How many days should you spend on a safari in Serengeti?

A game drive with Regal African Safaris
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Covering 5,700 square miles, Serengeti National Park is so expansive and varied. There is a lot to see and do around the park. When researching about Serengeti safaris one thing you’ll notice is that there are different packages, some offering few days while others are longer so, for most first-time visitors it can be confusing to decide on how many days will be enough for Serengeti safari.

So, how many days should you spend on a safari in Serengeti? You should spend ata least 3-4 days (2-3 nights) on the actual safari in Serengeti National Park. This will give you at least two full days of exploring the park and ample time to appreciate the wildlife, nature, scenery, and landscape.

Given the sheer size of Serengeti National Park, 3 days are recommended minimum to spend in the park. However, Serengeti safaris are customizable and you can spend as much or as little as you wish in the park. Depending on your goals, itinerary and vacation time frame, you can even spend weeks in Serengeti. It is even possible to do a Serengeti safari as a day trip, in case you have a limited budget and time or if combining it with other national parks on your itinerary. While a single day safari in Serengeti might not give you enough time to cover the park, it will give you a feel of the park.

What Factors Should You Consider when Determining the Duration of your Serengeti Safari?

Having discussed the general recommendations on how much time you need in Serengeti, let’s now take a look at the factors that influence the duration of the Serengeti safari. These factors will help you to figure out the length of your safari in Serengeti.

1. Total Vacation Time

How much time do you have set aside for the safari? Few days? Weeks? This will be your number one guiding factor. This encompasses the total number of days from the moment you depart from your country to the time you intend to go back. On this, it is also important to factor in the time taken on international flights to and from your country. A longer safari will allow you to spend more time in Serengeti.

2. Budget

Another thing you should use as your baseline when deciding on how many days you need to spend in Serengeti is your budget. While there are different safari options (budget, mid -range, private and luxury) available in Serengeti depending on personal preference and budget, the more time you spend in Serengeti, the higher the cost of your safari. An extra day on safari means extra expenses, including accommodation, park fees and rental cars.

You should adjust the length of your stay according to your budget. Your budget should be able to cater for all your expenses during your entire stay in Serengeti.

3. Travel Goals/ Special Interests

Why are you interested in visiting Serengeti? Is your aim to see the Big Five? To witness Wildebeest Migration? Studying species? Birding or to photograph wildlife and landscape?

While 4 days might be enough for those interested in wildlife sightings, it might not be enough for people with special interests such as wildlife photography and studying the ecosystem and animal species. If your aim is wildlife photography, you might need to spend a little longer in Serengeti to get the perfect shots.

4. Mode of Transport to Serengeti

Earlier on, we said earlier international flights can eat up a lot of your safari time. This is also true with time spent on transit to and from Serengeti. How do you intend to get to Serengeti? Will you be flying into the park or taking a road trip? For instance, the time required to drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is the closest Tanzanian airport to Serengeti National Park, is 8 hours. If you add the time spent on the road and relaxation time, it means at least a day of your safari is’ lost’ during transfer to the park. For those who have limited time to explore Serengeti, one of the most convenient way to maximize your experience is to book a one-way domestic flight from Arusha to one of the airstrips inside the park depending on the area of Serengeti you are visiting. While it will bring the total cost of your safari up, it will give you sufficient time to explore the park. Then you can consider driving to your next destination if time allows. Therefore, if you intend to have a road-trip from Arusha to Serengeti, it is advisable to add an extra day.

5. Other Add-on Activities

Besides game drives, what other add-on activities are you interested in doing in and around Serengeti National Park? For example, Will you be taking a balloon safari, cultural tours to the local villages or a walking safari? If you intend to do the extra activities, it is good to adjust your itinerary to accommodate them.

6. Other Destinations or National Parks During your Serengeti Safari Trip

When planning your Serengeti safari, you need to ask yourself these three simple questions:

  • Are you planning to visit Serengeti only during your safari?
  • Do you plan to combine it with other national parks and wildlife conservation areas?
  • Are there other destinations you wish to visit during your safari?

Answering will help in guiding your ideal number of days to spend in the park. If you are visiting Serengeti alone, you’ll can spend maximum time at the park. While if you are combining it with other attractions, you’ll need to consider the time spent on transit from one destination to another and also allocate enough time to each destination on your itinerary. Also, if your main goal on your safari is to see wildlife and you plan on visiting different parks, you might want to consider reducing the number of days spent in Serengeti.

For other additional destinations, such as beaches and Mt. Kilimanjaro, factor the time it takes to reach the other destination(s). Also, some activities such as climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro take several days, so it is best to enquire from your outfitter on how long each activity will take and adjust your safari itinerary accordingly to fit everything.

7. Travel Pace/ Relaxation

Are you okay with two game drives per day? Do you get bored too quickly? Or do you want to spend more enjoying the facilities and amenities in the lodge? If you prefer more time to relax, you might need to add extra days in order to appreciate and explore the park to the maximum. A longer safari will give you the flexibility and enough time to relax in between the safari activities.

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