Where Is Serengeti National Park Located Between Kenya and Tanzania?

Serengeti National Park is one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations, renowned for its sweeping savannas, abundant wildlife, and the legendary Great Migration. Geographically, it lies in northern Tanzania, stretching toward the border with Kenya, where it connects with the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Together, these two parks form a single, continuous ecosystem that is one of the most biologically significant and protected natural areas on Earth.

Let’s explore in detail where exactly the Serengeti is located and how it fits into the broader geography of East Africa.

Geographical Location

Country: Tanzania

Region: Mara and Simiyu Regions, Northern Tanzania

Coordinates: Roughly between latitude 1°30′S and 3°30′S, and longitude 34°E and 36°E

Serengeti National Park is located entirely within Tanzania, though its northern boundary borders Kenya. It lies southeast of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, and west of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak.

Proximity to Kenya

The northern part of Serengeti National Park touches the Kenya–Tanzania border, where it seamlessly connects to Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. Although they are in two separate countries, these parks form one large ecological zone often referred to collectively as the Greater Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem.

Serengeti (Tanzania): Covers about 14,750 square kilometers

Maasai Mara (Kenya): Covers about 1,510 square kilometers

While Maasai Mara is much smaller, it plays a crucial role in the annual Great Migration, especially during the months of July to October, when millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross the border northward from the Serengeti into the Mara in search of greener pastures.

Border and Migration: No Fences, Just Nature

Despite being in two different countries, there are no physical fences separating the Serengeti from the Maasai Mara. This allows wildlife to roam freely across international borders according to seasonal patterns. This open system is crucial for the health of the ecosystem, especially the Great Migration, which is driven by rainfall, grass growth, and natural predator-prey dynamics.

However, while animals can move freely, tourists cannot. To cross from the Serengeti into the Maasai Mara or vice versa, travelers must go through official border posts, usually through Isebania or Sirar, and comply with visa and immigration rules.

Neighboring Protected Areas in Tanzania

Serengeti National Park is part of a larger network of protected areas in northern Tanzania, forming the Serengeti ecosystem, which spans approximately 30,000 square kilometers. These include:

Ngorongoro Conservation Area (southeast): Famous for the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Grumeti Game Reserve (west): A private reserve known for luxury safaris.

Ikorongo and Maswa Game Reserves (west and south): Buffer zones that help protect the park.

Loliondo Game Controlled Area (northeast): A semi-protected area often used by the Maasai people.

This network helps maintain ecological balance, provides migration corridors, and contributes to the overall health of the Serengeti environment.

Access Points and Nearest Cities

From Tanzania:

Most visitors enter the Serengeti via Arusha, a city in northern Tanzania and the gateway to the “Northern Safari Circuit.”

The park is accessed by road (through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area) or by air via Seronera Airstrip and other small bush airstrips.

From Kenya:

Visitors often access the Maasai Mara first, then travel south through border posts to enter Serengeti National Park.

It’s important to organize cross-border travel in advance through tour operators.

Why Its Location Matters

The Serengeti’s position between Kenya and Tanzania plays a crucial role in:

Ecological sustainability: Cross-border conservation efforts are essential to preserving migration routes.

Tourism synergy: Many visitors choose to explore both the Serengeti and Maasai Mara on the same trip.

Cultural connections: The Maasai people live on both sides of the border and share deep-rooted traditions tied to the land.