The Serengeti is one of the worldβs most iconic safari destinations β a place where lions roam, elephants wander by and the vast plains seem endless. But for many travellers, a common question lingers: is safari in the Serengeti safe?
In this guide, we share our firsthand experiences staying in tented camps, explain why animal attacks are extremely rare, and break down the differences between budget camping and luxury tented lodges. Whether youβre an adventurous traveller or planning your first safari, weβll help you understand what to expect and how to make the most of your Serengeti experience.
Is Safari in the Serengeti Safe?
Yes, visiting the Serengeti on safari is a very safe activity. Though no activity of this kind is completely without risk, there are no recorded instances of tourists being killed by animals in the Serengeti in the last 25 years.
Safari Camps in the Serengeti
We visited the Serengeti National Park in July of 2025. It was a magical experience β but honestly, staying in a tented camp overnight was terrifying.Β Tented camps in the Serengeti are unfenced, meaning animals (including lions and hyenas) can walk through the camp and even investigate the tents.
We stayed at Golden Safari Camp, which weβd highly recommend. The camp is mobile and the tents are made of sturdy canvas. Each has a private bathroom, electricity and running water.Β At night, a guide takes you from your private tent to the main tent area for meals. Thereβs also an emergency button that you can press at any time if you feel unsafe.Β
Staying in a tented lodge means you wake to the unforgettable experience of the sounds and sights of nature all around you. But sometimes, the sounds of nature can feel very closeβ¦
Our Serengeti Experience
On our first night, a group of animals came to our tent at about 3:30AM, waking us both up. We could hear them breathing and brushing up against the canvas, which suddenly felt very thin. Were they impala? Or hyenas? Or maybe even lions?
It was impossible to tell. Fearing the worst, and preferring probable embarrassment to possibly being devoured, we pressed the emergency button. Within two minutes, a ranger arrived to help.Β
As soon as he came, we heard the mystery animals flee into the wilderness. In the morning, our ranger confirmed that he had heard both hyenas and lions in the night. But were we ever at risk?
Animal Attacks in the Serengeti are Rare
After our travels, I researched animal attacks in the Serengeti. Hereβs what I found:
- No tourists have been killed by animals in the Serengeti National Park in the last twenty-five years.
- A pride of lions did attack a safari truck β destroying the tyres and banging the windows. The people inside were terrified, but unharmed.
- A Dutch tourist, along with a ranger, were killed in a robbery in 2012.Β
- A Chinese tourist was killed in a car accident in July 2024.
- There have also been two light aircraft crashes, in 2017 and 2019, in which people were killed.
However, given the huge number of people visiting the Serengeti each year (589,000 in 2024), this makes fatal accidents extremely unlikely, statistically speaking.
Why are Animal Attacks in the Serengeti Rare?Β
If so many people visit the Serengeti, why are attacks so rare? I have a few theories:
- Animals in the Serengeti are accustomed to visitors β they therefore know humans are not a threat.
- Rangers in Tanzania are well trained and usually have years of experience.
- The plains of the Serengeti mean that animals and tourists usually see each other coming β reducing surprise encounters.
- Many safari accidents happen on walking safaris, which are less common in the Serengeti National Park.
Budget Tents vs. Tented Lodge
If you do decide to go camping in the Serengeti, be aware that thereβs a difference between camping and a tented lodge.
With camping, you are setting up a standard tent at a camp site in the Serengeti β no running water, very little between you and the wilderness. This is a cheap and exciting way to connect with nature, and statistically speaking, you are unlikely to be hurt as lions do not recognise tents as prey. But this option is only for the brave!
Final Thoughts on Safari Camps
I thought that Golden Safari Tents was both the best accommodation we had on our Tanzania safari, and the scariest! Iβd recommend it for animal lovers and adventurers, but for those that are more cautious, Iβd instead recommend a lodge with wallsβ¦
