7 Day Luxury Fly-in Safari
Light aircraft link three exceptional luxury camps in the northern and central Serengeti and on the Ngorongoro Crater rim for an effortless, high-end safari.
- Duration
- 7 days
- Route
- Arusha – Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) – Central Serengeti (Seronera) – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha
- Start / end
- Starts and ends in Arusha (pick-up from your Arusha hotel; ends at Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro Airport)
- Best time
- July to October is usually the best time for the northern Serengeti and Mara River crossings; outside these months we can swap the north for the southern Serengeti or Ndutu, typically ideal from about January to March.
- Trip style
- Private safari with game drives led by camp and private guides in 4x4 vehicles, scheduled shared light-aircraft flights between areas and luxury tented camps and lodges.
Tour overview
This is Tanzania at its most effortless. Light aircraft whisk you between three outstanding luxury properties, starting with three nights in the remote northern Serengeti, where the Mara River draws the migration herds in the dry season and visitor numbers are low.
You then fly to the central Serengeti for two nights among its famous big cats, before ending with a night perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and a final morning on the crater floor. Expect spacious suites, fine dining, expert guides and a sense of real wilderness, with virtually no long drives.
Highlights
- Three nights in the remote northern Serengeti near the Mara River
- Chance of dramatic river crossings, typically July to October
- Big cat country in the central Serengeti
- A night at a luxury lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim
- Light-aircraft flights instead of long drives
- Exceptional camps, guiding and cuisine
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Fly Arusha to the Northern Serengeti
After a morning pick-up from your Arusha hotel, transfer to Arusha Airport for your flight north to the Kogatende airstrip, a journey of about 2 hours that often includes a stop or two along the way. Your guide meets you on landing and you set off on a game drive through the rolling hills and riverine forest of the northern Serengeti on the way to camp. In the late afternoon settle into your luxury tent and enjoy sundowners overlooking the wilderness before dinner.
Day 2Northern Serengeti and the Mara River
Spend a full day exploring the northern Serengeti. In the dry season, typically July to October, vast herds of wildebeest and zebra gather along the Mara River, and your guide will position you for the chance to witness a dramatic crossing as the animals brave the crocodile-filled water. At other times the area is quieter but rich in resident lions, elephants and buffalo. Picnic lunches let you stay out as long as the action lasts, returning to camp for a fine dinner.
Day 3Exploring the Lamai and Kogatende Areas
Another full day in this remote corner of the park, which sees far fewer vehicles than the central Serengeti. Explore the Lamai Wedge and the open plains around Kogatende, looking for cheetahs, leopards and large prides of lions that follow the herds. Many camps also offer bush breakfasts or sundowners in scenic spots, and some allow guided walks with an armed ranger. Spend the evening around the campfire, sharing stories of the day under the clear northern sky.
Day 4Fly to the Central Serengeti
After a morning game drive and brunch, return to the Kogatende airstrip for the flight south to Seronera in the central Serengeti, which takes about an hour. Your guide meets you on arrival and you head out on an afternoon game drive through the Seronera River valley, renowned for some of the highest densities of big cats in Africa. Arrive at your luxury lodge in time to freshen up before drinks and dinner overlooking the plains.
Day 5Central Serengeti Game Drives
Enjoy a full day in the central Serengeti, with early and late game drives when the wildlife is most active. Your guide will search the kopjes for lions and the sausage trees along the rivers for leopards, and scan the open plains for cheetahs. An optional hot air balloon flight at dawn, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush, is a wonderful way to see the landscape from above. The afternoon can be spent relaxing at the lodge pool or out on another drive.
Day 6Fly to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater Rim
After a morning game drive, take a short flight from Seronera to the Lake Manyara airstrip, where your private guide meets you. Drive up through the highlands, about 1.5 hours, to your lodge on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. The afternoon is yours to relax and soak up some of the finest views in Africa, looking down into the 260-square-kilometer caldera. Enjoy dinner in elegant surroundings as the mist rolls over the rim.
Day 7Ngorongoro Crater, Fly to Arusha
Descend into the crater at first light, before most vehicles arrive, for a game drive on the crater floor. Look for black rhino, lions, elephants with impressive tusks, buffalo and flamingos on Lake Magadi. Crater visits are limited to about six hours, and after a picnic brunch you climb out and drive to the Lake Manyara airstrip, about an hour away, for your flight to Arusha. From there you are transferred to your hotel or to Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward journey.
What is included
- Scheduled flights Arusha – Kogatende, Kogatende – Seronera, Seronera – Lake Manyara and Lake Manyara – Arusha
- Game drives in 4x4 vehicles with professional guides throughout
- All park, concession and conservation fees, including the Ngorongoro Crater service fee
- 6 nights in luxury camps and lodges as listed
- All meals as listed
- 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; luggage that does not fit can be stored in Arusha.
- Outside the July to October crossing season, we usually recommend replacing the northern Serengeti with another area that matches the migration's position.
- Luxury camps in the north book out early for the crossing season, so reserving well ahead is advisable.
Frequently asked questions
Are Mara River crossings guaranteed?
No. Crossings typically happen between July and October, but they depend on rains and the herds' behavior. Staying three nights in the north gives you a strong chance, and your guides will do their best to be in the right place.
Can we have a private vehicle throughout?
Yes. Many luxury camps offer private vehicles on request, or we can arrange a private guide and vehicle to accompany you for the whole safari.
Can we add Zanzibar at the end?
Yes. From Lake Manyara or Arusha there are daily flights to Zanzibar, so it is easy to finish with a few nights on the beach.
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