3-Day Serengeti Fly-In Safari | Tanzania Luxury Safari

Fly from Arusha to Serengeti on a 3-day safari with scenic bush flights, full-day game drives, luxury camps, Ngorongoro Crater and Big Five wildlife.

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Safari Overview

Fly into the Serengeti. Leave the Long Drives Behind.

You don’t have to spend most of your safari driving between destinations.

This 3-day Serengeti fly-in safari from Arusha is designed for travelers who want more time in the Serengeti and less time on the road. Instead of making the long overland journey from Arusha, you’ll board a scheduled bush flight and arrive in the Serengeti ready to begin your safari.

Spend two nights in a comfortable safari camp or lodge, enjoy extensive game drives across the Serengeti, and finish with a Ngorongoro Crater safari before returning to Arusha or continuing to your next destination.

It is a particularly attractive option for couples, honeymooners, photographers and travelers who value comfort, time and a more seamless safari experience.

Fly in. Find the wild. Stay in the heart of it.

Your journey, your way.

Safari Highlights

Scheduled bush flight from Arusha to Serengeti
Scenic aerial views of Northern Tanzania
Two nights in the Serengeti
Full-day Serengeti game drive
Lions, cheetahs and possible leopard sightings
Elephants, buffaloes, zebras and wildebeest
Seasonal Great Migration opportunities
Ngorongoro Crater game drive
Possible black rhino sightings
Luxury or premium safari accommodation
Professional safari driver-guide
4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
Optional hot-air balloon safari
Flexible return or onward travel arrangements

Detailed 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha – Fly to Serengeti – Afternoon Game Drive

Morning – Transfer to the AirportYour safari begins with pickup from your Arusha hotel and transfer to the airport or airfield for your scheduled flight to the Serengeti.Flight times vary depending on the airline, route and operating schedule, so your exact pickup time will be confirmed before departure.Scenic Bush Flight to SerengetiBoard your aircraft and fly toward the Serengeti.Rather than spending hours on the road, you'll see Tanzania from above as the landscape changes from the Arusha area and highlands toward the enormous plains of the Serengeti.The flight duration varies according to the routing and intermediate stops.Morning/Late Morning – Arrive in SerengetiOn arrival at the appropriate Serengeti airstrip, you'll be met by your safari guide.After meeting your guide, begin your game drive toward your camp or lodge.Your first wildlife encounters may come before you've even checked in.Game DriveDepending on your arrival time and camp location, explore the surrounding area while looking for:Lions Elephants Buffaloes Zebras Wildebeest Giraffes Gazelles Hyenas Cheetahs Other wildlifeLeopards may also be encountered, although they are naturally more elusive.Lunch at Camp or LodgeArrive at your accommodation for lunch and some time to settle in.Enjoy the atmosphere of safari life — open landscapes, wildlife sounds and the feeling of being far from the ordinary.Afternoon Game DriveHead out again in the afternoon for more wildlife viewing.Your guide will select the best available route according to the season, recent wildlife activity and your camp's location.Evening – Return to CampReturn to camp before dinner.Enjoy dinner beneath the Serengeti skies before settling into your tent or lodge.Overnight: Selected Serengeti lodge or tented camp Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Full-Day Serengeti Safari

A Full Day on the Serengeti PlainsThis is your main day to explore the Serengeti.Early Morning – Breakfast and Game DriveStart early when temperatures are cooler and many animals are active.Your guide will choose the day's route based on wildlife movements and seasonal conditions.Wildlife You May Encounter Lions and lion prides Cheetahs Leopards Elephants Buffaloes Wildebeest Zebras Giraffes Hyenas Gazelles Hippos in suitable water areas A wide variety of birdlifePredator sightings can be particularly rewarding, but wildlife is free to move wherever it chooses, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.Seasonal Great Migration ViewingIf you travel during the migration period, your guide can adjust the safari route where practical according to the location of the herds.The Great Migration is a year-round movement influenced by rainfall, grazing conditions and water availability.Depending on the season, different areas of the Serengeti can be more productive.Picnic LunchEnjoy lunch at a designated picnic location before continuing your safari.Afternoon Game DriveSpend the afternoon exploring another section of the Serengeti.This is an excellent opportunity for wildlife photography as the afternoon light begins to soften.Optional Experience: Serengeti Balloon SafariFor an additional cost, a hot-air balloon safari can be added to your morning.The experience normally involves an early departure, a balloon flight over the Serengeti and a bush breakfast afterward.Balloon flights are subject to weather, availability and operating conditions and should be booked in advance.Evening – Return to CampReturn to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.Overnight: Selected Serengeti lodge or tented camp Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha

Early Morning – Breakfast and DepartureEnjoy breakfast before leaving the Serengeti and travelling toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.The exact departure time depends on your camp location and the day's planned route.Morning – Ngorongoro CraterContinue toward the Ngorongoro Crater and descend for your final major game drive.The crater floor contains grasslands, wetlands and wooded areas that support a wide range of wildlife.Crater Game DriveLook for:Lions Buffaloes Zebras Wildebeest Elephants Hyenas Gazelles Hippos in suitable wetland areas Black rhinoceros, with luckNgorongoro is particularly well known for its concentration of wildlife, making it a fitting final stop on this short safari.Picnic LunchEnjoy lunch at a designated picnic area before continuing your crater exploration.Afternoon – Ascend and Continue to ArushaLeave the crater and begin the drive toward Arusha.Around 06:00–07:00 PM – Arrive in ArushaDepending on road and traffic conditions, arrive in Arusha for drop-off at your hotel, residence or airport.End of safari.Meals: Breakfast and lunch

What’s Included

Scheduled bush flight from Arusha to Serengeti
Applicable Serengeti park fees
Ngorongoro Conservation Area and crater fees
Professional safari driver-guide
4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
Two nights’ safari accommodation
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Drinking water during game drives
Airport and safari transfers specified in the itinerary
Applicable government taxes and safari charges

What’s Not Included

International flights
Domestic flights
Travel insurance
Visa fees
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities
Optional activities
Items not specifically mentioned under inclusions

Big Five Safari Experience

The Serengeti and Ngorongoro are both important habitats for several of Africa’s Big Five.

You may encounter:

Lion: Commonly encountered in suitable Serengeti and Ngorongoro habitats.

Elephant: Present in both ecosystems, although their distribution varies.

Buffalo: Frequently encountered in suitable grassland and woodland areas.

Leopard: Present in the Serengeti but naturally elusive and often difficult to spot.

Rhinoceros: Black rhino can be seen in Ngorongoro, but sightings require patience and luck.

A Big Five safari is about the overall wildlife experience rather than a guarantee that every species will be seen.

Who Is This Safari Ideal For?

This fly-in itinerary is especially suitable for:

Honeymooners
Couples
Luxury travelers
Wildlife photographers
First-time Serengeti visitors
Travelers with limited time
Families seeking comfortable safari logistics
International travelers connecting from Arusha
Travelers combining safari with Zanzibar
Guests who prefer flying over long road transfers

If your priority is maximum Serengeti time within a short itinerary, flying is one of the most practical ways to structure the trip.

Returning to Arusha or Continuing to Zanzibar?

You have several options after the safari.

Return to Arusha

Complete the safari with a road transfer from Ngorongoro to Arusha.

Continue to Zanzibar

For travelers planning a beach holiday, we can arrange onward flights from the safari circuit to Zanzibar, subject to available schedules.

Extend Your Tanzania Safari

Add another Serengeti night, Tarangire, Lake Manyara or additional Ngorongoro time for a slower-paced itinerary.

Continue to Kenya

If you have more time, the safari can be extended into Kenya for a Maasai Mara experience.

Fly Into the Wild

A three-day safari is short.

That is exactly why how you spend those three days matters.

Rather than using a large part of your trip traveling by road, fly into the Serengeti and put your time where it belongs — out in the wilderness.

Spend your days following wildlife across the plains, your evenings in a safari camp, and your final morning exploring the Ngorongoro Crater before continuing with the rest of your Tanzania journey.

Less time on the road. More time in the wild.