Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro 4-Day

Game drives across three parks and descend into the crater where the Big Five gather.

A four-day group camping safari from Arusha that moves through Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area with daily game drives, an English-speaking guide, all meals and camping accommodation included. The itinerary descends into Ngorongoro Crater on the final morning, where wildlife concentrations are highest in East Africa. Pickup from Arusha is included. The safari uses a 4WD Land Cruiser or Land Rover.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

• Drive from Moshi to Tarangire
• Game drives with picnic lunch
• Drive to Manyara for dinner
• Overnight at Kizumba Campsite

Day 2: Tarangire to Serengeti National Park

• Breakfast at campsite
• Depart for Serengeti with picnic lunch
• Game drives en route to Serengeti
• Dinner and overnight at Seronera Campsite

Day 3: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

• Breakfast at Seronera Campsite
• Game drives in Serengeti
• Picnic lunch en route to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
• Dinner and overnight at Simba Campsite

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater to Moshi

• Breakfast at Simba Campsite
• Drive to Ngorongoro Crater
• Descend for game drives with picnic lunch
• Ascend from crater and drive back to Moshi
• End of services

The experience

You start at 8:30am from Arusha and drive into Tarangire National Park for your first game drives. Tarangire sits slightly off the main safari circuit, which means fewer vehicles and larger stretches of the park left quiet: the elephant migration and birding here draw fewer crowds than the better-known parks further west. You'll have picnic lunch boxes during the day, then camp at Kizumba Campsite with dinner and breakfast included.

Day two takes you to Serengeti National Park, where the scale shifts entirely. The park holds the largest predator concentrations on the continent and the two-million-strong Great Migration grazes across endless plains. Game drives continue throughout the day with lunch en route, and you overnight at Seronera Campsite. On day three you drive through more Serengeti game drives before heading to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, camping at Simba Campsite on the crater rim.

The final morning you descend into Ngorongoro Crater itself: a caldera 2,000 feet deep where wildlife has nowhere to go but stay put, making it the most reliable place in East Africa to see the Big Five in a single day. After game drives and a picnic lunch inside the crater, you ascend and drive back to Arusha by late afternoon. All camping gear, park fees, transportation and meals are handled. Your guide speaks English throughout.

What’s included

• Camping accommodation with all gear provided.
• park entrance fees, camping fees and crater service charges.
• transportation in a 4WD safari vehicle.
• game drives each day as described in the itinerary.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) at the camps.
• English-speaking guide throughout the four days.

Information

Lasts 4d, runs every day at 06:30 and 07:00, from US$ 1,150 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:30 and 07:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 1006 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 86 years) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 13 years) · Infant (under 6)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Avocet Tanzania Safaris

Is this one for you?Four days of camping through Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro: one coordinated itinerary that moves you through Tanzania's signature parks without piecing together separate trips.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (6 to 13 years); Infant (under 6).

What's the difference between Tarangire and the other parks on this safari?

Tarangire National Park sits off the main route most tourists take, so it stays quieter and less crowded than Serengeti or Ngorongoro. It's known for its elephant migrations and strong birding, and the itinerary gives you a full day there instead of a quick stop.

Can I see the Big Five on this safari?

Ngorongoro Crater on day four is the best place in East Africa to see all five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) in a single location because the crater walls trap the animals inside and limit their movement.

What do I sleep in and what's included at the campsites?

You camp in tents with all camping gear provided. Accommodation is on a full board basis, meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner are included at each campsite along with your overnight stay.

How much driving is there each day, and what vehicle will I be in?

Each day involves several hours of game drives in a 4WD Land Cruiser or Land Rover with an English-speaking guide. The vehicle is shared with other group members, and driving times vary: day one starts at 8:30am from Arusha, while other days begin after breakfast at the camps.

Does the price include everything, or are there extra costs?

Park entrance fees, camping fees, crater service fees, transportation, all meals and the guide are included. International flights, visas, travel insurance, tips and personal expenses like drinks beyond water are not covered.

Is this safari suitable if I've never been on safari before?

Yes, the itinerary is designed for all fitness levels and works well for first-timers. The group format and fixed schedule mean you don't arrange logistics yourself, and the guide handles the route and timing across all three parks.