Serengeti Safaris (The Serengeti Self-Drive Safari Guide)

Serengeti Safaris: A beginners guide to planning Serengeti self-drive safari. Our guided self drive Serengeti safari tours will take you to the largest conservation area of open grassland and savannah in the world. The yearly wildebeest migration draws a lot of attention to this UNESCO World Heritage site. Elephants, giraffes, and lion prides can all be seen roaming the Serengeti’s green plains, which are dotted with watering holes.

You will have an abundance of wildlife to photograph on your Serengeti Safari Tour. Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Game Reserves. Get a taste for a self drive Serengeti Safari:

Self-Drive Safari in Serengeti, Tanzania

Can I explore the Serengeti on a self-drive safari

Indeed, you can explore the Serengeti on a self-drive safari. The Masai Mara and the Serengeti are among the most renowned safari areas globally, and independently touring these regions constitutes a remarkable trip.

The majority of travelers access the park via the Naabi Hill Gate; however, caution is advised as the route to Seronera, where most lodges are located, may be uneven due to washboard surfaces resulting from erosion. Maintain a consistent pace to traverse it seamlessly, avoiding superfluous jolts.

Although skilled driver-guides may accelerate, it is prudent to proceed at a leisurely pace, as speeding might complicate the route and increase risk. For those inexperienced with self-driving safaris, it is advisable to build confidence and experience in parks such as Lake Manyara, Tarangire, or Ngorongoro prior to attempting the more demanding Serengeti. An alternative is to undertake your Serengeti self-drive with a local driver-guide, who will operate the vehicle and ensure your safe and worry-free arrival at your destination.

Guided Self Drive Serengeti Safaris

Relax as the wildebeest herds pass you by and let the world engulf you. While on an African self drive safari, you may feel like you’ve been transported into a cliched postcard.

The name Serengeti means “where the land extends forever.” Every year, after the rains in the Masai Mara, over 250,000 zebras make the long journey south. Surprisingly, they are unstoppable. Not even the government’s barbed wire fence, built in the 1960s to prevent animals from entering Ngorongoro, could keep them out. Migratory patterns in these species go back thousands of years.

Over 500 kinds of birds can be found in the Serengeti. On your game drive, you might also come across hyena, hartebeest, and buffalo.

Day and night wildlife drives are available on self drive Serengeti safaris. The abundance of species you can see in this stunning setting will astound you. Hold your breath as you watch the kill unfold as night comes and the predators come out to prey.

Why we recommend you consider a self drive in the Serengeti

Driving times between Arusha and the Serengeti

Comprehending the travel durations is essential for a seamless journey. Here is a summary:

• Arusha to Karatu (last town for provisions): 140 km in around 3.5 hours
• Distance from Karatu to Loduare Gate (entry to Ngorongoro Conservation Area): 15 km, approximately 30 minutes.
• Distance from Loduare gate to Ngorongoro crater entrance: 15 km, approximately 1 hour travel time.
• Distance from Ngorongoro Crater entrance to Naabi Hill Gate (Serengeti entrance): 85 km, approximately 2-3 hours.
• Naabi Hill Gate to Seronera (central Serengeti): 60 kilometers in approximately 1 hour
• Distance from Seronera to Lobo Ranger Post: 80 kilometers, approximately 2 hours travel time.
• The journey from Seronera to Arusha takes 9 to 10 hours; it is inadvisable to complete this drive in a single day due to potentially poor road conditions.

It is important to note that the final gas station prior to entering the Serengeti is located at Karatu, but an emergency station is available at Seronera, albeit at elevated fuel prices. Our safari vehicles feature an extensive gasoline tank capacity (2x 80L), ensuring sufficient fuel for several days of game viewing without the possibility of depletion.

Exploring the Serengeti

The Serengeti is a component of a broader ecosystem that encompasses Ngorongoro, Masai Mara, and many smaller reserves. The southern plains of the Serengeti, including Ndutu and Seronera, are the most accessible areas from Arusha. The western corridor and Lobo are also lucrative, if remote. To explore lesser-known regions of the Serengeti, try renting a vehicle with a driver-guide. Our driving guides has extensive knowledge of the Serengeti, allowing you to explore the area through a fully tailored safari.

Alternatively, you may enlist a ranger from one of the gates to assist you in navigating the park more effectively. In this instance, you are the sole individual permitted to operate our car.

Due to the impracticality of reaching Serengeti during a single day’s drive from Arusha, it is advisable to combine it with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and/or Manyara National Park. Examine our safari trips to determine which itinerary best accommodates your preferences.

When to visit Serengeti – a month-by-month guide

The optimal periods for visiting the Serengeti are from January to February and June to October. Nevertheless, the Serengeti’s abundant wildlife ensures an exceptional safari experience throughout the year. The park’s expansive plains and temperate climate facilitate animal observation, while the two brief rainy seasons from November to December and March to April are seldom unfavorable.

Visiting the Serengeti from January to March

Between January and March, the Serengeti experiences typical wildlife migrations. This season signifies the assembly of wildebeest and zebra in the Ndutu region, located in the southeastern corner of the park—a favorable location for self-drivers from Arusha. Subsequent to the brief precipitation in early November, the herds go to the short-grass plains, partaking in the verdant, nutrient-rich grasses. During these three months, the bulk of wildebeest calves are born, peaking in February, coinciding with the highest concentrations of predators.

Travelling to the Serengeti from April to June

With the onset of April, the Serengeti witnesses a reduction in visitor attendance because to heightened humidity and sporadic heavy rainfall during May. June signifies the commencement of the dry season, being the optimal period for visitation prior to the high safari season. This phase is crucial for the Great Migration, when the wildebeest commence a northward trek of up to 40 km. The audacious crossing of the crocodile-infested Grumeti River occurs from June until early July, with the first herds encountering greater peril. Consequently, it may require several weeks from the arrival of the initial wildebeest along the southern riverbanks until the crossing commences. Numerous wildebeest assemble by the riverside, a remarkable spectacle! Given the Western Corridor’s considerable distance from the Serengeti’s main entrance, we advise use our driver-guides to navigate this area of the park.

Visiting the Serengeti from July to September

A multitude of travelers converge in the Serengeti from July to September to observe the Great Migration. August is the pinnacle of the season and is regarded as the optimal period to observe the dramatic river crossings from the northern Serengeti to the Masai Mara. It is probable that you will observe several of Africa’s large felines engaged in hunting activities.

September continues to be vibrant in the Serengeti, especially at the Kenyan and Tanzanian borders. The herds cross the Mara River in smaller factions this month, while the southern regions of the park provide a more tranquil refuge.

Visiting the Serengeti from October to December

While the herds of the Wildebeest Migration have entered Kenya in October, the Serengeti continues to offer exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities.

November heralds the “short rains,” signaling a subdued low season. The precipitation stimulates new grasslands in the southern regions, attracting herbivores. The current period presents an optimal opportunity for travelers to capitalize on reduced accommodation costs. By the conclusion of November, the wildebeest herds commence their southerly migration into the Lobo region of the Serengeti.

In December, the cycle recommences.

Guided or self-drive safari in Serengeti

Travelers occasionally express concern regarding their ability to observe large felines and other predators on a self-drive safari.

Engaging a qualified guide can significantly enhance your likelihood of observing wildlife. Guides, via walkie-talkies, communicate to assist in the location of animals. Nonetheless, this collaborative initiative has a drawback—numerous vehicles ultimately follow one another’s routes, leading to a congested and rushed experience, especially during the peak season. This may undermine the authentic nature of the wilderness experience.

Embarking on a safari resembles a game of concealment and discovery between oneself and the wildlife. The sensation of gratification experienced upon encountering them is unparalleled. We believe there is a distinct pleasure in individually exploring the Serengeti, discovering wildlife at your own speed. Consequently, we will consistently advocate for reserving a self-drive expedition rather than an organized trip.

Camping and lodges in the Serengeti

A visit to the Serengeti is costly. The most economical accommodation option is self-camping at public campsites. Adjacent to Seronera Wildlife Lodge, there exists a collection of seven campgrounds, including one public campsite situated in the northeast, near the Lobo region. During the migration, the latter serves as an excellent camping location.

The Seronera campgrounds have an extensive enclosed cooking space and a distinct covered dining area. In our view, the majority of these campsites lack distinctiveness and are mostly designed to accommodate inexpensive group safari vacations. In peak season, anticipate sharing the campsite with a minimum of 40 more campers. Fortunately, we did not encounter this in the other safari parks in Tanzania. Additional details regarding camping in Tanzania are available in our camping guide.

Serengeti fees & permits

Permits for Serengeti, administered by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), can be obtained at the entrance with a credit card. Advance reservations are unnecessary. Cash and debit cards are not accepted.

Traveling to the Serengeti necessitates traversing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. A tour operator must arrange and give your permit in advance to enter the Ngorongoro. Roadtrip Africa is pleased to assist you in arranging your NCA reservation. Kindly pick this option in our booking form while hiring your vehicle. We impose a total processing fee of $40.

For a comprehensive summary of the entrance fees for Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and other national parks in Tanzania, we direct you to our Tanzania National Park Fees & Permits.