When is the best time to visit the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater?

The Serengeti is a year-round destination, but the best time depends on what you want to experience. December to March offers excellent game viewing and calving season in the southern Serengeti.The Ngorongoro Crater is great all year due to its enclosed ecosystem and stable wildlife populations. June to October is ideal for viewing the Great Migration and predator action.

What kind of animals will I see?

Expect to see the Big Five — lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino — along with wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, antelopes, and countless bird species. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places to spot black rhinos.

What should I pack for this safari?

Pack lightweight, neutral-colored clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, binoculars, and a camera with zoom lens. Also bring layers, as mornings and evenings can be chilly, especially in Ngorongoro.

Is it safe to travel to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro?

Yes, both destinations are safe for tourists when using reputable operators. Guides are professionally trained, and lodges have security measures in place. Follow your guide’s instructions during game drives and while at camp.

Enchanted Serengeti Wilderness - Holidawn Adventures Tours & Travel

Explore the wild majesty of Tanzania’s Serengeti, a land of endless golden plains, dramatic sunsets, and one of the most iconic wildlife ecosystems on Earth. Renowned for hosting the Great Migration — where over a million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles traverse the plains in search of greener pastures — the Serengeti offers an unmatched opportunity to witness nature at its most raw and magnificent. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also home to the Big Five and countless other species that roam freely across its diverse landscapes, from grassy plains to rocky kopjes.

Complementing the Serengeti is the nearby Ngorongoro Crater, a vast volcanic caldera brimming with wildlife and stunning views. Descending into the crater feels like stepping into a lost world, where lions, rhinos, flamingos, and elephants coexist in a natural amphitheater. Together, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro offer a safari experience that is immersive, photogenic, and deeply rooted in the heart of Africa’s wilderness — perfect for travelers seeking awe-inspiring encounters and unforgettable moments.

Included/Exclude

Cost Includes

Airport pickup and drop-off in Arusha or Kilimanjaro
Park entry fees for Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
4 nights’ accommodation in premium safari lodges or luxury tented camps
Full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the safari
All game drives in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof
English-speaking professional safari guide

Cost Excludes

International airfare to/from Tanzania
Visa fees and travel insurance
Optional hot air balloon safari (can be added on request)
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Tips and gratuities for guide and lodge staff
Personal items (souvenirs, laundry, phone calls, etc.)
Any services not mentioned in the itinerary

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Why go?

The Serengeti is the crown jewel of Tanzania’s safari circuit — world-renowned for its dramatic landscapes, unrivaled wildlife, and the chance to witness the Great Migration. With a blend of open plains, acacia woodlands, and rich river ecosystems, it’s a photographer’s dream and a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. Whether you’re tracking the Big Five or marveling at elephants below the crater rim in Ngorongoro, this safari offers a deeply immersive and soul-stirring escape into the wild.

Tour Highlights

Holiday with friends & family.
As many activities & excursions as can be fitted in to your trip.
Go any day of the week and most times of the year.

Day 01 :

Arrival in Arusha – Transfer to Serengeti

Upon landing at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport, meet your driver-guide and begin your journey with a scenic flight or overland transfer into the Serengeti National Park. En route, soak in Tanzania’s stunning scenery and catch your first glimpses of wildlife. Arrive at your lodge or tented camp in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive to explore the plains.
Overnight: Safari lodge/tented camp in Serengeti

Day 02 :

Full-Day Game Drive in Central Serengeti

Spend the day exploring the heart of the Serengeti, where lion prides rule the grasslands and cheetahs scan the horizon for prey. Enjoy a full-day game drive with a packed picnic lunch under an acacia tree. Depending on the season, you may also witness thousands of wildebeest and zebras moving in their migratory paths.
Overnight: Safari lodge/tented camp in Serengeti

Day 03 :

Northern Serengeti or Western Corridor (Seasonal)

Travel to a different region of the park, such as the Northern Serengeti (great for river crossings during the Migration from July–October) or the Western Corridor (best from May–July). Here, the Mara or Grumeti Rivers attract crocodiles, hippos, and dramatic predator-prey interactions. Enjoy another full day of safari with ever-changing scenery and wildlife dynamics.
Overnight: Safari lodge/tented camp in Serengeti

Day 04 :

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, enjoy a final game drive in the Serengeti before heading southeast to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive at your lodge on the crater rim in time for sunset views across the vast caldera. The journey itself is a wildlife corridor, so keep your camera ready for elephants, giraffes, and more.
Overnight: Lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim

Day 05 :

Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Departure

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for an early morning game drive in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife — including black rhinos, lions, elephants, and flamingos — the crater offers one of Africa’s best safari experiences in a contained ecosystem. After your safari, return to Arusha for your outbound flight.
End of Safari.

2 Reviews

admin May 4, 2025

We always stay at here when in town. The location is great, staff is wonderful and we love the overall feel. Beautiful view from the here.

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admin May 4, 2025

This is the best tour on the east coast! It was amazing how many places we visited and what great memories we made!

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Enchanted Serengeti Wilderness

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Enchanted Serengeti Wilderness