What You Need to Know: Getting to the Serengeti means driving from Arusha through the Ngorongoro highlands, a full day, or flying by light aircraft to one of the park's airstrips, about an hour from Arusha. Seronera serves the central Serengeti, Kogatende the north and the Mara River, and Grumeti, Kirawira and Sasakwa the west. We fly with Auric Air and Coastal Aviation; flights from Zanzibar take longer and often stop on the way.
Driving to the Serengeti from Arusha
| Leg | Distance and time |
|---|---|
| Arusha to Karatu | About 2.5–3 hours |
| Karatu to the central Serengeti | About 143 miles (230 km), around 7 hours with stops |
| Mwanza to Ndabaka Gate (west) | About 2 hours |
The road climbs through the Ngorongoro highlands past the crater viewpoint and drops onto the plains; you start game viewing as soon as you enter the park. You pay Ngorongoro Conservation Area fees (US$70.80 per 24 hours) on the way through, included in our prices. By road the Ngorongoro Crater fits naturally into the trip.
Flying to the Serengeti: Which Airstrip?
| Airstrip | Area |
|---|---|
| Seronera | Central Serengeti |
| Kogatende | Northern Serengeti, Mara River |
| Lobo | North-east |
| Grumeti and Kirawira | Western Corridor |
| Sasakwa | Grumeti area |
Scheduled light aircraft, usually 12–14 seats, fly from Arusha in about an hour, often stopping at other airstrips. Your driver-guide meets you on the airstrip with a private Land Cruiser.
| Airstrip | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Seronera | Central Serengeti | Big cats all year; the main airstrip |
| Kogatende | Northern Serengeti | Mara River crossings, July–October |
| Ndutu | Southern Serengeti | Calving season, December–March |
| Lobo | North-east | Quiet areas between central and north |
| Grumeti / Kirawira | Western Corridor | The herds in May–July, Grumeti River |
Flights from Arusha to Seronera take about 1–1.5 hours; flights to Kogatende or Ndutu can stop at other airstrips on the way. We book scheduled light aircraft with Auric Air and Coastal Aviation.
Should You Fly or Drive to the Serengeti?
For a first safari of four days or more, drive in through Ngorongoro and fly out, so you see the crater and save a long day at the end. For two- or three-day Serengeti trips, or the northern Serengeti in migration season, fly both ways.
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Have one to three days | Fly: 2-day or 3-day fly-in |
| Have four days or more | Drive, with the crater on the way: 4-day safari |
| Are going to the northern Serengeti | Fly to Kogatende: river-crossing fly-in |
| Are starting from Zanzibar | Fly |
| Want the lowest price | Drive |
Driving from Arusha to the central Serengeti takes most of a day, but the road passes through the Ngorongoro highlands, with views over the crater and a good chance of wildlife on the way. It is the better choice if you want to see the crater, have more days, or prefer to stay with the same vehicle and guide throughout.
Flying takes about an hour to Seronera, saving most of a day each way, and is the best option for short safaris, for the northern Serengeti in migration season, or when starting from Zanzibar. Your driver-guide meets you on the airstrip, so you start the game drive straight away. Many guests fly one way and drive the other, getting the best of both.
See our fly-in safaris and migration safaris.
What to Know Before a Light-Aircraft Flight to the Serengeti
- Luggage is limited, usually about 15 kg per person in a soft bag; leave the rest at your hotel
- Flight times are confirmed when you book and can change with the weather
- Leave a buffer before any international connection on the way back
- Small planes can be bumpy; bring motion-sickness tablets if you need them
- Soft bags only, about 15–20 kg per person including hand luggage
- Flights can stop at several airstrips: the schedule is a guide, not a promise
- Your driver-guide meets you at the airstrip and starts the game drive straight away
- Carry essentials and medication in your daypack
Serengeti flights use small aircraft, typically single- or twin-engine planes seating about 12 passengers, flown by experienced bush pilots. The flights are short and the views spectacular: on clear days you see Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro highlands and the plains spreading below. Expect some bumps in the afternoon heat.
Airstrips are simple: a gravel or grass runway, sometimes a small shelter, and your driver-guide waiting with the Land Cruiser. Be at the airstrip on time, keep your passport and essentials in your daypack, and remember that luggage is weighed at check-in.
Booking Serengeti Flights with Your Safari
We book your Serengeti flights together with the safari, so the flight times, airstrips and your driver-guide's pickup all fit together. If a flight time changes, as can happen with light aircraft, we adjust the game-drive plan for that day.
Common Questions About Getting to the Serengeti
Which airlines fly to the Serengeti?
We use scheduled flights with Auric Air and Coastal Aviation.
How long is the drive from Arusha to the Serengeti?
Most of a day: about 2.5–3 hours to Karatu and around 7 hours on to the central Serengeti.
How much luggage can I take on a Serengeti flight?
Usually about 15 kg per person in a soft bag.
Can I fly from Zanzibar to the Serengeti?
Yes, on scheduled flights that often stop on the way.
How long is the flight from Arusha to the Serengeti?
About 1–1.5 hours to Seronera, longer to Kogatende or Ndutu with stops.
Do light aircraft fly every day to the Serengeti?
Scheduled flights run daily to the main airstrips, with stops; schedules change by season.
Can I bring a hard suitcase on the flight?
No: soft bags only, about 15–20 kg in total per person.
Can I fly from the Serengeti to Zanzibar?
Yes, with light aircraft, usually with a stop in Arusha or another airstrip.
The Bottom Line
Drive when you have four days or more and want the crater on the way; fly when time is short, when you are heading north, or when you start on Zanzibar.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers (with children's ages) and your lodge level through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our sales team in Moshi will reply with a written quotation.