Trip highlights
- 1Multi-day game drive safari
- 2Great Migration river crossings (seasonal)
- 3Maasai village visit
- 4Sunrise balloon safari
- 5Big Five tracking
Daily spend
Where you're going
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In pictures
Photos: Unsplash
Language preparation
15 min/day for 8 weeks ≈ 672 useful words and phrases
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Day-by-day plan
Arrival & Central Serengeti Game Drive
Monday, July 12
Est. spend
$250
per person
🌅 Morning
Fly-in Transfer to Seronera Airstrip
Seronera Airstrip, Serengeti National Park
Light aircraft flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Seronera Airstrip in the heart of the Serengeti, with aerial views of the plains.
Pack light — bush flights typically have a 15kg soft-bag luggage limit.
☀️ Afternoon
Seronera Valley Game Drive
Seronera Valley, Serengeti National Park
An afternoon game drive through the Seronera Valley, the Serengeti's wildlife-dense heartland, known for resident lion prides and leopard sightings along the river courses.
Ask your guide to check riverine trees for leopards resting in the branches during the heat of the day.
🌙 Evening
Sundowner at Camp
Tented safari camp, Central Serengeti
Drinks around the fire pit at your tented camp as the plains turn gold, with camp staff briefing you on the next day's sightings.
Bring a fleece — temperatures drop quickly once the sun sets, even in dry season.
🍽️ Meals
Camp breakfast
International · $0 · Included in full-board camp rate
Bush picnic lunch
International · $0 · Included
Camp dinner under the stars
International-African fusion · $0 · Included
Full-Day Migration Tracking
Tuesday, July 13
Est. spend
$60
per person
🌅 Morning
Dawn Game Drive Toward the Mara River
Mara River area, Northern Serengeti
An early start chasing reports of the Great Migration herds, with the chance of witnessing a dramatic river crossing if wildebeest are moving north (peak July–September).
Crossings can happen suddenly and last minutes — patience and a guide tuned into radio chatter from other vehicles pays off.
☀️ Afternoon
Picnic Lunch & Hippo Pool Stop
Hippo Pool, Central Serengeti
A relaxed picnic near a hippo pool, watching pods wallow while your guide points out resident crocodiles.
Keep a safe distance from the water's edge — hippos are responsible for more attacks than any other African mammal.
🌙 Evening
Evening Game Drive & Night Drive Add-on
Central Serengeti concession
A second drive at dusk when predators become active, with an optional spotlight night drive in concession areas where permitted.
Night drives are only allowed in certain private concessions, not the national park itself — check with your camp.
🍽️ Meals
Camp breakfast
International · $0 · Included
Bush picnic lunch
International · $0 · Included
Camp dinner
International-African fusion · $0 · Included
Sunrise Balloon Safari & Maasai Village
Wednesday, July 14
Est. spend
$580
per person
🌅 Morning
Hot Air Balloon Safari at Dawn
Balloon launch site, Central Serengeti
Float silently over the Serengeti plains at sunrise, spotting wildlife from above before landing for a champagne bush breakfast.
Book this on arrival day if possible — capacity is limited and flights sell out during peak migration months.
☀️ Afternoon
Maasai Village Visit
Maasai boma, Serengeti-Ngorongoro corridor
Visit a local Maasai boma to learn about traditional cattle-herding life, watch a welcome dance, and hear about coexistence with wildlife on the conservation area's edge.
A village entry fee usually goes directly to the community — bring small bills if buying beadwork.
🌙 Evening
Sunset Drive Back to Camp
Central Serengeti
A scenic late-afternoon drive back toward camp, often turning up giraffe and elephant silhouetted against the sunset.
Keep your camera ready — golden hour light here is some of the best safari photography you'll get.
🍽️ Meals
Champagne bush breakfast
International · $0 · Included in balloon safari price
Camp lunch
International · $0 · Included
Camp dinner
International-African fusion · $0 · Included
Final Game Drive & Departure
Thursday, July 15
Est. spend
$275
per person
🌅 Morning
Last-Chance Game Drive
Central Serengeti
A final morning drive aimed at species you haven't yet ticked off, with the guide tailoring the route to your sightings list.
Tell your guide on day one which animals matter most to you — they'll prioritize routes accordingly.
☀️ Afternoon
Transfer to Airstrip & Departure Flight
Seronera Airstrip, Serengeti National Park
Light aircraft flight back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro for onward connections.
Confirm your flight time the night before — bush flight schedules can shift with other passenger pickups.
🌙 Evening
Arusha Farewell Dinner
Arusha town center, Tanzania
A relaxed final dinner in Arusha before international departure, reflecting on the trip over Tanzanian coffee.
Arusha coffee houses are a good last stop to buy beans for home.
🍽️ Meals
Camp breakfast
International · $0 · Included
Airport snack box
International · $0 · Included in camp package
Arusha restaurant dinner
Tanzanian-International · $25
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
June to September for the dry season and northern migration river crossings; January to March for calving season on the southern plains.
🛂 Visas
Most nationalities can obtain a Tanzania e-visa online before travel or a visa on arrival at major airports; the East Africa Tourist Visa also covers Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda on a single multi-entry visa if visiting more than one.
💱 Currency
Tanzanian shilling is the local currency, but USD cash is widely used for park fees, balloon safaris, and tips — bring crisp, newer bills as older or torn notes are often refused.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 112
ambulance: 115
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Park fees and balloon safaris are typically quoted and paid in USD — carry small denominations for tips and incidentals.
- Pack neutral-colored clothing (khaki, olive, brown) for game drives — bright colors can disturb wildlife.
- Binoculars are essential — most camps provide a pair per room but a personal set helps for fast-moving sightings.
- Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for the Serengeti region — consult a travel doctor before departure.
- Tipping guides and camp staff (a daily per-person rate) is customary and usually pooled at the end of your stay.
One thing worth not skipping
A 4-day trip to Serengeti, Tanzania without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
Comprehensive cover for 150+ adventure activities, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and baggage. Recommended for most travellers.
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