4-Day Serengeti Fly-In Safari from Arusha
A private 4-day safari that starts with a flight from Arusha straight into the Serengeti, then returns by road through the Ngorongoro Crater.
Land in the Serengeti, Drive Home Through the Crater
The drive from Arusha to the middle of the Serengeti takes most of a day. On this safari you fly over it instead, land at the Seronera airstrip by late morning and start game driving straight away with your own guide. After two nights in the Serengeti you drive back at an easy pace, with a night on the Ngorongoro highlands and a morning on the crater floor on the way.
Why You'll Love It
- Fly over the long road and start your safari in the middle of the Serengeti on the first morning
- Two nights in a tented camp in central Serengeti, where big cats are seen all year
- A morning on the Ngorongoro Crater floor before you drive back
- Your own private vehicle and guide from the moment you land
- A good fit before or after a Kilimanjaro climb, or for travellers short on time
Route Map
- By road
- By air
- Day of the trip
- Arusha
Lines show the order of travel, not the exact roads.
On Safari
We collect you from your hotel in Arusha and take you to Arusha Airport for a morning flight on a small scheduled plane to the Seronera airstrip, in the middle of the Serengeti. The flight takes a little over an hour, or longer if the plane stops on the way.
Your guide is waiting at the airstrip with your private vehicle, so the safari starts the moment you land. You game drive to your camp for lunch, then head out again in the afternoon when the animals become active.
Overnight: Tented camp in central Serengeti
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
A whole day to explore. The plains and river valleys around Seronera have lions, leopards and cheetahs all year, along with elephants, giraffes, buffalo and hippos. Depending on the month, the great herds of wildebeest and zebra may also be in reach.
You can go out early and come back to camp for lunch, or take a picnic and stay out all day. Your guide plans the drives around where the animals are.
Overnight: Tented camp in central Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a last morning game drive you leave the Serengeti and drive east across the plains and up into the green Ngorongoro highlands. You arrive in the late afternoon at your lodge on or near the rim of the crater.
Overnight: Lodge on or near the Ngorongoro Crater rim
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You drive down into the crater early, when the light is soft and there are fewer vehicles. The crater floor holds lions, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hippos and, with luck, the rare black rhino.
After a picnic lunch you climb out of the crater and drive back to Arusha, about 3 to 4 hours, arriving in the late afternoon at your hotel or at Kilimanjaro Airport for an evening flight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Price Per Person — Private Safari
| Group Size | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $3,590 |
| 2 People | $2,590 |
| 3 People | $2,350 |
| 4 People | $2,190 |
| 5 People | $2,090 |
| 6 People | $1,990 |
Trip Notes
- Start and end: Arusha
- Private safari: your group only, on the dates you choose
- Prices are per person and get lower as your group grows, because the vehicle and the crater fee are shared
- Your safari vehicle drives to the Serengeti the day before to meet your plane; this is included in the price
- Flight times are set by the airline and can change; we confirm them when you book
- Groups of more than 6: price on request
Includes
- Flight from Arusha to the Serengeti (economy seat on a scheduled small plane, about 15 kg of luggage per person)
- Transfer from your Arusha hotel to Arusha Airport on Day 1
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and a professional driver-guide, from the Serengeti airstrip to Arusha
- All park entry and conservation fees, and the Ngorongoro Crater vehicle fee
- 2 nights in a tented camp in central Serengeti and 1 night at a lodge on or near the crater rim (or similar), full board
- Meals as listed in the itinerary and drinking water on game drives
- Drop-off at your Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport on Day 4
Excludes
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania's compulsory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors (44 US dollars per person, from 1 October 2026)
- Hotel nights in Arusha before or after the safari
- Tips for the guide and camp staff
- Drinks not included in the lodge meal plan
- Luggage over the airline limit
- Optional hot-air balloon flight in the Serengeti (about 599 US dollars per person)
- Any government increase in park fees or taxes after booking
Questions Travellers Ask
Why fly instead of driving?
The road from Arusha to central Serengeti takes most of a day. Flying takes a little over an hour, so you gain a full day of game drives and arrive rested.
How much luggage can I bring on the plane?
The small planes allow about 15 kg per person, ideally in a soft bag. We can keep any extra luggage safely in Arusha until you return.
Can we fly back as well?
Yes. You can fly out of the Serengeti instead of driving back through the Ngorongoro Crater, or add a flight to Zanzibar for a beach stay. Ask us and we will price it for your dates.
Is the safari private?
Yes. You have your own vehicle and your own guide for the whole safari. You only share the scheduled plane with other travellers.
Can I combine it with a Kilimanjaro climb?
Yes. The safari starts and ends in Arusha, so it fits well before or after our 8-day Lemosho climb, and you can rest your legs in the vehicle.
