How to travel to the Serengeti on a budget [Guide]

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is one of Africa’s great wildernesses, and offers one of the continent’s best safari experiences. With the world’s largest protected grassland, the Serengeti is a made up of vast savanna plains and forests, and teems with wildlife. It’s especially well known for its predators – lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas – which you have a very good chance of spotting.

Serengeti is spectacular at any time of year but the absolute highlight is the world-famous wildebeest migration. This is where millions of animals cross from the Serengeti into the Masai Mara in Kenya and then return to the Serengeti.

How much is a Serengeti safari?

The Serengeti can be a rather expensive safari destination, with park fees costing USD 60 per person per day. Expect the additional cost of USD30 per vehicle and USD30 per tent. Unlike other African parks, such as Kruger National Park and the Masai Mara, there aren’t many options for places to stay. As a result the lodges charge a lot, with the top ones costing thousands of dollars a night.

• Budget Safaris average around 150 USD per night
• Mid Range Safaris average around 350 USD per night
• Luxury Safaris are around 750 USD per night
• Seriously Top End Safaris can be over 1500 USD per night

If you want to travel to the Serengeti on a budget, the best option is to do an overland trip. We offer a number of budget safaris to the Serengeti where you stay in the park’s campsites. Our epic 55 day Nairobi to Cape Town overland tour (which covers most of the highlights of east and southern Africa), and shorter trips like the 12-day Kenya and Tanzania budget safari, and the 10-day highlights of Tanzania budget safari. You can browse more of our budget Serengeti safaris here to travel to the Serengeti on a budget.

Other options for travelling to the Serengeti on a budget include self-driving options. You can fly into Arusha or Mwanza and hire your own car and camping equipment and stay at the campsites in the park.

Best Budget Tours to the Serengeti

Nature & Wildlife, Waterways & Wetlands, Wilderness Walks, Big 5 Safari, Migration Safaris

57 Day Nairobi to Cape Town Tour

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R212,500

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Nature & Wildlife, Wilderness Walks, Cultural Immersion, Big 5 Safari, Top Beaches, Dramatic Vistas

13 Day East Africa Game Parks and Zanzibar Safari

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was R81,750

R65,400

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Beach & Safari, Cultural Immersion, Big 5 Safari

10 Day Highlights of Tanzania Budget Safari

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was R49,950

R44,955

What can you do on a Serengeti safari?

The main thing to do in the Serengeti is seen wildlife on game drives! Our Serengeti safaris are in open-topped 4×4 vehicles, so you have great views once you spot those prides of lions. In between game drives, you can visit a traditional Maasai village and Oldupai Gorge (just south of the park), which is one of the world’s most important paleoanthropological sites. If you want to see wildlife from a different perspective, you can also do walking safaris and even wildlife viewing on a horse.

It’s certainly not a budget activity, but if you want to make your Serengeti trip even more memorable, you can do a hot air balloon flight over the park and its herds of animals – an incredible experience!

When is best to travel to the Serengeti?

You can have amazing wildlife viewings in the Serengeti at any time of year, but if you want to see the Wildebeest migration you need to visit between July and October. The migration happens at slightly different times of year, depending on the rains. Wildebeest calving, a great spectacle to behold, is from January to March. The Serengeti’s rainy season is in April and May, but even then the game viewing is superb.

Note: The best time to visit can vary based on weather patterns, climate change, and animal behavior, so it’s always recommended to check with your travel agent or tour operator for the latest updates and recommendations.

Chat to one of our experienced trip advisors to find the best trip to suit your needs.

Why go on a Safari to the Serengeti?

There are numerous reasons to go on a safari to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Here are some of the top reasons:

• Witness the Great Migration: The Great Migration is one of the most spectacular wildlife events on the planet, and it takes place in the Serengeti. Over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles migrate across the park, following the rains and searching for fresh grass. Witnessing this incredible spectacle is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• See the Big Five Animals: Serengeti is home to the Big Five – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos. Seeing these majestic animals in their natural habitat is a highlight of any safari.
• Experience the Maasai culture: The Maasai people are a semi-nomadic tribe who have lived in the Serengeti for centuries. A visit to a Maasai village will give you a glimpse into their traditional way of life and culture.
• Spectacular landscapes: The Serengeti is known for its sweeping grasslands, rocky outcrops, and acacia woodlands. The park’s varied landscapes provide a stunning backdrop for your safari experience.
• Expert Safari Guides: A safari to Serengeti National Park will be led by expert guides who are knowledgeable about the wildlife, culture, and history of the park. They will ensure that you have a safe and unforgettable experience.

In summary, a safari to Serengeti National Park is an incredible opportunity to witness the Great Migration, see the Big Five, experience Maasai culture, admire the stunning landscapes, and be guided by experts. It’s an adventure that nature and animal lovers should not miss.

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