6-Day Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
This itinerary is designed to offer a perfect introduction to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit, balancing incredible wildlife viewing with comfortable travel days.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – Welcome to Arusha
Your safari begins upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). You will be warmly greeted by a representative who will assist you and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. This evening is yours to relax and acclimatize to the African air. Enjoy the amenities of your hotel, perhaps with a dip in the pool or a quiet dinner, as you anticipate the adventures ahead.
Overnight: Kibo Palace Hotel (All Budgets)
Mid-Range: Standard Room
Luxury: Executive Suite
High-End: Premium Suite
Meals: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Ancient Baobabs and Elephants of Tarangire
After an early breakfast, you will meet your professional safari guide and depart for Tarangire National Park. The journey is scenic, taking you through the Masai steppe. Tarangire is instantly recognizable by its sprawling savannah and ancient baobab trees. It is famous for having the largest concentration of elephants in Tanzania, and you will likely see large herds gathering around the Tarangire River. Keep an eye out for lions, leopards, and a myriad of bird species. After a full day of game drives, you will head to your lodge for a relaxing evening.
Overnight:
Mid-Range: Marera Valley Lodge
Luxury: Marera Valley Lodge (Luxury Villa) or Acacia Farm Lodge
High end: Lemala Mpingo Ridge Lodge
Meals: Full Board
Day 3: Into the Endless Plains of the Serengeti
Today, you drive towards the legendary Serengeti National Park. Your route takes you up the Rift Valley escarpment and through the stunning Ngorongoro Conservation Area, offering a brief glimpse of the crater from the rim. You will descend onto the vast Serengeti plains, whose name derives from the Maa word “Siringet,” meaning “the place where the land runs on forever.” Your first game drive begins as you enter the park, heading towards your camp. The sheer scale and abundance of wildlife here are breathtaking.
Overnight:
Mid-Range: Tanzania Bush Camps or Sidai Lodge
Luxury: Baobab Serengeti or Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
High end: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti or Singita Faru Faru
Meals: Full Board
Day 4: Full Day Exploring the Serengeti
This is a dedicated day to immerse yourself fully in the Serengeti ecosystem. You will venture out after breakfast for a full day of game viewing, with a packed lunch to maximize your time in the wilderness. Your guide will tailor the day’s route based on current wildlife movements, which may lead you to the Great Migration’s river crossings (typically July-October in the north or December-March in the south for the calving season). Whether tracking a pride of lions on the hunt, watching a cheetah survey the plains, or simply absorbing the timeless landscape, today is the quintessential African safari experience. You return to your camp as the sun sets, for a well-deserved dinner and to share stories of the day.
Mid-Range: Tanzania Bush Camps or Sidai Lodge
Luxury: Baobab Serengeti or Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
High end: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti or Singita Faru Faru
Meals: Full Board
Day 5: The Ngorongoro Crater – A World Unto Itself
You begin with an early morning game drive in the Serengeti, enjoying the cool air and active wildlife. Afterwards, you proceed to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The highlight of your trip awaits: a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and forms a natural enclosure for an astonishing density of animals, including the rare black rhino. The crater floor is a microcosm of East African wildlife, and the chances of seeing the Big Five are exceptionally high. After an extensive game drive and a picnic lunch by the hippo pool, you ascend the crater rim and drive to your lodge in Karatu.
Overnight:
Mid-Range: Marera Valley Lodge or Bougainvillea Safari Lodge
luxury: The Manor at Ngorongoro or Ngorongoro Forest Lodge
High end: The Manor at Ngorongoro (Suite)
Meals: Full Board
Day 6: Tree-Climbing Lions of Lake Manyara and Departure
After a leisurely breakfast, you make your way to the final park of your safari: Lake Manyara National Park. This compact and beautiful park is nestled at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment. It is famous for its tree-climbing lions, vast troops of baboons, and immense flocks of flamingos that paint the alkaline lake shore pink. Enjoy a final morning game drive through the lush groundwater forest. Following the drive, you will have lunch at a nearby lodge or a picnic site. Afterwards, you begin the journey back, with a transfer directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in time for your evening departure flight, filled with unforgettable memories.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation Summary & Price Guide
High End Safari: US$ 11,500 – 16,000+ for two.
This tier offers the ultimate in exclusivity, service, and design. Lodges feature private plunge pools, world-class cuisine with premium drinks, and often private guides or vehicles.
Arusha: Kibo Palace Hotel (Premium Suite)
Tarangire: Lemala Mpingo Ridge Lodge
Serengeti: Four Seasons Safari Lodge or Singita Faru Faru Lodge
Karatu: The Manor at Ngorongoro
Luxury Safari: US$ 7,500 – $10,500 for two. This option provides an excellent blend of prime locations, exceptional comfort, and superb service using top-tier lodges and permanent tented camps.
Arusha: Kibo Palace Hotel (Executive Suite)
Tarangire: Marera Valley Lodge (Luxury Villa) or Acacia Farm Lodge
Serengeti: Baobab Serengeti or Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Karatu: Marera Valley Lodge (Luxury Villa) or Ngorongoro Forest Lodge
Mid-Range Safari (Estimated $4,200 – $6,000 for two)
This is the best value option, using comfortable, well-established lodges and camps that provide an authentic and highly enjoyable safari experience.
Arusha: Kibo Palace Hotel (Standard Room)
Tarangire: Marera Valley Lodge (Standard Room)
Serengeti: Tanzania Bush Camps or Sidai Lodge
Karatu: Marera Valley Lodge (Standard Room) or Bougainvillea Safari Lodge
Note: Prices are per couple and are estimates that can fluctuate based on seasonality and specific booking terms.
Includes:
- park fees
- transport
- guide
- meals
- accommodation
- game drives
- drinking water
- airport transfers
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What’s Included
- park fees
- transport
- guide
- meals
- accommodation
- game drives
- drinking water
- airport transfers
What’s Not Included
- park fees
- transport
- guide
- meals
- accommodation
- game drives
- drinking water
- airport transfers