Serengeti Safari in Tanzania - Essential Information for Your Serengeti Adventure

Inquire About a Serengeti Safari

We hope this information will convince you that Serengeti National Park is your ideal travel destination. Still have questions or need specific details? Fill out our contact form, and we’ll respond promptly! Alternatively, email us at safarioffers@ajkenyasafaris.com or james@ajkenyasafaris.com. You can also reach us via WhatsApp or phone at +254 748 258880.

What to Expect on a Typical Serengeti Safari?

For first-time safari-goers, the anticipation is palpable! You might wonder what a typical day entails. While there are slight variations from camp to camp, most lodges adhere to a similar schedule due to the unpredictable nature of wildlife and weather. Even if you’re not naturally an early riser, the morning calls of birds and distant hyenas will likely turn you into one.

Choosing Between Drive-in, Fly-in, or Combo Safari

There are various routes to Serengeti National Park. Which should you select? This largely depends on your preferences, needs, and additional travel plans. For a swift and convenient option, or if time is limited, a fly-in safari is ideal. If you’re exploring additional sites or wish to economize on travel expenses, a drive-in safari is preferable. A popular choice is combining both, starting with a drive-in safari from Arusha, with a stop at the Ngorongoro Crater. From there, it’s a mere three-hour drive to Serengeti National Park. Post-safari, you can fly out from one of the airstrips, saving significant travel time back to Arusha. More details on travel options can be found on our how to travel to the Serengeti National Park page.

Upon landing at one of Serengeti’s airstrips, a lodge guide will greet you and escort you to their property. Some exclusive lodges have private airstrips, allowing you to maximize your time enjoying the vast plains and lodge amenities. Over the coming days, you’ll explore the Serengeti with lodge guides.

Drive-in Serengeti Safari

Opting for a drive-in safari means a driver/guide from Arusha will transport you to your Serengeti lodge in a 4×4 safari vehicle, with potential stops depending on your itinerary. Typically, your driver/guide will accompany you on game drives through the park. However, some exclusive lodges require guests to join their guides to ensure high standards and an exceptional safari experience.

Serengeti Cuisine and Sundowners

Indulge in a four-course meal with views of the seemingly endless plains, dine under lantern-lit trees, or savor freshly made macarons during high-tea before an afternoon game drive. Unwind after an exhilarating day with a buffet of appetizers and African wine. While wildlife is the safari highlight, exceptional meals enhance the experience. Serengeti lodges maintain high culinary standards despite remote locations. Expect fresh produce, local specialties, and international dishes with a unique twist. Meals, coffee, tea, and often local drinks are included.

We won’t spoil all the surprises planned by your lodge staff, but expect dinners at various locations. Dine while observing giraffes enjoying their meal or while traditional performances entertain you. Marvel at sunsets or starry skies, and cherish those unexpected memorable moments: perhaps while sipping morning coffee at sunrise or gazing at stars with a nightcap, contemplating our smallness and Earth’s beauty.

Dietary Needs and Arrival

If you have dietary restrictions, inform the lodge; chefs are eager to accommodate. Arriving late? Call ahead so they can prepare a late dinner, ensuring you don’t retire with an empty stomach.

Serengeti Safari Packing List: Essentials for Your Adventure

Congratulations on choosing a once-in-a-lifetime trip. On safari, avoid distractions from packing mishaps or other inconveniences.

We’ll address packing questions. While specifics depend on your travel mode and destination, here are general tips. For brief fly-in visits, pack light. Note that smaller planes allow 12 to 15 kg for carry-on luggage, and soft bags are recommended. Contact us for more information.

Clothing Essentials for a Serengeti Safari

No need for a new wardrobe for a Serengeti safari (though we won’t stop you from shopping!). Avoid bright colors and pack minimally.

• Opt for light, loose-fitting clothing in neutral colors. Laundry services are available at most camps, ensuring clean clothes.

• Pack a warm sweater or jacket and a scarf. Mornings and evenings can be chilly; warm clothing is essential for game drives. Camps provide ‘bush babies’ and blankets if needed.

• Shorts are ideal for safari drives or bush walks, but longer trousers are preferred in rural villages.

• Casual attire is acceptable in safari camps.

• A packable hat and polarized sunglasses are crucial.

• Avoid camouflage or military-themed clothing, as it’s inappropriate in Africa and may attract police attention.

• Wear lightweight footwear with ankle support. Ensure comfort for extended walking. Test them at home to avoid discomfort.

• Bring several pairs of thin, quick-drying socks. Multiple layers are often more comfortable. Visit an outdoor store for sock advice.

Essential Tools for a Serengeti Safari

Tools are vital for a successful safari. While lodges provide essentials, bringing your own tools can be enjoyable. Here are recommended items:

• Personal binoculars for wildlife viewing from your deck or elsewhere.

• A camera for capturing stunning images.

• A cheap, waterproof watch (leave expensive jewelry at home).

• High UV protection sunblock and lip balm.

• Quality insect repellent.

• While camps provide water bottles, bringing your own reduces plastic waste.

Tips for Capturing Stunning Safari Photos

Capturing a lion’s yawn beneath a tree is a safari photography triumph. The Serengeti is a photographer’s paradise. To enhance your skills, we offer these tips.

For optimal results, use a digital SLR camera with multiple lenses. For wildlife, a lens with at least 200 mm range is essential, ideally 300 mm. For landscapes, a wide-angle lens (18 mm or less) is recommended. Fixed focal length lenses (50 mm) with large apertures yield beautiful portraits. If you prefer minimal equipment, an 18-200 mm zoom lens covers most needs. Protect your camera from dust on unpaved roads with a quality dust-free bag.

Safety Tips for Your Safari

Safaris are thrilling, but, like any trip, they come with safety considerations.

While you likely won’t drive during your Serengeti safari, note that exiting your vehicle in game reserves and national parks is prohibited without armed rangers or guides. Ignoring this rule can have serious consequences.

A guide in a safari vehicle typically meets you at a small airstrip. At the lodge, heed the briefing from rangers or staff, who know the local wildlife activity.

Many Serengeti lodges are unfenced, allowing wildlife to roam freely. Avoid walking unaccompanied after sunset. Want to visit the main building, restaurant, or bar? Call reception for an escort.

If you have concerns, contact us for answers.