Tanzania Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara Luxury Trip

Summary

Wildlife close-ups in serengeti and ngorongoro crater with luxury comfort

You’ll wake up surrounded by wild sounds in Serengeti, share laughs with your guide over lunch beneath Tarangire’s baobabs, and catch your breath at Ngorongoro Crater’s edge. Watch flamingos sweep across Lake Manyara before heading back to Arusha—each day full of new surprises and quiet moments you’ll remember long after.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I noticed was the dust — not in a bad way, but that warm, sun-baked earth smell that hit me when we rolled down the window leaving Arusha. Our guide, Juma, greeted us at the airport with this huge grin and somehow remembered all our names right away (I still don’t know how he does that). The drive out to Tarangire felt both long and weirdly short; maybe it was the way giraffes just kind of appeared between acacias or how everyone went quiet when an elephant family crossed right in front of us. Lunch was picnic-style under a baobab tree — sandwiches tasted better than they had any right to after a morning of scanning for lions. My hands were sticky from mango juice and I didn’t care.

Ngorongoro Crater is one of those places you hear about but can’t really picture until you’re staring down into it. We got there early — fog still clinging to the rim — and I remember Juma pointing out buffalo tracks in the red mud while explaining why some Maasai still bring cattle nearby. There’s this hush inside the crater, like everyone (even the zebras) knows it’s special ground. The sheer number of animals made my head spin; at one point I counted five different species without even moving my eyes much. And then later, bumping along towards Serengeti as golden light poured over everything, I just kept thinking: How is this real?

Serengeti mornings start early — like before-the-sun early — but honestly? Worth it for that first glimpse of wildebeest herds moving like a living river across the grass. One cheetah lay flat in the shade and Juma whispered so quietly I almost missed his joke about “Tanzanian traffic jams.” At Nyota Camp, dinner came with stories from other travelers (plus wine that tasted dusty in a good way), and someone played guitar badly but nobody minded. By day five, at Lake Manyara, I’d finally learned to spot monkeys before they spotted us. The flamingos looked fake against all that blue water.

I keep thinking about how small I felt out there — in a good way — watching elephants rumble past or hearing hippos grunt somewhere unseen. If you’re looking for a luxury safari that actually feels personal (not just polished), this 5-day northern circuit trip from Arusha is probably it. Just don’t expect to come back quite the same.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and transfer to Arusha

• Arrive at Arusha airport
• Picked up by Lion King representative
• Drive to accommodation in Arusha
• Overnight at Gran Melia

Day 2 — Safari at Tarangire National Park

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Drive to Tarangire National Park
• Game drive and wildlife viewing
• Enjoy picnic lunch in park
• Drive to Kitela Lodge
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 3 — Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti

• Early breakfast
• Visit Ngorongoro Crater for wildlife
• Lunch at Ngorongoro
• Drive to Serengeti National Park
• Dinner and overnight at Nyota Luxury Camp

Day 4 — Serengeti game drive and Karatu

• Early breakfast
• Morning game drive in Serengeti
• Return to Karatu by afternoon
• Dinner and overnight at Kitela Lodge

Day 5 — Lake Manyara and return to Arusha

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Lake Manyara National Park
• Explore Lake Manyara wildlife
• Lunch in park area
• Drive back to Arusha

Top questions

How many days is this Tanzania safari tour?

This luxury safari covers 5 days through northern Tanzania’s top parks.

Which parks are included on this itinerary?

The tour visits Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, and Lake Manyara.

Is pickup from Arusha airport included?

Yes, airport pickup in Arusha is included at the start of your trip.

Are meals provided during the safari?

Yes, breakfast, lunch (often picnic-style), and dinner are included daily.

What kind of accommodation is offered?

You stay at luxury lodges and camps such as Gran Melia and Nyota Luxury Camp.

Will we have a local guide throughout?

A local safari guide accompanies you for all game drives and transfers.

How long do we spend each day on game drives?

You’ll spend several hours each day exploring parks—some days up to 6-7 hours.

Is this safari suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels since activities are vehicle-based.

What’s included

Your journey includes airport pickup in Arusha, private transfers between all destinations on the northern circuit route, entry fees for every park visited (Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Lake Manyara), overnight stays at luxury lodges or camps with full board meals—plus daily guided game drives and plenty of time for relaxed dinners before returning to Arusha on your final day.