The Perfect 2 Nights and 3-Day Fly-in Serengeti Safari Itinerary
Best 3-Day Fly-In Serengeti Safari from Arusha – All-Inclusive
A 3-Day Fly-In Serengeti Safari is a perfect 3-Day Fly-In Serengeti Safari designed by Mpenzi Safaris Africa. If you are a wildlife buff but do not have time to spend on a long overland transfer, then our 3-Day Fly-In Serengeti Safari is just the right thing. This brief flying Tanzania Safari allows you to bypass the five-to-six hour road drive from Arusha to the plains and arrive in just about an hour by a light Cessna Grand Caravan plane. You will spend two complete days and two optimal game-drive windows within the Serengeti National Park, staying in a convenient lodge and getting back to Arusha reinvigorated and filled with memories.
Included below is an informal but handy brief on the 3-Day Fly-In Serengeti Safari itinerary, logistics, price, tips, and extras. This will give you an indication of what to expect when going on this popular short 3-Day Fly-In Serengeti Safari.
Why a 3-Day Fly-In Serengeti Safari?
- Quick: One hour flight instead of a long drive by car — perfect when time is of the essence.
- More safari time: Get there feeling good and ready to enjoy the morning and afternoon game drives.
- Comfort: Sleep in a superior lodge with all-included meals, transfers and guided driving.
- Easy to access: Suitable for newbies or those visiting somewhere else.
Fly-in safaris are usually done as group tours (unless you specifically ask and pay separately for your own vehicle). Light planes seat from 15 to 40 passengers depending; baggage is limited (usually 15 kg per person), so it is desirable to travel light.
Summary of 3-Day Fly-In Serengeti Safari
- Day 1 — Start Arusha and fly to Serengeti
- Day 2 — Full day Serengeti (am and pm drive)
- Day 3 – Final morning game drive and departing flight to Arusha.
Rapid Facts
- Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
- Itinerary: Arusha (Kilimanjaro International Airport / domestic airstrip) ← Serengeti
- Transport: Light plane return journeys (approx. 1 hour each way)_distances between lodges driven in 4×4 game vehicles
- Baggage limit: ~15 kg per passenger (fixed)
- Group vs Private: Typically group vehicle (private vehicle on extra charge)
- Main activities: Game drives in the morning and afternoon, optional nature walk or Maasai visit, lodge facilities.
A Detailed 3-Day Serengeti Safari Fly-in Itinerary
Day 1 — Start Arusha and fly to Serengeti
On the 1st Day of 3-Day Fly-in Serengeti Safari, We will transfer you from your hotel or Arusha international airport to the domestic terminal. You should arrive there for check-in an hour prior to your flight. Following a brief flight in a light plane (roughly 1 hour), you will be deposited at Serengeti airstrip where your lodge driver-guide will await you.
You will be transferred to your camp or lodge – a comfortable property with stunning vistas of the park. If you arrive in the morning you will have lunch and time to relax. You depart in the late afternoon (at about 15:30) on your initial game drive. These evening outings are predators and golden light photo time. You return to lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Lodge: Generally Serengeti Serena Lodge or a similar mid-range or comfort location, subject to availability and package.
Day 2 — Full day Serengeti (AM and PM Drive)
Rise early to a game drive at sunrise (it is a good idea to leave about 06:15). This is when animals are busiest and when it is good light to photograph. Following a pleasant breakfast at the lodge, you have time to yourself — you can laze by the pool, go on a nature walk if you wish, or go to a nearby Maasai village (this is optional and extra cost).
In the afternoon, have an afternoon game drive to various sections — Seronera Valley, rocky outcrops, and riverfront areas are good for spotting lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and many others. Dinner in the evening and return to the lodge to discuss what you have experienced with fellow guests and retire for your last day.
Optional activities: Hot-air balloon ride at dawn (Book in Advance), walking guide tour, Maasai culture visit.
Day 3 – Final Morning Game Drive and Departing Flight to Arusha
On the third day of 3-Day Fly-In Serengeti Safari, a morning game drive allows you to view game as the sun is rising. Following this return to the lodge to have breakfast, pack up, and depart to the airstrip to fly back to Arusha (1-hour flight). Upon arriving in Arusha, our driver-guide will pick you up to drive you to your hotel or to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
And that will mark the end of your 3-Day Fly-In Serengeti Safari
What’s Typically Included
- Two nights’ room accommodation inclusive of all meals is offered.
- Return Arusha to Serengeti flights (inclusive of taxes)
- Game drives through 4×4 vehicles and guides.
- English-speaking professional driver/guide services during lodge transfers and regional support
- Airstrip transfers in Serengeti
- 24-hour regional assistance / back-up support
What is excluded (things to know)
- Cost of International flight and visa
- Park entry & concession fees (most operators apply these paid locally; see below) — The itinerary specifies Concession fees of USD 300 for 02 nights paid in cash (US dollars) upon check-in as a rule — confirm exact price upon booking.
- Tips, alcoholic drinks, washing machine usage, calls, and other personalized expenditures.
- Credit card charge (5–7% routinely) or bank transfer fees (e.g., USD 50)
- Supplement activities such as hot-air balloon, visiting Maasai villages, nature walks (unless stated)
Estimated Cost Range (Ballpark)
- Season prices vary depending on lodge rating, group size and availability. These are approximate figures to aid planning only – request an exact price to suit your dates.
- Budget / Value mid-market (group-shared fly-in package) : USD 1,200–1,700 per person (return flight included, basic camp/lodge, all included meals).
- Comfort / Mid-range (like Serengeti Serena): USD 1,800–2,600 for each person.
- Private car or fancy lodge upgrade: USD 3,000+ per person, depending on lodge and private services.
- Hot-air balloon: USD 450–600 per person (optional add-on). (Rates are seasonal — inquire about a personalized quote)
Packing & Bag suggestions
- Baggage limit is strict: 15 kg per passenger for light planes. Pack wisely — include camera gear, some clothes, and toiletries. Usually, you need to use soft-sided bags.
- Essentials: Binoculars, telephoto lens (200–400mm optimal), hat, sunscreen, closed shoes, light jacket to wear in the morning, refillable plastic water bottle, power bank.
- Documents: Travel insurance details, concession park receipts (if prepaid) (printed).
Best time to visit
- Dry periods (Jun–Sep & Dec–Mar): Best game views and most frequent flights. Jul–Oct is when northern Serengeti river crossings happen, peak migration season.
- Green season (April–May): Fewer crowds, picturesque green scenery, lower rates — but some activities may be ruined by rain.
Additional Experiences
- Hot-air balloon safari: A sunrise balloon gives a great view over the plains, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bushes when you land. Book early.
- Maasai village visit: Short cultural trip to spend time among Maasai people and learn about bead work and nomadic lifestyle. Pay small community fees.
- Private car: You can have a private 4×4 if you book it against an additional charge.
Rapid FAQ on 3-Day Fly-In Serengeti Safari
Q: Is 15 kg baggage limit strict?
A: Yes — small airplanes have strict regulations. You can order excess luggage in advance sometimes as cargo, but it will cost extra.
Q: Do air fares come in?
A: Return fares are sometimes included in fly-in specials; ask in writing. An exception applies if no return fares included when quoting.
Q: Can families come on this itinerary?
A: Yes — families can have fly-in safaris. Check light plane child age limitations and family policy of lodges.
Q: Are game drives communal?
A: Usually yes if you’re renting a private vehicle. Public vehicles are cheaper and are typically used in group fly-in deals.
