How To Get To Serengeti National Park By Road & Flight

Here are the best methods to get to the Serengeti from Arusha. The driving distance from Arusha to Serengeti National Park is approximately 225 kilometers (140 miles), though this varies depending on which entry gate you intend to use. One of the most often asked questions from tourists is how long the drive from Arusha to the Serengeti takes. So the drive from Arusha to the park takes about 6 hours, and this is to one of the Mara’s closer access gates on the Narok side of the reserve, such as Sekenani, Talek, or Oloolaimutia.

THIS is what an AFRICAN SAFARI looks like!! Serengeti, Tanzania

This 6-hour trek involves two brief pauses. The western entry gates, such as Musiara and Oloololo, take around 30 minutes longer to reach by using an alternative route that heads west onto the B3 highway towards Bomet immediately after passing Narok town. The route is in terrible shape in spots, with the last 75 kilometers to the reserve being on a rough gravel road.

It is more convenient to fly to Serengeti, as it is only a one-hour flight from Arusha Airport to a variety of airstrips in Serengeti.

Below is information on how to reach Serengeti by road and air from Arusha / Zanzibar / Dar es Salaam, as well as information on how to reach Serengeti and Tanzania from abroad, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, Australia, India, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Contact us for information on international flight options.

How To Get To Serengeti From Arusha By Road

The road is by far the most prevalent mode of transport between Arusha and Serengeti. Currently, the road from Arusha to Serengeti (Naabi Hill Gate) is completely paved. The distance differs from 225 kilometers (140 miles) to 275 kilometers (170 miles) depending on which Serengeti gate or entry point you wish to use. Well, in terms of travel time, you should allow 6 to 7 hours for most eastern park entry gates such as Naabi Hill and Ndabaka Gate and upto 8 hours for Klein’s (Northeast side of the park) and Bologonya gate (at the border between Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania), and this includes a couple of brief stops en route for a fuel stop and restroom break.

Approximate Drive Times To Serengeti

Arusha to Serengeti ( Naabi Hill Gate ) 5.5 – 6 hrs
Arusha to Serengeti ( Handajega Gate ) 5.5 – 6 hrs
Arusha to Serengeti ( Fort Ikoma Gate ) 6 hrs
Arusha to Serengeti ( Klein’s Gate ) 6.5 hrs
Arusha to Serengeti ( Bologonja Gate ) 6.5 hrs
Arusha to Serengeti ( Ndabaka Gate ) 6.5 hrs

Route Map To Serengeti National Park

How To Get To Serengeti By Flights

Africa Fly-in Safari, to Serengeti National Park

Several airlines offer twice-daily return flights to the reserve from Arusha to Serengeti’s numerous airstrips; one-way flights take approximately one hour. After dropping off or picking up passengers from multiple airstrips in Serengeti, the same aircraft typically returns to Arusha. Almost all of these flights depart from Arusha / Kilimanjaro airport in Arusha, and you only need to arrive at the airport one hour before your departure. Auric Air and Coastal Aviation are the two primary carriers. These three airlines all provide dependable service and have a solid safety reputation.

Morning Flight: Depart Arusha 10am – Arrive Serengeti 11am
Return Morning Flight: Depart Serengeti 11am – Arrive Arusha 12pm
Afternoon Flight: Depart Arusha 3pm – Arrive Serengeti 4pm
Return Afternoon Flight: Depart Serengeti 4pm – Arrive Arusha 5pm

Airstrips To Serengeti

In Serengeti National Park and the surrounding game ranches and reserves, there are close to a dozen airstrips. These airstrips are dispersed throughout the reserve in order to service lodges and camps in close proximity to them, thereby reducing transfer time from the airport to the hotel. The following are some of the most popular airstrips in Serengeti.

Kogatende Airstrip, Seronera Airstrip, Sasakwa Grumeti Airstrip, Fort Ikoma Airstrip, Serengeti Kusini Airstrip, Lobo Airstrip, Kirawira Airstrip.

Propeller planes with seating capacities spanning from 40 seats for DeHavilland Dash 7 and 8 aircraft to 13 seats for Cessna Caravans are used for flights to Serengeti. There is a combined weight limit of 15 kilograms for carry-on and checked luggage per passenger.

We provide a brief guide on how to travel by road or air between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti for tourists intending to combine safaris in Kenya and Tanzania.