Safari Easy Featured

Express Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari

A fast-paced 3-day safari packing the iconic Serengeti plains and Ngorongoro Crater into a long weekend.

Duration 3 Days / 2 Nights
Group 2-6 people
Pickup Arusha
Language English
From $2,229 per person · 3 tiers available
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Overview

Short on time but determined to see Tanzania's greatest wildlife spectacles? This express 3-day safari delivers the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater back-to-back. You'll cover the Big Five, the open plains and the crater floor in three intense days, ideal for travellers transiting through Arusha or adding a wildlife extension to a Zanzibar trip. Choose Budget, Mid-range or Luxury accommodation; all tiers travel in the same private 4x4 with the same expert guide.

Highlights

Central Serengeti game drive
Ngorongoro Crater descent
Olduvai Gorge stop
Big Five sightings
Private 4x4 vehicle
Three accommodation tiers

Compare Tiers

All tiers share the same expert guide, private 4x4, full meal plan and itinerary. The difference is the comfort level of your accommodation.

  Budget Mid-range Recommended Luxury
Price (per person) $2,229 $2,763 $3,143
Accommodation Comfortable mid-range hotels and tented camps. Clean, en-suite rooms. Quality lodges and tented camps in or close to the parks. Pool, restaurant, character. Premier lodges and luxury tented suites. Private decks, spa options, fine dining.
Vehicle Shared 4x4 with pop-up roof, bottled water Private 4x4 with pop-up roof, charging ports, fridge Private 4x4 fully equipped, refreshments and snacks on board
Meals Hotel breakfast and dinner; picnic lunch on game-drive days Full board with regional menus and dietary options Gourmet full board with sundowners, bush dinners and wine pairings
Best for Travellers prioritising value and the wildlife experience Couples, families and most first-time visitors Honeymoons, milestone trips and discerning travellers

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Early morning pickup in Arusha (around 6:00 AM) with packed breakfast. Drive up through the Ngorongoro Highlands with a photo stop at the crater rim, then descend onto the rolling Serengeti grasslands - approximately 7 hours total with stops. Enter via Naabi Hill Gate and begin game viewing immediately. Reach your central Serengeti camp/lodge by late afternoon. Sunset drinks and dinner.

Sunrise game drive in the Seronera River valley - prime leopard country - tracking lion, cheetah and resident elephant herds. Picnic breakfast in the bush. Mid-morning, depart the Serengeti and drive to Olduvai Gorge for a short visit to the 'Cradle of Mankind' museum. Continue to your Ngorongoro Conservation Area lodge perched on the crater rim, arriving in time for sunset and dinner.

Dawn descent into the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive on the caldera floor - black rhino, lion, elephant, flamingo and dense plains game packed into one of the world's most spectacular natural enclosures. Picnic lunch at the hippo pool, then ascend in the early afternoon. Drive back to Arusha (approx. 3.5 hours), arriving by evening. Drop-off at your hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport.

What's Included

  • Park and conservation fees
  • Accommodation per chosen tier (Budget hotels $200-$250 / Mid-range $300-$400 / Luxury $600-$700)
  • All meals on safari
  • Bottled drinking water
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Airport / hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Reservation cost

What's Excluded

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal items and tips
  • Alcoholic beverages

Best Time to Visit

Plan around peak wildlife, weather and price windows.

Peak season Shoulder / good Off-season

Long Dry Season

Peak
June – October

Peak game viewing. Animals concentrate around waterholes; thinning vegetation makes spotting easy. The iconic Mara River crossings of the Great Migration occur Jul – Sep.

Calving Season

Peak
January – February

The Great Migration calves in southern Serengeti / Ndutu. Dramatic predator action and excellent weather with surprisingly low crowds.

Short Rains

Good
November – December

Brief afternoon showers, lush green landscapes and excellent birding as migrants arrive. Migration herds move south. Lower-season pricing.

Long Rains

Avoid
March – May

Heavy rainfall, muddy roads, some lodges close. Beautiful green scenery and dramatic skies, but the most challenging time for safaris. Lowest prices.

What to Pack

Recommended essentials based on Tanzanian conditions and our 25 years of experience guiding this trip.

Lightweight, neutral-coloured clothing (avoid bright colours, navy and black)
Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection
Strong sunscreen (SPF 30+) and lip balm
Insect repellent (DEET-based)
Closed walking shoes or light boots
Light fleece or jacket for early morning game drives
Binoculars (essential)
Camera with zoom lens and spare batteries
Refillable water bottle
Personal medications and basic first-aid kit
Small backpack for day use
Power adapter (Tanzania uses UK Type G plugs)

Frequently Asked Questions

Standard safaris require minimal fitness — most game viewing is from the vehicle. If you have specific mobility concerns, let us know so we can plan appropriate stops.

Yes — single travellers typically pay 25-40% above the per-person sharing rate. Contact us for current single-supplement pricing on your chosen package.

Yes, all park entry fees, conservation fees and crater fees are included in the package price.

Yes. Most travellers (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia) can apply for a Tanzania e-visa online (~$50) before travel, or get a visa on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Allow 7-10 days for e-visa processing.

A Yellow Fever certificate is required only if you are arriving from a yellow-fever country. Recommended (consult your doctor): Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus, and antimalarial prophylaxis.

Strongly recommended for all travellers and mandatory for Kilimanjaro climbers. Make sure your policy covers high-altitude trekking up to 6,000 m if you are climbing.

A 30% deposit confirms your booking. The remaining balance is due 30 days before arrival. We accept bank transfer, credit card and major mobile money providers.

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free and other dietary needs can be arranged with advance notice — please flag them when booking.

Free cancellation up to 60 days before departure (deposit refunded minus a small processing fee). Cancellations 30-60 days out: 50% refund. Less than 30 days: no refund. We strongly recommend trip-cancellation insurance.
Choose your tier
Budget $2,229
Mid-range $2,763
Luxury $3,143
per person · final price varies with group size
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Speak with one of our Tanzania experts today. We'll tailor every detail to your dates, your group and your budget — no cookie-cutter trips, just unforgettable adventures.

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