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3 days · Tanzania · Budget

3 Days Tanzania Budget Safari: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater

Three fast-paced days that reach the Serengeti from Arusha and finish with a morning on the Ngorongoro Crater floor — the essential northern Tanzania experience in the shortest practical time.

  • 3 days
  • Tanzania
  • Budget
  • Starts Arusha
  • Ends Arusha
Zebra light rays crater

Safari snapshot

At a glance

The essentials for comparing this journey before you enquire.

Duration
3 days
Country
Tanzania
Destinations
Serengeti · Ngorongoro Crater
Safari style
Budget
Price
Price on request
Starts
Arusha
Ends
Arusha

Best for

  • Short breaks
  • Travellers on a budget
  • Adventurous travellers

The route

A round trip from Arusha

  1. Stop 1Arusha
  2. Stop 2Serengeti
  3. Stop 3Ngorongoro Crater
  4. Stop 4Arusha

Safari highlights

What shapes the journey

  • Game drives on the Serengeti plains
  • Optional stop at Olduvai Gorge
  • Ngorongoro Crater game drive
  • Camping-style accommodation on the crater rim

Day by day

Three days, day by day.

The plan is a guide: timings may change with road and park conditions and your group's interests. Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Leopard on a branch above plains

Day 1

Arusha → Serengeti National Park

West to the endless plains

Meet your guide at your Arusha hotel for a safari briefing, then set off west for Serengeti National Park, climbing through the Crater Highlands before the land opens onto the plains. The Serengeti is home to the annual wildebeest migration and to large resident populations of elephant, buffalo, giraffe and zebra, as well as some of Africa's greatest numbers of big cats. Game drives begin on arrival.

Overnight
Serengeti · camp or lodge
Main activities
Game drive
Lion lioness crater

Day 2

Serengeti → Ngorongoro

Morning drives and Olduvai Gorge

After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the Serengeti with your guide, who knows the best areas to track the park's residents. After a picnic lunch, depart for the Ngorongoro highlands via Olduvai Gorge, where you can stop at the museum (optional, extra cost) to learn about some of the most important early-human discoveries. Check in on the crater rim and rest for the day ahead.

Overnight
Ngorongoro · camp or lodge
Main activities
Morning game drive
Volcanic crater from the air

Day 3

Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha

Into the world's greatest intact caldera

Depart early with picnic lunches for a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact volcanic caldera and one of Africa's most remarkable wildlife havens. Descend 600 metres to the floor in search of zebra, lion, wildebeest, buffalo and hyena. After a picnic lunch, drive back to Arusha for drop-off at your hotel.

Main activities
Crater game drive

Recommended accommodation

Where you stay.

Named properties are the ones used for this package. Nights listed by category are confirmed with your quotation, subject to availability.

Accommodation category

Overnight at the camp/lodge

Budget · Serengeti · 1 night

Accommodation category

Overnight at the camp/lodge

Budget · Ngorongoro · 1 night

What’s included

Clear from the start.

  • Transport in a safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • Services of a professional driver-guide
  • All park entrance fees
  • All game drives
  • Statutory taxes

What’s not included

No hidden assumptions.

  • Items of a personal nature
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Balloon safari
  • Tips
  • Maasai village visit

Your written quotation confirms the exact inclusions for your dates.

Flexible pricing

A clear quote for your journey.

The final price depends on when and how you travel: season, group size, accommodation level and private or shared transport.

Pricing

Price on request

We quote this journey individually because travel dates, group size and accommodation availability change it significantly.

What affects the final price?

  • Travel dates and season
  • Group size
  • Accommodation availability
  • Private or shared vehicle
Request Exact Quote Ask on WhatsApp (opens WhatsApp)

Made around you

Make this safari yours.

Where operationally possible, a local planner can help adapt the journey without losing the route’s natural rhythm.

  • Travel dates and pace
  • Adding or removing nights where the route allows
  • Accommodation choices, subject to availability
  • Combining with another destination
Customise This Safari

Optional experiences

Add a different perspective.

Availability, location, age limits and extra costs are confirmed for your final itinerary.

Olduvai Gorge museum visit

Optional · extra cost

Verified guest voices

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External review source

SafariBookings

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External review source

Tripadvisor

Read independent traveller feedback at its original source. Ratings and review totals remain on Tripadvisor, where they stay current.

Read our reviews on Tripadvisor

Before you travel

Safari questions, answered clearly.

How much does the 3 Days Tanzania Budget Safari: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater cost?

The 3 Days Tanzania Budget Safari: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater is quoted individually (price on request), because travel dates, group size and accommodation availability change the cost. Share your dates and a planner will send an exact quotation.

Where does this safari start and finish?

It starts and finishes in Arusha. Your planner can advise on arrival and departure arrangements.

Where will I stay?

Nights are listed as “overnight at the camp/lodge”: the specific property is confirmed with your quotation, subject to availability.

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Start planning with a local expert

Your safari starts with a conversation.

Tell us your dates, travel style and what matters most. A Nairobi-based planner can shape the details with you.

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PricingPrice on request
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