3 Days Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari

πŸ“ Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
3 Days Β· 2 Nights
From USD 1,075.60 / person
3 Days Β· 2 Nights
Cost includes: Park fees / Game drives / Accommodation / Meals / Transport
Overview
Trip Route
1 1. Arusha Arusha 2 2. Serengeti National Park Serengeti National Park 3 3. Ngorongoro Crater Ngorongoro Crater
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Trip Route
3 Days Β· 2 Nights Β· 3 Stops
Day 1
Arusha
Departure point and return destination
Day 1 to Day 2
Serengeti National Park
Vast open plains, kopjes, big herds
Day 2 to Day 3
Ngorongoro Crater
UNESCO World Heritage caldera, Big Five wildlife
Trip Info

This compact three-day safari delivers the very best of Tanzania's two most iconic wilderness destinations, the endless golden plains of the Serengeti and the breathtaking caldera of Ngorongoro Crater. You will travel in comfort from Arusha, watching the landscape shift from highland farmland to open savannah as the adventure unfolds. In the Serengeti you will encounter vast herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle roaming across more than 12,900 square kilometres of pristine wilderness, while the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, cradles one of the densest concentrations of wildlife on earth within its ancient volcanic walls. Africompass brings you multilingual guides fluent in English, Spanish, Chinese, German and French, ensuring every moment in the bush is brought vividly to life.

πŸ’³ Secure your booking with a 50% deposit; the remaining balance is payable after your safari is completed.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01 Day 1: Arusha to Serengeti National Park β–Ύ

Your safari will begin with a 7:30 am hotel pick-up in Arusha, after which you will set off on a scenic drive to Serengeti National Park. On arrival you will check in at the lodge for lunch, then head out on an afternoon game drive across the open plains, where rocky Moru Kopjes provide a dramatic backdrop and lion, cheetah and leopard are often spotted resting on the ancient granite outcrops.

  • 7:30 am hotel pick-up in Arusha
  • Scenic drive through the Tanzanian highlands en route to the Serengeti
  • Arrival at the lodge and lunch
  • Afternoon game drive across the Serengeti plains and around the Moru Kopjes
  • Wildlife spotting: wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, lions and other big cats
Accommodation Options
Option 01
Serengeti Wildlife Lodge
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Full board Β· Standard room
Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Option 02
Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Full board Β· Standard room
Day 02 Day 2: Serengeti Morning Drive, then Ngorongoro Crater Rim β–Ύ

You will rise early at 6:00 am for a cup of hot coffee or African tea before heading out on a dawn game drive through the Serengeti, taking advantage of the golden morning light when predators are most active. After returning to the lodge for a full breakfast, you will check out and drive south toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoying wildlife sightings en route before arriving at the crater rim lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at altitude.

  • Early morning wake-up call at 6:00 am with coffee or African tea
  • Dawn game drive through the Serengeti until approximately 9:30 am
  • Return to lodge for full breakfast
  • Check-out and scenic drive to Ngorongoro Crater with en-route game viewing
  • Arrival at crater rim lodge and optional walk along the rim
  • Views into the crater from the rim or from your room (binoculars recommended)
Accommodation Options
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Option 01
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater Rim, Tanzania
Full board Β· Standard room
Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Option 02
Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater Rim, Tanzania
Full board Β· Standard room
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Option 03
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater Rim, Tanzania
Full board Β· Standard room
Day 03 Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Floor Game Drive, then Return to Arusha β–Ύ

Breakfast will be served early at 6:30 am before you check out and descend to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, 600 metres below the rim, for a half-day game drive through one of Africa's most extraordinary natural amphitheatres. You will enjoy a picnic lunch beside the famous hippo pool before ascending the crater walls in the late afternoon and driving back to Arusha, where your safari will conclude.

  • Early breakfast at 6:30 am and lodge check-out
  • Descent to the floor of Ngorongoro Crater (approximately 600 m below the rim)
  • Half-day game drive inside the crater floor, covering approximately 300 sq km
  • Wildlife spotting: black rhino, lion, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and various antelope species
  • Picnic lunch beside the hippo pool inside the crater
  • Late afternoon ascent from the crater and drive back to Arusha
  • Safari end on arrival in Arusha
Rates & Cost Breakdown

All rates are per person and vary by travel season. Choose your season below to view the applicable pricing.

Per adult USD 1,075.60
ℹ️ Rate is per person
What's Included & Excluded

What's Included

  • All road transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Arusha
  • Park entry fees for Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area
  • Professional multilingual safari guide
  • Full-board accommodation on safari (dinner, bed and breakfast plus lunch)
  • Picnic lunch on Day 3 inside Ngorongoro Crater
  • All game drives as per the itinerary

Not Included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Tanzania visa fees
  • Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
  • Personal items, laundry and telephone calls
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks unless specified
  • Any optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Ready to Travel?
Secure your spot today or speak with our team for personalised advice.

Start planning your safari

Tell us your dates and dream, and a local specialist will craft your trip.

Danson Njuguna Safari specialist Start planning

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go on safari?

It depends on what you want to see. For the Great Migration river crossings in the Maasai Mara, visit between July and October, when the herds cross the Mara River in search of fresh grazing. For calving season and dense predator activity, January to March is excellent, particularly around the southern Serengeti. Kenya's two dry seasons (June to October and January to February) generally offer the clearest skies and easiest game viewing across Amboseli, Tsavo, and Samburu, since animals gather around limited water sources. The 'green season' (November and April to May) brings lush scenery, migratory birdlife, and lower rates, though some rural roads can be muddy. Tell us your travel dates and priorities, and we will recommend the destinations that fit best.

Do I need a visa and vaccinations?

Most nationalities need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), applied for online before you fly; Tanzania and Zanzibar require their own separate visa, available online or on arrival depending on your nationality. Entry requirements change from time to time, so confirm the current rules for your passport a few weeks before departure. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a Yellow Fever risk country, and we recommend it in general along with being up to date on routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A and B). Most safari areas are malaria zones, so antimalarial medication is strongly advised. Always check final requirements with your doctor or a travel health clinic, and ask us for the latest entry rules when you book.

Are your safaris private or group?

Every itinerary we build is private and tailor-made by default: your own vehicle, driver-guide, and schedule, with no strangers added to your trip. That means you can linger an extra morning at a favourite lodge, adjust the route on the go, or add a visit to the Emmanuel New Hope Rescue Centre we support. If you would rather share costs or travel as a solo guest, we can also arrange a scheduled group departure and match you with other travellers on similar dates. Either way, your safari is planned by our Nairobi-based specialists around your budget, dates, and interests, not a fixed package.

How much does a Kenya safari cost?

Safari costs vary widely depending on where you stay and how you travel. Budget camping safaris in parks like Amboseli or Lake Nakuru can start from around USD 150 to 250 per person per day, mid-range lodge safaris typically run USD 250 to 450 per day, and luxury tented camps in the Maasai Mara or Serengeti can exceed USD 750 per day. Your quote always includes a private vehicle, driver-guide, park fees, and accommodation as specified in your itinerary. Since every trip we build is tailor-made, tell us your budget and travel dates and we'll show you exactly what it buys, with no hidden extras.

What should I pack for an African safari?

Pack light, neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige) for game drives, since bright colours and dark blue can attract tsetse flies in some regions. Bring layers for early morning drives, which can be cold even near the equator, plus a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. A good pair of binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, and a portable charger make a real difference to the experience. Comfortable closed shoes are more useful than sandals, and most lodges offer laundry service, so you rarely need more than a week's worth of clothing even on a longer trip. We send a full packing checklist tailored to your specific itinerary and season once you book.

Do you offer self-drive or chauffeur-driven car hire?

Yes. Alongside our guided safaris, we offer both self-drive car hire and chauffeur-driven vehicles for clients who want more flexibility around Nairobi, the coast, or shorter road trips. Self-drive suits experienced drivers comfortable with Kenyan road conditions, while a chauffeur-driven car is the better choice for game-viewing routes, night driving, or if you'd simply rather relax and let a local expert handle the roads. All our vehicles are well-maintained 4x4s suited to both tarmac and rougher safari tracks. Let us know your route and dates and we'll recommend the right option.

Is it safe to travel to Kenya and Tanzania?

Millions of visitors travel safely to Kenya and Tanzania every year, and the main tourist circuits, national parks, and coastal resorts are well-established and closely monitored. As with any international travel, sensible precautions apply: use a reputable operator (we're KATO-verified), avoid displaying valuables in cities, and follow your guide's advice in wildlife areas, where the real risk is animals, not crime. We stay in regular contact with our clients throughout their trip, and our drivers know the routes and current conditions well. If you have specific safety questions about your itinerary, we're happy to talk them through before you book.

Can you combine a safari with a beach holiday in Zanzibar or Diani?

Absolutely, it's one of our most popular combinations. A typical itinerary pairs 4 to 7 days on safari in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, or Serengeti with 3 to 5 days unwinding on the beach in Zanzibar or Diani Beach, taking advantage of short connecting flights between the two. We handle all the logistics, including domestic flight bookings and airport transfers, so you go straight from game drives to the Indian Ocean without the stress of planning it yourself. Tell us how many days you have and we'll suggest a balance between wildlife and beach time that fits your trip.

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