Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Arusha & Transfer to Serengeti National Park

   • Arrival in Arusha: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to explore Arusha briefly or head directly to Serengeti.
   • Transfer to Serengeti: Depart Arusha in the morning and start your journey there. The drive will take approximately 6-7 hours (around 330-350 km). You’ll pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and may have the opportunity to see wildlife along the way.
   • Alternatively, you can take a short flight from Arusha to Serengeti if time is limited (the flight takes about 1 hour).
   • Arrive and Check-in: Upon arrival at Serengeti, check into your lodge or camp (options range from luxury lodges to tented camps, such as Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge or Kati Kati Tented Camp).
   • Evening Game Drive: If time allows, take a short evening game drive to explore the area and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the Serengeti.
   • Overnight: Stay at your chosen lodge or camp in Serengeti.

2. Day 2: Full Day Safari in Serengeti National Park

   • Early Morning Game Drive: After breakfast, embark on a full-day safari across Serengeti. The park is vast, so a full day allows you to explore different areas of the park. You’ll likely see the Big Five (lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, and leopards), as well as cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests.
   • Lunch: A packed picnic lunch can be enjoyed during the game drive, usually in a designated picnic spot within the park, or you may return to the lodge for lunch.
   • Afternoon Safari: Continue your game drive in the afternoon. Depending on the season, you might be able to witness the Great Migration as large herds of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles move through the park in search of greener pastures.
   • Overnight: Return to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight stay.

3. Day 3: Explore More of Serengeti National Park

   • Morning Game Drive: Start early to catch the wildlife in action, with predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards active during the cooler morning hours. Depending on the season, you may also witness the birth of new calves during the calving season (typically January to March).
   • Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional): You can add an optional hot air balloon ride for an unforgettable aerial view of the Serengeti plains at sunrise. This experience often includes a champagne breakfast afterwards.
   • Visit to Serengeti's Kopjes: Kopjes (rocky outcrops) are fascinating formations in Serengeti that are home to a variety of wildlife, especially lions, which are often seen resting on top of these rock formations. A visit to these unique geological features can be a highlight.
   • Lunch: Either back at the lodge or during a break in the park with a picnic.
   • Afternoon Safari: Continue exploring the Serengeti’s different ecosystems, from the lush riverbanks to the open savannah plains. You may also visit Seronera River, an area known for its high concentration of wildlife and the possibility of spotting big cats hunting.
   • Overnight: Another night at your lodge or camp in Serengeti.

4. Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater (Optional) or Serengeti Exploration

   • Option 1: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
   • Morning Game Drive in Serengeti: If you want to explore more of Serengeti before heading to Ngorongoro, take a morning game drive.
   • Drive to Ngorongoro: After lunch, drive toward Ngorongoro Crater (approximately 3.5 to 4 hours drive). You’ll stay at a lodge on the crater's rim and enjoy the stunning views.
   • Overnight at Ngorongoro: Stay at a lodge on the crater rim like Ngorongoro Crater Lodge or Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge.
   • Option 2: Continue Serengeti Exploration
   • If you prefer to remain in Serengeti, you can continue exploring the park with another full day of game drives, or relax and enjoy the lodge amenities.

5. Day 5: Return to Arusha

   • Morning Game Drive (Optional): If you stayed in Serengeti, you could take one last game drive early in the morning before departing. Alternatively, if you're at Ngorongoro, you can do a morning game drive in the crater.
   • Return to Arusha: After your morning activity, drive back to Arusha (if you're in Serengeti, it will be about a 6-hour drive). If you're at Ngorongoro, it takes about 3 hours to reach Arusha.
   • Departure: Depending on your flight time, you can explore Arusha or head directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure.