4 Days Ngorongoro Serengeti Safari.
A 4-day safari combining the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park is the best trip for the tourists looking for a high-impact, short duration Tanzanian safari experience. This itinerary perfectly balances the high concentration of wildlife found within the Ngorongoro Crater with the endless, sweeping plains and predator action of Serengeti. It’s an immersion into two of the Africa’s most celebrated natural wonders, offering diverse landscapes and wonderful Big five thrills.
Tour Highlights.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha and scenic drive to Ngorongoro.
Day 2: Ngorongoro crater descent and transfer to Serengeti.
Day 3: Full day exploration of the endless plains.
Day 4: Final game drive and departure.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha and scenic drive to Ngorongoro.
Your safari begins in Arusha, the gateway to the Northern circuit. You will be greeted by your professional safari guide from African Vacation Safaris and then immediately go on a scenic drive west, heading toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive itself is beautiful taking you through bustling Tanzanian towns and up into the cool, fertile highlands surrounding the Great Rift Valley. You will pass through the vibrant town of Karatu before ascending toward Ngorongoro Crater rim.
The afternoon is dedicated to checking into your lodge or camp, which is located right on the crater rim for the massive views, or situated nearby in the charming Karatu area. The rest of the day is spent relaxing, allowing you to enjoy the atmosphere and then prepare for the exhilarating wildlife viewing awaiting you the following morning. The crater rim area is often cool, a welcome change from the plains and the sounds of birds or the distant call of the wild.
Day 2: Ngorongoro crater descent and transfer to Serengeti.
The highlight of the safari begins with an early morning descent into the Ngorongoro Crater. This ancient, massive volcanic caldera is often described as the ‘’Eighth Wonder of the world’’ and acts as a natural, self-contained sanctuary for an astonishing density of over 25,000 animals. The early start ensures you are on the crater floor during the best viewing hours when the predators like the lion are most active and the mist is lifting off the alkaline lakes. This is arguably the single best location in Africa to spot the endangered black rhino, along with huge herds of wildebeests, zebras, buffalos and a large hippo population.
After a packed picnic lunch taken near the hippo pool, you will ascend the crater wall and continue your journey westward, entering Serengeti National Park. The drive itself becomes an extended game drive, moving through Ngorongoro plains and towards Seronera valley, the heart of Serengeti. The journey showcases a dramatic change in landscape, setting for the next two days of classic savannah adventure. You will arrive at your central Serengeti lodge or tented camp in the evening, then check in your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 3: Full day exploration of the endless plains.
On day three of the safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast, after breakfast meet your safari guide and this full day of game driving across the legendary Serengeti plains. Serengeti which translates to ‘’endless plains’’ in the Maasai language, lives up to its name, offering a boundless canvas of gold and green with wildlife. The Central Seronera region is renowned for its high concentration of predators due to the permanent rivers that attract resident wildlife year-around.
Your guide will focus on tracking the magnificent big cats; searching for leopards over the acacia tree branches, locating large lions’ prides resting on the scattered granite outcrops (kopjes) and looking for the streamlined cheetahs hunting in the open grasslands. This full day of exploration provides countless opportunities to witness the drama of the African wilderness all while experiencing the size and then beauty of this world heritage site. You will return to the camp for the final night under the spectacular African stars, surrounded by the sounds of the bush.
Day 4: Final game drive and departure.
On the last day of the safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast. After breakfast, check out from your lodge with your packed lunch and meet your safari guide and then enjoy the en-route game drive to spot the various animals species that you may have missed or to see a predator. After you can either be transferred to a local airstrip in Serengeti and then fly back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport or drive back to Arusha concluding your unforgettable 4-day dive into Tanzania’s magnificent northern wilderness.
End of 4 Days Ngorongoro Serengeti Safari
Safari inclusions.
Accommodation and meals.
All park fees and taxes.
Transport.
Professional safari guide.
Bottled drinking water.
Safari exclusions.
International flights.
Visa fees.
Gratuities.
Optional Activities.
Drinks.
Personal items.