4-Day Safari to Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro from Arusha

Four days across three parks: elephant herds and baobabs, endless plains, and a crater rim at sunrise

A 4-day group safari from Arusha covering Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area with professional English-speaking guide, all game drives in a 4WD vehicle with pop-up roof, budget accommodation, meals and hotel pickup and drop-off. The route hits the three most visited parks in Tanzania in sequence, each with its own landscape and wildlife concentration.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tarangire National Park game drive

• Pick up at Arusha accommodation
• Drive to Tarangire National Park
• Enter Tarangire Park gate
• Game drive in Tarangire National Park
• Picnic lunch in the park
• Continue game drive
• Exit park and drive to accommodation

Day 2: Serengeti National Park exploration

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Drive to Serengeti National Park via Ngorongoro Highlands
• Enter Serengeti National Park
• Game drive in Serengeti National Park
• Picnic lunch in the park
• Continue game drive
• Drive to Seronera area for dinner and overnight

Day 3: Serengeti to Ngorongoro game drives

• Early morning game drive in Serengeti
• Drive from Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Picnic lunch during game drive
• Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro crater rim

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater and return to Arusha

• Early breakfast at accommodation
• Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for game drive
• Picnic lunch at hippo pool picnic site
• Ascend crater and drive back to Arusha
• Drop off at Arusha accommodation

The experience

The tour picks you up at your Arusha accommodation at 8:30am on day one and drives 2.5 hours to Tarangire National Park, where you spend about 6 hours on game drives. Tarangire's claim is its elephant herds (the park draws them during the dry season via the river that runs through it), and the massive baobab trees scattered across the landscape. You'll see lions, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, zebras and wildebeest in the same day. A picnic lunch happens in the park. You leave around 5pm and drive through Maasai lands to your first night's accommodation.

Day two starts after breakfast around 9am with a 3-hour drive to Serengeti National Park, passing through the Ngorongoro Highlands. The Serengeti's 30,000 square kilometers of open plains are built for spotting big cats, lions especially, along with zebras, leopards, giraffes, cheetahs and the full roster of East African wildlife. You enter around noon, spend 6 hours on game drives with a picnic lunch, and overnight near Seronera. Day three begins at 6am with morning game drives still in the Serengeti, then a 6-hour drive out toward Ngorongoro as you watch for wildlife en route. You sleep on the crater rim that night. Bring warm clothes, as the elevation gets cold.

The final day descends into Ngorongoro Crater at 7am for 6 hours of game drives, including lunch at the hippo pool on the crater floor. The crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders, enclosed by walls that hold lions, buffaloes, hippos, flamingos, wildebeest, zebras, leopards, rhinos and elephants in one contained ecosystem. You ascend around 1pm and drive back to Arusha, arriving at your hotel by late afternoon.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide.
• all game drives in a 4WD vehicle with pop-up roof and guaranteed window seat.
• tent, mattress and sleeping bag for budget accommodation.
• three nights' accommodation in the parks.
• all meals during the safari.
• 1.5 liters of bottled water per person per day.
• pickup and drop-off at your Arusha hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (under 15)

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Golden Dream Safaris

Is this one for you?This is a shared group tour, so you split costs with other travelers: ideal if you're on a budget and don't mind meeting people. The fixed 4-day schedule hits all three parks in one trip, which means early starts and long driving days, but it's the only way to see Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater in a single safari without adding time.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 15).

What animals am I likely to see on this 4-day safari?

The parks hold lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, wildebeest, impalas, hippos, crocodiles, ostriches, tortoises, monkeys and warthogs. Tarangire is known for elephant herds; Serengeti for big cats; Ngorongoro for the variety packed into the crater.

Do I need to bring my own camping gear?

Budget accommodation includes a tent, mattress and sleeping bag for each night. You don't need to bring your own. The operator provides them.

How much time do we actually spend doing game drives each day?

Each of the four days includes about 6 hours of game drives in the 4WD vehicle, with a picnic lunch included during that time. Day one has a 2.5-hour drive to the park before the game drives start.

What's included in the price and what costs extra?

The tour includes all game drives, accommodation, meals, bottled water, the professional guide, vehicle with guaranteed window seat, and pickup and drop-off in Arusha. Tips are not included but highly recommended. Flights, visas and personal items like alcohol or extra drinks are separate.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not in great physical shape?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You spend most of the day sitting in the vehicle during game drives. Early starts and long driving days are part of the routine, but no hiking or strenuous activity is required.