If you’re planning a trip to Tanzania, you probably want to spend a few days in the wonderful Serengeti National Park, world famous for being home to the “Big Five”: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos, as well as many other species. Its vast protected ecosystem gives visitors a unique opportunity to witness unique wildlife encounters and immerse themselves in the essence of Africa.
In this post we will tell you everything you need to know before embarking on your trip to the Serengeti, from practical aspects such as where to stay, the best time to travel or safari prices, to the main points of interest in and around the park. The Serengeti National Park is an iconic wildlife sanctuary stretching across savannahs, plains and forests, and one that will certainly leave you unforgettable memories.
Travel tips on what to do in the Serengeti National Park
1. The Big Five and other animals
The Serengeti is one of the best safari destinations in the world. Its vast ecosystem is home to a wide variety of species, from the iconic “Big Five” to lesser-known but equally fascinating animals.
Majestic lions are the stars of the trip, and you’ll see them as a family or hunting on the plains. You’ll also see large herds of elephant and buffalo, and even rhinos and leopards. Although the latter are harder to find as they are not abundant.
A spectacle that will leave you speechless are the herds of wildebeest and zebra in migration. It is also common to see hyenas, jackals, ostriches, impalas, gazelles, flamingos and many more species.
The wildlife of the Serengeti is a spectacle in constant motion and balance, a symphony of wildlife in which each species plays a vital role in the intricate web of African nature.
2. The Great Migration and the best time to travel to Serengeti National Park
Any time is a good time to travel to the Serengeti except for the rainy season. It runs from April to May, and from November to December. During these months the accumulation of water makes it difficult to access some areas.
A magical time to visit the park is during the Great Migration, which takes place in the dry season, when thousands of animals move in search of water and green pastures to wetter areas. As a result you will see large herds of animals crossing behind the horizon and many predators in action. It’s an incredible spectacle not to be missed.
When you book your trip find out about the best area according to the time of year, since due to migration, there are areas with a higher density of animals than others.
3. Prices and other practical information
The entrance fee to the park ranges from €60 to €70 per day, depending on the time of the year you travel. To that you have to add the guided safari, transportation and accommodation. Generally, accommodation includes the full experience, and the price for 5 days can range from €1,000 to €2,000, depending on the facilities.
Tanzania is a highly demanded destination, so it is recommended to book several months in advance. This way you will also get better prices and you can choose where to stay.
4. Ngorongoro Crater Park
The Ngorongoro Crater National Park is right next to the Serengeti National Park and is a natural treasure of exceptional beauty. The Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site, is the result of an ancient volcanic eruption, which resulted in a stunning landscape with a unique ecosystem.
Within this 260-square-kilometer crater you will have the opportunity to witness an astounding concentration of wildlife, including the “Big Five” in their natural environment. Around the crater you can also visit grasslands, wetlands and forests inhabited by many other species.
The park is much smaller than the Serengeti, so a day or two on a safari will be enough to appreciate the beauty of the place.
5. Hot air balloon ride at a sunset
If you want to enjoy the Serengeti in all its splendor, we recommend booking the hot air balloon ride. The balloon ride includes the transfer in 4X4, breakfast and a bottle of champagne.
The duration of the trip is one hour, during which you can enjoy the savannah from the air. Just be prepared to get up early because the trip starts at 5:00 am.
This activity is a bit expensive ranging between 200€ and 500€ per trip and person, but the views are worth this money.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Where and what to eat in the Serengeti National Park
As you can imagine, in the Serengeti National Park, as in a protected area, there are not many restaurants or bars where you can eat. The common practice is to prepare meals at your camp inside the park. Organized excursions include a cook who will accompany you during your visit and will delight you with typical dishes of the region.
If you are traveling on your own, you can eat at your accommodation or at one of the other resorts around the park. Here are the names of some resorts where you can stay and eat:
- Zawadi Camp
- Mawe Tented Camp
- Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma
- Serengeti Woodlands Camp
- Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp
- Cherero Camp
- One Nature Nyaruswiga Serengeti
How many days does it take to see the Serengeti Park?
The minimum time to discover the charms of the Serengeti National Park is 3 days, although it is usually recommended to spend between 4 and 5 days, especially if we are also going to visit the Ngorongoro Crater Park.
The longer the safari lasts the further you will be able to explore, reaching remote areas where you will find rarer species of animals. You will also be able to explore different landscapes and enjoy other activities offered by the park such as hiking or hot air balloon rides.
Where to stay in the Serengeti National Park
In the Serengeti park you will find several accommodation alternatives to suit all budgets, from tented camps to luxury hotels. If you like adventures, there is also the option of camping in your own tent.
Most accommodations include airport transfer and a guide.
Here are some of our favorite accommodations in the Serengeti:
- Meliá Serengeti Lodgea: if you want to live the Serengeti experience in an exclusive space we recommend staying at this impressive hotel overlooking the savannah. It offers all the luxuries such as a swimming pool, spa, fitness room and a restaurant. The price per night starts at €700 and includes breakfast.
- Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma: In this lodge you can sleep in cabins with private bathrooms. The complex has a bar and a restaurant. The night costs between 100€ and 200€ and breakfast is included.
- Africa Safari Maasai Boma Camping: At this campsite, which also offers cabins, you can stay from €30. It is a simpler place than the previous ones but also has a restaurant and an airport transfer.
How to get to the Serengeti National Park
Getting to the Serengeti National Park is relatively easy as it is very well-connected. The nearest airport is the Kilimanjaro International Airport, where regular flights arrive from European cities such as Frankfurt or Amsterdam. If you are traveling from Spain you will have to make a stopover in one of these cities. The price of flights from Spain is between 400€ and 1,000€. So, it is recommended to book the trip in advance to save some money.
It is also possible to fly from other airports of the country’s major tourist destinations such as Zanzibar or Dar es Salam.
Once at Kilimanjaro International Airport you can arrive by car or bus to your destination. You can also find transportation in the direction of the park in the city of Arusah. Although it is possible to drive into the park with your own car or a rental car, we do not recommend this for your own safety.
To visit the Serengeti it is normal to hire a guided tour, which in most cases will take care of traveling both inside and outside the park.
What should I consider before traveling to Serengeti National Park?
- In Tanzania the official languages are Swahili and English.
- A visa and passport are required to enter Tanzania.
- The official currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling.
- Although in the more touristy areas it is possible to find places that accept credit cards, it is advisable to carry cash.
- Tanzania has a tropical climate with pleasant temperatures throughout the year. However, you should be prepared for climatic variations depending on the region you visit and the time of the year.
- Drink only bottled water and avoid consuming raw foods from untrustworthy places to avoid stomach problems.
- Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
- Tanzania is a safe destination, but we recommend you take care with your belongings and avoid going out alone at night.
- Don’t forget your sunscreen.
- The best time to travel to Tanzania is between May and October.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Serengeti National Park
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so that they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
- Add the stops that most interest you, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you can share your own travel tips on the things to do and see in the Serengeti National Park
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Serengeti National Park
The best time to travel to Tanzania is in the dry season.
Water is not safe to drink throughout the country, and due to poor security of supplies, it is recommended to drink only bottled water and avoid ice.
It is recommended to spend a minimum of 3 days, but it is best to spend between 4 and 5 days to also have time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater Park.
Within the park you will find various accommodations, from budget camping to luxury hotels.
The price of a 5-day safari ranges from 1,000€ to 2,000€.
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