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

Summary

Tarangire elephants, Serengeti plains and Ngorongoro sunrise in four days

You’ll travel from Arusha through Tarangire’s elephant-filled savannahs, across Serengeti’s golden plains, and down into Ngorongoro Crater with a local guide. Expect close wildlife encounters, real stories from your guide, nights under African stars in comfortable lodges—and moments that stay with you long after you’ve left Tanzania.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll never forget how our guide, Daniel, slammed on the brakes just outside Tarangire—there was this elephant blocking the road, flapping its ears like it owned the place. I was still chewing my breakfast chapati from Arusha when it happened. The air smelled like dust and sweet grass. We all went quiet for a second—except for Daniel, who just grinned and said, “Welcome to Tarangire.” That set the tone for the whole day trip through Tarangire’s baobab forests. You see so many photos of safaris online but hearing zebra snorts and seeing giraffes stretch their necks right in front of you? Totally different.

The drive to Serengeti was longer than I expected—hours of bouncing along red roads while Daniel pointed out Maasai villages and told us about his childhood herding goats nearby. Lunch was a picnic under an acacia tree (I dropped half my sandwich because a monkey tried to steal it). When we finally rolled into Serengeti for the afternoon game drive, the light was gold and everything felt endless. We spotted lions napping in the shade and wildebeest everywhere. That night at camp, lying awake listening to hyenas whooping somewhere far off… I honestly didn’t sleep much but I didn’t mind.

Early morning in Serengeti is cold—colder than I thought Africa could get. My hands hurt holding my camera but then we saw a cheetah crouched low in the grass, eyes locked on something invisible to us. The adrenaline kind of erased everything else. After lunch we headed toward Karatu; I kept staring out at those rolling hills thinking how small I felt out there. Dinner at Marera Valley Lodge tasted smoky and rich—I think it was goat stew?—and everyone at our table swapped stories about what animal they hoped to spot next.

Ngorongoro Crater is something else entirely. We woke up before sunrise (not my strong suit) but watching that first light spill over the rim made me forget how tired I was. The crater floor is like its own world—herds of buffalo moving through misty grass, hippos wallowing near picnic spots. Daniel knew every shortcut; he’d tap the dashboard when he spotted something before any of us did. On the way back to Arusha I kept replaying those moments—especially that first elephant—and wondering if I’d ever feel that same mix of awe and calm again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park

• Depart Arusha after breakfast
• Drive to Tarangire National Park
• Game drive in Tarangire
• Picnic lunch in the park
• Afternoon safari game drive
• Relax at lodge in evening

Day 2 — Tarangire to Serengeti National Park

• Travel from Tarangire to Serengeti
• Hot picnic lunch
• Game drive in Serengeti
• Arrive at lodge for overnight

Day 3 — Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands

• Early morning game drive in Serengeti
• Hot lunch in Serengeti
• Continue game drive
• Drive to Karatu area
• Arrive at lodge in Karatu

Day 4 — Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha

• Early sunrise at Ngorongoro Crater
• Breakfast at lodge
• Guided tour inside Ngorongoro Crater
• Hot picnic lunch in crater
• Drive back to Arusha

Top questions

How many days is this safari?

This group safari lasts four days and three nights.

Where does the tour start?

The tour departs from Arusha after breakfast on day one.

Are accommodations included?

Yes, three nights of mid-range lodge accommodation are included.

Is transportation provided between parks?

All transport between Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and back to Arusha is included.

Will there be a local guide?

A certified local guide leads your group throughout the safari.

Are meals included during the safari?

You’ll have picnic lunches each day plus dinner at your lodges; breakfasts are also included.

What wildlife can I expect to see?

You may see elephants in Tarangire, lions and wildebeest in Serengeti, and diverse animals including rhinos in Ngorongoro Crater.

Is this suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes—it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels as most activities are game drives by vehicle.

What’s included

Your journey includes three nights’ accommodation at mid-range lodges with all transportation arranged between parks; a certified local guide accompanies you throughout; daily picnic lunches are provided during game drives so you can eat right out among the wildlife before returning each evening to relax at your lodge or camp under African stars.