Safari Overview
This itinerary includes Central Serengeti(3N), a haven for big cats and varied wildlife; North Serengeti(2N), where you see the Great Migration (July–Oct); and Ngorongoro Crater(1N), renowned for its breathtaking views and high wildlife density, before returning back to Arusha. This itinerary includes Arusha to Zanzibar(3N), a post-safari beach haven with spice tours, marine life, and cultural excursions, before dropping-off at Zanzibar Airport.
Tour Highlights
- Big Five Safari Experience
- Tarangire Elephant Herds
- Ngorongoro Crater Safari
- Serengeti Plains Adventure
- Zanzibar White Sand Beaches
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Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Arusha to Central Serengeti
Your safari will begin by 8AM in the morning with a pick up from your hotel at Arusha. With everyone aboard, you will head towards Serengeti National Park. The 240 Km drive will be covered in about 6hrs. The Serengeti, means endless plains in the local African language and watching the grassland stretch out as far as the eye can see and eventually merging with the sky at the horizon is an absolutely breathtaking view. With an overall land area of 14,763 Sq Kms, It puts our notion about distance to shame. The Serengeti also houses the glorious “Big 5” (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard). Along with the “Big 5”, a very pleasant sighting would be one of Africa’s most beautiful animals – The Impala. The Serengeti ecosystem supports the greatest remaining concentration of plains game in Africa. The legendary Serengeti National Park is the most renowned safari destination for its incredible population of lions and leopards.
Day 2 - Central Serengeti to North Serengeti
You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive. Later return to accommodation for breakfast and depart to North Serengeti with packed lunch. You will explore the central portion of the Serengeti National Park today and move towards the northern part of the park.The enroute game drive towards the Kogatende region will offer mild action from resident games. As you approach the northern part of the Serengeti, you will notice the terrain change from the usual plain grassland to a more hilly and broken terrain. The northern region offers a variety of resident game such as zebras, topi, gazelle, buffaloes, leopards and lions.A picnic lunch will be done during the day long drive itself. Based on the time of your arrival you will be able to spend a few hours by the Mara river. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night’s rest in your accommodation.
Day 3 - North Serengeti
You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for full day game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch and return back to lodge late afternoon around 6:00 PM. Or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive. Later return to accommodation for breakfast and relax for a bit and depart on an afternoon game drive with packed lunch. In the months between mid june to september the migration can be found in this region. From mid June to September, the Mara River in this region offers the most dramatic river crossing of the great migration. Fierce,deep and heavily rain fed the river takes an enormous toll on the migrating wildebeest.
Day 4 - North Serengeti to Central Serengeti
You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive. Later return to accommodation for breakfast and relax for a bit and depart to Central Serengeti with packed lunch. The four hour drive to the centre will offer mild enroute game.The drive south from the Mara river valley takes you through hill country, the Lobo area, woodlands and then back into Seronera terrain.The central portion of the Serengeti – known as Seronera area is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park. It features the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and therefore attracts wildlife well representative of most of the Serengetis’ species. As you make your way into the Seronera region, you will begin to notice the hilly and broken terrain altering into plain grasslands. In Seronera one must really look out for the many lion prides that thrive in this region.
Day 5 - Central Serengeti
You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for full day game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch and return back to lodge late afternoon around 6:00 PM. Or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive. Later return to accommodation for breakfast and relax for a bit and depart on an afternoon game drive with packed lunch. You will explore the central portion of the Serengeti National Park today. The legendary Serengeti National Park is the most renowned safari destination for its incredible population of lions and leopards. The central portion of the Serengeti – known as Seronera area is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park.
Day 6 - Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro
After breakfast, you will have a morning game drive in Serengeti National Park. Later depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area with picnic lunch. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest collapsed volcanic crater in the world and fourteen kilometers of isolated natural beauty. Ngorongoro Crater is surrounded by a ring of extinct volcanoes and the floor, dotted with watering holes, shelters some 30,000 animals. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night’s rest in your accommodation.
Day 7 - Ngorongoro Crater Tour (5 hours) to Arusha
On the last day of your safari, you will have an early start. Finishing up with a quick breakfast you will make an early descent at around 6:30 AM into the crater floor. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera. It has a massive floor of about 260 sq kms with a depth of over 2000 feet. The 5-hour game drive on the crater floor will show you a lot of animal action. Keeping the camera ready is definitely recommended. The African elephant, buffalo, Black rhino, Hippos, Hyenas, Cheetahs and Lions are found in plenty. Post the picnic lunch at the beautiful Hippo pool, you will begin a steep ascend to the top exit of the crater. This is the last leg of your safari, with a 4hr drive left to Arusha. You will be dropped off to your preferred location in Arusha by 6:00 PM in the evening. With an incredible experience and loads of memories to cherish, this is the time you bid goodbye to your team.
- All accommodations
- All activities, unless indicated as optional
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Park fees and Taxes
- Flying doctor services
- Bottled water during the game drives
- International flights
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips ($20 Per person Highly Recommended)
- Personal Items
- Government imposed increase of Taxes and or Park Fees.
- Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages
Safari FAQs
The ideal time for wildlife viewing is during the dry season from June to October, when animals gather near water sources and the vegetation is sparse. The period December to February also offers warm, dry conditions with excellent wildlife sightings.
Yes! Jema Safaris offers fully tailor-made itineraries. You can adjust the duration, activities, or accommodation level, or add extra experiences such as cultural tours, additional beach days, or adventure activities.
Our route through Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater provides excellent chances to see the Big Five — lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos. Wildlife sightings depend on the season and animal movements.
Tanzania is generally a safe and welcoming destination. Standard travel precautions — such as keeping personal belongings secure and following your guide’s instructions — ensure a smooth and worry-free safari experience.
The ideal time for wildlife viewing is during the dry season from June to October, when animals gather near water sources and the vegetation is sparse. The period December to February also offers warm, dry conditions with excellent wildlife sightings.
We recommend consulting your healthcare provider before travel. Common advice includes vaccines for Hepatitis A & B, typhoid, yellow fever, and rabies depending on your activities. Malaria prophylaxis is also recommended for most areas.
Yes — travel insurance is strongly recommended. It covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or unexpected events during your safari and beach stay.
Essentials include light clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a hat, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, camera/binoculars, and swimwear for Zanzibar. Jema Safaris can provide a detailed packing guide tailored to your itinerary.
Yes — all national park entrance fees, Ngorongoro Crater fees, transfers between lodges, and airport pick-ups are included in the price of your safari package.
Absolutely. You will be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport by your Jema Safaris representative and transferred to your hotel in Arusha to start your adventure.
Your safari guide will be professional and English-speaking. Guides fluent in other languages such as French, German, or Spanish can be arranged upon request.
Yes! You can extend your safari with additional parks, adventure activities, or extra days on Zanzibar. Jema Safaris can help plan extensions such as Mt. Kilimanjaro treks, Pemba or Mafia Island trips, or cultural tours.