3 Day Serengeti Fly-in Safari
Skip the long drives and fly from Arusha straight into the Serengeti for two nights in a tented camp and private game drives.
- Duration
- 3 days
- Route
- Arusha – Seronera (Serengeti) – Arusha
- Start / end
- Starts and ends in Arusha (pick-up from your Arusha hotel; drop-off at your hotel or connection at Arusha Airport)
- Best time
- Good year-round; June to October is the dry season with easy wildlife viewing, while December to March is green and lush with many newborn animals.
- Trip style
- Private game drives in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and your own guide, scheduled shared light-aircraft flights and a mid-range tented camp.
Tour overview
This fly-in safari gives you the Serengeti without the long road journey. A short flight of about an hour from Arusha lands you in the central Serengeti, where your guide is waiting to start exploring immediately.
With two nights in a tented camp and a full day in between, there is time to follow the big cats of the Seronera valley, track the wildebeest migration when it is nearby and enjoy the space and silence that make this park so special. It suits travelers with limited time, those who prefer to avoid rough roads and anyone combining safari with Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar.
Highlights
- Short scenic flight from Arusha to the Serengeti
- A full day of game driving in the central Serengeti
- Prime territory for lions, leopards and cheetahs
- Two nights in a classic tented camp
- Private vehicle and guide for flexible game drives
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Fly Arusha to the Serengeti
We collect you from your Arusha hotel in the morning and transfer you to Arusha Airport for your scheduled flight to the Seronera airstrip, which takes about an hour, sometimes with a brief stop. Your guide meets you on landing and the safari begins right away. After a picnic lunch, spend the afternoon on a game drive through the grassy plains and along the Seronera River, where lions and leopards are regularly seen. Arrive at your tented camp in time for a hot shower and dinner.
Day 2Full Day in the Serengeti
Today is dedicated to exploring the Serengeti. Head out early when predators are most active and the light is perfect for photography. Your guide may take you to the granite kopjes where lions rest, the hippo pools, or toward the migration herds if they are in range. Take a picnic lunch and stay out for a full day, or return to camp for a midday break if you prefer. Evenings are for swapping stories of the day's sightings over dinner.
Day 3Morning Game Drive, Fly Back to Arusha
Enjoy one final early game drive, looking for anything you may have missed, from cheetahs on a termite mound to elephants crossing the road. Depending on your flight time, have breakfast at camp or in the bush, then drive to the Seronera airstrip for your return flight to Arusha. On arrival you are transferred to your hotel in Arusha, or we can connect you onward to Kilimanjaro Airport or a flight to Zanzibar if you are continuing your holiday.
What is included
- Return scheduled flights Arusha – Seronera
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and professional guide
- Serengeti park and concession fees
- 2 nights in a tented camp
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Transfers between your Arusha hotel and Arusha Airport
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance (mandatory for this trip)
- Tips for guides, pilots and camp staff
- Alcoholic and premium drinks unless stated
- Optional activities such as hot air balloon safaris
- Personal items, laundry and souvenirs
Good to know
- Light aircraft typically allow around 15 kg of luggage per person in soft-sided bags; extra luggage can be stored in Arusha.
- An optional hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti can be added on the full day.
- Flight schedules are set by the airlines and can change, which may adjust the length of the first and last game drives.
Frequently asked questions
Why fly instead of drive?
Driving from Arusha to the central Serengeti takes most of a day each way. Flying takes about an hour, giving you more time for game viewing and less time on bumpy roads.
Can we add Ngorongoro Crater?
Yes. You can fly into the Serengeti and drive out via the Ngorongoro Crater, or choose our 5 Day Northern Tanzania Fly-in Safari, which combines the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire.
Can we start from Zanzibar instead?
Yes, flights connect Zanzibar with Seronera. We can adjust this itinerary so it starts and ends on Zanzibar.
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