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Tour overview
Three nights, and two very different versions of it
Three nights is where the Serengeti stops being a visit and becomes a safari.
This itinerary runs as two routings on one page, and which one you get follows from when you travel. Between July and October we fly you straight to Kogatende in the northern Serengeti, close to the Mara River, where the migration herds mass on the banks and cross. From November to June the north is quiet, so the same trip runs in the central sector from Seronera instead — same duration, same standard, different ground and a different camp.
Two honest notes. The north is reached by air rather than road: Seronera to Kogatende is roughly five to six hours of driving, so we fly it. And no operator can promise a river crossing on your dates. The herds cross when they cross. Three nights buys you more chances, not a guarantee.
Six game drives across three days
TransportReturn fly-in
Duration4 days / 3 nights
Nights in park3
VehiclePrivate 4x4
MealsFull board
Party size2–7 guests
Trip highlights
What makes this safari
The Mara River crossings, July to October
Flown directly to Kogatende rather than driven, which saves five to six hours of rough road each way.
Three nights, three chances
Nobody can promise a crossing on a given date. What three nights buys is more opportunities, and we would rather say that than sell a guarantee.
Far fewer vehicles in the north
When the river is quiet the northern sector still holds excellent resident game, with a fraction of the traffic of the central plains.
A routing for every month
Outside the crossing window the same trip runs from Seronera in the central Serengeti. Same duration and standard, different ground.
Trip map
Where this safari goes
Central Serengeti via Seronera
- Fly Zanzibar Depart 07:00
- Stay Seronera Central Serengeti · 3 nights
- Fly Zanzibar Return on day 4
Schematic. Point positions are projected from real coordinates; the coastline is stylised.
Northern Serengeti via Kogatende
- Fly Zanzibar Depart 07:00
- Stay Kogatende Northern Serengeti · 3 nights
- Fly Zanzibar Return on day 4
Schematic. Point positions are projected from real coordinates; the coastline is stylised.
Day by day
Your safari, day by day
Central Serengeti via Seronera
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Day 1
Zanzibar to Seronera & afternoon game drive
Depart Zanzibar on the 07:00 flight, landing at Seronera Airstrip at 10:00 where your private guide meets you. Game viewing on the drive to the lodge, lunch, then an afternoon tracking lion, leopard and elephant until last light.
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Day 2
Full day, central Serengeti
A complete day built around wildlife movement rather than a fixed circuit. Dawn start with a packed lunch, or morning and afternoon drives with the midday heat spent at the lodge — your guide will advise on the morning.
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Day 3
Second full day across the plains
A second unbroken day. From roughly December to March the herds calve on the southern short-grass plains, and a day trip south can be built in — ask us when you enquire, as it depends on the season and adds driving time.
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Day 4
Dawn game drive & return to Zanzibar
A dawn game drive, breakfast, then a final game viewing run to Seronera Airstrip for the 10:00 flight back to Zanzibar and a transfer to your hotel.
Northern Serengeti via Kogatende
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Day 1
Zanzibar to Kogatende & first northern drive
A morning hotel pickup in Zanzibar connects with the 07:00 Flightlink departure, flying north to Kogatende. Your private guide meets you at the airstrip and there is game viewing on the transfer to camp, followed by an afternoon drive toward the Mara River to look for herds building on the banks.
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Day 2
A full day in crossing country
A complete day on the river. Your guide positions on active crossing points where wildebeest and zebra gather along the banks — and this is a patient game: the waiting is the activity, and a crossing can build for hours before it happens or not happen at all. A packed lunch is served in the field so you are not pulled away at the wrong moment.
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Day 3
The wider northern Serengeti
Your second full day covers the broader northern sector. If the river is quiet, the north holds excellent resident game and noticeably fewer vehicles than the central plains, which is a large part of why this routing is worth the extra airfare.
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Day 4
Morning drive & return to Zanzibar
An early morning game drive, then breakfast, check out, and a transfer to Kogatende airstrip for the return flight to Zanzibar and a transfer to your hotel.
What's included
Everything in the price
Included
- Return scheduled Flightlink flights, Zanzibar to the Serengeti and back
- All airport and airstrip transfers, both ends
- Full board accommodation in the named lodge or camp
- Private 4x4 with pop-up roof and a resident guide, exclusive to your party
- All park entry, concession and conservation fees, including the crater service fee where the itinerary includes a descent
- Drinking water in the vehicle, and lunch on every full day
- All government taxes and levies
Not included
- International flights to and from Zanzibar
- Tanzania visa and any e-visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance — mandatory, and a condition of booking
- Tips for guides, pilots and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Laundry, unless the lodge includes it
- Optional balloon safari
- Single-room supplements where a party cannot share
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Pricing
Rates, per adult
Sharing basis, in US dollars. The rate falls as the party grows because the vehicle, the guide and the fees are shared across it. A safari jeep takes seven.
Central Serengeti, mid-range
Serengeti House of NatureCentral routing runs 01 Nov - 30 Jun
| Party size | 2 pax | 3–4 pax | 5–6 pax | 7 pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | $3,000 | $2,575 | $2,450 | $2,400 |
| Children 5–15 | $2,725 | $2,300 | $2,175 | $2,125 |
| Children 0–4no vehicle seat | $1,600 | $1,600 | $1,600 | $1,600 |
Central Serengeti, luxury
Serengeti Serena Safari LodgeCentral routing runs 01 Nov - 30 Jun
| Party size | 2 pax | 3–4 pax | 5–6 pax | 7 pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | $3,725 | $3,300 | $3,150 | $3,125 |
| Children 5–15 | on enquiry | on enquiry | on enquiry | on enquiry |
| Children 0–4no vehicle seat | on enquiry | on enquiry | on enquiry | on enquiry |
Northern Serengeti, mid-range
Moyo Migration Tented CampHARD WINDOW. Mara River crossings only. Validate on the guest departure date, never today.
| Party size | 2 pax | 3–4 pax | 5–6 pax | 7 pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | $3,325 | $2,900 | $2,750 | $2,725 |
| Children 5–15 | $3,050 | $2,625 | $2,475 | $2,450 |
| Children 0–4no vehicle seat | $1,925 | $1,925 | $1,925 | $1,925 |
Northern Serengeti, luxury
Serengeti North Wilderness CampHARD WINDOW. Mara River crossings only. Validate on the guest departure date, never today.
| Party size | 2 pax | 3–4 pax | 5–6 pax | 7 pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | $3,975 | $3,550 | $3,400 | $3,350 |
| Children 5–15 | on enquiry | on enquiry | on enquiry | on enquiry |
| Children 0–4no vehicle seat | on enquiry | on enquiry | on enquiry | on enquiry |
Children aged 0–4 carry no vehicle share, so two adults and an infant price in the 2-pax band. A party of eight needs a second vehicle and reprices for everyone — ask us before you book. 30% deposit confirms.
Where you stay
Lodging on this safari
Every tier is a named, contracted property. Rates below are the single supplement, charged only if a traveller cannot share.
Central Serengeti, mid-range
1 property
Mid · Central Serengeti
Serengeti House of Nature
Lodge / semi-permanent tented camp
- BoardFull board
- PowerSolar power, limited hours
- Single supplement$125 pp/night
Central Serengeti, luxury
1 property
Luxury · Central Serengeti
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Permanent lodge
- BoardFull board
- PowerPool and 24-hour power
- Single supplement$250 pp/night
Northern Serengeti, mid-range
1 property
Mid · Northern Serengeti
Moyo Migration Tented Camp
Tented camp
- BoardFull board
- Single supplement$150 pp/night
Northern Serengeti, luxury
1 property
Luxury · Northern Serengeti
Serengeti North Wilderness Camp
Ten-tent camp
- BoardFull board
- PowerSolar lighting, gravity shower
- Single supplement$250 pp/night
What the tiers mean. Mid-range in the Serengeti is a permanent lodge or a semi-permanent tented camp: en-suite bathroom, hot water, a real bed, full board, usually solar power with limited hours. It does not mean a pool or air conditioning.
Luxury is not one thing on this site. Properties are assigned by region, not by season — a permanent lodge in the central Serengeti, a tented camp in the north. Both are excellent and both cost the same. They are not the same kind of stay, so we label them by region rather than let you assume.
Trip add-ons
Optional extras
Extra night in the Serengeti, mid-range
Tiered by party size: $600 at 2 pax, $525 at 4, $500 at 6 and 7. Covers accommodation, concession fee, an extra 24h park entry, lunch and an extra vehicle day.
Price on enquiry
Hot air balloon safari over the plains
Early morning flight with a bush breakfast on landing. Must be booked well in advance. Rate on enquiry.
Price on enquiry
Hot air balloon safari with breakfast on landing
Rate not yet confirmed. Must be booked well in advance.
Price on enquiry
Single room supplement
Central: $125 per night mid-range, $250 luxury. Northern: $150 mid-range, $250 luxury. Charged only if a traveller cannot share.
Price on enquiry
Arusha hotel night
Only if the 5-day is ever sold with a morning departure. Rate not confirmed.
Price on enquiry
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