Traveling through Tanzania: everything you need to know
February 26, 2020
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Vast plains, endless savannas and forest landscapes together, spread over some 30,000 square kilometers, make up the insanely impressive Serengeti. A magnificent nature reserve that lies 80% in Tanzania and 20% in Kenya. You visit the Serengeti to get a glimpse into the lives of the many herbivores and predators. You will get the best insight while taking a safari in the early morning hours or at dusk. Always keep your camera gereend because you never know what you will encounter!
The Serengeti
One of Africa's oldest safari grounds, the Serengeti is famous for its highly diverse flora and fauna. With a habitat of some 14,763 square kilometers, the Serengeti is Tanzania's largest national park. You stand a good chance of spotting the Big 5 (the elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo and lion) in the Serengeti. Remarkably, the Masai have lived here peacefully for years. The name Serengeti is therefore derived from the Masai language, meaning "endless plain.
The nature of the Serengeti
Taking a safari across the endless plains of the Serengeti guarantees breathtaking impressions of its unique nature and fanatical animal life. The endless landscape consists of grassy plains with acacia trees, forest areas, hills and a large network of rivers. The vast area of the Serengeti is home to one of the oldest and most complex ecosystems in the world, which has hardly changed over the years.
Whereas in the west of the park you will find many dense green areas, in the south you will encounter few trees and tall vegetation. The plains here consist mainly of volcanic rock.
Wildlife spotting in the Serengeti
One of the reasons to take a safari is undoubtedly to spot the Big-5. Of these five, the leopard and rhino show themselves the least. Rhino density has declined considerably over the years while leopards live a rather reclusive existence.
Some 70 different mammals live on the plains of the Serengeti. Some of these are very easy to find. So you are pretty sure you will spot hippos in the lakes, where you will also see crocodiles swimming around here and there. But did you know that the Serengeti is also one of the best parks to spot giraffes?
Africa's largest concentration of lions can also be found here in the Serengeti. Getting an insight into the lives of these big cats is truly a special experience. It is estimated that there are about 4,000 lions in this national park.
In addition to the number of different mammals, you can spot more than 500 bird species in the Serengeti. Ostriches of course, but also special birds like the red dwarf parrot. A true bird lover should visit the Serengeti from November through April. This is the period when many bird species migrate to the park from Europe and Africa.
The migration
The great migration is the phenomenon in which millions of herbivores, particularly wildebeest and zebra, migrate across the lands of the Serengeti in search of fresh grass and water. Images you may be familiar with from nature documentaries. The migration takes place every year in the Serengeti of Tanzania and the Maasai Mara of Kenya. The grazers travel more than a thousand kilometers to find fresh grass and water. This makes it the largest (in numbers) and longest migration of mammals on land. This makes it among the seven natural wonders of Africa.
You can properly experience the great migration during the months of May through July around the Grumeti River in the western part of the Serengeti. The river here creates one of the greenest areas of the park. To check the current status of the migration, it is best to visit the website of Serengeti National Park.
Drive yourself or join an organized tour?
For many travelers, the question is: do I drive myself or go on an organized trip through the Serengeti? There are advantages and disadvantages to both options.
The Serengeti is a huge national park where making a self-drive safari is possible. Incredibly cool, but good preparation is definitely recommended. Rent a car/jeep with four-wheel drive so you can drive on all roads. For example, the main road from Naabi Hill to Seronera, and from Seronera to the east and west, is known for rough driving conditions. Driving around at a limited speed of about 25 to 30 kilometers per hour is wise. Also the reason for not wanting to travel long distances in one day.
From Arusha, the southern plains of the Serengeti are the most accessible: Ndutu and Seronera. The western Corridor and Lobo are definitely worth exploring but will take longer. To explore less visited parts of the Serengeti, it is advisable to do so with an organized safari or driver.
Entrance fees Serengeti National Park
TANAPA is manager of several national parks in Tanzania, and including the Serengeti. For 2023-2024, the entrance fee for Serengeti is $83 per person per day. The advantages of hiring a guide is that they know the park well, are trained to spot wildlife and know how to act at all times should you find yourself in a difficult situation. Please note that at park entrance you can only pay by credit card (Visa or MasterCard).
Keep in mind that you will drive to the Serengeti via Ngorongoro Conservation Area. There is also an entrance fee of $70.80 per person per day for this national park. When entering and leaving this park, you will have to pay a fee for the car.
How many days on safari in the Serengeti?
Traveling through Tanzania is mainly done to explore the beautiful nature reserves and to get a glimpse of wildlife. For this reason, we would say to set aside at least 4 days for the Serengeti. You will then have two full days to spend in the park. Most safaris take place during sunrise or sunset. With a minimum of four days you will have at least four ultimate chances to spot hunting game.
If you are traveling on an organized tour, then unfortunately you cannot plan your times in the Serengeti. If you are going to book an organized tour, look carefully at the number of days and safaris being made in the Serengeti.
Camping in the Serengeti
There are seven campsites in the Seronera area and two campsites in the Lobo area. TANAPA charges about $42 camping fee per person per night. These campsites are mostly used by tour operators with group tours. There is a large fenced-in cooking and toilet/shower area that everyone can use. A fun and special experience it is though. This is because the campsites are not fenced off and are therefore accessible to the wildlife of the Serengeti. So you can wake up in the morning to elephants roaming among the tents or wake up in the middle of the night to hyenas eating the last scraps of dinner. Have no fear, there are experienced rangers and guards at the campsite.
Best travel time for a safari through the Serengeti
Many travelers visit the Serengeti during the period of the annual migration. This is of course very impressive to see with your own eyes. If you want to experience the annual migration in Tanzania, you can do so from February to June. However, if this period is not convenient, you can also see the annual migration in Kenya from June to September.
You can take a safari through the endless plains of the Serengeti all year round. However, it is not recommended to take a safari during the months of March through May, as this is the rainy season. The roads may then be poorly accessible or not accessible at all.
Take a tour of Tanzania
Do you want to take a trip through Tanzania, but aren't quite sure how to go about it? And maybe you're not sure about the itinerary and destinations yet? We will help you get started. During a 1-on-1 video interview we will map out your wishes and advise you on the most beautiful places that suit you. Do you prefer to leave it all up to us? No problem! We organize your trip completely customized. Feel free to request a travel proposal for your vacation to Tanzania.
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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