten path and avoid the tourist crowds of the main Ngorongoro road.

• The Journey: From Arusha, you drive north towards the active volcano, Ol Doinyo Lengai, and the mysterious, red-colored Lake Natron. The road here is rough, dusty, and adventurous.

• The Landscape: You will pass through rugged Rift Valley scenery, waterfalls, and traditional Maasai villages that see very few tourists.

• The Gate: After exploring Lake Natron, you climb up the Rift Valley escarpment to enter the Serengeti via Klein’s Gate in the far northeast.

• The Experience: This part of the park is pristine and wild. Entering from the north allows you to drive down towards the center, giving you a completely different perspective of the ecosystem. Note that this route takes significantly longer and requires a sturdy 4×4 vehicle.

Choose Flying If: You are short on time (e.g., a 3-5 day safari), traveling with young children, or want to avoid long, bumpy hours in a car. It connects you instantly to the action.

• Choose the Arusha Road Route if: You are doing a classic 7-10 day safari. It allows you to visit Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater logically before ending in the Serengeti.

• Choose the Mwanza Route if: You are already in Western Tanzania or want to focus specifically on the Western Corridor and huge crocodile populations.

• Choose the Sirari Border Route if: You are a budget-conscious traveler connecting a Kenya and Tanzania safari without paying for international flights.

Getting to the Serengeti is part of the magic. Whether you see the plains appear beneath the wing of a plane or through the dusty windshield of a Land Cruiser, the moment you arrive, you will understand why this place is legendary.

Ready to start your journey? Contact us today to book your flights or arrange your private road transfer to the endless plains. The Serengeti awaits!! Read our TripAdvisor Reviews