Northern Tanzania Safari 6-Day: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro

Four parks, two million wildebeest, and the world's largest volcanic crater in six days

A 6-day guided safari tour from Arusha covering Tarangire National Park, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara, with private 4x4 transport, English-speaking guide, all park entry fees, and lodge stays included. The route moves through Tanzania's northern parks in sequence, spending full days in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro to maximize wildlife viewing. Pickup from Kilimanjaro International Airport and return to Arusha are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and hotel transfer

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport
• Meet Samora Explorers staff
• Transfer to Tulia Hotel
• Relax and prepare for safari

Day 2: Safari in Tarangire National Park

• Drive to Tarangire National Park
• Game drive to see elephants and wildlife
• Drive to Karatu for overnight stay

Day 3: Full-day Serengeti game drive

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Serengeti National Park
• Full-day game drive with picnic lunch
• Overnight at tented camp

Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands

• Half-day game drive in Serengeti
• Travel to Ngorongoro Highlands
• Settle into Ngorongoro Wild Camp
• Dinner and campfire stories

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater exploration

• Early breakfast
• Enter Ngorongoro Crater
• Game viewing and picnic lunch
• Drive to Karatu for overnight stay

Day 6: Lake Manyara safari and return

• Safari in Lake Manyara National Park
• See elephants, baboons, and lions
• Return to Arusha
• End of safari

The experience

You arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and meet your guide, who drives you to Tulia Hotel near Arusha to settle in before the safari begins. The next morning, the route heads into Tarangire National Park, roughly the size of Luxembourg and home to some of East Africa's largest elephant herds. The park's baobab trees, seasonal swamps, and open savannah make it one of the best places to spot elephants, giraffes, gazelles, antelopes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and over 500 bird species from the open roof of your safari vehicle. After a full game drive, you overnight in Karatu.

Days three and four center on the Serengeti and the drive to Ngorongoro. You spend a full day in the Serengeti with a picnic lunch, watching wildebeest herds, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hippos, and big cats move across the endless plains. Your guide knows where to position the vehicle based on the season and animal migration patterns. In the late afternoon, you head toward Ngorongoro, arriving at the Wild Camp for dinner under the stars and an overnight stay on the rim.

On day five, an early breakfast precedes your descent into Ngorongoro Crater on a steep, narrow road. The crater is the world's largest volcanic caldera, 20 km across and 600 meters deep, formed 2 to 3 million years ago. The floor holds warthogs, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, hyenas, and the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard) if you're lucky. After a morning of game viewing and a picnic lunch, you return to Karatu for the night. The final day takes you to Lake Manyara National Park, where tree-climbing lions, famous elephants, baboons, and rich birdlife fill the space between the Rift Valley escarpment and the lake itself. You then return to Arusha, ending your safari.

What’s included

• Private 4x4 safari vehicle with open roof.
• professional guide fluent in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian.
• all national park entry fees.
• accommodations at lodges and tented camps for five nights.
• picnic lunches during game drives.
• beer, wine, and soft drinks.
• mineral water throughout the safari.
• airport pickup and return transport.
• WiFi on board.
• all taxes and VAT.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Under 16: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

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 14 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Samora Explorers Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this 6-day version if you want to spend meaningful time in each of the four parks (Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti) rather than rushing through them.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

What wildlife am I most likely to see in Tarangire National Park?

Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds, and you'll also see Masai giraffes, gazelles, antelopes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, baboons, and over 500 bird species during your full-day game drive.

How much time do I spend in the Serengeti?

You have a full day in Serengeti National Park with a picnic lunch included, giving you extended time to watch wildebeest herds, big cats, zebras, and other wildlife across the plains.

What is the Ngorongoro Crater and what can I see there?

Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest volcanic caldera, 20 km across and 600 meters deep. The crater floor holds warthogs, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, hyenas, and potentially the Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard.

Does the tour include accommodations and meals?

Yes, the tour includes lodge and tented camp accommodations for all six nights, picnic lunches during game drives, beer, wine, and soft drinks throughout the safari.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes, private transportation from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your lodge and back to Arusha at the end of the tour is included.