Serengeti safari from Arusha at a glance
Arusha, below Mount Meru, is the usual starting point for northern Tanzania safaris. There are two ways to the Serengeti. By road, a multi-day trip leads through Tarangire and the Ngorongoro highlands. By air, a scheduled flight reaches Seronera in the central Serengeti in about an hour.
Arrive by air at Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Arusha (ARK). The two airports have different codes and different locations, and a transfer between them is not included in a ticket. Check which one your flight uses before you book a pickup. If you want to climb the mountain before or after your safari, the Kilimanjaro guide covers the routes and park fees.
This page is an independent guide. It does not sell trips or flights. It shows the routes and the figures to compare when you collect offers.
Road or flight: the two routes
Pick by the days you have and the budget.
| By road | By air | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Arusha, Tarangire, Karatu, Ngorongoro highlands, central Serengeti | Arusha to Seronera via Manyara |
| Time | Spread over several days of the trip | 7:45 to 8:55 a.m., daily |
| Price example | Joining trips, $800 to $1,390 for 4 days | Adults $259, children $207, plus $54 taxes and fees |
| Good if | You want to see several areas on one trip | You have few days and want more time in the park |
The flight price is a list price. Other surcharges can apply, so ask for the total before you book. The flight schedule runs until 31 May 2027.
Our picks: safaris from Arusha
Three to five days by 4x4, in tents or lodges.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
5-day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari
Lodge or camp stays, meals as per the itinerary, park fees and taxes in a 4x4 with a pop-up roof. Later government fee increases are not included.
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4-day camping safari: Serengeti and Ngorongoro
Three nights in tents with sleeping bags, entry fees, meals as per the itinerary and hotel pick-up in Arusha. Drinks and tips are extra.
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3-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safari from Arusha
Park, transit, concession, camping and crater fees are included, plus full board and tent nights. Tips, insurance and airport transfers are extra; the balloon only if you choose that option.
Check availability →Serengeti safaris from Arusha
Multi-day Serengeti trips starting in Arusha, by road or with a flight. Compare the days, the route and what each price covers.
The road route in detail
One 4-day joining itinerary, step by step.
Arusha to Tarangire and Karatu
The trip leaves Arusha and visits Tarangire before it continues to Karatu.
Through the Ngorongoro highlands
From Karatu the route climbs through the Ngorongoro highlands and continues to the central Serengeti. The highlands lie in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which has its own fees. For the crater and the area, see the Ngorongoro from Arusha guide.
Central Serengeti, then back
After time in the central Serengeti, the trip returns via Ngorongoro to Arusha. The four days therefore include travel days and other areas, not four days of game drives in the park.
Camping and lodge versions run on the same route. The booking details, such as meals and gear, depend on the version. See what a Serengeti safari costs for the example prices.
The flight in detail
A scheduled flight saves the long drive.
Daily Arusha to Seronera
Coastal runs a daily flight from Arusha to Seronera. It leaves at 7:45 a.m. and arrives at 8:55 a.m., with a stop at Manyara. The schedule was updated in April 2026 and runs until 31 May 2027.
Prices
The adult list price is $259 and the child price is $207. A separate column shows $54 in taxes and fees. Further surcharges can apply, so the final price can differ.
A direct flight in season
The same schedule lists a direct Seronera service from July to September only. Outside those months, plan with the stop at Manyara.
Pick the right airstrip
Seronera, Kogatende, Lobo, Lamai and Ndutu all appear in the scheduled flights. The airstrip, your camp and the booked transfer have to match.
Travel times to plan with
Treat these as estimates.
Arusha to Ndutu
A lodge gives about 280 km and 6 to 7 hours for the drive. Do not apply this number to Seronera or Kogatende.
Ndutu to Seronera
The same lodge estimates about 2 hours on the main road. Rain, animals and checks can add time.
Park gate hours
The park is open all year, and gates close at 6 p.m. Plan your arrival with this in mind, and agree the day plan with your operator.
Ndutu lies in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, so a stay there is charged separately. See the park fees before you compare prices.
More Serengeti planning
Other ways in and the next steps.
Serengeti from Arusha: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Arusha to the Serengeti?
By road on a multi-day route through Tarangire, Karatu and the Ngorongoro highlands, or by a scheduled flight from Arusha to Seronera via Manyara.
How long is the flight from Arusha to Seronera?
The daily flight leaves at 7:45 a.m. and arrives at 8:55 a.m., with a stop at Manyara. The schedule runs until 31 May 2027.
How much is the flight?
The adult list price is $259 and the child price is $207, plus $54 in taxes and fees shown separately. Other surcharges can apply.
Is a 4-day safari from Arusha 4 days in the park?
No. The road example spends days on the way and in other areas, then returns to Arusha. Compare the number of game drives, not only the number of days.
Which airport should I use, JRO or ARK?
Both serve the area. JRO is Kilimanjaro and ARK is Arusha. A transfer between them is not included, so match your flight and your pickup.
How long is the drive from Arusha to Ndutu?
A lodge gives about 6 to 7 hours for roughly 280 km. It is an estimate for that route only.