Trip Planning
Should You Drive or Fly Between Parks in Tanzania?
Most Northern Circuit routes are built to drive, and the drive is part of the safari. The exception is the far north: reaching Kogatende for the Mara River crossings by road takes 4 to 8 hours, and that's where flying starts to earn its cost.
Real Numbers
Drive times we plan every itinerary around
Point-to-point transfer times in a private 4x4, excluding game-viewing stops along the way. Actual arrival can run longer once you factor in wildlife sightings on route.
| Route | Drive time | Road |
|---|---|---|
| Arusha → Tarangire | ~2h | Tarmac |
| Arusha → Ngorongoro Crater rim | 3.5–4h | Tarmac, gravel near the NCA |
| Karatu → Central Serengeti (Seronera) | 4–5h | Gravel from Naabi Hill Gate onward |
| Central Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater | 3–4h | Gravel through the park, tarmac near the rim |
| Central Serengeti → Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) | 4–5h as a transfer, 7–8h as a game drive | Gravel, corrugated in places |
| Karatu / crater rim → Ndutu (southern plains) | 5–6h | Tarmac to the NCA gate, then sandy plains track |
| Kogatende → Ngorongoro Crater rim | 6–7h | Long transit day, mostly gravel |
Decision Guide
When each option makes sense
Drive if...
- +Your route is the standard circuit: Tarangire, central Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- +You're travelling as 2 people and don't want to depend on a scheduled flight's minimum passenger count
- +Budget matters more than the extra hours in transit
- +You like the idea of a game drive built into the transfer day (true for Naabi Hill into Seronera)
Fly if...
- +Your itinerary reaches Kogatende for the Mara River crossings
- +You have limited days and want to trade cost for an extra day at your destination
- +You're combining a remote park (like Ndutu or Ruaha) with a short overall trip
- +Long travel days are the specific thing you want to avoid, regardless of cost
A domestic bush flight typically costs several times more per person than the equivalent road transfer, which is already included in your vehicle and guide day rate. Flying buys time, not savings, and minimum passenger counts and seasonal schedules apply. Tell us your route and we'll confirm the exact fare and flight times.
FAQ
Drive vs fly questions
Is it worth flying to the Serengeti instead of driving?
For the standard Northern Circuit (Tarangire, central Serengeti, Ngorongoro), no. The drive itself runs through game-viewing terrain, especially the stretch from Naabi Hill Gate into Seronera, so you are effectively on a game drive during the transfer. Flying only pays off once your route reaches the far north.
How long is the drive from Arusha to the Serengeti?
There's no direct road from Arusha straight to the Serengeti; itineraries route through Tarangire and Karatu first. Arusha to Karatu is about 3 hours, then Karatu to central Serengeti (Seronera) is another 4 to 5 hours on gravel from Naabi Hill Gate onward. Most itineraries split this into two days rather than one long push.
Can I drive to the Mara River crossings at Kogatende?
Yes, but it's a full transit day. Central Serengeti to Kogatende is 4 to 5 hours as a straight transfer, or 7 to 8 hours run as a game drive through Lobo and kopje country, which is how we usually route it. This is the one leg on the Northern Circuit where flying genuinely saves meaningful time, turning a 4 to 8 hour day into under an hour in the air.
Do domestic bush flights require a minimum number of passengers?
Most scheduled routes need a minimum of 2 passengers to operate, and schedules can shift with weather or operational changes. We only book flights once your route and group size are confirmed, and always hold a road-transfer alternative in the plan.
Does flying save money on a short trip?
Rarely. A domestic bush flight typically costs several times more per person than the equivalent road transfer, which is already built into your vehicle and guide day rate. Flying saves time, not money. It's worth it when the time saved buys you an extra day at the destination, most clearly on the Kogatende leg, less clearly anywhere else on the standard circuit.
What determines whether our itinerary drives or flies?
Three things: which parks are on the route, how many days you have, and whether the far north (Kogatende) is involved. Tell us your dates and priorities and we'll tell you plainly which legs are worth flying and which aren't, rather than defaulting to whichever costs more.
See the routes in a full itinerary
Not sure which legs are worth flying?
Send us your dates and route. We'll tell you plainly which legs to drive and which to fly, with the real numbers behind the call.