3-Day Ngorongoro & Serengeti Safari
Tour Overview
This 3-day Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari is designed for travelers who want to experience the very best of northern Tanzania in a short amount of time without feeling rushed. It combines two of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations into one smooth and rewarding journey, offering exceptional game viewing, dramatic landscapes, and authentic safari moments. From the endless golden plains of Serengeti National Park to the breathtaking natural amphitheater of the Ngorongoro Crater, this safari delivers a true introduction to Tanzania’s wild heart.
Traveling with Safari Stride, a locally based tour operator in Karatu, gives this experience a deeper level of quality and care. The itinerary is carefully planned by guides who live and work in the region and understand animal movements, seasonal changes, and the best times and locations for wildlife sightings. Every drive is more than just transportation—it is part of the safari itself, filled with chances to spot wildlife, learn about local ecosystems, and enjoy sweeping views of untouched nature.
This short safari is ideal for couples, families, and solo travelers who may be limited on time but do not want to compromise on experience. Despite being only three days long, it offers a remarkable variety of scenery and wildlife, including excellent chances to see the Big Five. Comfortable lodges or tented camps, professional guiding, and well-paced travel ensure the journey feels relaxed, immersive, and memorable from start to finish.
Included/Exclude
- Entrance fees into all Tanzania National Parks.
- Arrival and Departure Transfer: TO/FROM Kilimanjaro International Airport
- 4X4 Custom built – Toyota Land Cruiser with Popup roof, Opening sliding windows, Seat belts, Heavy duty wheels, and Extra fuel tank. Refrigerator for cooling drinks, one pair of binoculars per couple, Eco friendly trash bag. Charging outlets Type G Plug for charging cameras and smart phones.
- Professional, English-Speaking Driver guide. A Friendly, Experienced and Passionate Driver Guide expert at a wide variety of skills: Flora and Fauna, Tanzania’s cultural and natural history.
- Drinks at the lodges/tented Camps: All kinds of alcoholic and soft drinks at the lodges/tented camps are not included.
- Internal and International flights
- Tips and gratitudes for drivers and guides
- Travel & Health Insurance :The trip cost excludes travel and health insurance which is essential.
- Any Changes done by you: The trip excludes changes done by you during safari or before safari which deviates from the original program.
- Laundry Service: If you require to launder your clothes while on your safari, then you will need to pay an amount that the accommodation charges as per their rate sheet.
- Post Night Accommodation in Arusha: This tour ends at Arusha at 17:00hrs, you can only depart the following day if you have booked a domestic flight which departs from Kilimanjaro International Airport at 07:10hrs and onwards or an international flight which departs at 06:40hrs and onwards. Thus, you will need to book an extra night’s accommodation (not included in the tour price) and depart the following day. Please contact us for details.
Day by Day
After breakfast, the safari begins with a scenic drive from Karatu or Arusha toward Serengeti National Park, passing through the lush highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As the road opens into wide savannahs, wildlife sightings become more frequent, marking the start of your safari adventure. Upon entering Serengeti, the landscape stretches endlessly to the horizon, giving the park its famous name.
An afternoon game drive introduces you to Serengeti’s extraordinary wildlife. Large herds of wildebeest and zebras roam the plains, while lions, cheetahs, and leopards rest or hunt nearby. The day ends with dinner and overnight at a carefully selected lodge or tented camp inside the park, surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.
The day begins early with a morning game drive, one of the best times to witness predators and active wildlife. The soft morning light and cooler temperatures create ideal conditions for photography and close wildlife encounters. After breakfast, the journey continues toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with game viewing along the way as you slowly leave the Serengeti plains behind.
By afternoon, you arrive near the Ngorongoro Crater rim, where dramatic views reveal the vast caldera below. The cooler highland climate and peaceful surroundings provide a perfect place to relax and reflect on the safari so far before enjoying dinner and overnight near the crater or in Karatu.
On the final day, you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive inside one of Africa’s most remarkable natural wonders. The crater floor supports a dense population of wildlife year-round, making it one of the best places in Tanzania to spot lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and the endangered black rhinoceros in a single game drive.
After enjoying a picnic lunch near a hippo pool, you ascend the crater walls and begin the return journey to Arusha, bringing your safari to a close with lasting memories of Tanzania’s iconic landscapes and wildlife.
