The Serengeti National Park is a massive, majestic, and breathtaking park that spans over 5,700 square miles. The National Park is well-known globally for its beautiful landscape, divine natural habitats, and exotic wildlife. Furthermore, the Serengeti is also known for one of the most significant animal movements on the planet, the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeests travel to and from Masai Mara. Putting Serengeti National Park on your itinerary while visiting Tanzania will be the best decision you have made.
Deciding your DatesTravel
Timing your travel plan is an essential part of planning your trip to East Africa. The weather and your timing will significantly impact your experience, and it would be best to decide your traveling dates based on what you want to see. The weather conditions are ideal from January to February and from Jun to September. The Serengeti National park is so vast that you can visit different sections during different times of the year. For example, the best time to visit the Northern Serengeti and the Western Corridor is summer/autumn. Do not plan your trip in April or May because the region experiences heavy rainfall, and most guides and accommodations do not operate during these months.
Trip Duration
Now that you have decided which time of the calendar year suits you to visit the Serengeti National Park, it’s time to determine the number of days you should set aside for your safari. The duration of your trip depends on your budget. On average, tourists usually spend three nights at the National Park. However, if you have the budget, you can extend your stay to six nights. It will be worth it. The cost will also depend on the season you are visiting, so plan your trip accordingly. During peak seasons, especially during the ideal months for the Great Migration, the prices are incredibly high.
Ideal Budget
The ideal budget depends on many factors and your preferences. A one-week safari trip to the National Park (all things inclusive) can range from $2,500 to $7,500 per person. You can also decide to plan the trip yourself rather than taking on a tour package. The following points provide a basic budget for all the things you would need to consider:
- Accommodation: $200 to $1,000 per person per night
- Meals: Meals are usually provided
- Park Admission Fee: Ranges from $82.60 to $70.80 per adult per day ($23.60 for children between 5 and 16)
- Renting a 4×4: Varies
- Tour guide: Varies
How to Get to the National Park
You can reach the park by air or by road. Domestically, the best route is to reach Arusha and take a flight to one of the seven airstrips of the National Park. Internationally, you can take a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport. The other option is to rent a jeep from Arusha, which can take up to eight hours.
Where to Stay
There are many options for accommodations. Once again, this entirely depends on your budget. The available options range from essential camping providers to luxurious hotels.
Planning a trip to the Serengeti National Park is exciting, and you will be blown away by the life-changing experience. The park itself will offer many enticing opportunities and activities, in addition to witnessing the exotic wildlife (and the Great Migration). If you want to learn more to plan your trip, check out Flying in East Africa: all you need to know.
