4-Day Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro

Game drives across Tanzania's richest wildlife zones.

A 4-day safari from Moshi through Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater with an English-speaking driver-guide, 4x4 vehicle, and government park fees included. Day one is a full game drive in Tarangire among massive elephant herds and baobab trees. Days two and three move through the Serengeti's central plains and into Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with an optional Maasai village visit. Day four descends into Ngorongoro Crater at dawn for a 5-hour drive on the crater floor, where Black rhinos, lions, and hippos concentrate in dense numbers before the return to Moshi or Arusha by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Moshi / Arusha to Tarangire Park

• Full-day game drive in Tarangire
• See elephants, lions, and more
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 2: Tarangire to Central Serengeti

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive through Maasai villages
• Afternoon game drive in Serengeti
• Picnic lunch en route
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 3: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Area

• Early morning game drive in Serengeti
• Brunch at lodge
• Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Optional Maasai boma visit
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha / Moshi

• Early breakfast
• 6:30 AM descent into Ngorongoro Crater
• 5-hour game drive in crater
• Picnic lunch by Hippo Pool
• Ascend crater and drive to Arusha
• Drop-off at hotel or airport

The experience

You start from Moshi or Arusha and drive into Tarangire National Park for a full day of game viewing. Tarangire is built around its elephant herds, some of the largest in Tanzania, and the massive baobab trees that dot the landscape. The park's river system concentrates wildlife, so a single game drive covers lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, buffalo, zebra, and eland. Dinner and overnight are at a lodge near the park.

The second day moves you toward the Serengeti. After breakfast, the route crosses Maasai villages and the Ngorongoro highlands before reaching Central Serengeti in the afternoon. The Serengeti's open plains are where predators hunt in daylight, and the afternoon game drive is timed to catch that activity. Picnic lunch happens en route. You overnight at a tented lodge in the Serengeti itself.

Day three starts early (an early morning game drive in the Serengeti catches predators when they are most active), then moves toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area after brunch. The drive crosses the plains and passes through Maasai territory. A Maasai boma visit is optional and costs extra. Overnight is at a lodge near the crater rim.

The final day descends into Ngorongoro Crater at 6:30 AM for a 5-hour game drive on the crater floor. The crater is a closed ecosystem where wildlife concentrates: Black rhinos, elephants, lions, hyenas, hippos, and flamingos all live within the caldera walls. Picnic lunch is by the Hippo Pool. After ascending the crater, the drive back to Arusha or Moshi takes the afternoon, with arrival around 6:00 PM.

What’s included

• Government park fees, English-speaking driver-guide, and 4x4 vehicle transport are included.
• picnic lunches on days two and four are provided.
• accommodation at lodges near Tarangire, in the Serengeti, and near Ngorongoro Crater is arranged.
• hotel or airport drop-off in Arusha or Moshi on the final evening is included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (15 to 49 years) · Senior (50 and older) · Youth (10 to 14 years) · Child (6 to 9 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

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

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

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by CLIFF AFRICA ADVENTURE

Is this one for you?Book this 4-day version if you want to see three distinct ecosystems (Tarangire's elephant herds, the Serengeti's open predator hunts, and Ngorongoro's concentrated crater wildlife) without the time commitment of a longer safari. The four-day pace fits a long weekend or a mid-trip break from a larger Tanzania itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 14 years); Child (6 to 9 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What animals will I actually see on a 4-day Tanzania safari?

Tarangire is known for massive elephant herds, and the park also holds lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, buffalo, zebra, and eland. The Serengeti's central plains are where predators hunt in open daylight. Ngorongoro Crater concentrates Black rhinos, lions, hippos, elephants, hyenas, and flamingos on its floor, making sightings dense and frequent.

How much time do I spend actually driving and looking for wildlife each day?

Day one is a full-day game drive in Tarangire. Day two includes a morning drive to the Serengeti and an afternoon game drive there. Day three has an early morning Serengeti drive, then the afternoon journey to Ngorongoro. Day four is a 5-hour game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater starting at 6:30 AM, followed by the return drive to Arusha or Moshi.

What is Ngorongoro Crater and why is it different from the other parks?

Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a closed ecosystem: a massive volcanic caldera where wildlife cannot easily leave. That containment means animals concentrate on the crater floor in high numbers. A 5-hour drive there covers Black rhinos, lions, hippos, elephants, hyenas, and flamingos all within the same enclosed landscape, which is why sightings are reliable and varied.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to Moshi or Arusha before the safari starts?

Pickup is included in the safari price. The tour starts from Moshi or Arusha and ends with drop-off at your hotel or airport in one of those cities around 6:00 PM on day four, so you do not arrange separate transport for the safari itself.

Is there a chance to visit a Maasai village during the safari?

Yes, an optional visit to a Maasai boma (village) is available on day three en route to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It costs extra and is not included in the base price.