Tanzania Safari Tour: Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro

Game drives across three parks, ending at the crater rim with 30,000 large mammals below

This 6-day private safari tour from Arusha covers Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a professional guide and all park fees included. You spend mornings and afternoons on game drives watching elephants, lions, wildebeest herds and other wildlife, with nights at lodges inside or near each park. The final day descends into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact crater, before returning to Arusha.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

• Pick up from Arusha hotel
• Drive 2.5 hours to Tarangire National Park
• Explore Tarangire National Park wildlife
• Overnight at Marera Valley Lodge

Day 2: Drive to Serengeti National Park

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive through Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Stop at Ngorongoro crater viewpoint
• Arrive Serengeti late afternoon
• Game drive in Seronera area
• Experience Serengeti sunset and wildlife
• Overnight at Safari Haven Camp

Day 3: Explore Central to Northern Serengeti

• Early breakfast
• Morning game drive northwest Serengeti
• Picnic lunch during game drive
• Focus on Mara River wildlife
• Return to Heritage Mara Camp for dinner
• Overnight at Heritage Mara Camp

Day 4: Northern to Central Serengeti

• Early breakfast
• Game drive west to Mara River
• Observe wildebeest migration preparations
• Lunch during game drive
• Continue game drive until evening
• Return to Safari Haven Camp

Day 5: Drive to Ngorongoro Highlands

• Early breakfast
• Game drive south Serengeti toward Seronera
• Exit Serengeti late afternoon
• Arrive Ang'ata Ngorongoro Camp on crater rim

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater and Return

• Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
• Observe crater wildlife and landscapes
• Afternoon drive back to Arusha or airport

The experience

The tour starts with a 2.5-hour drive south from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, a long narrow reserve 120 kilometers away that runs along the Tarangire River. The river is the only water source for wildlife during the dry season, which draws elephants, baobab trees and tree-climbing African pythons into dense concentrations. You spend the first afternoon and evening on game drives here, then overnight at Marera Valley Lodge.

Days two through four move into the Serengeti, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on the way. The Serengeti's center holds Safari Haven Camp, where you do a sunset game drive your first evening and watch for predator hunts. The next two days push northwest to follow wildlife migrations toward the Mara River, where you watch wildebeest herds gather and cross. You stay at Heritage Mara Camp one night, then return to Safari Haven for the final Serengeti night. Game drives run from early morning through late afternoon, with picnic lunches carried into the field.

The last two days shift to the Ngorongoro Crater. You drive south out of the Serengeti in the late afternoon, arriving at Ang'ata Ngorongoro Camp on the crater rim with views straight down into the caldera. On the final day, a game drive descends into the crater itself: a 20-kilometer-wide bowl with 600-meter walls holding an estimated 30,000 large mammals, a salt lake at its center, and Maasai and Hadzabe communities living alongside the wildlife. You return to Arusha or head to the airport in the afternoon.

What’s included

• Park fees for Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
• all accommodations during the safari at Marera Valley Lodge, Safari Haven Camp, Heritage Mara Camp and Ang'ata Ngorongoro Camp.
• accommodation in Arusha before the safari begins.
• a professional guide.
• all game drives and activities.
• drinking water, beers and sodas.
• roundtrip airport transfers.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (15 to 50 years) · Senior (51 and older) · Youth (6 to 14 years) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (under 3): free

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 4 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Serengeti Luxury Safaris

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want a private safari with a dedicated guide and fixed itinerary across three major parks. The 6-day length allows time for multiple game drives in each area and positions you to witness wildlife migrations in the Serengeti, something a shorter tour cannot fit.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 14 years); Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What animals will I see on this 6-day safari through Tanzania?

Tarangire National Park is known for large elephant herds, and the Serengeti holds lions, wildebeest, zebras and other plains wildlife. The Ngorongoro Crater concentrates around 30,000 large mammals in one enclosed space, including buffalo, hyenas, flamingos and predators. Sightings depend on the season and animal movements, but the guide will position drives to follow where wildlife congregates.

How much driving is involved each day?

Days vary. The first day includes a 2.5-hour drive from Arusha to Tarangire, then an afternoon game drive. Days two through four center on morning and afternoon game drives in the Serengeti, with a full day focused on the Mara River migration crossings. Day five is a late-afternoon drive out of the Serengeti toward the crater rim. Day six is a game drive inside the crater itself before the return to Arusha.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes all park entry fees, accommodations at lodges in each area, all game drives, a professional guide, drinking water, beers and sodas, and roundtrip airport transfers from Arusha. International flights, tips (guideline US$10 per person per day), personal items and travel insurance are not included.

Where do I stay each night?

Night one is at Marera Valley Lodge near Tarangire. Nights two and four are at Safari Haven Camp in central Serengeti. Night three is at Heritage Mara Camp in the northern Serengeti near the Mara River. Night five is at Ang'ata Ngorongoro Camp on the crater rim. Accommodations are included in the tour price.

Can I arrange airport pickup?

Yes, roundtrip airport transfers from Arusha are included in the tour price. The guide will coordinate pickup timing with your flight arrival.