Our tips for a low-cost safari in the Serengeti

Head for the endless plains of the Serengeti. Created in 1951, it is one of Tanzania's jewels. It is home to exceptional wildlife. It covers an area of almost 15,000 km2 and is the natural extension of the Masaï Mara reserve in Kenya. This UNESCO World Heritage Site takes you through plains, forests, rivers and savannahs. You'll find an incredible diversity of animals here, and the park is home to one of the greatest diversity of prey-predators in the world. You'll meet buffalo, wildebeest, hyenas, wild dogs, hippos, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, impalas, crocodiles and more. In addition, the famous big five are all resident in the park. Lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants and buffalo are sure to impress.

But what really makes the Serengeti unique is the great migrations that still take place there. In April/May, over 2 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra come together to begin their great migration northwards. Kilometres upon kilometres of line form in a maze of dust. In search of new pastures and fresh water, the animals march towards Kenya, confronting their predators on a daily basis as they follow in their tracks. The highlight of their journey is crossing the Masaï Mara river, with the welcoming lands of Kenya in the distance. It takes courage for these large herbivores to plunge into the tumultuous, deep, crocodile-infested waters. The spectacle is simply breathtaking.

In the collective imagination, a safari in the Serengeti represents the quintessence of Africa. It is the dream of many adventurers in search of space and discovery. However, this dream seems out of reach because it is often very expensive. However, it is possible to indulge in luxury stays in absolutely incredible and majestic lodges such as the One Nature Nyaruswiga lodge.

As you can see, accommodation plays a major role in the budget you allocate to your safari. This is where you can make considerable savings.

As far as your flight is concerned, you need to allow for 2 stopovers from Paris CDG and at least 800 euros to reach Arusha, the airport town closest to the Serengeti.

This is by far the most popular option with travellers, because it offers the utmost comfort and a certain amount of serenity. Often all-inclusive, this type of experience is nevertheless very expensive. The price generally includes airport pick-up, safari with a guide (in the language of your choice), full-board accommodation and park entrance fees. The budget varies widely, but starts at a minimum of $600 per person per day.

This is surely the most authentic option the African savannah has to offer. It's a small camp totally immersed in nature. Each canvas tent has a shower, washbasin and toilet. The camps are often mobile and follow the migrations. Comfort is the order of the day in this type of establishment, but the price is much lower than for the lodge option.

This is THE low-cost way to discover the Serengeti. The park has 9 public campsites, including 6 in the Seronera in the centre of the park. The price of a night to pitch a tent in the campsites is $36. The campsites are extremely basic accommodations with few amenities. Like all campsites, they have toilet blocks. There is often a kitchen block or barbecues to heat up your meals or cook on site. Unfortunately, the level of cleanliness depends on the civic-mindedness of visitors, and you can sometimes find places that are less clean than others. This low-cost option is often appreciated by travellers on a tight budget or looking for more authenticity.

The camping option is possible if you go with a private guide who you approach on the internet. To do this, poke around on travel forums and you're sure to find contact numbers left by travellers who have been won over by their guide. But you can also look for independent guides once you've arrived. From then on, you leave for a few days in complete autonomy with your guide. Check with your guide what is included and what he or she provides in terms of food and what you need to buy before you leave.

What's more, some people set out to conquer the Serengeti on their own. You can hire a car and enter the park without a guide. However, this option is not recommended, as there are very few signposts in the park. You should therefore count on the services of someone who knows the park, its animals and its dangers.