Experience Tanzania's two most iconic wilderness areas at an unhurried, luxury pace. This 6-day safari places you in the heart of the Serengeti's endless plains for three full days of private guided game drives, before ascending to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater for an exclusive descent onto its wildlife-packed floor.
Every night is spent in premium lodges and tented camps chosen for their location, service, and views — from open plains suites overlooking migrating herds to crater-rim rooms with panoramic caldera vistas. A private vehicle, dedicated guide, and flexible daily pacing mean this itinerary can be tailored around your interests, whether that's predators, birdlife, photography, or simply soaking in the landscape.
Dedicated 4x4 & driver-guide throughout
Handpicked 5-star camps and lodges
Full-day Ngorongoro Crater exploration
This safari runs year-round, though the experience shifts with the seasons. June through October offers dry weather and the Great Migration river crossings in the northern Serengeti. December through March brings calving season to the southern plains, with newborn wildebeest and dense predator activity. The green season from November to May offers lush scenery, excellent photography light, and lower rates, with April–May bringing the heaviest rains.
Depart Arusha on a scenic light-aircraft flight to the Serengeti, crossing the Great Rift Valley and the Ngorongoro Highlands. Your private guide meets you at the Seronera airstrip and begins your safari immediately with a game drive en route to your lodge. Settle into your suite overlooking the plains, enjoy lunch on the terrace, then head out for an afternoon game drive through the Seronera Valley, one of the Serengeti's most reliable areas for lion and leopard sightings.
Rise early for a sunrise game drive, when predators are most active and the plains glow gold. Explore the Moru Kopjes and Retima Hippo Pool before returning to the lodge for a leisurely lunch. In the afternoon, venture out again with your guide tailoring the route to your interests — big cats, elephants, or birdlife — ending with sundowners at a scenic viewpoint over the plains. Optional: a dawn hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti, followed by a champagne bush breakfast ($600 supplement).
A full day dedicated to the wilder, less-visited reaches of the Serengeti. Visit the Namiri Plains, a stronghold for cheetah, and the Maasai Kopjes where lion prides bask on sun-warmed granite. Enjoy a picnic lunch out in the bush, with the afternoon left open for further game viewing based on recent sightings from your guide's network. Return to the lodge for a relaxed dinner under the stars.
Enjoy a final Serengeti morning game drive before driving south towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Stop at Olduvai Gorge, the "Cradle of Mankind," where the Leakey family's discoveries reshaped our understanding of human origins. Continue up to the crater rim and arrive at your lodge, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping views of the caldera below. Unwind with a fine-dining dinner as the crater fills with evening mist.
Descend early onto the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural amphitheater home to one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. With an early start you'll be among the first vehicles down, giving the best chance of spotting the crater's resident black rhino alongside lion, elephant, and vast herds of wildebeest and zebra. Enjoy a picnic breakfast by the hippo pool before continuing to explore the crater floor into the early afternoon, then ascend back to the rim for a relaxed evening at the lodge.
Enjoy a final breakfast overlooking the crater rim before driving back down through the Ngorongoro Highlands to Arusha, passing Maasai villages and coffee plantations along the way. Arrive in Arusha in the early afternoon in time for onward connections, or transfer directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight. Extensions to Zanzibar, Tarangire, or a Kilimanjaro trek can be arranged on request.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, for the complete 6-day safari.
| Season | Dates | Price (Per Person) | Single Supp. | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | Apr–May | $4,750 | $650 | Available |
| Shoulder | Mar, Jun, Nov | $5,650 | $750 | Available |
| Peak Season | Jul–Oct, Dec–Feb | $6,900 | $950 | Limited |
Price includes everything: private guiding, internal flight, premium lodge accommodation, all meals, park and conservation fees, and transfers. No hidden costs.
| Day | Accommodation | Type | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti | Luxury Lodge | ★★★★★ |
| Days 4–5 | &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge | Luxury Lodge | ★★★★★ |
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to begin your safari. Most international airlines serve JRO via Amsterdam, Doha, Nairobi, or Addis Ababa. Your safari ends back in Arusha, close to JRO for onward or return flights.
Your guide will pick you up from any hotel in Arusha city center or from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Pickup time is typically 7:30 AM on Day 1 for the flight to the Serengeti. An overnight stay in Arusha before the safari is recommended.
Day 1: Arusha to Seronera (Serengeti), approximately 1 hour. Luggage limit: 15 kg in soft-sided bags. Excess luggage can be stored at our Arusha office.
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival for USD $50 (USD $100 for US citizens). A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining is required. Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from an endemic area.
Arusha, Tanzania • Established 2015
Nashivai Safaris is a locally owned and operated safari company based in Arusha, Tanzania. Our luxury division curates premium safaris that pair the finest lodges and camps with expert private guiding, ensuring every game drive, meal, and sundowner is exactly as it should be — unhurried, personal, and unforgettable.
The Four Seasons lodge and the crater lodge were both outstanding, and our guide's knowledge of animal behavior made every drive feel unhurried and personal. The crater descent was the highlight of the whole trip.
— Daniel & Sarah K., United Kingdom • August 2024Six days was the perfect length to feel like we'd really seen the Serengeti and the crater without rushing. Every lodge exceeded expectations and the private vehicle meant we could linger wherever we wanted.
— Michael T., Canada • July 2024