How long is the journey from Arusha to Serengeti National Park?

The road trip from Arusha to Serengeti spans 260 kilometers taking 5-6 hours through varied landscapes. Travelers seeking a quicker route can opt for a 1-hour flight from Arusha Airport to Seronera Airstrip in central Serengeti. Tour operators like Wonders of Creation Tours often combine both transport methods with stays at properties such as Cherero Camp or Aurari Camp. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The transport was excellent and comfortable making the journey part of the adventure."

What are the main pickup points for tours starting in Arusha?

Tour operators provide free pickup services from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Arusha Airport (ARK) and hotels across Arusha's city center. Common collection points include Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa The African Tulip and Forest Hill Hotel. According to a TourRadar traveler: "Our safari was well-planned with smooth pickup from Arusha - Ibrahim consistently excelled in catering to our needs and goals."

What wildlife can I expect to see on tours starting from Arusha?

The Serengeti accessed from Arusha hosts the complete "Big Five" collection alongside 500+ bird species. The Seronera area serves as the first major wildlife viewing point housing more than 3000 lions and 1000 leopards. During migration periods the plains fill with millions of wildebeest accompanied by thousands of zebras. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "We were able to see all the major animals thanks to our tour guide."

What accommodation options are available on Serengeti tours from Arusha?

Lodging choices range from basic camping to high-end lodges throughout the region. Popular spots include The African Tulip in Arusha Cherero Camp and Aurari Camp in Serengeti and Tukaone Camps Serengeti. A TourRadar traveler shared their experience: "The accommodations were excellent with more than enough comfort and amazing food services."

What's the best time to visit Serengeti when starting from Arusha?

The ideal visiting period depends on specific wildlife interests. December through March brings wildebeest calving season to southern Serengeti. The dramatic river crossings occur from July to October in the northern region near Mara River. From a recent TourRadar review: "Just finished our Safari to Ngorongoro and Serengeti - what a great trip from start to finish saw all of the Big 5 and much more."

What optional activities are available when starting from Arusha?

Beyond standard game drives visitors can book hot air balloon flights over Serengeti (USD 600 per person) arrange Maasai village visits near Ngorongoro (USD 50 per vehicle) or enjoy sundowners at Simba Kopjes. Walking safaris and trips to Olduvai Gorge round out the possibilities. As shared by a TourRadar traveler: "The balloon ride was absolutely worth it - seeing the migration from above was breathtaking."

Serengeti National Park Tours from Arusha

Have you imagined spotting the Big Five in their natural habitat across the Serengeti's endless plains? Three days here is intense. Enjoy picnic lunches surrounded by wildlife, stay overnight at Osinon Tented Camp where lions roar at night, and experience full-day game drives from Arusha that chase the herds. The Serengeti honestly delivers every safari dream you've ever had, and then some.

10 best Serengeti National Park tours from Arusha

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Safari
4 Days All About Great Annual Wildebeest
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"This 4-day wildebeest migration safari was perfectly planned and incredibly rewarding. We saw an amazing amount of wildlife."
Angelina, traveled in October
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Arusha, Serengeti National Park
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English, German,Italian,French,Spanish,Chinese,Russian+5 more
Operator
Safari Serengeti Booking
From
US$2,210per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
5-Day Mid-Luxury Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari (Fly-in)
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Arusha, Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Professional Safari Africa
From
US$3,800per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Safari
9-Day Migration River Crossing July to October
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Professional Safari Africa
From
US$4,676per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Safari
5 Days Big Five Tanzania Camping Safari ( Tarangire, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area ) (all accommodation and transport are included)
5.0 (65 traveler reviews)
"Everything was perfect. They made our trip remarkable."
paul, traveled in April
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park,Seronera,Ngorongoro Conservation Area+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Spider Tours and Safaris
From
US$4,350per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Active
5 Days Camping Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro crater & Visiting Maasai
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"We had 5 awesome days. We saw more than 60 different species of animals, and we ate like kings."
EtienneDandurand, traveled in January
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park,Seronera,Ngorongoro Conservation Area+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English, French,Spanish+1 more
Operator
Meru Slopes Tours and Safaris ltd
From
US$1,250per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
4 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Lodge Safari
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, Ndutu Lake,Manyara+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Gracepatt Ecotours Kenya
5% Off
From $2,795
US$2,655per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
5 Days Explore the Heart of Serengeti: From Central Plains to the Great North Migration Safari
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"From the first game drive in the Central Serengeti to watching the great wildebeest migration in the North, every moment was breathtaking."
Mark, traveled in September
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Arusha, Serengeti National Park
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English, German,Italian,French,Spanish,Chinese,Russian+5 more
Operator
Safari Serengeti Booking
5% Off
From
US$2,450per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Safari
8-Day Western Wildebeest Migration Mid-Range
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Professional Safari Africa
5% Off
From
US$3,700per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Safari
5-day Tanzania Classic Safari – Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Arusha, Ngorongoro Conservation Area,Serengeti National Park+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English, German,Italian,Portuguese,French,Spanish+4 more
Operator
Professional Safari Africa
5% Off
From
US$4,262per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Safari
5-Day Living Among Lions – Luxury Safari
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English, German,Italian,Portuguese,French,Spanish+4 more
Operator
Professional Safari Africa
5% Off
From
US$4,828per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Safari
From Arusha 3 days Ultimate Fly-In and Drive-Back Safari, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"Everthing was perfect."
Fabian, traveled in August
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Arusha, Seronera, Serengeti National Park, Ikoma,Ngorongoro Conservation Area,Ndutu Lake+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Beach and Safari Holidays
5% Off
From
US$1,548per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
From Arusha 4 days Savannah to Crater: Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari Trip
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Arusha, Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area,Ndutu Lake+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Ngorongoro National ParkSerengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Beach and Safari Holidays
5% Off
From
US$1,023per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
7 Days 6 Nights Migration Wildlife Safari
5.0 (6 traveler reviews)
"The scenery was beautiful and the accommodations were exquisite in the Tanzania parks."
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park,Seronera,Ngorongoro Conservation Area+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Migration Venture Africa
5% Off
From
US$3,350per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Safari
5 Days Affordable Annual Wildebeest Migration
5.0 (3 traveler reviews)
"The wildebeest migration is a natural wonder, and this tour delivered awe-inspiring game drives across the Serengeti."
Tyson, traveled in December
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Arusha, Serengeti National Park
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English, German,Italian,Portuguese,French,Spanish,Chinese,Russian+6 more
Operator
Safari Serengeti Booking
5% Off
From
US$1,750per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Safari
7 Days Serengeti National Park Safaris
5.0 (11 traveler reviews)
"The wildlife sightings were just as amazing, and the sense of adventure was unbeatable."
Ethan, traveled in April
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Arusha, Serengeti National Park, Kilimanjaro
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Serengeti National ParkNorthern Circuit Tanzania+1 more
Operated in
English, Italian,French,Spanish+2 more
Operator
Wonders of Creation Tours and Safaris
5% Off
From
US$9,410per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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