4-Day Big Five Safari: Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti

Arusha, Tanzania
Duration3 days
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesGerman, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Explore Tanzania’s iconic wildlife on a captivating 3-day safari adventure through the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Witness close encounters with the Big Five and immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes while enjoying personalized service from expert local guides. Choose between comfortable lodges or luxury tented camps, with all meals included to enhance your authentic Tanzanian experience. This safari is designed for both first-time visitors and seasoned travelers seeking to connect with the natural wonders of Africa.

- Discover the Serengeti, renowned for the Great Migration and diverse wildlife
- Visit the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Enjoy daily game drives led by knowledgeable guides
- Stay in comfortable accommodations with all meals provided

What's included

  • WiFi on board
  • Admission fee
  • Entrance fee
  • Government Fees
  • Lunch
  • Public transportation
  • Landing and facility fees
  • Dinner
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Breakfast
  • Airport/Departure Tax
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Parking Fees
  • Gratuities

What to expect

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – City Tour & Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
  1. Arusha
    30m
    Begin your journey with a warm welcome in Arusha, Tanzania’s safari hub. Enjoy a short city experience where travelers can explore local markets, interact with friendly vendors, and purchase last-minute safari essentials such as hats, scarves, and handcrafted souvenirs.
    Highlights include a visit to the Maasai Market, Arusha Town Market, and optional stops at the Cultural Heritage Centre or Clock Tower for cultural insight and photo opportunities.
  2. Arusha Village Experience
    30m · Admission ticket included
    Immerse yourself in the local culture with a short visit to an Arusha coffee plantation or nearby village. Learn about traditional coffee processing from bean to cup, taste freshly brewed Tanzanian coffee, and engage with local farmers. You’ll also discover elements of Maasai and Meru culture, traditional crafts, and daily rural life — a perfect introduction before your safari begins.
  3. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
    1h
    Travel through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its stunning landscapes and rich wildlife. Along the way, stop at a traditional Maasai village to learn about the community’s unique culture and way of life.
    Interact with Maasai warriors, explore their traditional homes (manyattas), enjoy cultural songs and dances, and discover how they coexist harmoniously with wildlife. Continue your drive through the highlands and open plains, spotting giraffes, zebras, and elephants before reaching the crater rim for breathtaking views.
  4. Ngorongoro Crater
    4h · Admission ticket included
    Descend 600 meters into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact volcanic caldera on Earth. Enjoy a full-day game drive surrounded by incredible scenery and dense wildlife — including lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, flamingos, and the rare black rhino. This is one of the best places in Africa to see all Big Five animals in a single day.
  5. Ol Doinyo Lengai
    Pass by
    Explore Oldonyo Longai, a scenic area in the Ngorongoro Highlands known for its dramatic landscapes and cultural significance. Travelers can enjoy stunning views of the crater rim, rolling highlands, and surrounding savannah, making it ideal for photography and nature appreciation.

    Optional activities include short guided walks, spotting wildlife like giraffes, zebras, and elephants in the surrounding area, and learning about the local Maasai community’s connection to the land. This stop provides a serene and educational complement to the full-day crater experience.
Day 2: Ngorongoro to Serengeti – Wildlife & Scenic Drive Experience
  1. Serengeti National Park
    5m
    After breakfast at your Ngorongoro lodge, depart for Serengeti National Park via scenic routes and optional stops like Olduvai Gorge. On arrival, enjoy an afternoon game drive across the iconic Serengeti plains. Spot lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and other wildlife while your guide shares insights about the ecosystem. Return to your luxury camp or lodge for dinner and overnight.
  2. Migration at Serengeti National Park
    Pass by
    Experience the awe-inspiring Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti, one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife phenomena. Witness thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles moving across the plains in search of fresh grazing, accompanied by predators like lions and cheetahs. Enjoy guided game drives that allow you to observe river crossings, dramatic predator-prey interactions, and the vast, breathtaking landscapes of the Serengeti.
Day 3: Serengeti – Morning Game Drive & Return to Arusha
  1. Serengeti National Park
    3h
    Start the day with an early morning game drive in the Serengeti to spot predators and enjoy the cooler hours when wildlife is most active. After breakfast, begin the journey back to Arusha, either by road (6–7 hours) or optional domestic flight from Seronera Airstrip (1 hour) for a quicker transfer.

    Arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon for hotel or airport drop-off, marking the end of your safari adventure.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Your driver-guide will be easily identifiable — holding a signboard with the traveler’s name and the company logo

End point

Your driver-guide will be easily identifiable — holding a signboard with the traveler’s name and the company logo

Pickup details

Travelers will be picked up from their confirmed hotel, lodge, or airport within Arusha city (up to a 50 km radius). For those arriving by flight, we also provide pick-up services from Arusha Airstrip, Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and Lake Manyara Airstrip. Your driver-guide will be easily identifiable — holding a signboard with the traveler’s name and the company logo

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
$3,000.00 $2,400.00 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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