3 Days Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari
3 Days Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari
Overview
This safari package can be considered as Budget Serengeti Safari holiday, or Tanzania Mid range short Safari, or Tanzania Luxury short Safari which will give you an exciting opportunity to visit the most beautiful parks in Northern Tanzania. This includes visiting the endless plains of Serengeti National Park. It is renowned for its grassland plains in the southeast, while the northern part is more hilly and rocky. To the west, valleys, rivers, and forests can be found. The land is stunning and feels like untamed wilderness. All of the major safari animals occur in great numbers. You will also visit the Ngorongoro Crater, which is known locally as the “garden of animals,” because there is a significant chance of spotting the big five in one day.
Tour Map
Group Price
- The price per person for group expeditions are fixed based on a group size. However, we have optional arrangements for individual private and tailor-made preferences best suited for you, your family and friends.
- All prices are based on shared accommodation. Please inquire for a 1 guest private room accommodation quote
- Prices listed are not final. Please inquire for your final price quote.
Number of People | Budget Camping Safari | Mid-range Safari | Luxury Safari |
---|---|---|---|
2 pax | US $3,200 | US $3,600 | US $4,400 |
3-4 pax | US $3,000 | US $3,400 | US $4,200 |
5-6 pax | US $2,800 | US $3,200 | US $4,000 |
Included/Excluded
- Park Fees (for non-residents)
- Concession/Camping Fees
- Daily game drives while on safari
- All accommodations (unless listed as an upgrade)
- All transportation (unless labelled as optional)
- A professional driver/guide
- 4×4 Land Cruiser
- All Taxes/VAT
- Meals while on safari (from lunch on day 1 until lunch on last day)
- Drinking water while on safari
- International flights (from/o home)
- Round Trip Airport Transfer (unless paid)
- Additional accommodations before and at the end of the tour (unless paid)
- Tips
- Personal Items (souvenirs, travel insurance, Visa fees, etc.)
- Government Imposed increase of Taxes and/or Park Fees
- Meals while in Arusha
- Serengeti Balloon Safari – 600 USD per person (unless paid)
Day 1: Arusha/Moshi to Serengeti National Park
Pick up at 6:30 AM from your hotel in Arusha and proceed towards Serengeti National Park via the beautiful, high-lying farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Leaving the highlands behind, we descend into the heart of wild Africa—the Serengeti National Park, with its endless plains rolling into the distance as far as the eye can see. We head to the central park area, known as the Seronera area, which is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park. This area features the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source and attracts a variety of wildlife that is representative of most of the Serengeti’s species. We arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti National Park.
- Main destination: Serengeti National Park
- Meals & drinks: Lunch and dinner
- Drinking-Water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2: Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Enjoy an early breakfast and meet your guide for a morning game drive in Serengeti National Park. Later, depart to the Ngorongoro Conservation area with an en-route game drive and picnic lunch. Ngorongoro is a unique conservation area and not a National Park. The whole area is managed for both animals and the local Maasai people, who graze their cattle alongside the indigenous wildlife.
- Main destination: Ngorongoro
- Meals & drinks: All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater (5 hrs game drive) & back to Arusha/Moshi
After breakfast, descend into the crater and enjoy a 5-hour game drive in the crater. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most densely crowded African wildlife areas in the world and is home to an estimated 30,000 animals, including some of Tanzania’s last remaining black rhino.
Supported by a year-round water supply and fodder, the crater supports a vast variety of animals, including herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants. Another big draw to this picturesque National Park is its huge population of predators, including lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and the ever-elusive leopard. We will enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor. In the late afternoon, we will drive back to Arusha and drop you off at your hotel accommodation.
- Main destination: Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals & drinks: Breakfast & lunch
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
ACCOMMODATION
BUDGET CAMPSITES
Lake Manyara National Park – Fanaka Campsite
Serengeti National Park – Simba Campsite
Ngorongoro – Nyani Campsite
MID-RANGE LODGES
Lake Manyara & Tarangire National Park – Eileen Trees Inn
Serengeti National Park – Serengeti Heritage Tented Lodge
North Serengeti – Mbugani Camp
Central Serengeti – Nyati Migration Camp
Ngorongoro – Rhino Lodge
LUXURY LODGES
Ngorongoro/Lake Manyara & Tarangire – Gibbs Farm
North Serengeti – Chaka Camps
Central Serengeti –Melia Serengeti
Where is the best place / time to go for Safari in Tanzania?
Is Tanzania Safe?
What type of vehicles do you provide?
I am a solo (single) traveler, how can I join your tour?
What’s the food like on the safari?
Can we buy extra bottles of water along the safari?
Are the guides on safari certified?
Can I get a visa upon arrival?
Do you accommodate people with dietary restrictions?
When is the best time to see the migration?
Tanzania Safari Packing list
If this is your first time in Tanzania or your first time on safari, this packing list below can help to be well prepared and comfortable during your adventure. If you do forget a few things, do not worry, you can pick up most everyday items in town before you leave.
Travel Documents
- Valid passport
- Yellow fever vaccination records/ certificate.
- Tanzania visa, available at airport upon arrival, USD $100 payable in cash only for US citizens or USD $50 for residents of UK/European Union and most other countries.
- Copy of flight itinerary.
- Copy of travel and/or medical evacuation insurance.
- Personal medical/dental insurance cards.
- Credit card (Visa and MasterCard are most widely accepted).
- Cash in U.S. Dollars (bills MUST have been issued in 2004 or later)
Clothing
Remember, it’s not a fashion show out there, so be a bit more practical when choosing your safari wardrobe. Try to stay away from bright colours – khaki and other neutral colours tend to work well. It is probably best if you dress in layers since it can get cold, but also very hot.
- Sweater or fleece pullover to keep warm
- Sturdy boots or sandals
- Sun hat
- Sun glasses
- T-shirts or polo shirts (2-5 depending on how often you want to change)
- Long sleeve shirts (light weight)
- Shorts
- Long trousers
- Underwear
- Socks
- Sleepwear
- Travel towel
- Thermal underwear, gloves and warm hat (during May – Sept)
- Rain coat and rain trousers (During rainy season Mar – May and Oct – Dec)
Highly recommended
- Camera and memory cards
- Binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- Insect Repellent
- Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, eye drops etc)
- Malaria tablets
- Basic first aid kit and prescription medicines
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Chargers and extra batteries for your camera, phone etc
- Power adapter to fit the UK style electrical socket
Others tips
- Bring soft luggage such as a duffel bag, hiking pack or sports bag. These are ideal for packing into a safari vehicle. Hard suitcases can often be difficult to fit into the vehicles.
- Bring a backpack to carry all of your important items including travel documents, money, camera, medication etc. You should keep this backpack with you at all times.
- Keep luxury items such as hair dryers/ straighteners, expensive jewellery, make up and bulky toiletries to an absolute minimum. If in doubt, leave them out.
- If you plan to bring cash, divide it into different areas of your carry-on luggage, wallet and money belt just in case something happens to one of those carry items.
- Leave some space in your luggage for the all-important souvenirs that you will probably buy. There are places where you can send packages home via DHL etc, however this can sometimes be an expensive option.
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Our TripAdvisor Reviews
Jill D2024-04-20Not enough stars to rate this company- THE BEST time ever!!! If there were a million stars to rate this company and my recent trip, it wouldn't be enough. Nature Horizons is amazing. I first met the owner, Dominick at a convention for travel advisors in 2023. I knew immediately that he was a very special person and he had a very obvious love for the tours he had created in the destinations he adored. The story of developing his company is inspiring and his work ethic has continued to impress me during all stages of my Safari planning, from its conception to preparation to hosting us during the Great Migration in Tanzania. His communication is efficient, sincere and organized. He is thorough and thoughtful. He is fun and personable. He is extremely knowledgeable and has vetted resources to execute adventures across many countries. Our Safari was 12 days of awesome-ness. We truly couldn't have asked for a better experience. Each day was well-planned and our guides helped us see so many animals, sites and natural wonders. They knew where to be and when for us to see the most miraculous things. Dominick was such a friendly host, helping us gain perspective and a true taste of Tanzania. He listened to our wishlist, considered our requests and delivered days that we will never forget. Dominick truly cares about each and every guest and also has such respect for some of the most treasured creatures and places on our planet. I can't imagine a better Safari ever happening. But, knowing Dominick, he will make sure the next one and the next and the next are better than the one before it. That's how much he cares. I have to share a couple of our favorite moments were totally unplanned, though. Our Safari vehicle got stuck in the mud as rains started in the Central Serengeti. Dominick stayed calm, assured us that all was well and we sipped champagne as we watched the men try to get us unstuck...comical. Everything happens for a reason and we saw a perfectly complete rainbow soon after our vehicle was moving down the road. It couldn't have been scripted any better! As we continued on the way back to our lodge, we came across a Lioness and her brand-new cub. This is something rarely seen and we were sure Dominick paid the Lioness to appear for us. LOL. These examples are merely a glimpse of memories we made. And, part of the reason these moments were so special was because we were in the moment, which was as Nature Horizons intended. We had not a care in the world and could simply "be" in nature. I can't thank the entire team enough for such a wonderful two weeks.
416marlysl2024-04-04Amazing Experience! This trip was, by far, the most amazing trip I have ever taken! Dominick and his driver/guides were fabulous! They definitely found all the animals we wanted to see and many unexpected sites as well. They were so accommodating, stopping whenever we asked even if it was just for a bird or turtle crossing the road. Our guide, Praygod, was able to identify every bird we saw! Their knowledge of the wildlife was phenomenal. We learned so much about the culture, food, and local life from our casual conversations. The accommodations, while not luxury, were very comfortable and the food was very good, especially the soups. When I go back, it will definitely be with Dominick and Nature Horizons Tours!
Morgan M2024-03-27Wildlife Psychics I was totally blown away by the magic of Tanzania, and Dominick and his crew were incredible. They seemed to psychically know where all of the wildlife would be. They were very laid back and were open to pit stops along the way. We had a great time and I can't wait to go back.
Tamara H2024-03-25Safari in Tanzania was AWESOME! I joined Nature Horizons on a safari in Tanzania in February, 2024, and I was incredibly pleased with my experience. Our tour operator Dominick and his staff were knowledgeable, professional, and very friendly. They worked very hard to make sure we saw as much wildlife as possible, and as they got to know us, they adjusted our itinerary to fit in extra special experiences. The accommodations were middle of the road and appropriate for the price point, and I actually think I had a more authentic experience than if I would have stayed in luxury accommodations. The pace of the trip was great. As a solo traveler, I left Tanzania with friends I am sure I will have for a lifetime. There's something magical about a safari, and Nature Horizons made sure we had amazing and awesome experience that I will never forget.
Irene D2024-02-28An Adventure of a lifetime It's been one week since I got back from the amazing adventure. I went on the Tanzanian safari with a friend and made 7 more friends. Dominick Santariga was an awesome host. The evening we arrived, Dominick met us at the airport and the adventure commenced. The next day we actually went to a preschool owned by Nicas Marandu. There we met some beautiful children who were so welcoming and sweet. After visiting the school, we went to a Coffee Farm. Personally, I don't care for coffee but after listening to Godfrey explain the process and having the group actually grind coffee beans and cook the beans, the taste of the coffee was out of this world. The next day we traveled to Lake Manyara. Going through the many small towns, we were able to view the daily lives of the Tanzanian people. We saw elephants on the side of the road, one having tusks almost to the ground! There were so many baboons in the Lake Manyara National Park. On the trip, we got to know the other people on safari, and it was like these are my people. They are all world travelers, some travel agents, business owners to include coffee and photos, but all were amazing. From Lake Manyara we went to Central Serengeti. You could see wildebeest for miles and miles. Roaming with the wildebeest were zebras Grant Gazelle and Thomson Gazelle and Impalas. We came to know our driver, Victor. He said we would see the big five during our adventure, and we sure did. The Big Five: Lion, African Elephant, Leopard, Rhinoceros and the African Buffalo. I almost forgot about the air balloon ride. Oh, my! Traveling over the hippo pool was the highlight of the flight. So many hippos! We spent 3 days in Central Serengeti and saw so many animals. It never got old. From Central Serengeti we went to Ngorongoro Conservation area. The crater has over 30,000 animals. The pink and white flamingos were amazing. During one picnic lunch, a Marabou stock bird was pretty pushy, wanting us to feed him. After Ngorongor Crater, we went to Tarangire National Park. The days went by so quickly. We finished the safari at Simba Farm Lodge. The food, especially the soups, were to die for. After a relaxing two days, we went back to Moshi town but we weren't finished. We went to the MkoMazi National Park and saw wild dogs in a breeding program, zebras that came up to the safari vehicle and the black Rhino, munching on grass 20 feet from the vehicle! Sadly, the adventure was over and we flew back on Monday. But before we left we met Victor, a friend of Dominick's and ate a banana stew. Words can't explain how delicious that dish was. Thanks, Victor and Mama Irene. Overall, this was a trip of a lifetime. I'm still processing the sites and sounds of Tanzania. Thanks, Dominick.!
b S2024-01-22Jam-packed South American Nature Experience On our trip we visited Quito (and surrounding region), the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon jungle, and Cusco (and surrounding region). In Quito, we toured the Quilotoa volcano, and hiked near the Cotopaxi volcano. We were almost able to see the summit of Cotopaxi, but the very top was obscured by clouds. Stupendous views otherwise. This section of the trip probably would have been more enjoyable if we had started with a day to rest from the long flights we arrived on. In the Galapagos Islands we saw sooo many Galapagos tortoises. We also passed through a magma cave, which, as a caver, was pretty cool. The wildlife was quite relaxed in the presence of humans, which allowed us to get close (not too close) and take many great pictures. We chose to go on a couple water/cruising tours. On those, we got to see dolphins playing in the wake of the boat, blue-footed boobies, so many iguanas, frigates, galapagos gulls, small penguins... on those trips we also went snorkeling and saw many types of fish and starfish. I believe the specific islands we toured were North Seymour, and Bartolome. We got to tour the local (only?) chocolate shop and brewery. I suggest a wide-brimmed hat, and light, long clothing. It is easier to wear long sleeves than to remember to reapply sunscreen multiple times. At Guayaquil (layover otw from the Galapagos to Lima) one of our members became sick and had to miss the Amazon portion of the trip. In the Amazon we stayed at the Nature Horizons lodge. It was a bit rustic, but we had no issues with insects / plants / animals at the lodge. In the jungle, outside of the lodge, the primary nuisance was mosquitos. We took various boat rides onto the Amazon river / its tributaries and saw pink and gray dolphins. On one excursion a guide beckoned a monkey to come down a tree, where he fed it parts of a citrus fruit while we watched. I suggest always having raingear with you. We went for a evening boat trip and ended up soaked from a intense rain. In Cusco we took a daytrip to Machu Pichu via bus/train. Would have been all train, but part of the tracks had been damaged by a recent mudslide (iirc). Machu Pichu was really cool, but also swarming with tourists. The next day we drove to Rainbow Mountain (la montaña colorada). We parked at an elevation of ~4500 m (iirc), and walked/hiked up to the peak at ~5200 m. Hiking at an elevation where it is difficult to breath fully was an exciting experience. The views were amazing. We were supposed to do a walking tour of Cusco for our final day, but another member of our group became quite sick, so that was out. The guides that worked with us were super knowledgeable and nice. Tour/support staff were phenomenal. Especially when things deviated from the plan (sickness, issues with flights..). It was a great trip. I think it would have been better if we had spent more time at fewer locations (less time spent moving from place to place), and if we had been more careful about the food (so tasty though) and water.
Bob S2024-01-21First Class South American Adventure! I finally got my family together for a long awaited South American trip to include some common destinations such as the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu but also lesser traveled areas including the Amazon rain forest and the Rainbow Mountain Valley in Peru. Within Ecuador and Peru, these sites are well separated making the logistics of a trip such as this quite an endeavor. Fortunately, Dominick and his staff were more than ready to take on the planning of our trip from the first phone call. Although we went through several itineraries before solidifying the final version, Dominick and staff were always flexible and accommodating in hammering out the changing plans. Upon arriving in country, we found the guides and drivers/vehicles to be excellent. Transfers, hotel accommodations and daily excursions went off like clockwork. When our group was occasionally late, the guides and drivers always worked with us without frustration. The guides were all very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. They freely shared their local expertise during our daily excursions but also their insights on regional and national topics such as education, the economy and politics. In short, they gave us a complete picture of the people, the regions and the countries we were visiting. We did have some unexpected illness in our group during the trip but again Dominick and his team were there to support us in getting the appropriate medications as well as in making adjustments to flight and hotel reservations. Lest I forget, meals, restaurants and hotels were well chosen and top notch. In short, Dominick and his team provided an excellent and unforgettable trip for us all. I would highly recommend Nature Horizons tours without reservation for your next journey. Thanks again, Dominick!
Mary S2024-01-21Outstanding Custom Group Tour Nature Horizons arranged an excellent trip that was custom designed for us (a group of 6) to Ecuador, including the Galapagos, and Peru, including the Amazon River region, and Machu Pichu. Every aspect of the trip was fabulous. The guides were high quality, local, knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. Dominick at Nature Horizons listened to what we wanted to see and accomplish and he made it happen. We ran into several unexpected challenges along the way with flights but Dominick’s team was there at every turn to help us through including helping us at the airlines and with security. Our accommodations were great and hikes were very scenic. The Galapagos and the Amazon area were beautiful beyond words. If you are looking for a high quality, accommodating, and flexible tour, Nature Horizons is outstanding.
Simon2023-11-21An Amazing Trip on Top of Mount Kilimandjaro This trip from Nature Horizons has been one of a lifetime. From the first contact with Dominic all the way to the summit of Mount Kilimandjaro, the experience has been easy, hassle free and most of all very friendly. Dominic has been a great help at reassuring me about this trip and was always available to answer my many questions. We even set up videconferences so we could talk live about the trip, the planning and every little details. Nature Horizons was very flexible regarding the dates for this trip and the pricing was right. Many things were included in the package where it wasn’t the case with other companies. The process was so easy that even at the airport, Nature Horizons` team was on site ready to pick me up and bring me to the hotel. The hotel staff was aware of my arrival and the check-in process (already taken care of by Nature Horizons) allowed me to start this vacation stress free. As for the trip itself, Nature Horizons’ team has been extremely professional from start to finish. Everyone was ready on time to pick me up at the hotel. My guide, Kelvin, has been very generous with his explanations about how things would work for those 7 days to the summit. During the climb, Kelvin was very knowledgeable about everything on the way. He was providing me information about the different plants, flowers and herbs, about the rock formations as well as the history of Mount Kilimandjaro. Whenever I had a question, he had an answer. For someone who wants to be immersed in Kili lore such as I was, my guide was more than able to please. The food was delicious and varied. Fresh vegetables and fruits every day. I was amazed at the amount of food I was presented with. You won’t starve on this trip, Nature Horizons` team has your success at heart and you will be fed what you need to climb all the way to the summit. They provided treated water daily in more than sufficient amount. Every evening, Kelvin would take the time to brief me on the next day`s route, what to expect and how to dress according to the climate. During the day, I never felt any pressure because of my pace. Either I was able to go a bit faster or had to go a bit slower, that would be it and my guide would adjust accordingly. I reached the summit, thanks to Nature Horizons` wonderful team. It has been amazing from start to finish and I recommend this experience to everyone!
Emily2023-03-14A truly inspiring and unforgettable vacation! Let me just say that if you are considering going to some of the most beautiful places in the world, PLEASE use Nature Horizons Tours. This company truly takes care of you, and makes any trip you go on with them all about you and what you want to experience. First and foremost, I had reached out to Dominick 2 years ago when we started planning an Africa trip, and he’s been an amazing resource since day one. When we finally found the place we wanted to go (Tanzania) and the flights we needed, I immediately contacted Dominick and he was ready to start planning the trip itinerary. We also had a bit of a unique request, and we wanted to do a wedding ceremony while on safari. Dominick was so accommodating to every single one of our requests, and setup an absolutely incredible and beautiful trip. We visited the Lake Mahayana National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Are, and Tanagire National park. We 8 days to accomplish our safari, and Dominick organized a perfect schedule where we spent plenty of time in each park and really got experience each place to the fullest. While on safari in the Serengeti we also had a sunrise wedding ceremony that couldn’t have been more perfect, and was exactly what my husband and I dreamed of. We decided to keep the ceremony super simple, but Dominick was ready with photographers, helping hands, etc. for anything we needed for our day. Considering this wasn’t the average request, Dominick blew it out of the water! Additionally, the connections that Dominick has in each place are extraordinary, and truly add to the experience of visiting any place you go with Nature Horizons. The first day we were in Tanzania we visited a small school run by a local man (Nicas) who also runs a dog shelter AND artist gallery all to help support the people of his town. Nicas gave us a tour of the town, and we visited a local swimming hole, roasted coffee beans with some local coffee makers for some delicious coffee, and visited a huge waterfall tucked away about a mile down a hiking trail. This was all in the FIRST day there. We met some incredible people just wandering the town with Dominick’s guides. The guide and cook for our safari were also a highlight of our tour. Praygod (our guide) was not only a wonderful and clearly kind and caring person (he actually presided over our ceremony), but he was also incredibly knowledgeable about the wildlife we encountered which was a huge plus for someone like me who’s a wildlife biologist and wildlife nerd. He knew SO much about everything we encountered, that the outdoorswoman inside of me was screaming with joy. Our cook, Victor, made absolutely delicious meals that we scarfed down like we hadn’t eaten in days every breakfast, lunch and dinner. He did some local dishes that make the experience even more special, including a goat leg for dinner the day of our ceremony as a celebration. They also both coordinated and picked up champagne for our sunrise ceremony that we popped open after saying I do at 7:00AM! It was so thoughtful and much appreciated by me and Ben to celebrate with people who started as strangers and became our friends. Lastly, we finished up our vacation with 4 days in Zanzibar. Dominick helped us pick the perfect resort and coordinated a ride to and from the airport to our resort. Every detail was taken care of from start to finish with our trip to Tanzania because Dominick made sure we knew all the details and had everything we needed. So to end this, if you haven’t already been convinced to travel with Nature Horizons Tours, I don’t know what will change your mind! Dominick helped us have the most unforgettable experience of a lifetime, and the people he has made friends with and works with at each of his destinations are truly amazing people that you will become friends with yourself. The care put into the tours with Dominick and his staff on the ground is unrivaled, and is truly what makes Nature Horizons Tours so special.Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5,
based on 55 reviews