The Best of Both Worlds
This 10-day itinerary is designed for the golfer who doesn't want to choose between world-class golf and the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth. The structure is simple: golf in the morning, safari in the afternoon — with full safari days built in for the big-ticket experiences. You play 4 rounds across the trip while witnessing the Great Migration's 2 million wildebeest crossing the Serengeti.
When to Go
July-September: The Great Migration is in the northern Serengeti and western corridor. Mara River crossings (the dramatic stampede scenes from documentaries) peak in August. Golf conditions are ideal — dry, warm, 18-24°C mornings.
January-February: The migration is on the southern Serengeti plains for calving season. Over 8,000 calves are born daily. Golf conditions are equally good — warm with occasional afternoon showers.
This itinerary is timed for July-September (migration peak), but the structure works for January-February with adjusted lodge locations.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Kilimanjaro — Arusha
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport. Transfer to Arusha (45 min). Check into Arusha Coffee Lodge or Gran Melia Arusha. Rest, acclimatize, and stretch after the flight. Dinner at the lodge.
Day 2: Arusha — Golf Round 1
Morning: Play 18 holes at the Arusha Golf Course — a mature parkland layout at the foot of Mount Meru. The 6,042-yard course winds through indigenous forest with colobus monkeys and hornbills. Green fees: $40-60. Altitude: 1,400m.
Afternoon: Visit the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre or relax at the lodge pool. Evening briefing with your safari guide for the days ahead.
Day 3: Arusha — Ngorongoro Crater
Drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (3 hours). Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive. The 260 km² caldera is the densest wildlife concentration on Earth: Big 5 sightings in a single day are standard. Black rhinos (20-30 individuals), lion prides, elephant herds, buffalo, and flamingo-lined Lake Magadi. This is a full safari day — no golf, and you won't miss it.
Overnight at a crater-rim lodge: Ngorongoro Serena, The Manor, or Lemala Ngorongoro.
Day 4: Ngorongoro — Serengeti (Central)
Morning: Drive through the Ngorongoro Highlands into the Serengeti (3-4 hours). The descent from the crater rim to the Serengeti plains is one of Africa's most dramatic road transitions — from highland forest to endless golden grassland.
Afternoon: First Serengeti game drive. Central Serengeti (Seronera area) offers year-round wildlife: lion prides around the Seronera River, leopards in the sausage trees, elephants, and resident zebra herds. Check into your lodge: Serena Serengeti, Dunia Camp, or Kubu Kubu.
Day 5: Serengeti — Golf Round 2
Morning: Play 18 holes at the Serengeti course. Tee off at 7:30 AM for the best conditions — cool air, low wind, and golden savanna light. Giraffes and zebra will be visible from multiple holes. The par-3 13th, playing over a waterhole, is the round's highlight.
Afternoon: Game drive focusing on predator activity. Late afternoon is prime time for lion and cheetah hunts as the day cools and prey animals become active. Sundowner drinks at a kopje viewpoint with 360-degree Serengeti panorama.
Day 6: Serengeti — Full Safari Day
Full day of game drives in the Serengeti. This is your Big 5 day: cover maximum ground with your guide, track the migration herds (their location depends on the month), and seek out the predators that follow them. Packed bush lunch eaten in the shade of a balanites tree with zebra grazing 50 meters away.
If you're here in August-September, drive to the Mara River crossing points in the northern Serengeti (2-3 hours from central). Witnessing thousands of wildebeest plunging into the crocodile-filled river is the most dramatic wildlife event on Earth.
Day 7: Serengeti — Golf Round 3
Morning: Second round at the Serengeti course or an alternative 9-hole layout. Today you know the course — play the holes you struggled with yesterday and aim for improvement. Morning wildlife on the course is often different from the first round.
Afternoon: Optional activities — walking safari with armed ranger ($80-120pp), hot air balloon over the Serengeti ($550pp, with champagne bush breakfast), or a cultural visit to a nearby Maasai community.
Day 8: Serengeti — Lake Manyara
Morning: Final game drive in the Serengeti. Departure toward Lake Manyara (5-6 hours with game viewing en route through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area).
Afternoon: Arrive at Lake Manyara. This compact park is famous for tree-climbing lions (unique behavior seen in few places worldwide), vast flamingo flocks, and dense elephant populations. Check into Lake Manyara Serena Lodge or Gibb's Farm.
Day 9: Lake Manyara — Golf Round 4
Morning: Play 18 holes at a local course near Karatu or Manyara — a more relaxed, scenic round with views of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Green fees: $30-50. The course is less manicured than the Serengeti but the setting — volcanic hills, coffee plantations, and Rift Valley views — is spectacular.
Afternoon: Optional second game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, or relax at the lodge. Farewell dinner with your guide and caddie. Exchange scorecards and safari stories.
Day 10: Depart
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airstrip for your onward flight. Alternatively, fly to Zanzibar (1 hour) for a 3-4 night beach extension — you've earned it.
Cost Estimate
| Component | Per Person |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (9 nights) | $2,500-6,000 |
| Internal transport + guide | $1,200-2,000 |
| Park fees (Ngorongoro + Serengeti + Manyara) | $700-900 |
| Green fees (4 rounds) | $200-400 |
| Club rental (if needed) | $120-200 |
| Balloon safari (optional) | $550 |
| Total per person | $4,720-9,550 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play more than 4 rounds?
Yes — add a round at Arusha or arrange a second full day at the Serengeti course. However, this itinerary balances golf with safari intentionally. More golf means fewer game drives, and you don't fly to the Serengeti to skip the wildlife.
What handicap level is this trip designed for?
All levels welcome. The courses are forgiving for high handicappers (wide fairways, minimal forced carries) and challenging for low handicappers (altitude adjustments, wind, unfamiliar conditions). The goal is enjoyment, not competition — unless you organize your own tournament.
Can non-golfers join this itinerary?
Absolutely. While you play, non-golfers do morning game drives, spa treatments, bush walks, or sleep in. The afternoon schedule is shared. Many golf safari groups include non-golfers who love the overall experience. See our separate guide on activities for non-golfers.
Serengeti Golf Safaris Team
Golf Safari Specialist
Specialist in combining world-class golf with Big Five safari experiences across Tanzania. Verified by Inspirations Africa.