3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Fly-In Safari
Two of Tanzania's most famous wildlife destinations without the long road journey — fly directly into the Serengeti, then descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable game drive.
3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Fly-In Safari
This 3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Fly-In Safari is designed for travelers who want to experience two of Tanzania's most famous wildlife destinations without spending most of their short holiday on the road. Instead of driving for many hours from Arusha to the Serengeti, you fly directly into the park, giving you more time for game drives across the legendary Serengeti plains. The safari then continues toward the Ngorongoro Crater, where you descend into one of Africa's most remarkable wildlife areas for a full crater game drive before returning to Arusha.
The biggest advantage is time. A conventional road safari from Arusha to the Serengeti can take many hours. Flying allows you to reach the Serengeti much faster, leaving more time for wildlife viewing. That makes this itinerary particularly useful for travelers who have only three days available.
It also works well for travelers combining a Tanzania safari with a beach holiday in Zanzibar.
This safari can be enjoyed throughout the year. The June to October dry season is particularly popular because wildlife is generally easier to spot around water sources and the weather is usually favorable for safari travel.
The January to March period can be excellent for travelers interested in the wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti, although the exact location of wildlife varies from year to year.
The Great Migration does not follow a fixed calendar date. Herd movements depend on rainfall and grazing conditions, so travelers interested specifically in the migration should choose the safari area according to the expected location of the herds.
| Location | Property |
|---|---|
| Serengeti — Nights 1 & 2 | Safari Haven Serengeti Camp · Tukaone Weavers Camp · Matawi Serengeti Camp · Similar mid-range tented camp |
| Ngorongoro | Day excursion rather than overnight — can be extended with an overnight near Karatu or the Ngorongoro Conservation Area |
We recommend comfortable mid-range properties that provide easy access to the wildlife areas while keeping the safari competitively priced. Accommodation is subject to availability.
Detailed 3-Day Itinerary
From Arusha by air to the Serengeti, then to the Ngorongoro Crater, and back to Arusha. Follow the day-by-day timeline below.
Your 3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Fly-In Safari begins in Arusha. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Arusha Airport for your scheduled flight to the Serengeti. Flying allows you to avoid the long overland journey and reach the wildlife-rich plains much faster.
Upon arrival at a Serengeti airstrip, your private safari guide will meet you and begin your first game drive. The Serengeti landscape changes dramatically depending on the area and season. You may encounter large herds of wildebeest and zebra, giraffes browsing among acacia trees, elephants moving across the plains and predators resting after a hunt.
Your guide will follow current wildlife activity and use knowledge of the area to give you the best possible opportunities for photography and wildlife viewing. Later in the afternoon, continue with your game drive before heading to your tented camp or lodge for dinner and overnight.
Wake up early for breakfast before heading out for a full day of wildlife viewing in the Serengeti. An early morning game drive is one of the best ways to experience the park because wildlife is often active before the heat of the day increases.
Depending on the season and your location, your guide may search for large herds of wildebeest and zebra, big cats, elephants, giraffes, hippos and numerous bird species. If you travel during the Great Migration, the location of the herds will influence the day's route.
You will enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated location before continuing with the afternoon game drive. Late in the afternoon, return to your accommodation for dinner and another night in the Serengeti.
After an early breakfast, leave the Serengeti and travel toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The journey takes you through changing landscapes as the open Serengeti plains give way to the highlands surrounding Ngorongoro.
On arrival at the crater, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for an extended game drive. The crater is one of Tanzania's most spectacular wildlife settings. Its enclosed ecosystem supports large numbers of animals, giving you excellent opportunities to see lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and other wildlife.
After your crater experience, enjoy lunch before beginning the drive toward Arusha. Depending on your onward travel arrangements, you can be dropped at your hotel, Arusha Airport or another agreed location. This marks the end of your 3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Fly-In Safari.
The Serengeti is renowned for its vast plains, large predator populations and the annual Great Migration, while Ngorongoro offers an exceptional concentration of wildlife within its spectacular volcanic landscape. During the safari, you may encounter:
Rates & Pricing
The suggested price is based on two travelers sharing a private 4×4 safari vehicle and mid-range accommodation. The final price depends on travel dates, flight availability, accommodation category, park fees and the exact Serengeti airstrip used.
| Number of Travelers | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 Traveler | From US$2,650 |
| 2 Travelers | From US$1,950 |
| 3 Travelers | From US$1,750 |
| 4 Travelers | From US$1,650 |
| 5–6 Travelers | From US$1,550 |
Important: Comparable 3-day fly-in Serengeti and Ngorongoro safaris currently listed on SafariBookings range from roughly US$1,817 to above US$2,100 per person, making this positioning realistic for a mid-range private package. Prices should be confirmed against your travel dates and flight availability.
| Location | Property |
|---|---|
| Serengeti — Nights 1 & 2 | Safari Haven Serengeti Camp · Tukaone Weavers Camp · Matawi Serengeti Camp · Similar mid-range tented camp |
| Ngorongoro | Day excursion — no overnight inside the crater area on the standard 3-day itinerary |
If the traveler prefers a slower itinerary, the package can be extended to include an overnight near Karatu or the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
What's Included in Your 3-Day Safari
We believe in full transparency. Below is exactly what is included in your 3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Fly-In Safari — and what is not.
- Private safari in Tanzania
- Scheduled domestic flight from Arusha to Serengeti
- Airport transfers
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Two nights' accommodation
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Serengeti National Park entry fees
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area fees
- Ngorongoro Crater service fees
- Game drives in Serengeti
- Ngorongoro Crater game drive
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Government taxes and applicable service charges
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and other personal drinks
- Laundry
- Personal shopping
- Souvenirs
- Optional activities
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari
- Travel expenses caused by flight delays
- Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions
Getting There
This 3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Fly-In Safari begins and ends in Arusha. The itinerary can also be modified for travelers staying in Zanzibar — flying from Zanzibar directly toward the Serengeti, enjoying the safari, visiting Ngorongoro and returning toward Zanzibar.
Because the safari includes a domestic flight, keeping luggage within the airline's permitted weight and baggage dimensions is important.
Yes, if your priority is wildlife viewing and you use a fly-in itinerary. The flight reduces road travel time, allowing you to concentrate your limited time on Serengeti game drives and the Ngorongoro Crater.
However, travelers who want a slower experience should consider extending the safari to 4 or 5 days.
Yes. The itinerary can be modified for travelers staying in Zanzibar. Instead of starting with the flight from Arusha, you can fly from Zanzibar directly toward the Serengeti, enjoy the safari, visit Ngorongoro and then return toward Zanzibar.
For travelers combining Zanzibar and Tanzania safari, this option can be particularly convenient because it eliminates the need to return to Arusha before continuing to the coast.
The recommended package is designed as a private safari, meaning you travel with your own safari vehicle and guide rather than joining a large road group. This gives you more flexibility during game drives and allows the itinerary to be adjusted around your interests.
Meet the Tarec Gorilla Safaris Team
We are a locally owned and operated safari company based in Kampala, Uganda. Our team of experienced driver-guides, primate trackers, and travel planners is passionate about sharing the beauty of East Africa with travellers from around the world. Every safari we run is personally designed by someone who has walked the trails, tracked the gorillas, and knows the lodges by name.
At Tarec Gorilla Safaris, we can organize private Tanzania safari experiences alongside our Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya safaris. Our cross-border safari planning allows travelers to combine destinations across East Africa rather than treating each country as a separate trip.
For this 3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Fly-In Safari, we focus on:
The safari can also be extended into a longer Tanzania itinerary or combined with Uganda, Rwanda or Kenya depending on your travel plans.
Tarec Gorilla Safaris
We are a full-service safari operator offering custom itineraries, group tours, and self-drive packages. Our fleet of well-maintained 4×4 vehicles and our network of trusted lodges ensure a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable safari experience.