Arusha to Serengeti & Ngorongoro: Private 5-Day Safari Pickup

Summary

Serengeti sunrise drives, Ngorongoro crater mist, and wild moments

You’ll wake up with elephants in Tarangire, watch flamingos blur across Lake Manyara, and cross Serengeti’s grasslands in your own private 4x4 with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Expect smoky dinners at midrange lodges and early mornings chasing wildlife in Ngorongoro’s misty crater—a trip that lingers long after you’re back home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the smell—dusty earth mixed with something sweet from the baobab trees as we rolled into Tarangire. Our guide, Daniel, grinned when I asked if the elephants always block the road like that (they do, apparently). Lunch at the lodge was simple but good—rice and chicken—and I remember watching vervet monkeys try their luck near the windows. The air felt heavy but in a way that makes you slow down and really look around. I didn’t expect to laugh so much on a safari, but Daniel had stories for every animal we spotted.

Lake Manyara was next—so green after Tarangire’s golds. The flamingos looked like a pink blur from far off, almost unreal. We stopped by the hippo pond where you could actually get out of the car (I hesitated, but everyone else did). There was this moment when a giraffe just stared at us for what felt like ages—awkward but kind of magical. The day trip from Arusha to Lake Manyara made me realize how close these wild places really are. Later at Suricata Boma Lodge, dinner tasted smoky and rich—maybe because I was tired or maybe because everything feels bigger out here.

Driving into Serengeti from Karatu felt endless—just grasslands rolling forever under a sky that kept changing its mind about rain. The private safari vehicle rattled over bumps while Daniel pointed out lions lounging in acacia shade (“lazy kings,” he called them). That afternoon game drive is still stuck in my head: wildebeest everywhere, dust rising up behind them like ghosts. In the tented lodge later, I fell asleep listening to hyenas whooping somewhere not too far off. It’s funny how quickly you get used to that.

The last morning in Ngorongoro Crater started early—coffee so strong it nearly knocked me over. Descending into the crater itself felt surreal; mist clung to everything and then suddenly there were zebras right beside us. We watched lions from a distance while Daniel explained how hard it is to spot leopards (“You need patience—and maybe luck”). By midday we were back on the road toward Arusha, tired but sort of wired at the same time. Still thinking about those endless plains now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park

• Breakfast at lodge
• Depart between 08:30 and 09:00
• Private safari with 4x4 vehicle
• Arrive at Tarangire lodge for lunch
• Afternoon game drive in Tarangire
• Dinner and overnight at Suricata Boma Lodge

Day 2 — Lake Manyara National Park Game Drive

• Breakfast at lodge
• Pick up at 08:30 - 09:00
• Drive to Lake Manyara National Park
• Extended game drive in Lake Manyara
• Dinner and overnight at Suricata Boma Lodge

Day 3 — Serengeti National Park Visit

• Breakfast at lodge
• Depart for Serengeti via Karatu and Ngorongoro
• Arrive Serengeti Seronera area for lunch
• Afternoon game drive in Serengeti
• Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Angata Tented Lodge

Day 4 — Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

• Early morning coffee, tea, and biscuit
• Early morning game drive 08:00 - 14:30
• Depart to Ngorongoro with game drive en route
• Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Angata Tented Lodge

Day 5 — Ngorongoro Crater and Return to Arusha

• Early breakfast with coffee
• Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for wildlife viewing
• Visit Lake Magadi in crater
• Transfer back to Arusha city
• Drop off at hotel

Top questions

Is airport pickup included for this Arusha safari?

Yes, airport pickup is included at the start of your private 5-day safari tour from Arusha.

What parks are visited during this 5-day tour?

The tour visits Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Are meals included during the safari?

Yes, all meals are included throughout the 5-day safari tour.

What type of accommodation is provided?

You stay in comfortable midrange lodges such as Suricata Boma Lodge and Angata tented lodges.

How long does it take to drive from Arusha to Serengeti?

The drive from Arusha to Serengeti takes several hours with stops for lunch and game viewing along the way.

Can you see flamingos at Lake Manyara all year?

Flamingos are most visible during wet season; they may be fewer during dry months but other wildlife remains year-round.

Is this safari suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels except pregnant travelers are not recommended.

Are game drives private or shared?

This is a private safari with your own vehicle and guide throughout the trip.

What’s included

Your days include airport pickup in Arusha, all park entry fees covered by your booking, daily breakfast plus hearty lunches and dinners at comfortable midrange lodges or tented camps each night—with every game drive led by an experienced local guide before returning you safely back to Arusha city hotel at the end.