Serengeti & Ngorongoro: Group safari with camping

Summary

Serengeti and Ngorongoro group safari with local guide

You’ll join a small group for three days exploring Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater with a local guide, sharing meals cooked fresh at camp and nights under African skies. Expect close-up wildlife moments, laughter around campfires, and that feeling of awe you’ll remember long after heading home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the dust — that warm, earthy smell when we stopped at the Ngorongoro crater viewpoint on our way from Arusha. Our guide, Joseph, handed out mugs of chai as we leaned against the jeep, just staring into that huge bowl of green and gold. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it didn’t come close. There was this quiet between us, like everyone was holding their breath for what came next.

Driving into Serengeti felt like entering another world. The road got rougher and the sky seemed bigger somehow. We saw zebras right by the track — so close I could see their eyelashes flickering. Lunch was simple but good (rice and stew from our camp chef, who somehow cooked everything over a tiny stove). Joseph kept pointing out animals I’d never have spotted: cheetahs lounging under acacias, a line of topis moving through the grass. At one point he laughed because I mixed up impalas and gazelles — they really do look similar when you’re squinting in the sun.

Nights at Seronera campsite were colder than I expected. You could hear hyenas whooping somewhere out in the dark while we sat around eating chapati and swapping stories with other travelers. Someone played music quietly on their phone; it sounded strange under all those stars. The tents were basic but fine — I slept hard after all that bouncing around in the jeep.

The last morning in Ngorongoro Crater was wild — literally. Lions sprawled right on the road, wildebeest everywhere, even a couple of elephants just wandering past like we weren’t there at all. Our group fell silent watching a leopard disappear into tall grass; it’s weird how you can feel so small but also lucky at the same time. On the drive back to Arusha, I kept thinking about that view from the crater rim — something about it sticks with you longer than you expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arusha to Serengeti Safari

• Pickup and briefing in Arusha
• Drive to Serengeti via Ngorongoro viewpoint
• Lunch in Serengeti park
• Overnight at Seronera campsite

Day 2 — Serengeti Game Drive and Transfer

• Breakfast at campsite
• Morning game drive in Serengeti
• Lunch in Serengeti park
• Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Overnight at Simba Campsite

Day 3 — Ngorongoro Crater Exploration

• Breakfast at campsite
• Extended game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
• Lunch in Ngorongoro area
• Return to Arusha, end of tour

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Serengeti & Ngorongoro safari?

Yes, pickup from your hotel in Arusha is included at the start of the tour.

Are meals provided during the group safari?

Yes, all meals are freshly prepared by an on-tour chef and included throughout your trip.

What kind of accommodation is used on this safari?

You’ll stay in tents at Seronera campsite in Serengeti and Simba campsite near Ngorongoro; camping equipment is provided.

How many days does this Serengeti & Ngorongoro tour last?

The tour lasts three days and two nights.

Is there a local guide during the safari?

Yes, an experienced local guide leads your group throughout both parks.

What animals might I see on this day trip to Serengeti & Ngorongoro?

You may see lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, gazelles, topis, baboons and more.

Are entry fees to parks included?

Yes, all park entry fees and taxes are covered in your booking price.

Do I need to bring my own camping gear?

No need — all necessary camping equipment is provided for you.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Arusha, private transportation between parks and campsites, all park entry fees and taxes covered up front, full camping equipment set up for you each night plus freshly cooked meals by your camp chef before returning to Arusha at tour’s end.