3 Days Safaris in Tanzania
starts from$1650Per Person
About the 3 Days Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Three days is the shortest itinerary we run to this combination that we're genuinely comfortable recommending. Two days exists, but one night in the Serengeti means one morning game drive — and the Serengeti is large enough that one morning can feel like bad timing rather than a proper experience.
With three days, Day 1 takes you from Arusha through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Serengeti — game viewing starts as soon as you enter the NCA, and the drive itself through the crater rim and down to the plains is one of the better introductions to Tanzania's landscape there is. You arrive at your Serengeti camp in the afternoon with time for a late game drive before dark.
Day 2 is a full Serengeti day. We plan it based on where the seasonal concentrations are — central plains for dry season predators, northern zone for migration crossings in July-August, southern Ndutu for calving in January-March. Your guide will have been tracking animal positions before the trip starts.
Day 3 descends into the Ngorongoro Crater for a 4-5 hour game drive on the crater floor, then returns to Arusha. The crater is genuinely unlike any other place in Tanzania — the enclosed ecosystem concentrates wildlife that elsewhere would be spread across hundreds of square kilometres. Most visitors see black rhino here when they'd see nothing at all in the open Serengeti plains.
Day-by-Day Itinerary: 3 Days Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Day 1 - Arusha to Serengeti National Park
We will pick you up from your lodge and depart to Serengeti National Park for game drives and packed lunch boxes. Once we finish the game drive, we will transfer you to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Serengeti is well-known for its great migrating herds of zebra, antelope, and wildebeest. Be ready to see resident predators: leopard, cheetah, and lion, fulfilling their role in the circle of life.
Day 2 - Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro (overnight on the Ngorongoro crater)
You will wake up early and enjoy a striking game drive in Serengeti National Park. In the afternoon, depart to Ngorongoro for overnight at accommodation located on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater. Early the next morning, you will get a chance to descend inside the crater and see many animals as they are more active this time of the day.
Day 3 - Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha town
After breakfast, we descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for game drives. Once we finish the game drives, we will transfer you to Arusha where we end the safari.
The Ngorongoro National Park constitutes the largest uninterrupted caldera in the world and is classified as one of the natural wonders of Africa.
Meal & Drinks
- All Meals included
- Non - Alcoholic Drinks
Accommodation
- Central Serengeti Luxury Camp (Day 1)
- Rhino Lodge (Day 2)
3 Days Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari — Photo Gallery
Safari Prices 2026/2027
- ✓ Public campsites or basic tented camps
- ✓ Shared ablution facilities
- ✓ Camp meals cooked in field
- ✓ Same parks, guide & vehicle
- ✓ Comfortable lodge rooms or en-suite tents
- ✓ Private bathrooms, hot showers
- ✓ Restaurant meals and bar service
- ✓ Wi-Fi at lodge (where available)
- ✓ Upmarket tented camps or lodges
- ✓ Private deck, premium service
- ✓ Full board dining, bush breakfasts
- ✓ Private game drives available
All prices include park fees, private 4×4 vehicle, English-speaking guide, and meals during safari.
Contact us for a personalised quote based on your exact dates and group size.
What's Included in This Package
Professional English-Speaking Guide
Knowledgeable and experienced guide who will lead the game drive and provide information about the wildlife and park.
Park Entry Fees
All Park entry and concession fees are included.
Packed Lunch
A delicious packed lunch to enjoy during your safari, served at one of the park’s scenic picnic spots.
Bottled Water
Complimentary bottled water will be provided throughout the day to keep you hydrated.
Game Drives
Multiple game drives within Park for wildlife viewing.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Arusha or Dar es Salaam (or nearby accommodation).
Government Taxes and Levies
All applicable government taxes and park fees.
What's Not Included
International Flights
Flights to and from Tanzania are not included in the package.
Personal Expenses
Any personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and additional snacks.
Tips and Gratuities
Tips for your guide, driver, and other service providers are not included.
Travel Insurance
We recommend travelers have personal travel insurance; this is not covered in the package.
Alcoholic Beverages
Any alcoholic drinks during the trip are at the traveler’s own expense.
Visas and Entry Fees
Visa fees for entering Tanzania or any associated fees are not part of the package.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation is confirmed based on your chosen budget tier. Properties below are representative examples — we'll confirm exact lodges and camps when quoting based on availability and season.
Budget Camping
Public campsites inside the parks, or basic permanent tented camps nearby. Same access to the parks and wildlife as mid-range and luxury — the difference is where you sleep.
Mid-Range Lodges & Tented Camps
Comfortable lodge rooms or well-appointed en-suite tented camps with private bathrooms, restaurant meals, and wifi where available. Good balance of comfort and value.
Luxury Tented Camps
Upmarket tented camps and lodges with private decks, premium furnishings, and full-service dining. Some properties offer private game drives and exclusive access to concession areas.
Why Choose This 3 Day Tour
Ngorongoro Crater
Descend into the world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife.
Big Five Sightings
Get the chance to see the renowned Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and possibly the elusive rhino.
Cultural Interaction
Optionally visit a Maasai village to experience the rich culture and traditions of the Maasai people, who coexist with the wildlife in the region.
Game Drives in Serengeti Plain
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives across the vast savannah, where you'll spot iconic wildlife such as lions, elephants, giraffes, and more.
Seronera Valley
Visit a prime area of the park for predator sightings, including lions, cheetahs, and leopards, often found along the Seronera River.
Scenic Picnic Lunch
Enjoy a delicious packed lunch in a scenic spot within the park, surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Related Travel Guides
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Best Time for This Safari
The Serengeti and Ngorongoro are good year-round, but timing shifts which wildlife behaviour you'll see most.
- June–October (dry season): Vegetation is sparse so animals concentrate near water, predator sightings are excellent, and the northern migration crossing at the Mara River runs July–August. Best overall conditions.
- January–March (short dry season): Calving season in the southern Serengeti — thousands of wildebeest calves born in February, which draws large predator concentrations. Fewer crowds than high season.
- November–December and April–May (green season): Lush landscapes, fewer vehicles, and lower prices. Wildlife is spread out and harder to spot, but birdlife is exceptional and the parks feel empty.
Ngorongoro Crater has resident wildlife year-round — black rhino, large lion prides, hippo pools, and flamingos at Lake Magadi are present in every season.
