NGORONGORO & TARANGIRE SAFARI
Overview
Itinerary
Day 1 – Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (Ngorongoro Crater) FB
Your day: Leave Arusha and climb steadily into the Ngorongoro highlands. As the air cools and the landscape turns green, the road winds through farms, forests, and villages, before finally reaching the crater rim. Arrive in time for lunch and that first unforgettable view down into the caldera.
Spend the afternoon at an easy pace. Walk the terrace, watch clouds drift across the bowl below, and soak up the sense of space and altitude. With the evening fire lit and the air turning crisp, it’s the perfect soft landing before tomorrow’s full crater descent.
Day 2 – Tarangire Sopa Lodge (Tarangire National Park) FB
Your day: After an early breakfast on the rim, descend to the crater floor for a concentrated game drive in one of Africa’s richest wildlife habitats. Look for lion prides in the open grasslands, heavy-tusked elephant bulls in the swamps, black rhino when luck is on your side, and hippos and flamingos around the lakeshore. The scenery and density of animals make every turn feel cinematic.
Lunch is a picnic in the wild, set at a scenic spot with cold drinks from the vehicle fridge. In the afternoon, drive out of Ngorongoro and continue to Tarangire, where baobab-dotted hills and elephant country take over. Arrive at your lodge in time to freshen up, enjoy the views, and settle into a quieter, more classic bush rhythm before dinner.
Day 3 – End of Itinerary (Tarangire to Arusha) FB
Your day: Wake to the sounds of Tarangire — birds in the trees, maybe elephants moving through the valley. After breakfast, head out for a final game drive, working the river lines and open clearings where you might see large elephant herds, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and, with luck, lions or leopards resting in the shade.
Enjoy one last picnic stop with cold refreshments from the fridge, then begin the drive back to Arusha. You’ll arrive by late afternoon, with three compact days of big landscapes and real wilderness still fresh in your mind. From here, connect to onward travel or continue with a beach add-on in Zanzibar.
Rates (USD) — Per Person
| Travel Dates | 1 pax (incl. SRS) | 2 pax | 3 pax | 4 pax | 5 pax | 6 pax | Single Room Supplement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Jan – 28 Feb | $2,800 | $1,900 | $1,700 | $1,500 | $1,400 | $1,400 | $300 |
| 01 – 31 Mar | $2,500 | $1,700 | $1,400 | $1,300 | $1,200 | $1,100 | $200 |
| 01 Apr – 31 May | $2,400 | $1,500 | $1,300 | $1,100 | $1,200 | $1,000 | $100 |
| 01 – 30 Jun | $2,800 | $2,000 | $1,700 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,400 | $300 |
| 01 Jul – 31 Oct | $2,800 | $2,000 | $1,700 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,400 | $300 |
| 01 Nov – 19 Dec | $2,500 | $1,700 | $1,400 | $1,300 | $1,200 | $1,100 | $200 |
| 20 – 31 Dec | $2,800 | $2,000 | $1,700 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,400 | $300 |
What’s Included
- Accommodation as per itinerary (Ngorongoro Serena & Tarangire Sopa, 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 and Tarangire National Park game drives 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
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: June–Oct is dry with strong predator and elephant viewing. Nov–May is green and full of newborns. Wildlife is always wild and sightings can’t be guaranteed, but Ngorongoro and Tarangire are consistently rewarding.
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 Tarangire or the Serengeti
- Zanzibar beach add-on after your safari
- Guided walking safaris in Tarangire or the Ngorongoro highlands
- Cultural visits in the Ngorongoro area
Tell us what appeals to you and we’ll build it seamlessly into your itinerary and quotation.
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Tarangire Sopa Lodge
