Tanzania · Safari

4-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari with Balloon Experience

4 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the vast Serengeti Plains and witness abundant wildlife, including the Big Five
02 Experience a breathtaking hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti at sunrise
03 Discover the archaeological wonders of Olduvai Gorge, rich in prehistoric human history
04 Visit the stunning Ngorongoro Crater with its diverse ecosystems and Maasai culture

Go on an exciting 4-day safari tour through the Serengeti Plains and the Ngorongoro Highlands, and see numerous animals and bird species along the way. Explore the vast plains of the Serengeti, visit the remarkable Olduvai Gorge, and enjoy game drives in one of Tanzania's most celebrated wildlife regions. A hot air balloon safari adds a breathtaking perspective, with gorgeous views of the diverse landscapes and animals from above. The journey also takes you into the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, known for its rich wildlife and glimpses of Maasai culture.

At dawn, take off, rise with the sun, and float in whichever direction the winds blow.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Languages English, French, German, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge

After breakfast at 8:00 am, head toward Serengeti National Park, with an optional visit to Olduvai Gorge. It is within this steep-sided ravine that Louis and Mary Leakey made some of the world's most important archaeological discoveries in the 1950s. There is a small museum where you can see evidence of our ancestors that has been dated back 2.5 million years.
After lunch, drive into the Serengeti itself.
Spend the rest of the afternoon game viewing on the vast plains, broken only by stands of acacia trees and the occasional kopje. These volcanic rocky outcrops provide protection and shelter for a wide variety of animals, and from the top, you can look out across the vast grasslands of the Serengeti.

Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge.

Day 02

Serengeti Sunrise Balloon Safari and Game Drives

At 05:00 am, depart from Mbuzi Mawe Luxury Tented Camp for the balloon site near Maasai Kopjes.
Meet the pilot, receive a briefing, and watch the inflation of the balloon.
At dawn, take off, rise with the sun, and float in whichever direction the winds blow.
After breakfast, head to the rendezvous point and continue with the full-day game drives.
If not interested in balloon safaris, after breakfast, enjoy a full game drive. The guide will select a better place for game viewing activities.

Dinner and overnight at Mbuzi Mawe Luxury Tented Camp, full board.

Day 03

Serengeti Game Drive and Ngorongoro Crater

Start the day with an early morning game drive.
Head to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. During the drive at Ngorongoro, catch a glimpse of the Maasai way of life, then proceed on the journey to the crater. The crater walls provide a natural sanctuary for the animals, which means there is plenty to see: lions, elephants, buffalo, rhino, and leopards.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at Lake Ngoitoktok.
Spend a half-day game drive here, then head back to the accommodation on the crater rim at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.

Day 04

Ngorongoro to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport

After breakfast, head back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back home.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 4 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

4-day game safari to Tanzania's Northern Circuit
Full-board accommodation in a hotel / tented camp for 4 days
Luxury 4-wheel drive with a roof hatch
A professional and experienced Tanzanian tour guide
All national park fees
All meals on safari
All game viewing activities
Mineral water and drinks
Balloon fees: $546.20

What's Not Included

Anything not mentioned in the inclusions

Know before you go

We do not carry children under the age of 7 years in a balloon. There is no upper age limit; however, passengers must be reasonably mobile, fit to fly, and prepared for an adventure. Ballooning is not suitable for pregnant ladies or people with mobility or health conditions, including heart conditions, brittle bones, or neck or back conditions. Passengers must be able to bend their knees, hold on to rope handles with both hands for take-off and landing, and climb into and out of the basket.
Balloon passenger weights are calculated at an average of 80 kgs. Passengers weighing 50% or more than this (i.e. 120 kgs / 265 lbs / 19 stone) may be charged for two places.
Serengeti Balloon Safari is probably the most beautiful balloon flight in the world and the ultimate safari experience, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful migration of grazers and browsers through the endless plains of the Serengeti.

Logistics