Tanzania Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire Private 6-Day Trip

Summary

Serengeti sunrise, Maasai stories, elephants under ancient trees

You’ll feel the hush of dawn in Serengeti as lions stretch nearby, taste dust on your lips while watching elephant herds in Tarangire, and hear Maasai laughter echoing across Ngorongoro’s rim. With a private guide handling every detail—from hotel pickup to cozy lodges—you get to soak up every wild moment without worrying what comes next.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park

• Pick up from hotel
• Meet guide and chef
• Drive to Tarangire National Park
• Game drive in Tarangire

Day 2 — Mto wa Mbu to Serengeti

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Serengeti via Ngorongoro
• Stop at Ngorongoro viewpoint
• Optional Maasai village visit

Day 3 — Serengeti National Park game drives

• Early breakfast
• Morning game drive
• Lunch at camp
• Afternoon game drive
• Return to camp for dinner

Day 4 — Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation

• Early morning coffee
• Morning game drive in Serengeti
• Return to camp for breakfast and lunch
• Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 5 — Ngorongoro Crater tour

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to crater descending gate
• Half-day game drive in crater
• Picnic lunch in crater
• Ascend crater rim
• Drive to Mto wa Mbu for dinner

Day 6 — Lake Manyara to Arusha

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Lake Manyara National Park
• Game drive in Lake Manyara
• Visit hippo pool and hot springs
• Return to Arusha

Top questions

Is this Tanzania safari private or shared?

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

How many days is this safari tour?

The tour lasts 6 days from Arusha to Lake Manyara and back.

Are all park entry fees included?

Yes, all national park fees are included in the price.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You stay in comfortable lodges or tented camps each night.

Will I see wildlife like lions or elephants?

You visit areas known for high chances of seeing lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras and more.

Is hotel pickup included at the start?

Yes, hotel pickup from Arusha is included on day one.

Are meals provided during the safari?

Breakfasts and lunches are provided; dinners depend on lodge arrangements.

Is it suitable for families or older travelers?

The tour suits most fitness levels but not recommended for those with spinal injuries or pregnancy.

What’s included

Your trip includes hotel pickup in Arusha, all national park entry fees across Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara, transportation throughout in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with an English-speaking guide always at hand, bottled mineral water during drives, plus overnight stays arranged in comfortable lodges or tented camps so you don’t have to worry about logistics along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember how quiet it got when we first rolled into Tarangire. The air was thick—dusty but sweet somehow—and the only sound for a minute was the slow flapping of some stork overhead. Our guide, Joseph, just grinned and pointed out these huge baobab trees that looked like they’d been there forever. He could spot elephants before I even saw a shadow move. At one point we watched a herd cross right in front of us—mud on their backs, little ones sticking close. It’s funny, I thought I’d be more excited about lions or cheetahs (and we did see them later), but those elephants kind of stole the show for me.

The drive from Mto wa Mbu to Serengeti is long—six hours or so—but Joseph kept telling stories about the Maasai and their old traditions (some wild stuff, honestly). We stopped at the Ngorongoro viewpoint; wind in my face, crater stretching out below like something from another planet. There was an optional Maasai village visit—I tried to say “asante sana” and totally butchered it, which made everyone laugh (me included). That night at Land of Nature Camp I slept like a rock even though hyenas were whooping somewhere out there.

Early mornings in Serengeti are chilly—bring something warm or you’ll regret it. One morning we left before sunrise and the grass was wet underfoot. Lions were just lying there in the golden light like they owned the place (which I guess they do). Breakfast back at camp tasted better than usual after that. On our way out toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we spotted zebras and wildebeest everywhere—so many you stop counting after a while.

Descending into Ngorongoro Crater felt surreal—the walls are steep and misty and then suddenly you’re on the floor with rhinos (if you’re lucky), hippos snorting by the water, everything green and alive. Lunch was just sandwiches but eating them with that view? Weirdly perfect. Last day at Lake Manyara was quieter—flamingos everywhere, monkeys darting around. Didn’t see tree-climbing lions but saw enough to keep me thinking about Tanzania long after flying home.