Serengeti Travel Advisory & Safety
For your Serengeti trip, book your safari package, choose a time for the Wildebeest Migration river crossings if desired, and bring neutral-colored clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and binoculars. Follow your guide’s instructions to stay safe and respectful of the wildlife. Get necessary vaccinations, pack antimalarial medication, and use U.S. dollar and Tanzanian Shilling for payments. Be mindful of potential crime, keep documents secure, and stay alert in tourist areas.
For travel to the Serengeti, exercise normal to increased caution, focusing on crime prevention, wildlife safety, and general health. While the Serengeti National Park is generally safe, be vigilant against petty theft in urban areas and ensure your safari follows tour operator guidelines for a safe experience. Be aware of potential weather impacts, such as rainy season floods, and adhere to local and government advisories for up-to-date information.
Tips for Planning Your Serengeti Safari
- Meticulously coordinate your schedule: to witness the Wildebeest Migration river crossings during your safari, ensure your timetable aligns with the herds’ movements.
- Reserve promptly: strategically situated safari camps at the prime locations of the Wildebeest Migration are frequently fully booked well in advance, even up to a year ahead.
- Select your activities: morning and afternoon wildlife drives are common offerings, and several hotels additionally provide hot-air balloon safaris. Night game drives and guided bush walks are restricted to specific locations.
- Anticipate an influx of visitors during peak season: while many regions of the Serengeti remain relatively tranquil year-round, the prominent events of the Wildebeest Migration, including as the Grumeti and Mara River crossings, draw numerous tourists from around May to August. Consider visiting during the low or Green Season (about November to March) to avoid crowds while still experiencing excellent game watching and witnessing the Migration’s vast herds.
- Opt for privacy: if exclusivity is your desire, consider visiting one of the Serengeti’s private reserves. The lodging is exceptional, wildlife observation is comparable to that of the primary park, and additional safari activities (refer to number 3) are available.
Flights & Getting Around
Arusha Airport serves as the access point to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire National Park. It is situated immediately adjacent to the town of Arusha; however, access requires travel through Kilimanjaro International Airport, located around 50 kilometres (31 miles) apart. Numerous airstrips are located across Serengeti National Park, accessible from Masai Mara, Lake Manyara, and Arusha or Kilimanjaro.
Note: International planes frequently arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport late at night, necessitating an overnight stay in Arusha before departing the subsequent morning via charter flight to the Serengeti.
Safari Vehicles
Most safari locations in Tanzania feature significant road networks, making closed cars the standard for long-distance transfers between airstrips, camps, and lodges. A closed 4×4 game drive vehicle typically comprises three rows of seating and is equipped with a pop-up roof hatch that can be elevated for wildlife observation and photography.
Game drives in the Serengeti and its exclusive regions are often executed in open-sided 4X4 vehicles, frequently featuring a canvas top and flaps that can be lowered to enclose the windows.
