What You Need to Know: Our 4-day Tanzania safari from London costs from US$2,375 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range level (from US$2,220 at budget level), covering everything from your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to your departure: airport transfers, two nights in Arusha, three nights in the central Serengeti, a Ngorongoro Crater game drive, park fees and a private driver-guide. There are no direct flights from London, so you fly with one stop, usually 11–15 hours in all; you book the flights, and we plan the safari around them. UK passport holders need a Tanzania eVisa (US$50) and the mandatory inbound travel insurance (US$44).
Is a 4-Day Safari Worth the Flight from London?
Yes, if you plan it as a week away. The flight takes most of a day each way, so this safari is built around that: a quiet first night in Arusha to recover, four full days in the parks, and a last night in Arusha so you are not racing from the crater to the airport. Counting the flights, plan on about seven days from leaving London to getting home.
Three nights in the same Serengeti camp is the other reason it works for a short trip. You unpack once, and two of the four days are spent entirely on game drives rather than on the road between parks.
| This safari suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You have about a week of annual leave and want the Serengeti and the crater | You can take ten days: add Zanzibar's beaches with the safari and Zanzibar combination |
| You'd rather have more Serengeti time than more parks | You want Tarangire's elephants as well: the 4-day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari |
| You want arrival, transfers and hotel nights sorted in one quotation | You'd rather fly than drive between parks: the 3-day Serengeti fly-in safari |
How Do You Fly from London to a Tanzania Safari?
You fly from London to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), the closest international airport to Arusha and the northern parks, about an hour's drive from Arusha. There is no direct flight, so every route has one connection. The quickest one-stop routes take about 10.5 hours, and most take 11–15 hours including the layover.
| Airline | Connects in | London airport |
|---|---|---|
| KLM | Amsterdam | Heathrow, and many regional UK airports |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa | Heathrow |
| Kenya Airways | Nairobi | Heathrow |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted |
Schedules and fares change through the year, so compare live fares on the airline sites or a flight search before you book. Three things are worth checking when you choose:
- Fly into Kilimanjaro (JRO), not Dar es Salaam or Nairobi. Dar es Salaam is a day's drive from the northern parks, and Nairobi means a border crossing by road.
- Watch long layovers in Nairobi or Addis Ababa. Tanzania asks for a yellow fever certificate from travelers who have spent 12 hours or more in transit in a yellow fever risk country, which includes Kenya and Ethiopia. A short connection in the airport is not affected.
- Send us your flight numbers once booked. Your driver meets you at arrivals whatever time you land, and on the way home we time the last transfer to your departure.
We don't sell international flights; you book them yourself, which keeps your flights protected under your own airline booking. Everything from the moment you land is in our quotation.
What Do UK Travelers Need Before Flying to Tanzania?
A British passport holder needs a passport valid for six months after arrival with a blank page, a Tanzania eVisa and Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance. Apply for the visa online before you travel: the Tanzania High Commission in London no longer issues visas.
| Before you fly | What UK travelers need to know |
|---|---|
| Visa | Single-entry tourist eVisa, US$50, through the official portal at visa.immigration.go.tz. We can apply for you for a US$45 service fee: see our visa help |
| Passport | Valid for at least six months after your arrival date, with at least one blank page |
| Inbound insurance | Tanzania's government inbound travel insurance is mandatory for visitors, even if you have your own policy: US$44 per adult from October 1, 2026, bought online or on arrival |
| Travel insurance | Your own policy, including medical evacuation |
| Health | Northern Tanzania has malaria below about 5,900 ft (1,800 m); see your GP or a travel clinic well before you travel. Yellow fever: see the transit note above. More in our travel health guide |
| Official advice | Check the FCDO's Tanzania travel advice on GOV.UK before you book and again before you fly |
Two practical details make Tanzania easy for British visitors. Plugs are mostly the same three-pin type G as at home, so your chargers usually work without an adapter, and our Land Cruisers have type G charging points too. And the time difference is small: Tanzania is three hours ahead of the UK in winter and two hours ahead during British Summer Time, so there is little jet lag after the flight.
The 4-Day Safari from London at a Glance
Kilimanjaro airport – Arusha – central Serengeti (3 nights) – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha – Kilimanjaro airport.
| Day | Plan | On the road | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrival | Land at Kilimanjaro, transfer to Arusha | About 1 hour | Arusha |
| 1 | Arusha to the central Serengeti | Most of the day, game viewing from the park gate | Central Serengeti |
| 2 | Full day in the Serengeti | Game drives only | Central Serengeti |
| 3 | Second full day in the Serengeti | Game drives only | Central Serengeti |
| 4 | Ngorongoro Crater, then Arusha | A long day: about 3–4 hours to the crater, the game drive, then 4–5 hours to Arusha | Arusha |
| Departure | Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport | About 1 hour | — |
4-Day Safari from London Itinerary, Day by Day
Lodges are shown for each level and are confirmed for your dates in the quotation; where one is full, we book a similar lodge at the same level.
-
Arrival: London to Kilimanjaro, then Arusha
After the overnight journey from London, your driver meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drives you about an hour to your hotel in Arusha. The rest of the day is yours to rest. In the evening your guide goes through the safari plan with you over dinner and checks your documents.
Stay: Parachichi House (budget), Njiro Luxury Resort (mid-range) or Gran Meliá Arusha (luxury), or similar.
Airport pickupArushaDinner -
Day 1: Arusha to the central Serengeti
After breakfast you set off west, up through the Ngorongoro highlands and down onto the Serengeti plains, with a lunch box on the way. Your game drive starts at the park gate and carries on through the afternoon to your camp near Seronera, so even the travel day is a safari day.
Stay: Engiterata Adventure Camp (budget), Mberesero Serengeti Central Lodge (mid-range) or Nyota Luxury Tented Camp (luxury), or similar.
First game driveHighlands, SerengetiBreakfast, lunch box, dinner -
Day 2: Full day in the Serengeti
A whole day on the plains with no driving to another park. You go out early, when it's cool and the predators are moving, and your guide works the Seronera valley and the kopjes, where lions often rest, with a picnic lunch or a break back at camp in the heat of the day.
Stay: the same camp, so there is no packing.
Morning and afternoon drivesCentral SerengetiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Second full day in the Serengeti
The extra day is what sets this safari apart from shorter trips. Your guide plans it around what Day 2 showed: returning to a lion pride, searching for leopards along the rivers, or following the herds. From December to March the day can be spent heading south towards the calving herds, and in other months your guide follows whichever area has the most activity.
Stay: the same camp.
A day planned around sightingsSerengetiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater, then back to Arusha
The longest day, so it starts at first light. You drive back across the plains to the Ngorongoro highlands, about 3–4 hours, and descend 1,970 ft (600 m) to the crater floor for a game drive among buffaloes, zebras, lions, hyenas and hippos, with the best chance in Tanzania of a black rhino. After a picnic lunch you climb out of the crater and drive back to Arusha, arriving in the evening for dinner.
Stay: Parachichi House (budget), Njiro Luxury Resort (mid-range) or Gran Meliá Arusha (luxury), or similar.
The crater floorNgorongoro, ArushaBreakfast, picnic lunch, dinner -
Departure: Arusha to Kilimanjaro, then London
After breakfast, your driver takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport in good time for your flight home. If your flight leaves late in the day, we can fill the morning with a short trip near Arusha; ask when you book.
Airport drop-offArushaBreakfast
How Much Does a 4-Day Tanzania Safari from London Cost?
The safari costs from US$2,375 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range level, US$2,220 at budget level and US$3,990 at luxury level, from your arrival at Kilimanjaro to your departure. Prices are in US dollars, the currency safari costs are charged in. The per-person price falls as your group grows, because the vehicle, guide and crater fee are shared.
| Travelers | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US$3,220 | US$3,600 | US$5,850 |
| 2 | US$2,220 | US$2,375 | US$3,990 |
| 3 | US$1,855 | US$2,050 | US$3,695 |
| 4 | US$1,865 | US$2,015 | US$3,635 |
| 5 | US$1,715 | US$1,895 | US$3,530 |
| 6 | US$1,745 | US$1,900 | US$3,520 |
To budget the whole trip from London, add your return flights, the US$50 visa, the US$44 inbound insurance, your own travel insurance, and tips for your guide and lodge staff. Three nights inside the Serengeti carry park concession fees on top of the park entry fee, which is why the Serengeti nights account for much of the price.
Park fees on this route
| Fee | 2026 rate (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Serengeti National Park | US$82.60 per person per 24 hours |
| Serengeti concession fee (nights inside the park) | Per person per night, by season |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area (also charged when you drive through) | US$70.80 per person per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro crater service fee | US$295 per vehicle per descent |
What the 4-Day Safari from London Price Includes
- Airport pickup and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Two nights in Arusha and three nights in the central Serengeti, at the level you choose
- Private 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and sliding windows, a fridge for drinks, type G charging points, one pair of binoculars per couple and eco-friendly trash bags
- Your own English-speaking driver-guide for the four safari days
- All park and conservation fees, the Ngorongoro crater service fee and government taxes
- Meals as listed in the itinerary, and drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights from London
- Tanzania visa (US$50 for UK passport holders)
- Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult from October 1, 2026 (we can help you buy it)
- Your own travel insurance, including medical evacuation
- Tips for your guide and lodge staff
- Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses
- Optional activities such as a Serengeti balloon flight
When Is the Best Time to Fly from London for This Safari?
June to October is the best time for this safari: dry weather, short grass and animals gathered near water make game viewing easiest. That covers the UK summer holidays, so July and August are the busiest weeks; book three to six months ahead for those dates. The central Serengeti has resident wildlife all year, so the trip works in most months.
| UK holiday | Season in the Serengeti | Our view |
|---|---|---|
| February half-term | Short dry spell; calving season in the southern Serengeti | Excellent; your guide can head towards the calving herds on Day 3 |
| Easter | Long rains (usually April and May) | The quietest time, with greener landscapes, but slower roads and some camps closed |
| Summer holidays (July–August) | Dry season | The best game viewing and the busiest weeks; book early |
| October half-term | End of the dry season | Very good game viewing and fewer visitors than summer |
| Christmas and New Year | Short rains ending, green season | Good, and popular; book early |
For the migration month by month, see our guide to the Serengeti migration by month.
How Is This Different from Our Other 4-Day Safari?
Both safaris cover the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in four days. This one is built for travelers arriving on a long-haul flight: it adds the airport transfers and an Arusha night on each side, and gives you three Serengeti nights instead of two, in exchange for a longer crater day.
| 4-day safari from London | 4-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport transfers and Arusha nights | Included (2 nights) | Added on request |
| Serengeti nights | 3 | 2 |
| Night before the crater | Serengeti; long crater day | Ngorongoro highlands; shorter crater day |
| Price from (2, mid-range) | US$2,375, from airport to airport | US$2,130, safari days only |
If you'd rather break up the crater day, we can swap the third Serengeti night for a night in the Ngorongoro highlands, as on our 4-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari; ask for both options in your quotation.
How to Book This Safari from the UK
Send us your travel dates, the number of travelers and the lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our team in Moshi will reply with a written quotation. A 30% deposit confirms the safari and the balance is paid on arrival; you can pay online by card through Pesapal or by US-dollar bank transfer. Book your flights once the safari dates are confirmed.
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
Common Questions About a Tanzania Safari from London
Which London airport should I fly from?
Heathrow has the most one-stop options to Kilimanjaro, with KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines also flies from Gatwick and Stansted via Istanbul.
Which airport do I fly into in Tanzania?
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), about an hour from Arusha. It is the gateway to the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater; Dar es Salaam is a day's drive away.
How long is the flight from London to Kilimanjaro?
About 10.5 hours on the quickest one-stop route, and usually 11–15 hours including the layover. There are no direct flights.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Tanzania?
Yes. Apply online for the single-entry eVisa (US$50) before you travel, as the High Commission in London no longer issues visas. You also need Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult.
Are international flights included in the price?
No. You book your flights from London, and our price covers everything from your arrival at Kilimanjaro to your departure.
Will my UK plugs work in Tanzania?
Usually, yes. Most sockets are the British three-pin type G at 230 V, and our Land Cruisers have type G charging points.
Is four days enough for the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater?
Yes. With three Serengeti nights you get two full days on the plains plus the crater; five or six days let you add Tarangire and Lake Manyara.
Can I see the Great Migration on this safari?
Possibly. The herds move with the rains: from December to March they calve in the southern Serengeti, within reach on Day 3; in other months tell us your dates and we will say where they are likely to be.
Can I change the itinerary or the lodges?
Yes. You can choose budget, mid-range or luxury lodges, add nights, add Zanzibar, or swap a Serengeti night for one near the crater; we requote with every change.
The Bottom Line
From London, this is the simplest way to see the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in about a week: fly with one stop to Kilimanjaro, and we handle every transfer, hotel night and game drive from arrival to departure, from US$2,375 per person for two at mid-range level. Book your safari dates first, then your flights, and plan for June to October or the February half-term for the best game viewing.