Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari from Arusha

Summary

4-Day Tanzania Camping Safari with Local Guide

You’ll wake up under Tanzanian skies, watch elephants cross Tarangire’s dusty trails, camp beneath Serengeti stars, and descend into Ngorongoro Crater’s wild silence. With a local guide leading every step and meals shared outdoors, this 4-day safari is full of moments you’ll remember long after you’ve left Africa behind.

What’s the experience like?

I woke up to the sound of birds I couldn’t name and the smell of coffee drifting through our campsite near Arusha. Our guide, Joseph, was already loading up the jeep — he waved us over with a grin that made me feel like we were about to do something big. Tarangire National Park was our first stop, and honestly, I didn’t expect the sheer number of elephants. They moved so quietly for their size, dust rising around their feet as they crossed right in front of us. Lunch was picnic-style under an acacia tree, and I remember how the wind kept tugging at my sandwich wrapper while we tried to spot giraffes in the distance.

The drive to Serengeti felt endless but in a good way — just miles and miles of open plains. At one point Joseph pointed out a group of lions lounging in the shade (he called them “the lazy kings,” which made us laugh). The sky turned this deep orange as we set up camp at Seronera; I still think about that light sometimes when I close my eyes. Dinner tasted better than it had any right to after a day bouncing around in a jeep — maybe it was just hunger or maybe it was being out there with nothing but stars overhead.

Ngorongoro Crater came last, and it’s hard to describe what it feels like driving down into that bowl of green. There’s this hush, even though you know there are buffalo and rhinos somewhere nearby. We ate lunch by a little lake while hippos snorted at each other — not exactly peaceful but definitely memorable. On the way back to Arusha everyone got quiet; maybe tired or just trying to hold onto all those sights before real life crept back in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire

• Game drive at Tarangire National Park

Day 2 — Tarangire to Serengeti

• Game drives in Serengeti

Day 3 — Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

• Morning game drive in Serengeti
• Travel and game watching to Ngorongoro

Day 4 — Ngorongoro Crater Tour

• Crater floor tour and wildlife viewing

Top questions

How many days does the safari last?

The safari lasts 4 days in total.

Is pickup included from Arusha?

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

Do I sleep in hotels or campsites?

You’ll be camping each night at designated campsites in Tarangire, Serengeti (Seronera), and on the Ngorongoro Crater rim (Simba Campsite).

Are meals provided during the safari?

Yes, meals are included throughout the safari including picnic lunches during game drives.

Which parks are visited on this tour?

The tour visits Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Is this safari suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries due to bumpy roads.

Will I see all Big Five animals?

You have a good chance to see all Big Five animals during game drives in these parks.

What’s included

Your trip includes pickup from Arusha, guided game drives through Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area with an experienced local guide; camping accommodations each night; all meals including picnic lunches; and return transport back to Arusha after your crater tour.