3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari from Arusha
Tanzania Northern Circuit Tour
From $750 USD / Per Person
Embark on an unforgettable 3-day, 2-night safari that plunges you into the heart of Tanzania’s most celebrated wildlife destinations: the vast Serengeti National Park and the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. This perfectly crafted short safari is ideal for those seeking an intense and immersive wildlife experience without a lengthy commitment.
Your journey begins with an early morning pickup from Arusha, leading you directly into the endless plains of the Serengeti, renowned for its abundant predators and iconic landscapes. After thrilling game drives, you’ll spend a night under the stars or in comfort, ready for more wildlife action. The adventure culminates with an awe-inspiring descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site offering unparalleled chances to spot the “Big Five” within its natural amphitheater. This safari provides a condensed yet comprehensive taste of Tanzania’s legendary wildlife, ensuring breathtaking memories before your convenient return to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport.
When is the best time to go on a Tanzania safari?
The best time depends on what you want to experience.
- June to October (dry season) is ideal for wildlife viewing, as animals gather around water sources and vegetation is thinner.
- January to March is perfect for the Great Migration calving season in the southern Serengeti National Park.
- April and May are the rainy months, offering fewer crowds and lower prices, but more challenging travel conditions.
Overall, Tanzania offers excellent safari experiences year-round.
What animals can I expect to see?
Tanzania is one of the best wildlife destinations in the world.
You can expect to see:
- Lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos (the Big Five)
- Giraffes, zebras, wildebeest
- Hippos and crocodiles
Top parks include:
- Serengeti National Park
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Tarangire National Park
Each park offers a different landscape and wildlife experience.
How many days do I need for a safari?
A typical safari lasts:
- 5–7 days → ideal for first-time visitors
- 7–10 days → more relaxed and covers multiple parks
- 10+ days → includes remote areas or beach extensions (e.g., Zanzibar)
Shorter safaris are possible, but longer trips provide a richer experience.
Is a Tanzania safari safe?
Yes — Tanzania is considered a safe and well-established safari destination.
- Lodges and camps follow strict safety standards
- Professional guides are trained and experienced
- Wildlife encounters are managed carefully
As with any travel, it’s important to follow your guide’s instructions and basic travel precautions.
How much does a Tanzania safari cost?
Safari costs vary widely depending on:
- Level of accommodation (budget, mid-range, luxury)
- Number of days
- Season
- Included services (flights, private guide, etc.)
Typical ranges:
- Budget: $200–400 per person/day
- Mid-range: $400–800 per person/day
- Luxury: $800–1500+ per person/day
The Safari Calculator you’re building helps generate accurate pricing based on all these factors.
Public Campsite
| Group Size | Per Person |
| 2 Pax | $1,650 |
| 4 Pax | $900 |
| 6 Pax | $750 |
| 8 Pax | $850 |
| 10–12 Pax | $750 |
Lodge Safari
| Group Size | Per Person |
| 2 Pax | $1,850 |
| 4 Pax | $1,450 |
| 6 Pax | $1,250 |
| 8 Pax | $1,450 |
| 10–12 Pax | $1,250 |
Highlights
- Serengeti: Extensive game drives on vast plains; iconic wildlife & predators.
- Ngorongoro Crater: “Big Five” encounters in a unique volcanic caldera.
- Efficient Tour: Maximize wildlife viewing in 3 action-packed days.
- Choice of Stay: Authentic Public Campsites or Comfortable Lodges.
- Convenient: Begins and ends in Arusha (or JRO).
Turn your dream safari into reality with Wanyama African Safaris.
Customize every detail of your journey to match your preferences, using flexible sample itineraries as your starting point. Our experienced safari specialists work closely with you to design a personalized adventure that reflects your vision and delivers an unforgettable travel experience.
Day 1: Arusha to Serengeti National Park – Journey to the Endless Plains
Your thrilling Tanzania safari begins with an early start! After your breakfast, you will be picked up from your Arusha hotel around 7:00 AM. We then set off on a scenic drive towards the world-renowned Serengeti National Park, a name synonymous with vast wilderness and abundant wildlife.
- Scenic Drive & Game En Route: The journey to Serengeti is an experience in itself, offering picturesque landscapes and opportunities to spot wildlife even before reaching the main gate.
- Afternoon Game Drive: Upon entering this iconic park, your adventure truly begins with an extensive afternoon game drive. Explore the Serengeti’s endless plains, famous for their incredible concentration of predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards, alongside massive herds of wildebeest, zebras, and other plains game.
- Picnic Lunch: A delicious picnic lunch will be served in a scenic spot within the park, allowing you to maximize your time observing the wildlife.
- Dinner & Overnight: As the sun dips below the horizon, marking the end of an exhilarating day, you’ll proceed to your chosen accommodation for a well-deserved shower, dinner, and overnight stay.
Seronera Public Campsite: For an authentic, immersive camping adventure, truly connecting with the sounds of the Serengeti night.
Embalakai Luxury Tented Camp: For a premium, intimate tented camp experience that blends luxury with the wild.
Day 2: Serengeti Game Drive & Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Wake up to the sounds of the African bush. After an early breakfast, you’ll embark on your final morning game drive in Serengeti National Park. This early start often provides prime opportunities to witness predator activity, such as lions hunting or hyenas scavenging, before the heat of the day sets in.
- Morning Game Drive: Continue your exploration of the Serengeti, focusing on areas known for diverse wildlife sightings and potentially the Great Migration (seasonal). Capture those last iconic photos of this magnificent ecosystem.
- Lunch in the Serengeti: A satisfying lunch will be served, providing energy for the afternoon’s journey.
- Drive to Ngorongoro: In the afternoon, you will begin your scenic drive out of the Serengeti and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You’ll ascend to the rim of the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, offering breathtaking panoramic views.
- Dinner & Overnight: Settle in for dinner and overnight at your chosen lodge or campsite, ready for tomorrow’s exploration of the crater.
Simba Public Campsite: For an authentic camping experience right on the crater rim, offering cool temperatures and potential wildlife sightings nearby.
Rhino Lodge: For comfortable lodge accommodation with views of the Ngorongoro highlands.
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive & Departure to Arusha/JRO
After an early breakfast, prepare for the grand finale of your safari as you descend into the legendary Ngorongoro Crater. Often referred to as Africa’s “Garden of Eden” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this unique caldera offers unparalleled wildlife viewing.
- Crater Floor Game Drive: Spend a significant part of the morning on an exhilarating game drive on the crater floor. The high concentration of animals in this relatively compact area provides an excellent chance to spot all of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, the critically endangered black rhino, and buffalo) often within a single day. You’ll also encounter vast herds of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, hippos, and a spectacular array of birdlife.
- Picnic Lunch: A convenient picnic lunch will be served inside the crater, allowing you to maximize your time enjoying its stunning beauty and abundant wildlife.
- Return to Arusha & Departure: In the afternoon, after an unforgettable experience in the crater, you will ascend and begin your comfortable drive back to Arusha town. You will be dropped off at your hotel in Arusha or transferred directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your onward flight. Your incredible 3-day Tanzania safari concludes here, leaving you with memories to cherish forever.
What is included:
- All national park entrance fees,
- Professional English-speaking safari guide,
- Game drives in a well-maintained 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof,
- All meals as per itinerary (starting with picnic lunch on Day 1, ending with picnic lunch on Day 3),
- Bottled drinking water during game drives,
- Accommodation as per your chosen option (Embalakai Luxury Tented Camp / Seronera Public Campsite; Rhino Lodge / Simba Public Campsite),
- All necessary transfers from your Arusha hotel and to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
What is excluded:
International flights
Travel insurance
Visa fees for Tanzania
Tips for guides and staff
Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, drinks)
Optional activities (balloon safaris, village visits, night drives)
Vaccinations or medical preparations (e.g. malaria tablets, yellow fever shots)
Tailor Made Tours
Custom safari itinerary for you.
Let us plan your dream holiday!
Why Wanyama African Safari?
- Price Guarantee
- We Know Tanzania
- Unique Experience
- Fast Friendly Response
- 24/7 Support
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