3-Day Classic Safari & Maasai Visit
Arusha Serengeti Ngorongoro Maasai village Arusha
From, per person$1,005
Tanzania safari
3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari from Zanzibar
Overview
Is it possible to reach the Serengeti and still be back on the beach within three days? Yes, if you are happy with early mornings and long hours in the vehicle. This itinerary pairs Tanzania’s most famous plains with the Ngorongoro Crater, the two big names most visitors hope to see, and it saves time by flying you between Zanzibar and Arusha in both directions.
The pace is brisk. Day one is mostly travel, crossing the Ngorongoro highlands to reach the Serengeti for an afternoon drive. Day two begins with a sunrise drive on the plains and ends at a camp or lodge near the crater, with a stop at a Maasai village on the way. The last morning is spent on the crater floor before the drive back to Arusha and the flight home to the island.
Accommodation is upscale: a comfortable tented camp or lodge in the Serengeti and another close to the crater. Tanzania Tourism Safaris runs the trip privately, so your guide can adjust stops and timings to suit your group.
Tour highlights
- Serengeti and Ngorongoro in just three days
- Sunrise game drive on the Serengeti plains
- Visit to a Maasai village in the highlands
- Upscale camp or lodge on both nights
- Flights and airport transfers on Zanzibar included
Day by day
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Day 1 Early Flight, Long Road West to the Serengeti Stay Upscale tented camp or lodge in the SerengetiMeals Lunch, Dinner
Expect an early start: you are collected from your Zanzibar hotel for the short flight to Arusha, where your guide meets you. This is the longest drive of the trip, climbing through farmland and past the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, then down through Maasai grazing country to the Serengeti gate. After lunch, the afternoon game drive is your first look at the plains, where lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and herds of grazing animals are all possible. Reach your camp around sunset.
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Day 2 Dawn on the Plains, Maasai Village Visit Stay Upscale lodge or tented camp near the Ngorongoro CraterMeals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head out soon after first light, when the air is cool and predators are most active. Your guide works the plains until around lunchtime, looking for big cats, hyena and whatever herds are in the area. Then begin the drive back toward the highlands. On the way, stop at a Maasai village, where families welcome visitors with song and dance and talk about cattle herding and daily life. Continue to your accommodation near the crater for dinner.
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Day 3 Crater Floor Morning, Flight Back to the Coast Meals Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, drive down the steep road into the Ngorongoro Crater. The caldera floor holds a remarkable density of wildlife: buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, hyena and lion are all regulars, and it is one of the few places in Tanzania where black rhino are seen with some regularity. Spend as long as the flight time allows, then climb out and drive to Arusha for the flight to Zanzibar. A driver meets you on the island and takes you back to your hotel.
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 | $2,558 | $1,705 | $1,513 | $1,449 |
| High season 1 Nov – 20 Dec and 6 Jan – 29 Feb | $2,692 | $1,795 | $1,593 | $1,525 |
| Peak season Now 1 Jun – 31 Oct and 21 Dec – 5 Jan | $2,992 | $1,995 | $1,770 | $1,685 |
Tour price includes
- Return domestic flights between Zanzibar and Arusha
- Airport meet-and-greet and private transfers
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle (up to 7 travelers)
- English-speaking local safari guide
- Park entry fees and taxes for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro
- Two nights in upscale camps or lodges
- Maasai village visit
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
Tour price excludes
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Souvenirs and other personal spending
Questions about this safari
How much of the trip is spent driving?
Quite a lot. The Serengeti is a long way from Arusha by road, so the first day is mainly travel, and the return from the crater to Arusha fills part of the last afternoon. If you can add a day, the pace becomes much easier; see our 4-day safari from Zanzibar.
Will I see the Great Migration?
Possibly, but it is not the aim of this trip. The herds move around the Serengeti through the year, and on a short visit your guide stays fairly close to the central plains. Resident lion, elephant, giraffe and buffalo are there all year. For migration-focused safaris, ask us about the best months.
What kind of accommodation is used?
Both nights are at upscale properties: a comfortable tented camp or lodge in the Serengeti, and a lodge or camp near the Ngorongoro Crater. Rooms have private bathrooms, and meals are served in camp. We confirm the exact places when you book, based on availability.
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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