Where is Serengeti National Park Located? 

Serengeti National Park is located in northern Tanzania, East Africa. It spans 14,750 square kilometers, bordered by Lake Victoria to the west, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the southeast, and Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve to the north.
 
 

The Exact Location: Where is Serengeti National Park Located in Tanzania?

When travelers ask where is serengeti national park located in tanzania, it is helpful to understand its position within the country’s Northern Safari Circuit.
 
The park is situated in the northern region of Tanzania, sharing its borders with several iconic geographical and protected landmarks:
  • To the West: The massive, freshwater Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake).
  • To the Southeast: The Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the famous Ngorongoro Crater.
  • To the North: The international border with Kenya, where the ecosystem seamlessly continues as the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
  • To the East: The Loliondo Game Controlled Area.
 
Because of its vast size, the park is divided into four distinct regions (Southern, Central, Western, and Northern), each offering a completely different landscape and wildlife experience depending on the time of year.
 
 

Where is the Serengeti National Park Located in Africa? (Map Context)

For a broader perspective on where is serengeti national park located in africa, look at the eastern side of the continent, just south of the equator.
 
  • Continent: Africa (East Africa)
  • Country: United Republic of Tanzania
  • Approximate Coordinates: 2° to 3° South latitude, 34° to 35° East longitude.
 
On a map of Africa, the Serengeti sits in the Great Rift Valley region. It is part of the larger, unfenced Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, which is why the famous Serengeti wildebeest migration flows freely across the international border into Kenya.
 
 

How to Get to the Serengeti: Logistics & Airports

Knowing where the serengeti national park is located is only half the battle; knowing how to get there is crucial for your itinerary. There are two primary ways to reach the park:
 
 
Transport Method
Route & Nearest Airport
Travel Time to Park
Best For…
Domestic Flight
Fly into Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Arusha (ARK), then take a scheduled light aircraft to a Serengeti airstrip (e.g., Seronera, Kogatende).
1 to 1.5 hours (flight time)
Luxury travelers, post-Kilimanjaro climbers, and those wanting to maximize game drive time.
Road Transfer
Drive from Arusha or Moshi through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Naabi Hill or Seronera gates.
7 to 9 hours (with scenic stops)
Budget-conscious travelers, photographers wanting landscape shots, and classic road-trip enthusiasts.
 

Navigating the Location for the Great Migration

Because the park is so massive, where is serengeti national park situated relative to the herds changes every month. The migration is a continuous, clockwise loop, meaning the “best” location within the park depends entirely on the season.
 
  • To witness the nutrient-rich calving season, you must travel to the Southern Serengeti (Ndutu region).
    Learn how to track the herds across this vast landscape with our expert guide to the Serengeti wildebeest migration.
  • To secure front-row seats at the dramatic northern river crossings, expert routing is essential.
    Book a custom Serengeti wildebeest migration safari with our local guides who use real-time radio networks to pinpoint the herds’ exact location.
 
 

Extending Your Map: Beyond the Serengeti

The Serengeti is the crown jewel of Tanzania, but its location makes it the perfect starting point for a multi-destination adventure.
 
  • The Ngorongoro Extension: Located just southeast of the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a must-visit. Descending 600 meters into the caldera for a ngorongoro crater safari guarantees exceptional Big Five density, including the endangered Black Rhino, in a single day.
  • The Coastal Finale: After days of navigating the vast savanna, look east on the map toward the Indian Ocean. We handle all seamless domestic flight logistics for travelers Visiting zanzibar, transitioning you from the dusty plains to pristine white-sand beaches, spice tours, and historic Stone Town. Start planning your idyllic, stress-free coastal extension by Visiting zanzibar.
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 
Q: Where is Serengeti National Park located?
A: Serengeti National Park is located in northern Tanzania, East Africa. It covers 14,750 square kilometers and is bordered by Lake Victoria to the west and Kenya’s Maasai Mara to the north.
 
Q: Where is the Serengeti National Park located in Africa?
A: On a map of Africa, it is situated in East Africa, just south of the equator. It forms the Tanzanian half of the greater Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.
 
Q: Where is Serengeti National Park situated relative to major cities?
A: The park is located approximately 330 kilometers (205 miles) northwest of Arusha, Tanzania’s safari capital, and about 400 kilometers from Moshi (at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro).
 
Q: Is the Serengeti in Kenya or Tanzania?
A: The Serengeti National Park is entirely in Tanzania. However, the ecosystem extends north across the border into Kenya, where it is known as the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The wildlife, including the Great Migration, moves freely between both countries.
 
 

Ready to Plan Your Journey to the Serengeti?

Don’t navigate complex geography and logistics alone. Our local, TATO-licensed experts specialize in crafting bespoke, transparently priced itineraries that position you in the exact right region of the Serengeti for your travel dates.