Serengeti National Park

Driving Hours

•         Driving is permitted between 06:00 and 18:00 only. No game drives permitted after 18:00. Violators face fines and permit revocation.

Speed Limits

•         Maximum speed limit inside the park is 50 km/h on main roads and 25 km/h on game tracks. Strictly enforced — heavy fines apply.

Off-Road Driving

•         Off-road driving is strictly PROHIBITED unless the vehicle holds a valid special off-road permit issued by TANAPA. Violation carries severe penalties and possible park ban.

No Littering

•         Littering anywhere inside the park is strictly prohibited. All waste must be retained in vehicle and disposed of at designated facilities only.

No Feeding Wildlife

•         Feeding any wildlife — including baboons, birds, and mongoose — is strictly forbidden and may result in immediate ejection from the park.

Noise Restrictions

•         Excessive noise (loud music, shouting near animals) is prohibited. Approach wildlife slowly and maintain a quiet, calm vehicle environment at all times.

Vehicle Count Limits

•         A maximum of 5 vehicles are allowed at any one sighting simultaneously. Rangers actively enforce this — keep moving if the limit is reached.

Stay in Vehicle

•         Passengers must remain in their vehicle at all times except at designated picnic sites and viewpoints. Exiting the vehicle in the presence of wildlife is a serious violation.

No Collection

•         It is illegal to collect, remove, or disturb any plant, rock, soil, animal, or cultural artefact within the park boundaries.

Campfire Rules

•         Campfires permitted only at designated public campsites with prior authorisation. No open fires in the bush or outside designated areas.

Clothing

•         Neutral safari wear (khaki, olive, beige, grey). Long-sleeved shirts, trousers, shorts, fleece/light jacket for early mornings and evenings.

–        Avoid blue and black — attract tsetse flies. Serengeti mornings (Jun–Sep) can be cold: pack a warm layer.

Footwear

•         Comfortable closed-toe shoes or trail runners. Sandals for lodge/camp use.

–        Walking shoes needed for picnic sites and designated walking areas.

Sun & Insect Protection

•         Sunscreen SPF 50+, wide-brim hat, UV-protective sunglasses. DEET insect repellent (30–50%).

–        Open vehicle sun exposure is intense — reapply sunscreen every 2–3 hours.

Health & Medical

•         Anti-malaria medication, personal first-aid kit, rehydration sachets, hand sanitiser, any prescription medicines.

–        Bring sufficient supply for the full trip. No pharmacy in the park.

Camera & Optics

•         Camera with 300–600mm zoom lens, extra batteries, memory cards, sensor wipes. Binoculars (8x42 or 10x42).

–        Dust covers essential. Dawn balloon safaris demand very fast lenses.

Luggage

•         Soft-sided duffel bag (max 15 kg including hand luggage for bush flights). Hard shell suitcase stored at Arusha hotel.

–        Strictly enforced on small aircraft — Cessna 208 and similar.

Documents

•         Passport (6+ months validity), printed e-Visa or on-arrival visa receipt, Yellow Fever certificate (if required), travel insurance documents, TANAPA park booking confirmation.

–        Keep digital copies on your phone. Physical copies also recommended.

Extras

•         Power bank, universal adapter (Type G UK plug), torch/headlamp, reusable water bottle, lip balm.

–        Electricity available at lodges; remote camps may have limited hours.

MANDATORY — VISA

•         All visitors must hold a valid tourist visa before or upon arrival into Tanzania.

Tourist Visa Cost

•         Most nationalities: USD 50 (single entry). US citizens: USD 100. East Africa Tourist Visa (Tanzania + Kenya + Uganda): USD 100. Apply online at immigration.go.tz or obtain on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR).

Passport Validity

•         Passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into Tanzania and contain at least one completely blank page for entry and exit stamps.

MANDATORY — VI-TAX (PFF)

•         Passenger Facilitation Fee — mandatory for all non-EAC/SADC international travellers effective 1 November 2025.

VI-Tax Amount

•         One-way international journey: USD 45 per person. Return international journey: USD 90 per person. Applicable to all non-EAC and non-SADC nationals travelling on international flights to/from Tanzania. This fee is in addition to your airline ticket and is typically collected at check-in or through your tour operator.

MANDATORY — YELLOW FEVER

•         Yellow Fever vaccination certificate requirements for entry into Tanzania.

Yellow Fever Certificate

•         A valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (Carte Jaune) is MANDATORY only if you are arriving directly from, or transiting through, a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission (including most sub-Saharan African and South American countries). Travellers arriving without a required certificate may be vaccinated at the port of entry (fee applies) or refused entry. Consult your travel health clinic at least 10 days before departure.

MANDATORY — TRAVEL INSURANCE

•         Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all Tanzania safari and tourism packages.

Insurance Coverage

•         Policy must include: emergency medical treatment and hospitalisation, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, trip cancellation and curtailment, personal liability, loss of baggage and personal effects, and 24-hour emergency assistance. For remote parks, AMREF Flying Doctors cover (approx. USD 25 per person per trip) is strongly recommended.

Mandatory Insurance — Tanzania & Zanzibar

•         Adults: USD 44 per person. Children (3–17 years): USD 22 per person. This is in addition to your standard comprehensive travel insurance.