3-Day Serengeti Safari: Big Five in Tanzania's Top Parks

Hunt the Big Five across Tanzania's largest park, then descend into a crater that holds a quarter of Africa's wildlife.

A 3-day safari tour from Arusha through Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater with a driver-guide, all meals, camping facilities and transportation included. You start with an afternoon game drive on Day 1, wake before sunrise on Day 2 for a second drive before heading to the crater, and spend Day 3 descending into the crater floor for a 6-hour drive among over 25,000 mammals. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language. Children from age 5 are welcome.

The experience

The route moves through two of Tanzania's most storied parks. Day 1 takes you from Arusha into Serengeti National Park after an early breakfast and lunch on the road. You'll have an afternoon-to-sunset game drive before settling into Seronera Nyani Campsite. The park sprawls across short grass plains, savannah, thick bush, swamps and lakes: habitats that hold the animals you came to find. Your driver-guide already knows where the herds are moving, so the timing of the drive matters.

Day 2 starts before dawn. You return to the park for a sunrise game drive, then head back to camp for a late breakfast before the drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Simba Campsite. The real spectacle arrives on Day 3: you descend into the crater floor itself for about 6 hours of driving. The crater is a collapsed volcano holding over 25,000 mammals: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard and dozens of other species in a space you can see across. After the drive, you head back to Arusha and your hotel.

All meals and mineral water travel with you. A cook prepares them at camp. Airport transfers, all park fees and camping facilities are included. The guide is live and speaks your language. You can arrange a hotel in Arusha before or after the safari if you need one.

What’s included

• Airport transfers from Arusha.
• all transportation and game drives in a safari vehicle with a driver-guide.
• all park entry fees and taxes.
• accommodation at two campsites with all facilities.
• all meals and mineral water throughout the 3 days.
• a live guide speaking English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:30, 07:00 and 08:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 85 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Simba Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see the Big Five and major wildlife in a single trip without arranging transport or logistics yourself. The 3-day length fits the two parks into one safari without rushing the crater, which takes a full day to explore properly. If you're traveling with children from age 5, the fixed itinerary and included meals simplify planning. If you prefer a longer, deeper safari or want to add a third park, look at the 5-day option instead.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (5 to 9 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

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 24 h before the start.

What animals will I actually see on a 3-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari?

The Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard) are the target, and Ngorongoro Crater alone holds over 25,000 mammals, so sightings are likely. The Serengeti's varied habitats (grassland, savannah, bush, swamps and lakes) support different species depending on the season and where the herds are moving on the days you visit.

How much time do I actually spend driving and watching wildlife each day?

Day 1 includes an afternoon-to-sunset drive after you arrive. Day 2 starts with a sunrise game drive before breakfast, then you travel to Ngorongoro. Day 3 is devoted to the crater floor: about 6 hours of driving to see the animals concentrated there. The rest of the time covers meals, camp setup and the drives between parks.

Where do I sleep on this safari, and what are the camping facilities like?

You stay at Seronera Nyani Campsite on Night 1 and Simba Campsite on Night 2. All camping facilities are included in the price. A cook prepares meals at camp, and mineral water is provided throughout the tour.

Does the tour include getting to and from Arusha airport?

Yes, airport transfers are included. The tour picks you up after your early breakfast on Day 1 and drops you at your hotel of choice in Arusha on Day 3 after the crater drive.