Scheduled small-group departures Min 2 pax FB (Full Board)

Overview

Two nights on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater gives you time to really sink into the atmosphere of this extraordinary place. Mornings start cool and clear above the caldera; days are spent on the crater floor among lions, elephants, buffalo, and, with luck, black rhino. Evenings end beside the fire with wide views and highland air.

It’s the ideal short safari for travellers who want serious wildlife without rushing, or a concentrated add-on to a longer East African itinerary. Expect picnic lunches in the wild, cold refreshments from the vehicle fridge, and expert local guides who speak English, French, and German.

Lodge:
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (2 nights)

Itinerary

Day 1 – Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (Arrival on the Rim) FB

Stay: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge — Standard Double Room

Your day: Leave Arusha and climb into the Ngorongoro highlands, trading heat and bustle for cool air and green slopes. The road curves through farms and forest before the landscape suddenly opens and you reach the crater rim. Arrive in time for lunch and that first sweeping view into the caldera — one of Africa’s great natural amphitheatres.

Spend the afternoon easing into the slower rhythm of the rim. Wander the terrace, watch the light move over the crater floor, or simply rest and breathe in the altitude. As evening settles, the fire is lit, the air turns crisp, and it starts to feel like you’re staying above a hidden world you’ll explore fully tomorrow.

Included: Road transfer from Arusha • Accommodation & three meals (Full Board)

Day 2 – Full-Day Crater Safari (Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge) FB

Stay: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge — Standard Double Room

Your day: After an early breakfast with a view, descend the steep walls of the crater onto the floor itself. The scenery is wide and wild, and the wildlife is close: lions on open grass, elephant bulls near the marsh, buffalo in their hundreds, hippos in the pools, and bright birdlife around the lakeshore. With some luck, you may spot black rhino crossing the plains.

Lunch is a picnic in the wild, set at a scenic spot with cold drinks from the vehicle fridge. Your guide drives at an unhurried pace so you can watch animal behaviour, not just tick off sightings. By mid- to late afternoon, you climb back to the rim for sunset, a hot shower, and another relaxed evening at the lodge. Optional extras today or en route on another day: a crater rim walk (conditions permitting) or a visit to Olduvai Gorge.

Included: Full-day Ngorongoro Crater game drive • Park fees • Picnic lunch & refreshments • Accommodation & three meals (Full Board)

Day 3 – Ngorongoro to Arusha (End of Itinerary) FB

Your day: Wake for one last look into the caldera from the rim. Depending on your schedule, you may have a slower breakfast and a little time to walk the grounds or photograph the view before departure. Then begin the drive back down through the highlands towards Arusha.

The return journey takes you past farms, villages, and open country, with the chance to stop for a final photo or coffee along the way. You’ll arrive in Arusha by around lunchtime or early afternoon, ready for onward travel or the next chapter of your trip — perhaps a beach finish in Zanzibar or a city stay.

Included: Road transfer to Arusha • Breakfast & packed lunch (timing dependent) • Park fees as applicable

Rates (USD) — Per Person

2026 departures • Prices rounded up to the nearest hundred • Inclusive of VAT & concession fees • Using 2 nights Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Travel Dates (2026)	1 pax (incl. SRS)	2 pax	3 pax	4 pax	5 pax	6 pax	Single Room Supplement
01 Jan – 28 Feb	$2,900	$2,200	$1,900	$1,800	$1,700	$1,700	$400
01 – 31 Mar	$2,400	$1,700	$1,400	$1,300	$1,200	$1,200	$300
01 Apr – 31 May	$2,300	$1,500	$1,300	$1,200	$1,100	$1,000	$200
01 Jun – 31 Oct	$2,900	$2,200	$1,900	$1,800	$1,700	$1,700	$500
01 Nov – 19 Dec	$2,500	$1,700	$1,400	$1,300	$1,200	$1,200	$300
20 – 31 Dec	$2,900	$2,200	$1,900	$1,800	$1,700	$1,700	$500

Supplements: Christmas & New Year (24–26 & 31 Dec, 01 Jan): + US $45 pp/night • Easter (4 nights): + US $35 pp/night.

Minimum: 2 passengers

What’s Included

2 nights accommodation at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (or equivalent)
All road transfers and game drives in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
English-, French-, and German-speaking driver-guides available
Ngorongoro Crater game drive(s) and park fees as per itinerary
All government taxes and levies
Meet & greet services
Meals as indicated (Full Board on safari)
Guaranteed window seats (5–7 pax per vehicle)
On-safari accessories (first-aid kit, wildlife books, cool box, HF radio, fire extinguisher)
VAT and concession fees

What’s Excluded

Personal expenses (phone, laundry, etc.)
Tips and gratuities to guides and lodge staff
Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
Domestic/international flights and departure taxes
Visa fees (typically US $50 per person; US passport holders currently US $100)
Any new or additional park fees introduced after booking
Optional experiences and excursions (quoted separately)
Flying Doctors cover (optional ~US $50 per person / 14 days)
Personal travel insurance (strongly recommended)

Transfers

Day 1: Arusha City → Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (Private road transfer)

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater game drive (round-trip from lodge)

Day 3: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge → Arusha City (Private road transfer)

Good to Know

Packing: Light, neutral clothes for daytime; a warm layer for Ngorongoro evenings; a hat and comfortable shoes. Soft bags fit better in 4×4 vehicles than hard suitcases.

Power & Wi-Fi: 230V, 50Hz, British three-pin plugs (Type G). Most lodges have Wi-Fi in shared areas, but expect patchy signal in remote parks.

Tipping: Around US $10–15 per guest per day for your guide, plus small tips for lodge teams if you’d like.

Seasons & Wildlife: Ngorongoro is productive year-round. Dry months (Jun–Oct) are strong for predators; green season (Nov–May) brings dramatic skies and newborn animals. Wildlife is wild and sightings can’t be guaranteed, but the crater offers some of the most consistent viewing in East Africa.

Travel Notes: Passport valid 6+ months; tourist visa typically US $50 (US passport holders currently US $100). Travel insurance and Flying Doctors cover are recommended.

Your Vehicle

All safaris run in custom-built 4×4 vehicles designed for comfort, visibility, and long days in the bush. Every guest has a window seat and access to the pop-up roof for clear photographic angles and uninterrupted views.

Standard Safari Vehicle

Seating capacity: up to 6 guests
Onboard fridge for chilled drinks
Charging sockets (useful for cameras and phones)
Pop-up roof for game viewing and photography

VIP Safari Vehicle

Seating capacity: up to 4 guests
Onboard fridge for chilled drinks
Charging sockets at your seat
Pop-up roof for game viewing and photography
Reclining, adjustable seats with extra legroom
Air conditioning (A/C)
Soft drinks and snacks during game drives

If you’d like to upgrade to a VIP vehicle for part or all of your safari, let us know and we’ll share options for your dates and group size.

Optional Extras

We can add a few special experiences to make your safari even more memorable. Availability depends on your travel dates and routing, so please contact us for current rates and details.

Balloon safaris in the Serengeti (if combined with a longer trip)
Zanzibar beach add-on after your safari
Guided walking safaris in Tarangire or the Ngorongoro highlands (if adding extra nights)
Cultural visits in the Ngorongoro area

Tell us what appeals to you and we’ll build it seamlessly into your itinerary and quotation.