Getting to Serengeti National Park by Road.

Getting to Serengeti National Park by Road, Many guests are interested in visiting Serengeti National Park to witness its natural beauty, whether it’s the Great Migration or the Big Five. And for good reason, Serengeti is the most accessible park in Tanzania, having seven airstrips and six main gates. Wondrously, you can access it by road from two major cities, Arusha and Mwanza. So, chances are: you arrive in any of these cities, stay in a comfortable hotel to kill fatigue, then transfer to the Serengeti the very next day.

How long will your journey take? What is the right time to start your drive?… and all other questions you may have regarding accessing Serengeti by car, we are here to help. In this guide, we cover routes, length, road conditions, and all other things you need to know before you drive to Serengeti.

Serengeti Road Access Comparison Table

Arusha to Serengeti by road

Of course, many trips to the Serengeti begin in Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania. Here, you have several options: to transfer directly to Serengeti or start your safari with parks near Arusha like Tarangire, Arusha, and Lake Manyara, then finish up with the Serengeti. Let’s start with the first option, then the other.

Direct drive from Arusha to Serengeti

The best route is from Arusha to Naabi Hill Gate. It’s about 330 km long and requires 6-7 hours of driving. However, the drive is adventurous and smoother as it follows the tarmac road to Ngorongoro, then rough travel after Naabi Hill Gate.

Along the way, you may stop for a visit at Mto wa Mbu village, 2 hours from Arusha, where you’ll meet many tribes like Maasai, Datoga, etc. Next up is Karatu, where we fill up because fuel is scarcer after here until we reach Seronera.

As we enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area via Loduare gate, the chances of spotting wild animals like buffalo, giraffes, and monkeys are great.

Indirect transfer from Arusha to Serengeti

Instead of the long journey to the Serengeti, you may choose to start with parks near Arusha. But this depends on your itinerary. Many clients we’ve guided preferred this alternative. Let’s say your program includes Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater. Here, we recommend starting with Tarangire, then Lake Manyara, and finally transferring to Serengeti via Ngorongoro.

Practically starting with Serengeti and then Ngorongoro Crater is the best option. Why? We’ll explain. Serengeti is good for spending more than 2 days because it’s diverse and larger than Ngorongoro. In addition, the cost of staying in the conservation area can be higher if you include the Ngorongoro Crater every day. This is because the authority charged a crater descent fee of about $295 per vehicle. This increases cost, especially if you’re alone or sensitive to budget.

So, the best sequence is Arusha-Tarangire-Lake Manyara-Serengeti-Ngorongoro. But options are there if you want to visit just one of these destinations. Take a glance at the table above to see their distance and hours of driving to Serengeti.

Driving to Serengeti from Mwanza

From Mwanza, you can follow many routes, but here are the best:

Mwanza–Lamadi–Ndabaka route.

It starts in Mwanza through Lamadi to the Western Corridor. The route is about 140 km long and takes 1-2 hours of driving to get to the Ndabaka gate, the main western entrance. We start driving in Mwanza, follow the T4 trunk road to Lamadi. Then we continue on T4 toward Serengeti’s Ndabaka Gate.

Pros

• It’s a shorter and more direct route to access the western Serengeti.
• Scenic views of Lake Victoria as we drive.
• You cross the beautiful Magufuli Kigongo-Busisi Bridge
• Paved road, almost tarmac.

Cons

• It doesn’t give easy access to Seronera. The gate is about 145 km away from Seronera, which is about 2 hours of driving.

Mwanza-Bunda-Ikoma route.

This route starts in Mwanza, to Bunda, to Natta, to Mugumu, to Ikoma Gate. It’s about 300 km long and takes around 6-8 hours of driving.

From Mwanza, we cross the Mwanza Gulf via the Kigongo-Busisi bridge on the T4 trunk road through Sengerema to Bunda. We then catch a dirt road from Bunda via Natta and Mugumu to Ikoma Gate. Here, you can get out of the car, relax a little as we settle the paperwork. We then start en route to Seronera, which may take 2 hours.

Pros

• It gives easy access to the Seronera.
• It’s good for a multi-day trip.
• It’s less crowded.

Cons

• The dirt road section of the road is not good during the wet season.

Driving from the Masai Mara to Serengeti

Here, you can either follow the Isebania Border or the Namanga border. We recommend driving via the Isebania Border because it’s shorter than the route crossing the Namanga border. Here’s what it looks like:

 The route passes through Masai Mara to Narok to Kisii to Migori to the Isebania Border. It then continues through Tarime, Mugumu, and finally to the Ndabaka Gate. It takes 10-12 hours, excluding time at the border.

Practical tips

• Check updates if the Isebania border is still open.
• Consider taking an overnight break in Migori (Kenya) or Tarime (Tanzania) to break fatigue.
• Swap your vehicle if you’re on self-drive to avoid denial at the border.
• Be sure you’ve sorted your visa out earlier.

Final word

Whether you want to self-drive or fly, we’ll always be in touch to help you. The journey to Serengeti may be bumpy, tiresome, or sometimes boring, but in the end, you’ll have something to be proud of – the unforgettable memories. It’ll also change the way you see the world, we can assure you. Ready to start planning? We are just a call away.

FAQs

Can I get to the Serengeti by car?

Absolutely yes – you can access this spectacular park by car, depending on your route and safari plan.

Is it safe to drive to Serengeti?

Yes – you’re even safer while driving to Serengeti. But for a comfortable drive, we recommend using a reliable 4WD vehicle due to the rough terrain in some parts. Also, avoid driving at night, and if you’re on a self-drive, obey local traffic rules.

Which is the best drive route to the Serengeti?

From our experience, Arusha to Serengeti is the best for visitors landing at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. The journey is an adventure in itself, as it takes you through local villages, picturesque highlands, plantations, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Mwanza to Serengeti is also good if your starting point is Mwanza. It’s a scenic journey through Bunda, taking 5-7 hours. There are better alternative combo safaris from the Masai Mara, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara.

Are there any fuel stations along the way?

It depends on your route, but we highly recommend filling up before you hit the road. Karatu is the nearest town to Arusha for fuel stations, while Bunda is better if you’re driving from Mwanza.

Can I self-drive to Serengeti National Park?

Yes, you can go on a self-driving safari to the Serengeti. But we recommend a Toyota Land Cruiser or an SUV for rough road conditions. Make sure you have a valid driver’s license and familiarize yourself with Tanzanian road traffic rules.

Which route is better if I’m coming from Mwanza?

Choose the Mwanza-Ndabaka route if:

• You want quick and fast access to Serengeti
• You’re going for a day trip or a short safari
• You want to see Grumeti River crossings (May-July)

Choose the Mwanza-Bunda-Ikoma route if:

• You want to visit the central Serengeti (Seronera)
• You want to witness diverse wildlife year-round
• You’re okay with a longer, rougher drive
• You plan to stay longer in the Serengeti.