3-Day Big Cats Safari Serengeti Tarangire Ngorongoro from Arusha

A series of game drives, nights in the bush, a flight back over the plains

A 3-day safari from Arusha covers Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti, with a full day of game drives in each park, overnight stays in lodges on the park grounds, all meals, and a domestic flight back to Arusha. You drive from Arusha to Tarangire on day one, pass through Maasai land en route to the Serengeti on day two, and fly out from Seronera Airstrip on day three, watching the parks unfold below as you return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tarangire National Park game drive

• Pick up from hotel or airport
• Full day game drive in Tarangire National Park
• Lunch in the bush
• Dinner at Africa Safari Lake Manyara

Day 2: Drive to Serengeti via Ngorongoro

• Breakfast at Africa Safari Lake Manyara
• Drive through Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Half day game drive in Serengeti National Park
• Lunch during game drive
• Dinner at Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma

Day 3: Fly back to Arusha from Serengeti

• Breakfast at Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma
• Transfer to Seronera Airstrip
• Flight from Serengeti to Arusha

The experience

The route starts with a full day in Tarangire National Park, where the largest elephant population in northern Tanzania gathers around the river. Your driver-guide picks you up from your Arusha hotel or airport and heads south. The game drive fills the afternoon and evening. You stay overnight at Africa Safari Lake Manyara or an alternative lodge in the Rift Valley or Karatu area, with all meals included.

Day two crosses the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Maasai homeland, on the way to the Serengeti. The drive itself is a half game drive (giraffes and zebras appear along the road), and you'll spend the afternoon on a half-day game drive in the Serengeti's open plains before settling into Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma, a lodge positioned just outside the park gate. Breakfast and dinner are provided. The lodge sits close enough that you feel still in the middle of the park.

On day three, your guide drives you to Seronera Airstrip after breakfast. The flight back to Arusha gives you a view of the Serengeti from above (the scale of the plains, the river systems, the animal trails) before you land back in town. Park fees, transport, the jeep with a pop-up roof, a professional guide driver, and all game drives are included. You choose your accommodation level (standard, comfort, or luxury) at checkout.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Arusha.
• entry into Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti National Parks.
• all guided game drives in each park.
• overnight stays in full board lodges on the park grounds.
• domestic flight from Serengeti back to Arusha.
• safari jeep with pop-up roof.
• experienced driver-guide speaking English.
• bottled water throughout the tour.

Options for this experience

3 options

Comfort-level accommodation, 301Up to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00Includes one night at our Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma lodge in a comfort room, on a full board meal plan. Includes pickup.

Luxury-level accommodation, 301Up to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00Includes one night at our Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma lodge in a luxury room, on a full board meal plan. Includes pickup.

Standard-level accommodation, 301Up to 2 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00Includes one night at our Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma lodge in standard accommodation, on a full board meal plan. Includes pickup.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (under 16)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 1.50

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Beach & Safari

Is this one for you?The three-day span fits the northern parks into a single trip without rushing the Serengeti, and the return flight saves a long drive back to Arusha. Choose your accommodation level at checkout (standard, comfort or luxury) depending on how much time you want to spend at the lodge versus in the jeep on game drives.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 16).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 6 days before the start.

What's the elephant population like in Tarangire compared to other parks in the region?

Tarangire holds the highest elephant population in the Northern Circuit of Tanzania, particularly concentrated around the river where they gather during the dry season.

Do I need to arrange my own flight back from the Serengeti, or is it included?

The domestic flight from Seronera Airstrip back to Arusha is included in the tour price, departing on the morning of day three after breakfast.

What happens during the drive through Ngorongoro on day two?

The drive through Ngorongoro Conservation Area counts as a half-day game drive. You'll see wildlife like giraffes and zebras en route to the Serengeti, and you pass through the Maasai homeland.

Are meals provided at the lodges, or do I need to arrange dining separately?

All overnight stays are on a full board meal plan, so breakfast, lunch and dinner are included at the lodges. You'll eat at Africa Safari Lake Manyara on night one and Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma on night two.

What kind of vehicle is used for the game drives?

A safari jeep with a pop-up roof is provided for all guided game drives, giving you an open view and the ability to stand for photography and wildlife spotting.