Is Serengeti National Park your dream destination? Still wondering whether to rent a car in Tanzania for a self-drive or go on a guided safari? Whatever your decision might be, what is important to know is that Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly a vast protected area and requires a comfortable rental car for you to navigate through it either on self-drive or guided safari. This requires you to plan for it in advance. In this article, we bring to you a complete guide to self-drive safari in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Areas of interest on guide to self-drive in the Serengeti National Park
- Is it possible or safe to explore the Serengeti National Park on a self-drive tour?
- How much is the entry fee to Serengeti National Park?
- How do I plan for the park permits for my self-drive tour in Tanzania?
- When should I visit Serengeti to witness the annual wildebeest migration?
- Where to stay in the Serengeti on self-drive tour
- Can I book a special campsite on self-drive in the Serengeti National Park?
Is it possible or safe to explore the Serengeti National Park on a self-drive tour?
Yes, it is possible and safe to explore the Serengeti National Park on self-drive tour. The Serengeti National Park is one of Tanzania’s outstanding safari parks known for its gigantic wildebeest migration experience. But it is an amazing safari park that rewards travel energies especially if well-prepared in advance. The best way to explore Serengeti is by embarking on a comfortable 4×4 Land Cruiser rental car. This can let you navigate through this vast conservancy area known for its breathtaking landscape.
The Serengeti National Park makes up part of the across-border eco-system that also coves the vast Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), the Masai Mara in Kenya and several tiny game reserves. If you are from Arusha, Serengeti is reachable from its southern plains consisting of Ndutu and Seronera. The western corridor and Lobo are amazing to explore although far. The perfect way to explore the least visited part of Serengeti is by embarking on self-drive tour or guided safari using any of our rental cars.
To access Serengeti via Loduare gate (Ngorongoro Conservation Area entrance) to Ngorongoro Crater entrance, it is 1 and half hours’ drive. From Ngorongoro Crater entrance to Naabi Hill gate/Serengeti entrance, it is 2 and half hours’ drive. From Naabi Hill gate to Seronera, it is an hour’s drive. From Seronera to Lobo to the North, it is 2 hours’ drive and from Arusha to Seronera, it is 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
How much is the entry fee to Serengeti National Park?
Serengeti National Park like other Tanzania safari parks is managed by TANAPA except Lake Natron, Selous Game Reserve and Ngorongoro Conservation Area that is run by different organizations. As per 2019/2020, the entrance fee to Serengeti National Park is US Dollars 70.80 per person valid for 24 hours and includes VAT of 18%. This also applies to visitors on Tanzania safari and they are on transit via the Ngorongoro Conservation Area or when returning to Arusha. Entry fee for rental cars is Tshs. 41300, about US Dollars 20 per day for a Land Cruiser.
To hire park ranger in Serengeti to assist with wildlife spotting, costs US Dollars 23.60 and this can be arranged at the gate. For guided walks, it is not possible to hire a guide like it is a case with Tarangire, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater. You can do so through a reliable tour operator and we are a trusted ground tour agency you can deal with for all your Tanzania safaris.
Note, there is possibility of you paying twice for Ngorongoro Conservation Area fee on your way to Serengeti and when returning to Arusha. But this can be avoided by exiting Serengeti through Klein’s gate in the Northeastern side of the park towards Lake Natron, about 7 to 8 hours’ drive.
How do I plan for the park permits for my self-drive tour in Tanzania?
Permits for all parks run by TANAPA are paid at the entrance gate using credit card (Visa/Mastercard). No need for prior bookings and no cash is accepted or debit cards. For Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you will secure an entrance quote first prior accessing the gate to pay for the park entrance fee.
When should I visit Serengeti to witness the annual wildebeest migration?
The wildebeest migration is one amazing wildlife experience you shouldn’t miss either on self-drive or guided safaris in Serengeti National Park. But Serengeti offers superb wildlife encounters all-year round. From December to May, most wildebeest and zebras confine within the Ndutu area (southeast) to calf and foal. From May to July, Serengeti is perfect to visit for game viewing and wildebeest migration starts towards the north. July to September, wildebeest can be witnessed crossing the Mara River just near Kenyan border with Tanzania. From September to October, wildebeest migrate to southern side then back to Serengeti National Park as they head towards the Lobo region.
Where to stay in the Serengeti on self-drive tour
A safari to Serengeti National Park can be costly and the best way to go about it is by embarking on camping experience. This is the most affordable option and there are public campsites. About 7 campsites are available just near Seronera wildlife lodge and 2 public campsites in the north within Lobo area. Amazingly, you can plan your Tanzania safari with us, rent a car with rooftop tent.
Can I book a special campsite on self-drive in the Serengeti National Park?
Special campsites within Serengeti are mostly booked by private tour companies who bid on them for the season. An individual visitor isn’t in position to have an overnight there. Usually, the least interesting special campsites aren’t taken by tour companies and they are the ones available for reservation by individual visitors. To have a special campsite booked, you will require to spend a day in Arusha prior actual date of your tour and visit TANAPA and Ngorongoro Conservation Area offices in Arusha from Monday to Friday.