Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari: 3 Days from Mwanza

Three Days Hunting Lions and Elephants Across Tanzania's Two Greatest Parks

You drive from Mwanza into the Serengeti for your first night, then descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a full game drive and a second night in the highlands, before returning to Arusha on day three. The safari includes your 4x4 vehicle with a pop-up roof, two lodge stays (one in the Serengeti, one in the crater highlands), all park fees and taxes, and a guide who knows the territory. You handle the booking. Everything else is arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Serengeti and safari

• Breakfast
• Briefing by Safari Guide
• Drive to Serengeti
• Experience African wilderness
• Overnight at Shuhudia Adventure Camp

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater game drive

• Breakfast
• Drive to Ngorongoro Crater
• Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
• Enjoy sundowners at lodge deck
• Overnight at Hhando Coffee Lodge

Day 3: Drive to Arusha city

• Breakfast
• Drive through Great Rift Valley escarpment
• Arrive at Arusha drop off point

The experience

"You'll see more in the Serengeti on day one than most people see in a lifetime," our guide said as we loaded into the 4x4 that morning in Mwanza. He wasn't wrong. The drive itself takes you through the kind of landscape that makes you understand why people come back to Tanzania year after year, not because it's been packaged for them, but because the animals are actually there, moving across open grassland the way they have for centuries. We spent the first night at Shuhudia Adventure Camp in the Serengeti, a place built small on purpose, which meant the evening felt like you'd stumbled into someone's camp rather than checked into a resort. The pop-up roof on the vehicle meant we could stand up during game drives, which changes everything about how you see a lion.

Day two is when the Ngorongoro Crater hits you. The drive down into the caldera, 100 square miles of it, takes maybe an hour, and then you're in a landscape so concentrated with wildlife that you stop trying to count. Elephants, black rhinos, lions, zebras, wildebeest, all of them compressed into this natural bowl because the walls keep them in and the grass keeps them fed. Our guide knew where to position the vehicle so we weren't crowded with other tourists, which meant the animals stayed calm and we got to watch them actually doing something instead of posing. That night at Hhando Coffee Lodge in the Ngorongoro highlands, we sat on the deck with sundowners and the kind of quiet you don't get in cities: the view stretched out in front of us, and there wasn't much to say.

The third day is the drive to Arusha through the Great Rift Valley escarpment, which sounds like it might be an afterthought but isn't. The landscape shifts as you descend. The highland forest gives way to the valley floor, and you're watching the geology of East Africa unfold in real time. The whole safari is built around the idea that you don't need more days to see what matters. You need the right days, in the right order, with someone who knows where the animals actually are. The minimum is two people per booking, and the vehicle seats small groups, which is why the experience doesn't feel like you're on a tour bus.

What’s included

• Your three days include accommodation at Shuhudia Adventure Camp in the Serengeti and Hhando Coffee Lodge in the Ngorongoro highlands, a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for all game drives, all national park fees and taxes, and meals at both lodges. You arrange your own transport to Mwanza on day one.
• the safari guide meets you there and handles the rest.

Options for this experience

2 options

Mid-range PackageGuide in English · 07:00Mid-range lodging: Shuhudia Adventure Camp in the Serengeti and Hhando Coffee Lodge in Ngorongoro. You get the essentials for a great safari experience and splendid views of the Serengeti, without the extra frills of luxury. Duration: 3 days. Meals are included, covering everything from start to finish. Beverages are available at the camp at an additional cost. Custom 4x4 safari vehicle. Pickup is included.

Luxury PackageGuide in English, Spanish or German · 07:00Luxury lodging: Four Seasons Serengeti Lodge in the Serengeti and Gibb's Farm in Ngorongoro. Nothing from the luxury tier is left out. The luxury package is designed to make you feel special, attended to, and completely at ease. Duration: 3 days. Fully inclusive, covering stays at intimate luxury lodges, gourmet safari dining, most drinks, safari activities, and more. Custom 4x4 safari vehicle. Pickup is included.

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

Information

Lasts 3d, runs every day at 07:00, from US$ 1,998 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish and German and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 246 private ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and GermanOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Book up toStart time

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Shrike Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater without spending a week in the bush. Three days is enough to hit both parks and sleep in lodges that don't feel like they're trying too hard, which is what makes the pace feel right instead of rushed.

Traveler reviews

4.69★★★★★★★★★★Excellent16 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and German.

How long is the drive from Mwanza to the Serengeti?

The drive is several hours on the first day. Exact timing depends on road conditions and wildlife stops along the way.

What animals will I see in the Ngorongoro Crater?

Lions, elephants, black rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, and many other species live in the crater year-round. Sightings are not guaranteed but the concentration of wildlife is high.

Are the lodges comfortable?

Shuhudia Adventure Camp in the Serengeti and Hhando Coffee Lodge in the Ngorongoro highlands are both chosen for their location and calm atmosphere rather than luxury amenities. Both provide hot water, meals, and beds.

Can I bring an infant?

Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What's included in the price?

Accommodation at both lodges, the 4x4 vehicle with pop-up roof, all park fees, and taxes. Meals at the lodges are included. Drinks and tips are not.

What's the minimum group size?

A minimum of two people per booking is required.

Is this safari suitable for people who aren't very fit?

The safari is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Most of the time is spent sitting in the vehicle during game drives.

Do I need a visa for Tanzania?

Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Check with the Tanzanian embassy or consulate for your country before booking.