Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro: 4-Day Group Safari with Camps

Summary

Wildlife close-ups, sunrise coffee and laughter under the stars in Tanzania

You’ll wake up with sunrise over wild plains, spot elephants in Tarangire and lions in Serengeti, share stories around camp dinners, and watch mist rise from Ngorongoro crater’s edge. With a local guide leading each step and all meals included, this safari feels real — not rushed — and leaves you wanting one more night under those Tanzanian stars.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it feels like to wake up with the sound of distant lions instead of your phone alarm? That’s how our first morning near Tarangire started — just a faint rumble somewhere out in the brush. Our guide, Joseph, had this way of pointing out things I’d never notice: the way elephant herds move together, the dust on their backs catching that early light. We watched them pick through the riverbed for water while zebra and gazelle kept their distance. The air smelled dry but sweet — kind of like hay after rain. Lunch was a picnic by a baobab tree (I dropped half my sandwich because I got distracted by a group of impala sprinting past; nobody minded).

The drive toward Serengeti took hours but didn’t feel long — maybe because we kept stopping to look at things. Wheat fields rolled past, then suddenly these huge open plains where the sky felt too big for words. Joseph told us about the Maasai name for Serengeti (“endless plain”) and honestly, he wasn’t kidding. We caught sunset during an evening game drive — everything gold and quiet except for wildebeest grunting somewhere nearby. Dinner at Seronera campsite was simple but tasted better than anything back home; maybe it was just being tired or laughing with people you’ve only known a day.

I still think about that sunrise coffee before our last game drive in Serengeti — hands cold around the mug, watching buffalo drift through mist. Then off to Ngorongoro’s rim where you could see right down into the crater (it’s bigger than it looks in photos). We camped right on the edge; hyenas called at night but somehow that made sleep easier, not harder.

Our last morning in Ngorongoro crater was almost too much to take in: herds everywhere you looked, birds darting low over grass, even a black rhino if you squinted hard enough (Joseph spotted it first — he has eagle eyes). By afternoon we were winding back toward Arusha with dust on our boots and probably more stories than anyone back home will believe. So yeah… if you’re wondering whether a day trip from Arusha to these parks is worth it — I’d say go hungry for surprises.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Game drive in Tarangire National Park

• Early breakfast in Arusha
• Full day game drive in Tarangire
• Picnic lunch during game drive
• Dinner and overnight at Sun bright campsite

Day 2 — Travel to Serengeti via Ngorongoro

• Breakfast at campsite
• Drive through fertile highlands
• View Ngorongoro Caldera
• Arrive late evening in Serengeti
• Dinner and overnight at Seronera campsite

Day 3 — Serengeti game drive and travel to Ngorongoro

• Early coffee in Serengeti
• Morning game drive in Serengeti
• Travel to Ngorongoro Crater
• Overnight at Simba campsite on crater edge

Day 4 — Ngorongoro Crater tour and return to Arusha

• Sunrise views over crater edge
• Breakfast at campsite
• Drive down into Ngorongoro Crater
• Game viewing inside crater
• Lunch inside crater
• Ascend crater walls
• Drive back to Arusha

Top questions

How many days is this safari tour?

This group safari lasts 4 days and 3 nights.

Is pickup from Arusha included?

Yes, pickup from Arusha is included at the start of the tour.

Are park entry fees covered?

All park fees are included in the price.

Where do we sleep during the safari?

You’ll stay at campsites inside or near each park: Sunbright near Tarangire, Seronera inside Serengeti, Simba on Ngorongoro’s rim.

Is food provided on this safari?

Yes, daily meals are included throughout the trip.

Can vegetarians be accommodated?

Vegetarian options are available if requested when booking.

Do we get a local guide during game drives?

A professional local guide leads all game drives and activities.

Is there WiFi during the safari?

You’ll have free WiFi inside the safari jeep throughout your journey.

What animals might I see on this tour?

You may see elephants, lions, wildebeest migration herds, zebras, buffaloes, gazelles, rhinos (with luck), plus many birds.

What’s included

Your days include pickup from Arusha with all transport between parks handled by your guide; entry fees for Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro; three nights’ camping accommodation; all meals prepared fresh daily (vegetarian available); free WiFi inside your safari jeep; plus airport or departure tax covered so you can focus on spotting wildlife instead of logistics.