Flights To Serengeti: What You Should Know Before You Fly

Serengeti is a lush, spectacular destination where nature reveals itself at its prime. If looking for a perfect place to watch large lion prides or massive herds of wildebeests sweeping the ‘endless plains’, stirring dust, look no further than Serengeti National Park. This wildlife-rich park lies in the northern part of Tanzania. Many visitors access it from Arusha, but it’s possible to get to it from many other locations.

Flying into the Serengeti is the most relaxing way and a true adventure in itself. But the question many guests ask is: where do I fly from? For this and many other questions you may have, we will explain flights into the Serengeti in detail. Let’s start the journey.

Common flight connections with the Serengeti

Common cities with flight connections to Serengeti are Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Mwanza. Different airlines offer scheduled and charter flights to the Serengeti. If you have a problem selecting the right airline or airstrip, we can help you out.

Nairobi has no direct flights to Serengeti, but connections are available. For instance, AirKenya takes you into Arusha from Nairobi, then its affiliate, Regional Air, takes you to the Serengeti. Similarly, Moshi has no direct flights to the Serengeti. The best alternative is to drive to Arusha Airport, then catch a scheduled or charter flight to the Serengeti.

Airlines offering domestic flight connections to Serengeti

Common airlines include Regional Air, Auric Air, and Coastal Aviation. But other companies like Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Assalam Air, Air Excel, and Flightlink also offer flights to and from Serengeti’s airstrips.

Which airstrip should I fly into in the Serengeti?

It depends on your safari itinerary and the season. We recommend you confirm the location of your camp beforehand. But here is a list of airstrips in Serengeti, and what they’re best at.

Seronera Airstrip

Located at the heart of the Serengeti, this is the park’s main airstrip. It’s good year-round and has the most flight connections in the park. It serves many accommodations within the central Serengeti, like the Four Seasons, One Nature Nyaruswiga, Dunia, Seronera Wildlife Lodge, etc.

Ndutu Airstrip

This airstrip lies in the south of the Serengeti. Its actual location is in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, but it serves many flights going to the southern plains. It’s best during the calving season.

Lobo Airstrip

This airstrip serves flights coming from the northern-central Serengeti. It’s ideal for elephant viewing in the Lobo area, and it’s very close to Lobo Wildlife Lodge.

Kogatende Airstrip

Located in the north, this airstrip offers unique experiences in the dry season. Here, you can experience wildebeest migration at its prime. Want to see a river crossing? This is your place.

Lamai Airstrip

This airstrip lies in the north of Serengeti, where wildebeest enter and leave Serengeti for the Masai Mara.

Grumeti Airstrip

This one lies in the western corridor. It always receives chartered and domestic flights for visitors staying in Singita properties, or going to the &Beyond Serengeti Grumeti River Lodge.

Sasakwa Airstrip

Sasakwa Airstrip lies in the Singita Grumeti Reserve. It usually receives exclusive luxury charters going to the western corridor, especially guests staying in Singita properties like Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Singita Sabora Tented Camp, and Singita Faru Faru.

Apart from these, other airstrips operate seasonally, including Kirawira B Airstrip, Fort Ikoma Airstrip, and Serengeti South.

When to fly to Serengeti National Park?

How do you feel hearing an airport gate reporter announcing the delay of your flight due to weather?

That announcement not only poses a risk of missing out on an interesting activity included in your itinerary, but also makes you sad. That’s why know when it’s better to fly is very important when planning your Serengeti safari. Here’s what you need to know:

The best time to visit Serengeti.

Serengeti is a year-round destination, offering an exceptional wildlife experience. However, June to October (dry season) is the best time because:

• The vegetation thins out, making it easy to navigate,
• Animals gather around waterholes, streams, and rivers, making game viewing super easy.
• The trails are dry, not muddy, not slippery.
• And more importantly, the sky is clear. This allows stargazing and uninterrupted flights. No clouds, no rain, no weather delays.
• The wildebeest migration sweeps the plains, crossing the Grumeti and Mara Rivers.

The wet season in Tanzania runs from November to May. But November to December receives short, brief rains, which occasionally happen at night. As Christmas and New Year’s celebrations approach, Serengeti might be busy.

January to February sees a short dry season, usually with hot, dusty days. Though it rarely varies, flights to Serengeti always go swiftly because the weather is at least predictable, which means fewer delays.

From March to May, Serengeti witnesses heavy, non-stop rains. And if it’s not raining, a large cloud forms, which makes flying into this wonderful destination challenging. For that reason, we rarely recommend this time except if you want to drive on wet, slippery roads.

So, the visitor hearing the gate agent announce a weather delay probably visited Serengeti from March to May, the period when it’s raining cats and dogs.

Final word

So, when are you flying into Serengeti? Whenever you’re flying, remember to confirm your lodge location earlier. But this isn’t a big deal because we are here to help you pick the right airstrip. We are just a call away from assisting you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly to Serengeti directly from Nairobi?

Yes, you can! Though there are no direct commercial flights into Serengeti from Nairobi, many guests fly with AirKenya or SafariLink from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro or Arusha, and then connect to Serengeti with a local airline.

How much luggage can I carry on Serengeti flights?

15 kg (33 lbs.) per person, including hand luggage. This restriction is because many airlines operating to Serengeti are small. It’s important that you bring soft-sided bags, not suitcases. Should you have extra gear or a camera, some airlines offer extra baggage options at a fee.