3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari
A 3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari offers the perfect way to experience Tanzania’s incredible wildlife and landscapes in a short timeframe. This compact itinerary combines two of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations — the Serengeti National Park, known for its endless plains and predator action, and the Ngorongoro Crater, often called Africa’s “Garden of Eden.”
Ideal for travelers with limited time, this safari promises unforgettable encounters with the Big Five, breathtaking scenery, and luxury lodges that ensure comfort amidst the wild.
Safari Overview
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Destinations Covered: Arusha → Serengeti National Park → Ngorongoro Crater
Safari Type: Private Guided Safari
Best For: Short vacations, couples, business travelers, and wildlife enthusiasts
Tour Highlights
- Game drives in Serengeti and Ngorongoro — two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Witness lions, elephants, cheetahs, and possibly the Great Migration.
- Enjoy luxury lodge accommodations in prime wildlife locations.
- Professional driver-guide and comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle.
- Scenic views of Tanzania’s highlands and savannahs.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Serengeti National Park – Into the Wild
Depart early from Arusha after breakfast for a scenic drive to Serengeti National Park, passing through the beautiful Ngorongoro Highlands. The journey offers stunning views of Tanzania’s countryside and local villages.
Enter Serengeti by midday and enjoy your first game drive across the vast plains, famous for large prides of lions, elephants, giraffes, and herds of wildebeests.
In the evening, settle into your lodge or tented camp and enjoy a warm dinner under the stars.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge or Lahia Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Highlight: First sunset over the Serengeti plains filled with wildlife.
Day 2: Serengeti Game Drive and Transfer to Ngorongoro
Begin your day with a sunrise game drive, the best time to spot predators on the hunt. Witness the Serengeti come alive with golden light and animal activity. After breakfast, continue exploring before heading toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoying a game drive en route.
Stop at Olduvai Gorge, an archaeological site known as the cradle of humankind, then arrive at your lodge on the crater rim in time for dinner.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge or &Beyond Crater Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlight: Scenic drive through the Ngorongoro Highlands with views of Maasai villages.
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater – Wildlife Paradise and Return to Arusha
After an early breakfast, descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries. The crater’s floor is home to nearly 25,000 animals, including elephants, lions, rhinos, zebras, and flamingos.
Enjoy a half-day crater game drive followed by a picnic lunch at the hippo pool. In the afternoon, ascend the crater rim and drive back to Arusha, arriving in the early evening for your onward flight or overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Highlight: Close encounters with the Big Five and breathtaking crater scenery.
Best Time to Go on This Safari
The dry season (June to October) is the best time for game viewing, with animals gathering around water sources.
The green season (December to March) offers lush scenery and the wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti, making it ideal for photographers and wildlife lovers.
This itinerary is available year-round, with each season offering its own charm and wildlife highlights.
Optional Add-On: Fly-In Safari Upgrade
Upgrade to a fly-in safari for more comfort and time in the parks. Flights connect from Arusha or Zanzibar directly to Serengeti and back, allowing you to maximize wildlife viewing while avoiding long drives.
Why Choose Gorilla Trekking Expeditions
At GORILLA TREKKING EXPEDITIONS, we create tailor-made Tanzania safaris that combine adventure, comfort, and expert guidance. Our 3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari delivers the ultimate highlights of Tanzania’s wildlife in a short yet immersive journey.
We handle all logistics, from transfers to lodge bookings, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience.
Book Your 3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari
Short on time but craving Africa’s wild beauty? Luckily, Tanzania’s safaris and Zanzibar’s beaches let you enjoy both. After game drives in the Serengeti, fly easily to Zanzibar’s calm shores. There, turquoise waters and sea breezes replace the wild’s roar. Thus, even a short trip blends adventure and relaxation.
Inquire and book your 3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari with GORILLA TREKKING EXPEDITIONS — your trusted partner for private safaris, short getaways, and unforgettable African adventures.