6 Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti Safari
6 Days / 5 Nights
Difficulty: Easy
Max 6 People
★ 4.9 (120 reviews)
From $1,890
Safari Overview
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Tanzania’s top wildlife destinations. Starting in Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and baobab trees, you’ll explore diverse landscapes and wildlife. Then, travel to the iconic Serengeti National Park, spending two days on game drives in one of the world’s most famous wildlife parks. Next, visit the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for incredible wildlife sightings in a unique volcanic caldera. On the final day, explore Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions and abundant birdlife, before returning to Moshi or Arusha.
Your 6-Day Adventure
A breathtaking day-by-day journey navigating Tanzania’s iconic wildlife parks,
Day 1: Arrival & Briefing (Arusha)
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by our representative who will assist you with all arrival procedures. From there, enjoy a comfortable private transfer to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Take the rest of the day to relax, settle in, and prepare for your upcoming adventure. Your journey into the heart of this incredible destination is about to begin!
- Hotel in Arusha or Moshi
- Meals: Welcome Dinner (D)
Day 2: Moshi/Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Your safari adventure begins! After an early breakfast at your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, you’ll be picked up around 8:00 AM and driven approximately 2 hours to Tarangire National Park. Known as the “Elephant Capital of Tanzania,” Tarangire is famous for its massive elephant herds — sometimes over 300 in a single herd — and its iconic baobab trees that dot the landscape like ancient sentinels. As you enter the park, you’ll immediately be immersed in a world of wildlife: elephants feeding on acacia trees, lions lounging in the shade, giraffes stretching their necks to browse the treetops, and countless bird species filling the air with song. After a morning of game viewing, you’ll stop for a delicious picnic lunch in the park, surrounded by the sounds of the African bush. In the afternoon, you’ll continue exploring different areas of the park, visiting the Tarangire River where animals congregate to drink, and the Silale Swamps where you may spot rare species like the fringe-eared oryx and the gerenuk. As the sun begins to set, you’ll head towards your accommodation in Mto wa Mbu or Karatu, where you’ll enjoy dinner and reflect on your first day of safari in the heart of Tanzania’s wildlife-rich region.
- 120 km / 75 miles Distance
- Lodge in Mto wa Mbu or Karatu Stay
- Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner (B, L, D)
Day 3: Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you’ll depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, driving along the famous crater rim where you’ll stop for breathtaking panoramic views of the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. The descent into the crater floor is a dramatic experience — suddenly, you’re surrounded by thousands of animals: lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and flamingos. After enjoying the views, you’ll continue your journey towards Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known as “The Place Where the Land Runs On Forever.” As you enter the Serengeti, the landscape transforms into endless golden savannahs stretching to the horizon. Arriving in time for lunch at your lodge, you’ll then head out for an afternoon game drive in the central Seronera region. This is prime predator territory — you may spot lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and jackals hunting across the plains. The Serengeti is also home to over 500 bird species, so keep your eyes open for ostriches, secretary birds, and raptors. As the day winds down, you’ll return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, with the sounds of the African bush to lull you to sleep.
- 145 km / 90 miles Distance
- Lodge in Serengeti Stay
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B, L, D)
Day 4: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Today you’ll experience the Serengeti in all its glory with a full day of game viewing. You’ll wake up early for a sunrise game drive — one of the most magical experiences in Africa. As the first light breaks over the plains, predators are still active from the night’s hunt, and you may witness a lion pride returning with a kill or a cheetah stretching in the golden light. You’ll spend the entire day exploring different areas of the Serengeti: the central Seronera River valley where hippos and crocodiles gather, the kopjes (rocky outcrops) where lions like to rest, and the open plains where herds of wildebeest and zebras graze. If you’re visiting during the Great Migration season (July-October), you may witness millions of wildebeest and zebras moving across the plains — one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. A picnic lunch will be provided in the park, and you’ll have ample opportunities for wildlife photography. In the late afternoon, return to your lodge for dinner and another overnight stay in the Serengeti, surrounded by the sounds of the wilderness.
- Distance: Various routes Distance
- Lodging: Lodge in Serengeti
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B, L, D)
Day 5: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu
After breakfast, you’ll depart the Serengeti and head towards the Ngorongoro Crater — one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a unique region where Maasai pastoralists live alongside wildlife. As you approach the crater rim, the views become increasingly spectacular — you’ll see the massive caldera stretching out before you, its floor teeming with animals. Descending to the crater floor is a dramatic experience: suddenly, you’re surrounded by one of the densest concentrations of wildlife on Earth. The crater is home to approximately 25,000 animals, including lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, hyenas, and the endangered black rhino. You’ll spend the morning exploring the crater floor, stopping for a picnic lunch beside a hippo pool. In the afternoon, you’ll ascend the crater wall and begin the drive back to Karatu, arriving in the evening for accommodation and dinner. This is your last night on safari — take time to reflect on the incredible wildlife experiences of the past few days.
- Distance: 140 km (approx. 3 hours drive)
- Lodging: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B, L, D)
Day 6: Lake Manyara National Park – Return to Moshi/Arusha
On your final safari day, you’ll head to Lake Manyara National Park — a small but remarkable park famous for its tree-climbing lions (a rare behavior seen in very few places on Earth) and its stunning alkaline lake that attracts thousands of flamingos. After breakfast, you’ll drive approximately 1 hour to the park entrance. As you enter, the landscape is lush and green — a stark contrast to the dry savannahs of the Serengeti. The park is home to elephants, hippos, baboons, giraffes, and over 400 bird species. You’ll spend the morning on a game drive, searching for the famous tree-climbing lions and enjoying the park’s diverse habitats — from groundwater forests to open grasslands to the lakeshore. After a picnic lunch, you’ll begin your journey back to Moshi or Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon. This marks the end of your unforgettable safari experience — you’ve witnessed the Big Five, explored four incredible national parks, and created memories that will last a lifetime.
- Distance: 130 km / 81 miles Distance
- Lodging:none
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SAFARI EXPERIENCE
What's Covered in Your Journey
What's Included
- All national park & conservation entry fees
- Daily adventurous game drives & guided walks
- Luxury eco-lodge & safari camp accommodations
- Professional English-speaking driver & local guide
- Custom 4x4 safari Jeep with pop-up roof for viewing
- All government taxes, levies, and VAT
- Three fresh, locally-sourced gourmet meals daily
- Unlimited bottled mineral water & soft drinks
What's Excluded
- International flights & regional airfares
- Tips and gratuities for driver/guides & camp staff
- Personal travel insurance & medical expenses
- Visa fees and dynamic entry permits