Wildlife Safari
5-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Fly-In Safari
The argument for flying is arithmetic. A road safari to the Serengeti spends roughly sixteen hours in a vehicle on transfer alone. A fly-in replaces that with two flights of about an hour each, and the time recovered goes directly into game viewing. On a five day trip that is the difference between two nights on the plains and three.
Flights operate on scheduled light aircraft, typically Cessna Caravans, between Arusha and the Serengeti airstrips. The aircraft themselves are part of the experience: the approach across the plains at low altitude gives a sense of the ecosystem鈥檚 scale that no road journey provides. Baggage is restricted to soft bags of around 15 kilograms, which is the main practical constraint.
Three nights in the Serengeti allows a genuine choice of sector. Depending on the season we position you in the central Seronera area for reliable resident predators, in the south at Ndutu during calving, or in the north near Kogatende when the herds and the Mara River crossings are there. That flexibility is only possible because the flying removes the transfer penalty.
The itinerary closes with a crater rim night and a first light descent, which is the strongest way to finish and avoids the long drive back that road itineraries have to absorb.
Planning your trip
Practical planning. The itinerary runs over 5 days, which sets the pace: each additional day reduces transfer pressure and gives the guide room to respond to conditions rather than follow a fixed schedule. We quote fees at the tariff period current at the time of booking, since park, conservation and crater charges are revised periodically and are a significant share of the total cost. Yellow fever certification is required if you are arriving from or transiting a country with risk of transmission, and travel insurance covering medical evacuation is a condition of travel on all our programmes.
Season. June to October is the classic dry season, when vegetation thins, water sources concentrate wildlife and roads are at their most reliable. December to March brings green landscapes, calving on the southern plains and lower rates. April and May are the long rains, when some tracks become difficult and a number of seasonal camps close.
In the parks. Stay in the vehicle unless your guide confirms a stop is authorised, keep noise low near wildlife, never feed animals and take all rubbish out with you. Off-road driving, drones and unsupervised walking are prohibited or restricted across the national parks and conservation areas. These rules exist because visitor pressure is the main long-term threat to the places you have come to see.
Where this trip goes
Read the full destination guides for every protected area covered by this itinerary before you travel. Each one sets out habitat, seasonality, access and the managing authority in detail.
Compare similar packages
If the length, pace or budget of this itinerary is not quite right, these alternatives cover comparable ground:
- 3-Day Serengeti National Park Express Safari
- 4-Day Classic Northern Circuit (Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro)
- 4-Day Great Migration Tracking Safari
- 5-Day Best of Tanzania Wildlife Safari
You can also browse the full package catalogue or the destination directory to build a custom itinerary with us.
Highlights
- Two scheduled light aircraft flights replacing sixteen hours of driving
- Three nights in the Serengeti with sector chosen by season
- Aerial views of the plains and the Rift Valley on approach
- Crater rim overnight and first light descent
- Game drives in vehicles based at each camp
Trip itinerary
Day 1: Fly Arusha to the Serengeti
Transfer to Arusha Airport for the late morning flight. The route crosses the Rift Valley escarpment, the Ngorongoro highlands and the short grass plains, landing at a Serengeti airstrip after about an hour.
Your camp vehicle collects you at the airstrip and the drive to camp is itself a game drive. Afternoon game drive after settling in.
Day 2: Full day Serengeti
Morning and afternoon game drives from camp, or a full day with a picnic lunch depending on where the game is concentrated. Camp-based guiding means shorter distances to the productive areas and more flexibility over timing.
An optional hot air balloon flight can be arranged for this morning, launching at first light and landing for a bush breakfast.
Day 3: Second full day Serengeti
A second full day, usually working a different sector from the previous day. In the north this may focus on the Mara River lines during crossing season; in the south during calving it focuses on the short grass plains and the predators working them.
Day 4: Fly to Ngorongoro, crater rim overnight
A final morning game drive before transferring to the airstrip for the flight towards the crater highlands, or a short scheduled hop and road transfer depending on the season鈥檚 flight schedule.
Afternoon at leisure at a crater rim lodge, with the caldera below and the option of a short highland walk.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater floor and departure
Descend at first light for the crater floor game drive, covering the Lerai Forest, swamps and Munge stream with a picnic lunch at Ngoitokitok Springs.
Ascend in the early afternoon and transfer to Arusha for onward flights, or continue directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Included
- Scheduled light aircraft flights Arusha to Serengeti and Serengeti to Ngorongoro or Arusha
- Four nights accommodation on full board
- Game drives in camp-based 4x4 vehicles with professional guides
- All park and conservation area entry fees
- Crater service and vehicle descent fees
- All meals as specified, drinking water and airstrip transfers
Excluded
- International flights and Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Excess baggage charges above the 15kg soft bag allowance
- Optional hot air balloon safari
- Premium drinks, laundry and tips
Accommodation
Four nights on full board: three in the Serengeti and one on the crater rim. Camps are chosen seasonally, so a July departure will typically use a northern camp near Kogatende while a February departure uses a southern camp near Ndutu.
Fly-in itineraries pair naturally with higher tier camps because the saved transfer cost is often redirected into the accommodation. Premium and luxury options with private guiding are available throughout.
FAQs
What is the baggage limit on the light aircraft?
Typically 15 kilograms per person in soft-sided bags, including hand luggage. Hard suitcases cannot be loaded. Excess or hard bags can usually be stored in Arusha at no charge, and we will arrange that.
Is flying worth the extra cost?
On a five day trip, yes. You gain a full extra night on the plains and avoid two very long driving days. On a ten day itinerary the calculation is less clear cut, because there is time to absorb the driving.
Do I get a private vehicle on a fly-in safari?
Game drives are usually in camp vehicles shared with other guests, typically a maximum of six. Private vehicle use can be arranged at additional cost, and we recommend it for photographers.
Which Serengeti sector will I be in?
It depends on your travel month. Roughly, north from July to October for the crossings, central through much of the year for resident predators, and south from December to March for calving. We confirm the camp once your dates are set.
Will I see the big five on this trip?
Lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard are all realistically possible on the northern circuit, and rhino are seen in the Ngorongoro Crater with reasonable frequency though usually at distance. No operator can guarantee sightings of wild animals and we will not pretend otherwise.
Is a private vehicle included?
Road-based itineraries use a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, exclusively for your party, with a guaranteed window seat. Fly-in itineraries use camp-based vehicles shared with a small number of other guests, and a private vehicle can be added at extra cost.
What should I pack for a safari?
Neutral coloured layers, a warm fleece for early morning game drives, sun protection, binoculars and a camera with more storage than you expect to need. Soft-sided bags are required on any itinerary involving light aircraft, where the limit is typically 15 kilograms.
How much should I budget for tips?
Guidance rather than obligation: around 20 to 30 US dollars per vehicle per day for the driver-guide, and 5 to 10 dollars per guest per day for camp staff, pooled. We will give you a specific breakdown for your itinerary before departure.
How far in advance should I book 5-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Fly-In Safari?
For peak months, meaning July to October and the Christmas and New Year period, six to twelve months ahead. Camps and mountain permits in those windows genuinely sell out. For green season travel, two to three months is usually sufficient.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. Every itinerary we publish is a starting point. Days can be added or removed, accommodation tiers changed, internal flights substituted for road transfers, and extensions to Zanzibar or the southern parks attached. Tell us the constraint and we will build around it.
