Serengeti Safari

  • 7 Days
  • 7 People Max

    4 - 7 guests

  • Activity Level 2
    • Activity Level 2

      On the Move

      Sure, I own some hiking boots, they're even worn in, but they don't go on long trips. I like my creature comforts and I like to give a range of activities a go.

    Read more about the Active Range

  • Trip Start: Arusha
  • Trip End: Arusha
Serengeti Safari Nyumbu

Experience the beating heart of Africa and follow the steps of the Big Five on our Serengeti safari adventure

We'll take you on a one-of-a-kind Serengeti Safari, where you'll get plenty of opportunities to witness the 'Great Migration' and spot the 'Big Five'. Enjoy sundowners from your tented camp, where the wildlife viewing never stops! Close your eyes and imagine a classic scene of wildlife roaming across savannah plains in Africa. Chances are, you’re imagining the Serengeti National Park. And that’s where we’re heading on safari! From the fauna-rich Ngorongoro Crater (one of the seven Natural Wonders of Africa), to the colourful and fascinating Maasai tribes, our journey will leave a lasting impression on you. If you’ve just completed an Active trek to Kilimanjaro, this is the perfect way to unwind and connect with nature.

   This trip is operated by Active Adventures.

Serengeti Safari ~ Itinerary

Trip Start: Arusha Trip End: Arusha
  • Day 1Arrive

  • Day 2Journey to Selela Forest, visit Maasai Boma, Hike elephant trail

  • Day 3Game drive around Ngorongoro Crater

  • Day 4Game drives in Seronera area, relax at camp

  • Day 5Game drive to Northern Serengeti

  • Day 6Game drive to Mara River

  • Day 7Return Home

  • Day 1

    Arrive

    Once you arrive into Tanzania today we’ll meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and take you to our accommodation for the evening, where we’ll enjoy dinner together and get excited about the days ahead.

    Rivertrees Country Inn (Dinner)

  • Day 2

    Journey to Selela Forest, visit Maasai Boma, Hike elephant trail

    For those joining from our Kilimanjaro Trek, you’ll begin your safari trip here. Once the Kilimanjaro guests have joined us we'll go through a detailed trip briefing before loading up to take a 3-hour drive to Selela Forest, stopping off at a Maasai Boma where we’ll encounter the day-to-day life and share a traditional goat roast with the local Maasai for a picnic lunch. Afterward, we’ll head out for a hike up the escarpment on an Elephant trail, this trail is still in use by the elephants at night time! Once at the top we’ll have amazing views out over the old Volcanic range of Kitumbeni and Losimungur. Once we’ve explored the area we’ll continue on to our accommodation for the night, the Bougainvillea Safari Lodge is a small sanctuary on the edge of Karatu town where we can take a break from the dusty roads and enjoy fresh country cuisine, a cool garden environment, and stellar Tanzanian hospitality. Each cozy room has its veranda from which we can enjoy the views of our lush tropical gardens and there’s a pool to relax in too!

    Bougainvillea Safari Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 3

    Game drive around Ngorongoro Crater

    We’ll check-out from camp early this morning, something you’ll quickly become familiar with on safari. Drive over the Ngorongoro highlands, with views of Ngorongoro crater and descend onto the Serengeti Plains . Take the less travelled track via the Gol and Simba Kopjes as you make your way to the Seronera area. Our eco-friendly camp tonight provides accommodation under canvas in large classic style tents with on demand hot water and flush toilets. We’ll sleep in tents, elevated on wood platforms, with comfortable furnishings, and the location, quite near Retima Hippo pool, is a perfect launching point for wildlife viewing to most of the hotspots in central Serengeti.

    Hippo Trails Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 4

    Game drives in Seronera area, relax at camp

    All the camps that we choose to stay at operate in the most environmentally sustainable manner, with solar-powered lighting, zero plastic, and recycling wherever possible; a nice thought to have as you sip your morning coffee enjoying your non-stop safari experience from your tent verandah. Today we’ll base our game drives from our camp, exploring the Seronera area. Seronera is known as predator capital of the world, lion sightings are common, and the riverbank is home to one of the world's densest population of leopards. The sausage trees and umbrella thorns rank among the best places in Africa to search for leopards - there are too few tall trees for these elusive creatures to be well-hidden. The vast plains south of the Seronera River, often known as the Serengeti Plains, are good for cheetahs sightings too. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch out in the bush and there will also be time to relax and enjoy the wilderness surrounding the camp.

    Hippo Trails Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 5

    Game drive to Northern Serengeti

    This morning we’ll continue our game drive, onto the Northern Serengeti region. You’ll learn along the way how the enormous Serengeti National Park is a critically important open ecosystem, set directly on the Great Migration route, an event considered ‘the greatest show on earth’. Our camp for the next two nights is located not far from the Mara River, a beautiful area with a mix of gently rolling hills and riverine forests, broken by small rivers and occasional granite outcrops and ‘kopjes’. We’ll sleep in spacious tents with en-suite facilities, including an eco-friendly flush toilet and bucket shower, and we can enjoy a campfire in the evenings with sundowners and snacks, and relive the day’s experiences.

    Kati Kati Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 6

    Game drive to Mara River

    After your early morning cuppa around the communal fire, we’ll catch the sunrise out on safari. Today you can expect a scenic landscape made up of hills, riverine forests, plains and rocky outcrops. The famous Mara River runs through this area, offering you the opportunity to potentially witness wildebeest and zebra’s crossing the river. Tonight we’ll share a final meal together and swap stories of the wildlife highlights experienced on this safari.

    Kati Kati Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 7

    Return Home

    After breakfast, we’ll take our final game drive to Kogatende Airstrip, for a scenic regional flight back to Arusha Airport. We’ll head out for lunch in Arusha after we land before making the transfer across to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your flights (or your joining hotel if you’re staying on in Tanzania).

    No accommodation (Breakfast, Lunch)

Trip Dates

Serengeti Safari Departure Dates

  • Upcoming
  • 3 months
  • 6 months
  • 1 year
USD $7999/per adult
4 Jul 2023
2023
4 Jul10 Jul
Departure Filling Up Filling Up
1 Aug 2023
2023
1 Aug6 Aug
Departure Open Open
15 Aug 2023
2023
15 Aug20 Aug
Departure Open Open
29 Aug 2023
2023
29 Aug3 Sep
Departure Almost Full Almost Full
12 Sep 2023
2023
12 Sep17 Sep
Departure Open Open
26 Sep 2023
2023
26 Sep1 Oct
Departure Open Open
10 Oct 2023
2023
10 Oct15 Oct
Departure Open Open

Interactive Trip Map: Click on the map icons to read details for each day

Austin PIF 2

Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full.

By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. 

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.

T+Cs Apply.

READ MORE

Useful Info

Where does the trip start?

On the first day of the trip our two pick-up locations are the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) anytime on Day 1 or we’ll meet you at the Rivertrees Country Inn at 5pm. You are welcome to book your pre-trip stay at this hotel directly or any other hotel in Arusha, though you must make your own way to one of the two pick-up points at the pre-designated times.

Where does the trip end?

Your trip ends with a drop-off at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in time for flights below. 

What flights would you recommend?

Arrival: If you’re flying in on the first day of the trip, we recommend arriving in Arusha by 4pm.

Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Kilimanjaro International Airport after 6pm. If you’re considering alternative flight times, please check with us.

How fit do I need to be for this safari?

As an Activity Level 1-3 trip, you’ll need a good level of fitness for this safari. While you don’t have to be extremely fit, you should be in the habit of doing medium to long walks. Each walking activity will comprise of two walks per day; a 3-4 hour walk in the morning and a 2-3 hour walk in the afternoon and upto 15 kilometres a day (9 miles). Most of the walks on this trip are from 2 to 3 hours at a relaxed pace. The terrain in the Northern Serengeti is mainly open, with rolling hills, some thicker bush patches, creeks and valleys. Advance preparation means you’ll enjoy the active and outdoor nature of your trip all the more. Please head to our Fitness Guide for great tips on how to prepare along with a workout plan!

What accommodations do we stay at on this safari?

While in Arusha you will stay at a Lodge with garden view rooms, all with ensuites. While camping, some nights you will be in deluxe bell 4 metre tents furnished with double beds bedding, chairs, luggage racks. A large bathroom will be attached with a hot water shower and the camp will have a shared dining area.

We recommend bringing enough clothing to not have to do laundry during your safari and while there may be laundry facilities at one location in Arusha - there may only be one machine to service your entire group. There will be no laundry facilities at any of the camps though we recommend hand-washing items if you want to.

How much luggage can I bring on this safari?

You’ll need one piece of luggage on your safari, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage needs to be soft-sided, preferably a small duffel bag about 50 litres in size, and a good quality daypack 25-30 litres (2000 cubic inches) to use for carrying items you’ll need throughout the day. 

Included in your safari itinerary is a chartered Flight from Kogatende to Arusha Airport. The weight requirements on the chartered flight is a maximum 10 kilograms (22 pounds) for your check in bag, and maximum 5 kilograms (11 pounds) for your daypack/ carry on. Therefore this does limit your luggage for the entire trip to 15 kilograms (33 pounds) including photographic equipment, in total however you’ll return to Arusha before you fly out so you can store luggage at the joining hotel if you wish.

What safety measures are in place for the camps and walking excursions?

You’ll be accompanied by your experienced Safari trip leader, who’s there to keep you informed about Tanzania and make sure that everything runs smoothly; a qualified safari guide, who will provide additional local knowledge of the flora and fauna; a driver and also a team of walking guides! 

Your safety is the prime concern and decisions always default on the side of the caution and the safest option. You’ll be staying at a few Walking Camps for a few of the nights in this trip. These camps are set up in unfenced area’s within Northern Serengeti. Animals (including lions and elephants) often frequent the camp and you should be aware and take caution. The local guide and his team will be on hand to assist at all times. Each Camp you stay at will also have a team of people ensuring you’re well fed and catered too.

The walks from the camps will take place will be guided by very experienced walking trails guides and a scout from the Park authority. There will be two armed guides/scouts walking in front with all 8 guests in single file behind them. The route and directions are not fixed and is decided by the lead guide at the time of the walk, considering all relevant aspects including safety.

Is tipping expected in Africa?

Most people do choose to tip their Active Adventures safari guides and we recommend USD$20 per day, per guest, per guide. During your Active Adventures trip, your guides will take care of all included restaurants and service tips for you. For other restaurants or services during your holiday, 5-10% is a typical gratuity amount.

How do rooming arrangements work?

Trip prices are based on shared arrangements (typically two guests per room), unless otherwise stated. For solo travellers, we’ll pair you with another person of the same gender to share rooms and if there’s no one suitable to share with, there’s no forced single supplement. However, if you specifically request your own rooms, you can opt to pay the single supplement. Solo travellers who book within 90 days of departure, where there are no other solo travellers willing to share, will be required to pay the single supplement. 

For Family Vacation bookings, families consisting of four guests traveling with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

show more

show less

Why Travel With Us

11

Experience adventure the way you want

You’ll be inspired and exhilarated, enjoying mind-blowing scenery on foot, in a sea kayak, or by bike - all at your own pace. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime.

benefits awards

Crafting award-winning trips for decades - the Kiwi way

We're proud of our Kiwi roots and you’ll love our professional, warm and relaxed style of hosting. Plus, we’re always here to help with planning, travel, bookings... even hiking boot recommendations!

benefit time v2

Every detail covered, to maximise your time

As soon as your trip starts, we've got everything covered – top notch meals, comfortable transport, superb accommodation, amazing guides and INCREDIBLE service.

benefit group travel

Group travel for those who aren’t ‘group travellers’

With our small groups of typically no more than 14 (up to 18 max), you'll get to know our team, your fellow travellers, and have the flexibility and freedom to do as much (or as little!) as you like. It’s all about going at your own pace.

benefit gems

Explore hidden gems through our expert local guides

All our carefully selected guides are highly experienced and have deep personal connections to nature and culture. You’ll enjoy a special experience, authentic local knowledge and an adventure like no other.

benefit review

4.54 out of 5 from 17042 reviews. That’s pretty solid.

We could hang around all day telling you how wonderful our trips are... but the best people to hear it from are our guests themselves.

Trip Inquiry

Africa

Serengeti Safari