Tanzania safari
3-Day Classic Serengeti & Crater Safari
Overview
Ask people who have been on safari in Tanzania where they went first, and the answer is usually the same pair: the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. This classic three-day trip covers both, by road from Arusha, with mid-range accommodation and a gentle introduction to how a safari day works.
Day one brings you across the highlands and onto the open plains for your first game drive and a night at a tented camp. On day two you explore the central Serengeti in the morning and move to the crater rim by evening. Day three is the one most first-timers remember: a game drive on the crater floor, where the chances of ticking off several of the Big Five in a single morning are better than almost anywhere else, followed by an afternoon visit to a Maasai village to see how families live alongside the wildlife.
Tanzania Tourism Safaris keeps the trip private, so you can ask your guide as many questions as you like and stop for as long as you want at each sighting.
Tour highlights
- The Serengeti and the crater in one short trip
- First game drives on the open Serengeti plains
- Night at a lodge or camp on the crater rim
- Strong chance of several Big Five in the crater
- Afternoon with a Maasai family
Day by day
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Day 1 Highlands to Plains: Your First Game Drive Stay Mid-range tented camp in central SerengetiMeals Lunch, Dinner
Set off from Arusha at 6 a.m. with your guide, who will explain on the way how game drives work, where to sit for the best views and what to look for. The road crosses the Ngorongoro highlands before dropping onto the Serengeti plains. Lunch is a picnic in the park, and the afternoon drive brings your first close looks at zebra, gazelle, giraffe and, with luck, lion. Dinner and the night are at a tented camp in the heart of the park.
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Day 2 Serengeti Morning and the Road to the Rim Stay Lodge or tented camp on the Ngorongoro Crater rimMeals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An early game drive gives you the best chance of seeing big cats on the move before the day heats up. After a picnic lunch, leave the Serengeti and head for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with the option of a short stop at Olduvai Gorge on the way. Climb to the crater rim in the late afternoon and settle in for dinner. Bring a fleece: the rim sits high and nights are cool.
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Day 3 Big Five Hunt on the Crater Floor Meals Breakfast, Lunch
Descend into the crater after breakfast. Because most animals stay inside the steep walls all year, the floor is one of the most reliable places in Africa to see lion, buffalo, elephant and black rhino in a few hours; leopard is the hardest to find. Enjoy a hot picnic lunch on the crater floor. In the late afternoon, visit a Maasai village to learn about daily life, dress and cattle herding, then return to Arusha or the airport.
Prices by season
Per person in US dollars. The price depends on when you travel and how many travelers share the trip.
| Season | 1 traveler | 2 travelers | 4 travelers | 6 travelers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low season 1 Mar – 31 May | $1,892 | $1,261 | $1,069 | $1,005 |
| High season 1 Nov – 20 Dec and 6 Jan – 29 Feb | $1,992 | $1,328 | $1,125 | $1,058 |
| Peak season Now 1 Jun – 31 Oct and 21 Dec – 5 Jan | $2,214 | $1,476 | $1,251 | $1,176 |
Tour price includes
- Pickup in Arusha and private transfers, including airport drop-off
- Private 4×4 Land Cruiser (up to 7 travelers) with an English-speaking local guide
- National park and conservation area fees and taxes
- Two nights of accommodation as listed
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- All activities in the itinerary, including the Maasai village visit
Tour price excludes
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Souvenirs and other personal spending
Questions about this safari
Is this a good choice for my first safari?
Yes. It covers Tanzania’s two best-known wildlife areas in a short time, and the private vehicle means your guide can go at your pace and explain what you are seeing. The main drawback is the long first day on the road, so it suits travelers who are comfortable sitting in a vehicle for several hours.
What happens at the Maasai village?
You are welcomed by members of a local Maasai community, who usually show you around their homes, talk about cattle, family life and traditional dress, and may perform a song or dance. It is a short visit at the end of the crater day, before the drive back to Arusha.
Can I see all of the Big Five?
Lion, buffalo and elephant are seen on most crater game drives, and the crater is one of the best places in Tanzania for black rhino. Leopard is the hardest of the five to spot, so it is never guaranteed. Your guide will do their best, but wildlife sightings always depend on luck.
What should I pack for this trip?
Pack light layers for warm days on the plains and a warm jacket for early mornings and evenings on the crater rim, which can be chilly. Add a hat, sunscreen, binoculars, a camera with spare batteries and a soft bag that fits easily into the vehicle.
Before you go
- Best Time To Visit Tanzania
- How Much Does a Tanzania Safari Cost?
- Top Safari Packing List in Tanzania
- The Best Guides on Tanzania Visa Requirement
- Tanzania Travel Insurance
- Tanzania Travel Safety
- Tipping In Tanzania Safari
- Tanzania Safari Faqs
Listed in Cultural safaris
Where you will go
Parks on this safari
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