Vian Tours and Travel: 8-Day Deep Dive Serengeti Safari
This intensive itinerary is designed for the ultimate safari enthusiast, maximizing time inside the Serengeti National Park for an in-depth exploration of its diverse ecosystems and seasonal wildlife movements, culminating with a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater.
Day 1: Arrival at JRO & Transfer to Arusha
- Activity: Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by a Vian Tours and Travel representative and transferred to your lodge in Arusha. You’ll receive a detailed pre-safari briefing from your guide. The day is for relaxation and acclimatization.
- Included: Dinner
- Suggested Accommodation: Rivertrees Country Inn (Mid-range) or Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge (Luxury)
Day 2: Flight to Serengeti & Central Serengeti Game Drive
- Activity: After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Arusha Airport (ARK) for a scenic domestic flight into the Serengeti National Park (e.g., Seronera Airstrip). Flying saves valuable time.
- Afternoon: Your Vian guide will meet you at the airstrip. You’ll begin an extensive game drive en route to your camp in the Central Serengeti (Seronera region). This area is the park’s heart, known for its permanent water sources and high concentration of resident predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
- Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Domestic Flight
- Suggested Accommodation: Serengeti Kati Kati Camp (Mid-range) or Four Seasons Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Day 3 & 4: Full Exploration of Central Serengeti
- Activity: Two full days dedicated to mastering the Central Serengeti ecosystem.
- Focus: Tracking predators around the famous Seronera River Valley, observing large lion prides on the scattered kopjes (rock outcrops), and visiting key hippo pools. The consistent presence of prey here guarantees excellent photographic opportunities.
- Optional Activity: Hot-air balloon safari at sunrise on one of these mornings (additional cost).
- Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Both Days)
- Suggested Accommodation: Serengeti Kati Kati Camp (Mid-range) or Four Seasons Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Day 5 & 6: Migration Tracking (Seasonal Sector)
- Activity: You will embark on a full-day game drive to move to a different sector of the Serengeti, strategically located to follow the Great Migration based on the time of year.
- Seasonal Focus: Your accommodation will be a mobile or semi-permanent camp in the North (for Mara River crossings, Aug-Oct), the West (for Grumeti River crossings, May-Jul), or the South (for the calving season, Dec-Mar).
- Logistics: These two days are spent exploring this specific ecosystem, maximizing your chances of witnessing one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events.
- Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Both Days)
- Suggested Accommodation: Asanja Africa Mobile Camp (Mid-range/Luxury) or Sayari Camp (Luxury – North)
Day 7: Final Serengeti Drive & Ngorongoro Crater Highlands
- Activity: Enjoy a final morning game drive in the seasonal sector. After lunch, you will fly from a local airstrip (e.g., Kogatende, Grumeti, or Seronera) toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
- Logistics: Land at a suitable airstrip (e.g., Manyara) and be transferred to a lodge in the Ngorongoro Highlands (Karatu area). This evening allows you to relax and prepare for the final highlight.
- Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Domestic Flight
- Suggested Accommodation: Eileen’s Trees Inn (Mid-range) or Gibb’s Farm (Luxury)
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater Tour & Departure
- Activity: Early morning descent into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive. This UNESCO site offers a high concentration of wildlife in a confined area, including the best chance to spot the endangered Black Rhino.
- Departure: After ascending the crater rim, you will be transferred back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) (approx. 4-hour drive) for your international departure.
- Included: Breakfast, Lunch.
