Serengeti & Ngorongoro: 3-Day Leopard Safari from Arusha

Three Days Hunting Leopards Across the Serengeti and Inside Africa's Largest Crater

You spend two full days game-driving through central Serengeti with a guide who knows where leopards and the big herds move, then descend into Ngorongoro Crater on day three to see black rhinos, hippos, and the Big Five in one enclosed ecosystem. Private vehicle, park entry, water, and all transport from Arusha are included; you arrange only your flights and accommodation in Arusha the night before.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arusha to Serengeti National Park

• Start early from Arusha
• Drive through Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Enjoy game drive en route
• Arrive at Serengeti National Park early afternoon
• Game drive until sunset
• Dinner at Serengeti Seronera camp

Day 2 — Full day game drive in Serengeti

• Breakfast at camp
• Full day game drive in central Serengeti
• Visit Serengeti Visitor Centre (optional)
• Dinner at Serengeti Seronera camp

Day 3 — Ngorongoro Crater and return to Arusha

• Breakfast at camp
• Depart for Ngorongoro Crater
• View panoramic Ngorongoro Crater
• Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
• Drive back to Arusha or airport

The Experience

Leopards are hardest to spot on safari — they hunt alone, rest in trees, and move at dusk. That's why a 3-day leopard safari in the Serengeti matters: your guide knows where they hunt, and you get two full days in the park instead of one, which doubles your chances. You start early from Arusha, drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a game drive en route, and arrive at Serengeti National Park in the early afternoon. That first afternoon you're already out in an open-top vehicle, watching herds of buffalo and wildebeest move across the plains, lions resting in the shade, giraffes feeding on acacia trees. Dinner is at the Seronera public campsite inside the park.

Day two is the full day in central Serengeti — no town runs, no half-measures. Your guide reads where the herds are moving (they follow the rains: south in November and December, north again from April to June) and takes you there. You might see elephant, eland, impala, Grant's gazelle, or if you're lucky, a leopard draped across a branch at dawn. The Serengeti Visitor Centre is also an option if you want to learn how the Frankfurter Zoological Society studies the park's ecosystem. You stay another night at Seronera.

On day three you drive to Ngorongoro Crater — a collapsed volcanic caldera so vast and green that it's sometimes called the Eighth Wonder of the World. The first view from the panoramic viewpoint stops you. The crater floor holds over 120 mammal species, including the Big Five, and it's one of the few places left where you can reliably see black rhinoceros, endangered and solitary, grazing on the grass. Hippopotamus crowd the water. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas hunt the enclosed ecosystem. After the crater, you head back to Arusha or straight to the airport if your flight leaves the same day.

Private transportation means your vehicle doesn't stop for other groups, and your driver knows the park well enough to find animals others miss. Bottled water and parking fees are included, so you're not paying extras at the gate. The pace is steady but not rushed — you're in a vehicle most of the day, which is how you cover ground and see predators before they move.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an open-top vehicle.
• all park entry fees for Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.
• bottled water throughout the safari.
• parking fees.
• game drives on all three days.
• accommodation at Seronera public campsite in Serengeti for two nights.
• a knowledgeable guide who tracks animal movement and knows where to find leopards and other wildlife.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Wild Root Safaris and Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a real chance at seeing leopards and the Serengeti's big herds without arranging your own transport or paying park fees separately — the private vehicle and two full days in the park are what make the difference between a quick drive-through and time to actually find animals.

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Top questions

What's the best time to see leopards in the Serengeti?

Early morning and late afternoon are when leopards hunt. Your guide will position the vehicle at likely spots during these hours. Leopards are solitary and unpredictable, so sightings are never guaranteed, but two full days in the park increases your odds.

How long is the drive from Arusha to Serengeti?

The drive takes most of the first day. You depart early from Arusha, pass through Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a game drive en route, and arrive at Serengeti in the early afternoon, leaving time for a sunset game drive.

What animals will I definitely see?

Herds of buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, elephant, giraffe, and various antelope species are common. Lions and other predators are often seen. Leopards, black rhinos, and cheetahs are less predictable but possible, especially with a knowledgeable guide.

Is the Ngorongoro Crater part of this safari?

Yes. On day three, after your second game drive in Serengeti, you drive to Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive inside the caldera before returning to Arusha or heading to the airport.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation, bottled water, and park entry fees are included. Meals, accommodation, and tips are not. You'll need to arrange a hotel in Arusha for the night before the safari starts.

Can I fly directly to Serengeti instead of driving from Arusha?

The itinerary includes the drive from Arusha. If you prefer to fly, you'd need to arrange that separately; public transportation options are available nearby if you want to explore alternatives.

What should I bring for a 3-day safari?

Binoculars, a camera with a good zoom, sunscreen, a hat, and neutral-colored clothing (avoid bright colors and white, which can startle animals). Layers for early mornings and evenings, even in warm months.