Ngorongoro to the Serengeti: The Classic Road Through Olduvai and the Plains
The road from Ngorongoro to the Serengeti crosses the conservation area, passes Olduvai Gorge and drops onto the southern plains, forming one of the most scenic and popular drives in East African safari travel.
Most northern circuit safaris follow this route, which links the two best-known parks in Tanzania. The drive is long enough to count as a travel day, but it is also an excursion in its own right, with changing landscapes and chances to see animals and Maasai herders.
This guide explains how the journey unfolds and how to pace it.
This guide is part of our Uganda road routes and driving guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.
At a glance
- Route: Across the conservation area to the southern Serengeti
- Stops: Olduvai Gorge and viewpoints
- Road: Sealed to the plains, then park tracks
- Journey: A long day with stops
- Alternative: Light aircraft from nearby airstrips
Leaving the Crater Rim
The route begins on the highland rim, where mornings can be cold and misty. The road leaves the rim, descends through grassland and passes Maasai settlements where herders graze cattle, sheep and goats. This is a working landscape, and the people who live here have shared it with wildlife for generations.
Keep an eye out for giraffes, zebras and wildebeest alongside the road. If you wish to photograph local people, ask permission first and follow your guide's advice. See Ngorongoro Conservation Area beyond the crater for more on the region.
Olduvai Gorge
A common stop is Olduvai Gorge, a ravine famous for fossils and early human discoveries. A small museum and viewing point explain the history of excavations and the importance of the site to the story of human origins. A short visit is worthwhile for anyone curious about the deep past.
Allow an hour or so for the stop, and bring a hat and water. The Olduvai Gorge guide offers more background.
The Short-Grass Plains
Beyond the gorge the landscape flattens into the southern plains, a vast stretch of short grass that is an essential part of the Serengeti ecosystem. In the right season, usually the early part of the year, the plains host calving herds of wildebeest and zebra, followed by predators.
Outside those months the plains can look empty and dry, but they still offer big skies and long views. Ask your guide what to expect on your dates. The Serengeti best time to visit page sets out the pattern.
Gate Formalities and Park Tracks
At the Serengeti gate, your guide handles permits and registration. Allow time, because queues can form. Inside the park, you continue on dirt tracks, and game viewing begins as soon as you pass the gate, so keep cameras ready.
The route usually continues to Seronera or to a camp in the central or southern region. For details on the regions, see Serengeti regions and southern Serengeti where to stay.
Flying Instead of Driving
Light aircraft are an alternative for travellers who prefer to save time. Flights from nearby airstrips reach the Serengeti quickly, and the aerial views are a bonus. You miss the Olduvai stop and some roadside wildlife, but gain hours for game drives.
Many itineraries drive in and fly out, or the reverse. Ask your operator which pattern suits your dates, and consult how to get to the Serengeti for more detail.
Pacing the Day
Plan an early start, a picnic or lunch stop with a view and a late-afternoon arrival, ideally with time for a short game drive. Avoid rushing, because the journey is a highlight in itself. If you travel in the rainy season, allow a larger buffer for slow tracks.
Bring layers, because the temperature changes as you descend from the highlands. Drink plenty of water and use sunscreen even if the morning is cool.
Practical Tips
Keep your camera and binoculars handy rather than packed away, and bring snacks for the road. Dust can be heavy in the dry season, so protect electronics and wear a scarf if you are sensitive. Follow your guide's instructions about when it is safe to leave the vehicle.
See northern circuit safari guide for how this leg fits the wider route, and how to get to Ngorongoro for the previous stage.
Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.
Related Tours, Guides and Resources
- Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
- Uganda safari packages
- Uganda travel guide
- How to book a Uganda safari
- Plan your safari with our team
Itineraries That Include This Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Uganda Safari Pages
- How to Get to Ngorongoro Crater: Road From Arusha, Flights and Routes
- How to Get to the Serengeti: Flights From Arusha, Road Routes and Airstrips
- Olduvai Gorge and the Cradle of Humankind: Tanzania's Early Human Site
- Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari: Route, Parks, Days and Best Time
- Entebbe to Lake Mburo: The Western Highway and Your First Uganda Safari Stop
- Entebbe to Murchison Falls: The Northern Highway to the Nile's Great Cascade
- Jinja to Murchison Falls: Following the Nile From Its Source to the Great Falls
- Tanzania Safari and Travel Guides: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar
Ready to Plan Your Uganda Safari?
Tell us your dates, group size and interests and our Kampala team will reply with a clear, personal itinerary.
Back to the Ameera Africa Safaris homepage for Uganda safari vacations, our featured tours and the latest Uganda park fees.