Serengeti & Ngorongoro: 4-day safari with guide & lodges

Summary

Four days through Tanzania’s wild heart—elephants, plains, and quiet moments

On this four-day journey from Arusha through Tarangire’s elephant country to Serengeti’s endless plains and down into Ngorongoro Crater, you’ll share stories with local guides, spot wildlife up close, and sleep under African skies. With every sunrise game drive and quiet moment by the fire, you’ll collect memories that stick long after you’ve left Tanzania behind.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to feel so small standing under a baobab tree in Tarangire. Our guide Joseph laughed when I tried to guess its age—he said some of these giants have seen more seasons than any family in the village. The air was thick with dust and that sweet grassy smell you only get after rain. We watched elephants shuffle past, their ears flapping like old laundry. Lunch was a picnic near the river; I still remember the taste of mango juice mixed with the scent of warm earth.

The drive from Tarangire to Serengeti felt endless but kind of hypnotic—acres of farmland outside Karatu, then suddenly those rolling plains everyone talks about. Joseph pointed out wildebeest herds moving like dark rivers across the grass. In the Seronera area, we saw lions sprawled under acacia trees (one yawned so wide I almost dropped my camera). That night at Domel Wildness Tented camp, I lay awake listening to something snuffling around outside—probably just a warthog, but it sounded bigger in the dark.

Olduvai Gorge was a surprise stop—Joseph called it “the birthplace of us all.” He told stories about Drs. Leakey finding ancient skulls there; honestly, it made me wonder how many footsteps have crossed this land before ours. The next morning in Ngorongoro Crater, we descended into mist and saw flamingos clustered at Lake Magadi like pink punctuation marks. There were buffalo everywhere and a cheetah off in the distance (I needed Joseph’s binoculars for that one). The crater felt quieter than Serengeti somehow—maybe because the walls keep sound close or maybe because everyone’s just watching.

By the time we drove back to Arusha for our last dinner together, I realized I’d stopped checking my phone days ago. It’s strange how quickly you start measuring time by animal sightings instead of hours. If you’re thinking about a Serengeti safari from Arusha or want to see Ngorongoro Crater up close, just go—with someone who knows which tree the leopards like best.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire Safari

• Depart Arusha, game drive in Tarangire
• Picnic lunch at Tarangire National Park
• Dinner and overnight at Farm Dream Lodge

Day 2 — Tarangire to Serengeti National Park

• Depart for Serengeti via Karatu and Ngorongoro
• Lunch in Serengeti
• Afternoon game drive in Serengeti
• Dinner and overnight at Domel Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 3 — Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

• Early morning game drive in Serengeti
• Visit Olduvai Gorge
• Transfer to Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
• Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge

Day 4 — Ngorongoro Crater Wildlife Tour

• Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for wildlife viewing
• Visit Lake Magadi and observe flamingos and hippos
• Late afternoon transfer to Arusha or airport drop off

Top questions

How long is the Serengeti safari from Arusha?

The tour lasts 4 days and includes visits to Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Is pickup included for this safari?

Yes, hotel pickup in Arusha is included at the start of your safari experience.

Are meals provided during the tour?

All meals according to the travel plan are included throughout your stay.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay in mid-range lodges and tented camps such as Farm Of Dream Lodge and Domel Wildness Tented camp.

Will we have an English-speaking guide?

Yes, a professional English-speaking guide leads your safari throughout all locations.

Can travelers with health issues join this tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health.

What animals might we see on this safari?

You may see elephants, wildebeest, zebras, lions, hyenas, cheetahs, buffaloes, flamingos, hippos and more during game drives.

Does this safari visit Olduvai Gorge?

Yes, there is a stopover at Olduvai Gorge between Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

What’s included

Your trip includes hotel pickup in Arusha plus all national park entry fees; transportation in a 4x4 pop-up roof vehicle; overnight stays at comfortable lodges or tented camps; all meals as per itinerary; mineral water throughout; and guiding by an experienced English-speaking local expert before returning to Arusha or airport drop-off at journey’s end.