Short Itinerary

Day 1 (Dec 27, 2024) - Arusha to Central Serengeti. Afternoon game drives in Central Serengeti
Day 2 (Dec 28, 2024) - Morning game drives in Central Serengeti and transfer to North Serengeti
Day 3 (Dec 29, 2024) - North Serengeti - full day game drives
Day 4 (Dec 30, 2024) - North Serengeti - full day game drives
Day 5 (Dec 31, 2024) - Morning game drives in North Serengeti and transfer to Central Serengeti
Day 6 (Jan 01, 2025) - Morning game drives in Central Serengeti and transfer to Ngorongoro/Karatu
Day 7 (Jan 02, 2025) - Ngorongoro Crater Tour (5 hours) and transfer to Arusha

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Safari tour prices vary depending on the starting date, your group size, and the choice of stay.

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Arusha to Central Serengeti

Your safari will begin by 8AM in the morning with a pick up from your hotel at Arusha. With everyone aboard, you will head towards Serengeti National Park. The 240 Km drive will be covered in about 6hrs. The Serengeti, means endless plains in the local African language and watching the grassland stretch out as far as the eye can see and eventually merging with the sky at the horizon is an absolutely breathtaking view. With an overall land area of 14,763 Sq Kms, It puts our notion about distance to shame. The Serengeti also houses the glorious “Big 5” (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard). Along with the “Big 5”, a very pleasant sighting would be one of Africa’s most beautiful animals – The Impala. The Serengeti ecosystem supports the greatest remaining concentration of plains game in Africa. The legendary Serengeti National Park is the most renowned safari destination for its incredible population of lions and leopards. The central portion of the Serengeti - known as Seronera area is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park. It features the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and therefore attracts wildlife well representative of most of the Serengeti’s species. In seronera, one must really look out for the many lion prides that thrive in this region. You must also look out for the Serengeti “Kopjes” which are massive boulders of granite standing in a sea of grass. They provide ample shelter to a large variety of flora and fauna. A picnic lunch will be done during the day long game drive itself. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night’s rest in your accommodation.

Day 2 - Central Serengeti to North Serengeti

You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive. Later return to accommodation for breakfast and depart to North Serengeti with packed lunch. You will explore the central portion of the Serengeti National Park today and move towards the northern part of the park.The enroute game drive towards the Kogatende region will offer mild action from resident games. As you approach the northern part of the Serengeti, you will notice the terrain change from the usual plain grassland to a more hilly and broken terrain. The northern region offers a variety of resident game such as zebras, topi, gazelle, buffaloes, leopards and lions.A picnic lunch will be done during the day long drive itself. Based on the time of your arrival you will be able to spend a few hours by the Mara river. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night's rest in your accommodation.

Day 3 & Day 4 - North Serengeti

You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for full day game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch and return back to lodge late afternoon around 6:00 PM. Or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive. Later return to accommodation for breakfast and relax for a bit and depart on an afternoon game drive with packed lunch. In the months between mid june to september the migration can be found in this region. From mid June to September, the Mara River in this region offers the most dramatic river crossing of the great migration. Fierce,deep and heavily rain fed the river takes an enormous toll on the migrating wildebeest. Watching the wildebeest surging through the torrential flow, some drowning and a few falling prey to lurking crocodiles is an unforgettable sight. If it’s your lucky day you will be able to witness this natural wonder and watch nature take its course. Tracing the great migration you might even move towards the Lobo valley. The pristine lobo valley is scattered with woodlands, plains, hills and famous granite Kopjes.It offers an enormous amount of bigcat game with lions, leopards and cheetah in plenty. During the dry season the permanent water sources in the valley attract plenty of resident and migratory animals, resulting in excellent game viewing. During the full day game drive, you will have a stop where you can have your picnic lunch. The day comes to an end with a tasty dinner and a good rest in your choice of accommodation.

Day 5 - North Serengeti to Central Serengeti

You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive. Later return to accommodation for breakfast and relax for a bit and depart to Central Serengeti with packed lunch. The four hour drive to the centre will offer mild enroute game.The drive south from the Mara river valley takes you through hill country, the Lobo area, woodlands and then back into Seronera terrain.The central portion of the Serengeti - known as Seronera area is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park. It features the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and therefore attracts wildlife well representative of most of the Serengetis' species. As you make your way into the Seronera region, you will begin to notice the hilly and broken terrain altering into plain grasslands. In Seronera one must really look out for the many lion prides that thrive in this region.The interactions and survival of these lion prides provide an excellent game viewing experience all year round. A picnic lunch will be done during the day long drive itself. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night’s rest in your accommodation.

Day 6 - Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro

After breakfast, you will have a morning game drive in Serengeti National Park. Later depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area with picnic lunch. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest collapsed volcanic crater in the world and fourteen kilometers of isolated natural beauty. Ngorongoro Crater is surrounded by a ring of extinct volcanoes and the floor, dotted with watering holes, shelters some 30,000 animals. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night’s rest in your accommodation.

Day 7 - Ngorongoro Crater Tour (5 hours) to Arusha

On the last day of your safari, you will have an early start. Finishing up with a quick breakfast you will make an early descent at around 6:30 AM into the crater floor. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera. It has a massive floor of about 260 sq kms with a depth of over 2000 feet. The 5-hour game drive on the crater floor will show you a lot of animal action. Keeping the camera ready is definitely recommended. The African elephant, buffalo, Black rhino, Hippos, Hyenas, Cheetahs and Lions are found in plenty. Post the picnic lunch at the beautiful Hippo pool, you will begin a steep ascend to the top exit of the crater. This is the last leg of your safari, with a 4hr drive left to Arusha. You will be dropped off to your preferred location in Arusha by 6:00 PM in the evening. With an incredible experience and loads of memories to cherish, this is the time you bid goodbye to your team.

Stay Locations

Day 1 (Dec 27, 2024) - Central Serengeti
Day 2 (Dec 28, 2024) - North Serengeti
Day 3 (Dec 29, 2024) - North Serengeti
Day 4 (Dec 30, 2024) - North Serengeti
Day 5 (Dec 31, 2024) - Central Serengeti
Day 6 (Jan 01, 2025) - Karatu or NCA

Maps

Pre & Post Tour Hotels

Arusha is the base for safari tours in North Tanzania. If you need accommodation in Arusha before/after your safari tour you can check some popular hotel prices on bed and breakfast basis below (Prices are per person).

Single room:

• Kutoka Lodge - USD 64
• Gold Crest Hotel - USD 100
• The African Tulip - USD 149
• Four Points by Sheraton, Arusha - Traditional queen room - USD 205
• Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge - Plantation room - USD 375

Double sharing room:

• Kutoka Lodge - USD 42
• Gold Crest Hotel - USD 60
• The African Tulip - USD 112
• Four Points by Sheraton, Arusha - Traditional queen room - USD 120
• Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge - Plantation room - USD 250

Triple sharing room:

• Kutoka Lodge - USD 39
• Gold Crest Hotel - USD 50
• The African Tulip - USD 93
• Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge - Plantation room - USD 188

All of the above prices are on per person per night on bed and breakfast basis. More hotel options can be shared upon request

Transfers

This tour starts from Arusha. Kilimanjaro airport is the nearest international airport and Arusha airport is the nearest domestic airport. Please check our page on how to get to Arusha

Airport Pickup/Drop
Pickup or drop off at Arusha airport on the day of safari: No extra charge
Pickup or drop off at Kilimanjaro airport on the day of safari: USD 30 per vehicle

Airport to Hotel transfers
Transfer from Arusha airport to Arusha hotel or vice versa: USD 25 per vehicle
Transfer from Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha hotel or vice versa: USD 50 per vehicle

InterCity transfers
Transfer from Moshi to Arusha or vice versa: USD 100 per vehicle
Transfer from Nairobi to Arusha or vice versa: USD 275 per vehicle

Flights

We do not book International Flights.
We can book local flights based on availability. Below are indicative additional costs for local flights.

Intercity Flights
From Zanzibar to Arusha: From USD 100 per person (Morning flight)
From Dar es salaam to Arusha: From USD 90 per person (Morning flight)
From Arusha to Zanzibar: From USD 170 per person (Late Afternoon flight)
From Arusha to Dar es salaam: From USD 110 per person (Late Afternoon flight)

*
This tour starts & ends at Arusha with road transfers between all locations. North Serengeti is the farthest location you will be visiting and it is 11 hours from Arusha, each way. You can check about driving and flying to Serengeti here. To save drive time, you can directly fly into North Serengeti where your safari vehicle with guide will be waiting to directly start the safari and cover other parks over the next few days making your way to Arusha by road on the last day. We will reroute the itinerary such that you cover all the parks included in the original itinerary with the same choice of accommodations & same number of nights as included in the original itinerary. This is called a Fly-in Safari

We can also reroute the itinerary such that you start with driving from Arusha on day 1 and cover other parks before you reach North Serengeti. We end the safari tour at North Serengeti on the last day from where you can fly out to Ausha (or other cities). We will reroute the itinerary such that you cover all the parks included in the original itinerary with the same choice of accommodations & same number of nights as included in the original itinerary. This is called a Fly-out Safari.

Fly Into Serengeti
From Arusha to North Serengeti: From USD 320 per person
From Zanzibar to North Serengeti: From USD 380 per person
From Dar es Salaam to North Serengeti: From USD 380 per person

Fly out of Serengeti
From North Serengeti to Arusha: From USD 300 per person
From North Serengeti to Zanzibar: From USD 500 per person
From North Serengeti to Dar es salaam: From USD 500 per person

Note 1: Rates mentioned above are indicative and subject to change based on exact dates, airlines and party(group) size
Note 2: In the Fly into Serengeti rates mentioned above, in addition to airfare, above rates also include cost to send the safari landcruiser with guide a day in advance to Serengeti, in time for your arrival & additional park fees that results due to rerouting of itinerary.
Note 3: Flights into Serengeti land at around 10:30 AM and game drives can start soon after landing while flights out of Serengeti depart around 11:00 AM and game drives can be done till about 45 min before flight departure.

Meals

Day 1 (Dec 27, 2024) - Lunch & Dinner

Day 2 (Dec 28, 2024) - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 (Dec 29, 2024) - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 (Dec 30, 2024) - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 (Dec 31, 2024) - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 (Jan 01, 2025) - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 (Jan 02, 2025) - Breakfast & Lunch

Transfer Times

Day 1 (Dec 27, 2024) - Arusha to Central Serengeti takes about 7 to 7.5 hours (305 km)
Day 2 (Dec 28, 2024) - Central Serengeti to North Serengeti takes about 4.5 to 5 hours (103 km)
Day 3 (Dec 29, 2024) - No transfers
Day 4 (Dec 30, 2024) - Day 4- No transfers
Day 5 (Dec 31, 2024) - North Serengeti to Central Serengeti takes about 4.5 to 5 hours (103 km)
Day 6 (Jan 01, 2025) - Central Serengeti to NCA takes about 3 to 3.5 hours (151 km)
Day 7 (Jan 02, 2025) - NCA to Arusha takes about 4 to 4.5 hours (154 km)

Note: These are estimated drive times. Because of the traffic, location of the accommodations, and several other factors, actual drive times may vary. Driving distances are approximate and do not account for exact places.

Inclusions

• 4x4 Land Cruiser.

• Drinking water while on safari (2 litres per person per day).

• Meals as per itinerary.

• Daily game drives while on Safari.

• A professional English speaking driver/ guide.

• Concession/ Camping Fees.

• Park Fees (for Non-Residents).

• All Taxes and VAT.

Exclusions

• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (Unless mentioned otherwise).

• Government imposed increase of Taxes and or Park Fees.

• Airport Transfers (Unless mentioned otherwise).

• Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary.

• International flights.

• Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.).

• Tips (Tipping guidelines).

Addons

Add-on tours in Serengeti
Hot Air Balloon Ride: USD 540 per person
Rhino Tracking: USD 130 per person
Short Walking Tour (upto 4 hours): USD 45 per person
Long Walking Tour (upto 6 hours): USD 60 per person
Information on Serengeti Add-on tours

Add-on tours in Ngorongoro
Masai Village Tour: USD 25 per person
Olduvai Gorge museum visit: USD 35 per person
Ngorongoro Crater Rim Hike: USD 35 per person
Information on Ngorongoro Add-on tours

Add-on tours in Karatu
Coffee Plantation Tour: USD 20 per person
Iraqw Village Tour: USD 25 per person
Endoro Falls & Elephant Caves visit: USD 35 per person
Information on Karatu Add-on tours