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Serengeti Airstrips: Complete Guide to Flying into the Serengeti

Fly Directly Into the Heart of Tanzania’s Greatest Wildlife Safari

Skip the long road transfers and arrive where the wildlife action begins. Whether you’re following the Great Migration in Northern Serengeti, witnessing the calving season in the south, or enjoying year-round game viewing in Central Serengeti, Serengeti’s network of airstrips connects you to the right safari destination quickly and comfortably. Major airstrips include Seronera, Kogatende, Grumeti, Ndutu, Kusini, Lobo, and Fort Ikoma.

Flying into the Serengeti is one of the most convenient and rewarding ways to begin a Tanzanian safari. Instead of spending long hours driving from Arusha, travelers can enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the Great Rift Valley, Ngorongoro Highlands, and endless Serengeti plains before landing just minutes from their lodge or camp.

The Serengeti National Park is served by several strategically located airstrips, each providing access to different regions of the park. Choosing the right airstrip can significantly enhance your safari experience, especially if you are traveling to witness a specific phase of the Great Migration.

Serengeti Airstrips to Consider

Seronera Airstrip (SEU) – The Heart of the Serengeti

Seronera Airstrip is the busiest and most frequently used airstrip in the Serengeti. Located in Central Serengeti, it offers excellent access to year-round wildlife viewing and many of the park’s premier lodges and camps. The surrounding Seronera Valley is famous for its resident lion prides, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and large concentrations of plains game.

Seronera is suitable for; First-time Serengeti visitors, Year-round safaris, Luxury fly-in safaris

Lobo Airstrip – Northern Wilderness

Lobo Airstrip provides access to the less-visited northern reaches of the Serengeti. This region offers excellent wildlife viewing, scenic landscapes, and a quieter safari experience away from the more popular migration hotspots.

Best For: Remote safaris, Northern Serengeti exploration, Wildlife photography, Returning Serengeti visitors

Kogatende Airstrip (KGT) – Gateway to the Mara River Crossings

Located in Northern Serengeti near the Mara River, Kogatende Airstrip is the preferred arrival point for travelers seeking the dramatic river crossings of the Great Migration. Between July and October, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras gather in this region as they attempt to cross crocodile-filled waters.

Services Best For: Great Migration safaris, Mara River crossings; Wildlife photographers

Ndutu Airstrip – The Calving Season Hub

Ndutu Airstrip serves the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu region. From December through March, this area becomes the stage for the Great Migration calving season, when more than 500,000 wildebeest calves are born within a few weeks. Predator activity is exceptional during this period.

Services Best For: Calving season safaris, Predator action, Family safaris, Photography tours

Kusini Airstrip – Southern Serengeti Wilderness

Situated near the famous Kusini Kopjes, Kusini Airstrip offers access to some of the Serengeti’s most exclusive and remote safari experiences. The region becomes particularly rewarding during the migration calving months and offers exceptional predator sightings.

Best For: Exclusive safaris, Migration calving season

Private photographic safaris

Fort Ikoma Airstrip

Located in the northwestern Serengeti, Fort Ikoma Airstrip serves lodges and camps in the western corridor and acts as an alternative landing point during busy safari seasons.

Best For: Western Serengeti lodges and Private fly-in safaris

Grumeti Airstrip – Western Corridor Access

Grumeti Airstrip serves the Western Serengeti and the Grumeti Reserve. During May and June, this region hosts spectacular migration crossings along the Grumeti River, often with fewer vehicles than the northern Mara crossings.

Best For: Western Corridor safaris, Migration river crossings

Which Serengeti Airstrip Should You Choose and in What Season?

January – March; Choose Ndutu or Kusini Airstrip for the Great Migration calving season

May – June; Choose Grumeti Airstrip for migration river crossings in the western corridor.

July – October; Choose Kogatende Airstrip for the famous Mara River crossings.

Year-Round; Choose Seronera Airstrip for excellent wildlife viewing and easy access to Central Serengeti.

Popular Serengeti Airstrip Flight Schedules

Knowing the schedule and routes will help you fly into the right sector and plan better when to fly with this guide. Flight schedules to/from Serengeti airstrips are dependant on the season usually targeting the worlds best live natural event – the wildebeest migration which happens in cycles all year round. Most flights operate from Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and occasionally Dar es Salaam. The main carriers are Auric Air, Coastal Aviation, Air Excel, and Grumeti Air

Seronera Airstrip (Central Serengeti)

The busiest airstrip with daily scheduled services year-round from/to Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.

Kogatende Airstrip (Northern Serengeti)

Book a flight to this airstrip for Mara River wildebeest crossings in the months of July to October.

The airstrip has fewer flights to/from Arusha, but in high season additional flights/routes are added to allow visitors enjoy the wildebeest migration season.

Grumeti Airstrip (Western Corridor)

This airstrip connects visitors to the western corridor wildebeest viewing, with daily flights operated from Zanzibar, Seronera and Kagatende (seasonal)

Flying Safari to Serengeti

Flying is the fastest and most comfortable way to reach the Serengeti. Whether you’re heading to Seronera for year-round game viewing, Kogatende for the dramatic Mara River crossings, Ndutu for the calving season, or Grumeti for migration action in the western corridor, Serengeti’s network of airstrips provides seamless access to every corner of the park.

With daily and seasonal scheduled flights connecting Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and other safari destinations, planning a fly-in Serengeti safari has never been easier. Choosing the right airstrip based on the season and your safari goals ensures you are perfectly positioned for an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Ready to Fly into the Serengeti?

Let our safari experts help you choose the best airstrip, lodge, and flight schedule for your adventure. Whether you’re planning a luxury fly-in safari, a Great Migration journey, or a tailor-made photography expedition, we’ll create the perfect Serengeti itinerary for you.

Contact us today for personalized flight schedules, safari recommendations, and exclusive fly-in Serengeti packages.

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