3 Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Group Safari

The minimum amount of time needed to explore the Serengeti is three days. However, if possible, it’s best to plan for a longer stay. While three days won’t allow you to see everything the Serengeti has to offer, focusing on a specific area can provide a solid understanding of why this safari park is a favorite among visitors to Africa.

Your choice of area may depend on the time of year you visit. If you’re there during the migration, you’ll want to concentrate on the regions where animals gather during those months. If you happen to be in the right area during the migration, three days will be enough to witness one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth.

If you visit outside of the migration period, you might be surprised by how much of the Serengeti you can explore in a relatively short time. After all, just one exciting sighting or wildlife encounter can make your entire safari experience truly worthwhile.

What are the accommodation options?

The Serengeti offers a wide range of accommodation options, with lodges and tented camps being the most popular. Lodges are typically four-walled structures featuring rooms that are often decorated in safari colors. They provide excellent locations—often situated deep within the Serengeti’s prime wildlife areas—combined with luxury amenities and quality service.

Tented camps consist of spacious canvas safari tents, allowing guests to lie awake at night listening for lions. These tents can vary from basic setups to extremely luxurious options.

Some of the tented camps are mobile, meaning they follow the migration's typical route through the park. They remain in one location until the animals move on, at which point they are dismantled and relocated to follow the wildlife. While these mobile camps tend to be less luxurious, many still offer a high level of comfort. Some of these camps may move between two or even three different locations within the Serengeti. Additionally, there are a few camping options available, but they are primarily found in the central Seronera area.

Which animals am I likely to see on a 3-day Serengeti safari?

Your experience in the Serengeti will largely depend on where you are located. If you're following the migration, you'll encounter more zebras and wildebeests than you ever imagined. The sound of the migrating animals is constant, and from a distance, they resemble a moving river. Where there is such an abundance of prey, predators are never far behind, particularly lions, leopards, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas. However, you don’t need to be near the migration to observe most of these species; some of my most rewarding encounters with big cats have happened away from the migration routes.

The Serengeti is home to a vast number of antelope species. You can also commonly spot elephants, giraffes, black-backed jackals, and buffalo, along with an impressive variety of birds. Black rhinos also roam in the shadows of the Serengeti, but seeing one is quite rare and truly a special experience.

How much will this safari cost?

The cost of a 3-day Serengeti safari can vary significantly based on several factors, with the level of luxury being the most important. If you choose to stay in high-end tented camps or lodges, you can expect to pay over $2,000 per person, especially if you include local flights to, from, or within the Serengeti. Conversely, if you are on a budget and opt for a camping safari, prices can start at around $850 per person and may reach approximately $1,250.

Several other factors can influence the total cost, including the season of travel, the number of nights you stay (2 or 3), and transport options such as flights and the number of people per vehicle. If you choose a budget camping safari, you may be expected to participate in setting up camp, cooking, and other responsibilities during the trip.

What can I expect from a 3-day Serengeti safari?

You can expect to see a wide variety of animals on your safari. This experience is a classic East African safari, featuring numerous wildlife sightings against a backdrop of vast savannah grasslands that stretch to the horizon. Be prepared to start your day early, as the activities of nighttime predators often continue into the early morning hours. You’ll also have opportunities to observe wildlife in the late afternoon as they prepare for the night ahead. Game drives typically last between two to five hours.

During the hottest part of the day, you'll usually return to your camp or lodge for lunch and relaxation before heading out again in the mid to late afternoon. A highlight of the late-afternoon drive is the sundowner, a charming safari tradition where you stop for drinks at a scenic spot while watching the sunset. Additionally, a hot-air balloon safari can be an incredible experience, though it is generally offered as an add-on to a standard 3-day safari.