National park · Tanzania
Serengeti National Park
Enter Serengeti for a day safari: drive Naabi Hill Gate to Seronera (≈8 h) and do a 2‑hour game drive before 14:00, or spend 3‑4 days exploring the southern plains during the Great Migration (July–Oct) with a licensed guide; avoid night driving (7 PM–6 AM).Enter Serengeti for a day safari: drive Naabi Hill Gate to Seronera (≈8 h) and do a 2‑hour game drive before 2:00 PM, or spend 3‑4 days exploring the southern plains during the Great Migration (July–Oct) with a licensed guide; avoid night driving (7 PM–6 AM).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
14,763 km² (5,700 sq mi)5,700 sq mi (14,763 km²)
approximate
Established
1951
Best months
Jul–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Tanzania ↗Apply for the Tanzania e-visa only on the official immigration portal; Zanzibar and, from 1 October 2026, mainland Tanzania each require their own US$44 inbound insurance bought from the state insurer's site.
- Tanzania ↗Carry a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from or connect through a risk country such as Kenya or Ethiopia; see a travel clinic about malaria several weeks ahead.
- Tanzania ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you arrive.
- Tanzania ↗Light aircraft between parks and to Zanzibar have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Northeast Tanzania ↗Tanzania e-visa before arrival; from 1 October 2026 the inbound insurance (US$44) is mandatory — check the current rule.
- Northeast Tanzania ↗Carry TZS cash for park gates, fuel stops and village guesthouses; cards work in Arusha and Moshi hotels, rarely in Lushoto.
- Northeast Tanzania ↗Left-hand driving; tarmac on the Arusha–Moshi–Dar corridor, rough gravel on the Lake Natron and Usambara side roads.
At a glance
- Country
- Tanzania
- Area
- 14,763 km² (5,700 sq mi)5,700 sq mi (14,763 km²)
- The park covers 14,763 km²; the wider Serengeti ecosystem, including Ngorongoro, Maswa and other reserves, spans about 30,000 km² (check).
- Established
- 1951
- Best months
- Jul–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Serengeti National Park is the core of the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, a 14,763 km² World Heritage site in northern Tanzania famous for the Great Migration of over a million wildebeest and zebras. The park's open plains, kopjes and riverine forests support the highest concentration of large mammals in the world, including the largest lion population anywhere. Unlike the adjacent Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where the crater floor is the main draw, Serengeti offers year-round wildlife viewing across distinct zones: the southern plains (Ndutu, December–May), central Seronera (year-round predators), the western corridor (Grumeti River crocodiles, June–August) and the northern Lobo–Kogatende area (dry-season herds, July–October).
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1981Serengeti–Mara ecosystem.
Size and age
14,763 km² (5,700 sq mi)5,700 sq mi (14,763 km²) · national park since 1951
The park covers 14,763 km²; the wider Serengeti ecosystem, including Ngorongoro, Maswa and other reserves, spans about 30,000 km² (check).
Why go
- World‑class wildlife, including the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras.
- High concentration of predators – lions, leopards, cheetahs – and over 500 bird species.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanSouthern plains, dry, good game viewing.
- FebContinued dry season, herds in south.
- MarStart of short rains, still good visibility.
- AprLong rains begin, roads can be muddy.
- MayRainy, some tracks closed.
- JunTransition to dry, occasional storms.
- JulNorthern plains dry, migration entering north.
- AugPeak migration in western corridor.
- SepMigration moving south, excellent wildlife.
- OctMigration exits south, dry and clear.
- NovShort rains, herds regrouping.
- DecDry season resumes, good game viewing.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildebeest & zebra migrationJul–Oct · Largest animal movement on earth. | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Lions, leopards, cheetahsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 500 bird speciesOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kilimanjaró Airport (JRO)
Charter flight to Seronera Airstrip (≈US$165 per person) or drive 325 km (202 mi) via Arusha and Naabi Hill Gate.Charter flight to Seronera Airstrip (≈US$165 per person) or drive 202 mi (325 km) via Arusha and Naabi Hill Gate.
1 h flight / 8 h drive
Open the page →
From Arusha
Road via Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, then Naabi Hill Gate; hire a 4×4 with driver‑guide.
≈8 h
Open the page →
From Nairobi (Kenya)
Fly to Kilimanjaró then charter to Seronera, or drive cross‑border via Isebania.
≈6 h flight / 12 h drive
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Plains | Open savanna, main migration corridor, Ndutu and Lobo areas. | Roads open year‑round; best in dry season. |
| Central Serengeti (Seronera) | Dense road network, kopjes, river, wildlife year‑round. | Base for most lodges; open with park entry. |
| Western Corridor | Grumeti River, less‑visited plains, seasonal wildlife. | Guided only; tracks can be muddy in rains. |
| Northern Serengeti (Lobo, Kogatende) | Water sources, elephants, dry‑season herds. | Long drives from Seronera; guide recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for navigation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person, adult) | TZS 60,000–80,000 | person | TANAPA fee; exact rate to confirm (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Guided trek permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Off‑road driving
- Only on TANAPA‑approved tracks; unauthorized off‑road is prohibited.
- Night driving
- Not allowed between 19:00 and 06:00.Not allowed between 7:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites with a permit; wild camping forbidden.
- Firearms
- Only park‑issued rifles for anti‑poaching; visitors may not carry weapons.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; no open fires.
Where to stay
In the park
Serengeti Migration Camp
Luxury tented camp near Grumeti River, full‑service.
In the park
Seronera Safari Lodge
Mid‑range lodge in central Serengeti, easy road access.
Near the park
Ndutu Campsite
Basic campsite; permit required from TANAPA.
Safety
Heat & dehydration medium
Wild animal encounters medium
Road conditions in rains high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main road from Naabi Hill Gate is drivable by high‑clearance 4×4; no wheelchair‑accessible trails.
- Seronera lodge area has paved paths suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Obtain park entry permits directly from TANAPA; avoid third‑party 'langur' style tours.
- Choose lodges with solar power or waste‑reduction programs.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Serengeti National Park?
Adult entry is TZS 60 000–80 000 per person (check latest TANAPA rates).
What are the best hikes in Serengeti National Park?
Seronera Kopje hike (3 h, moderate), Grumeti River canoe (half day), Ndutu night safari (2 h, easy), and guided walks in the western corridor (requires permit).
When is the best time to visit Serengeti National Park?
Dry season (June–October) for reliable roads and the Great Migration; also January–March for southern plains viewing.
Can I drive my own 4×4 in Serengeti?
Self‑driving is allowed on main roads with a park entry permit, but off‑road tracks require a licensed guide.
Is night driving allowed?
No. TANAPA prohibits vehicle movement between 19:00 and 06:00.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Serengeti National Park
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