Overview
Light-aircraft flights link the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara National Park on this 5-day itinerary, so you skip the long road transfers that a standard driving safari involves.
Because you fly between parks, more of the trip goes to safari and less to transit. There's a bonus too: aerial views of the landscape between stops, including a different angle on the Rift Valley escarpment and the plains below.
Travelers who want the Northern Circuit's highlights without a long time commitment will find this length suits them. It favors time efficiency over the on-the-ground game viewing that a road transfer sometimes provides.
Our flying vs. driving guide compares the two, or contact us to book this itinerary.
Day 1-2
Day 3-4
Day 5
| Accommodation | Confirmed together with you — see the Rates tab for general comfort levels we work with. |
|---|---|
| Meals | Full board on safari days; meals as specified for any city/beach nights, per your final itinerary. |
Day by Day (5 days)
Upon landing at Arusha International Airport, you board a flight to the beautiful Serengeti National Park. The flight leaves at about 11:30 pm and reaches Seronera at 13:30 pm, where our company driver collects you and takes you out on a memorable game drive in the park.
When the drive ends, you go straight to your hotel or lodge to relax, with dinner and an overnight stay. Options: Serengeti Serena Lodge, Serengeti Sopa Lodge, Seronera Campsite Camp, Sayari Camp.
Rise and eat breakfast, then set out for a full-day game drive in the park, where the animals you will see include zebra, gazelle, impala, hartebeest, topi, buffalo and waterbuck.
You can also visit the many kopjes and granite formations found in the area, along with the hyrax and pythons. Once the game drive is over, you transfer to your lodge or hotel to relax, with dinner and overnight at Mbuzi Mawe Luxury Tented Camp, Seronera Campsite Camp, Sayari Camp.
Rise for a morning game drive across the Serengeti plains, then transfer southeast out of the park to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to visit the crater. You then continue to your lodge/hotel for dinner and the night. Options include Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge and Simba Campsite.
Wake up, have breakfast, and then drive down into the famous Ngorongoro Crater to look for the many animals living around it. The wildlife you may see includes zebras, wildebeest, elephant, Black Rhino and, with luck, lions. When the crater visit is done, you transfer to relax, with dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Farm House, Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, Simba Campsite.
Rise and have breakfast, then travel to the beautiful Lake Manyara National Park for a rewarding game drive and a visit to the freshwater Lake Manyara. Animals you can expect on the drive are hippos, impalas, elephants, wildebeests, buffalo, warthogs and giraffes, along with giant fig trees and mahogany forest. After the drive you transfer to Arusha to relax, with dinner and overnight at Mount Meru Hotel.
Rates Per Person
See "Accommodation & Meals" on the Overview tab for the general comfort levels available — send us your dates and group size for an exact quote.
Next: Inclusions →Inclusions
Included
- Private vehicle with your own driver-guide
- Park entry and conservation fees
- Accommodation as specified in your itinerary
- Meals as specified per day (full board on safari days)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
Excluded
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Getting There
Tour Start & End
This trip starts in Serengeti National Park and ends in Lake Manyara National Park.
Airport Information
Kilimanjaro International Airport and Mwanza Airport are the most common arrival points, depending on your route.
Transfer Information
Airport pickup and all transfers between destinations are included and arranged by our team.
Accommodation Before/After
Need a night in Mwanza or Arusha before or after this trip? We can arrange that on request.