Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari
Duration: 6 Days | Route: Arusha -> Lake Manyara -> Serengeti -> Ngorongoro -> Arusha
Itinerary Outline
- Day 1: Arusha to Lake Manyara with full day game drive
- Day 2: Drive to Central Serengeti via Ngorongoro region and afternoon safari
- Day 3: Full day safari in Central Serengeti
- Day 4: Full day safari in Central Serengeti
- Day 5: Morning safari in Serengeti and transfer to Ngorongoro
- Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater safari and return to Arusha
Tour Overview
This 6-day safari takes you through three of Tanzania’s most celebrated wildlife destinations: Lake Manyara, the Central Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater. Starting from Arusha, you head straight into game drive territory, covering ground where lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and countless plains animals move freely across open landscapes.
The Central Serengeti gets three full days of attention, enough time to follow animal movements, sit at a waterhole, and take in the sheer scale of the park without rushing. The circuit wraps up with a descent into Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most concentrated wildlife areas on the continent, before the drive back to Arusha.
Highlights
- Game drive in Lake Manyara with forest habitat, elephants and chance to spot tree climbing lions
- Central Serengeti safaris with strong predator sightings including lions, leopards and cheetahs
- Seronera region known for year round wildlife due to permanent water sources
- Scenic drive through Karatu and Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Ngorongoro Crater safari with high wildlife density in a compact area
- Chance to see the Big Five including black rhino inside the crater
- Mix of landscapes from forest and lake to open plains and volcanic crater
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
Pick up from your hotel in Arusha and drive to Lake Manyara National Park with a packed lunch. As you enter the park, dense forests of acacia and mahogany create a different setting compared to open savannah parks.
Enjoy a full day game drive with a break for picnic lunch. You may see elephants, giraffes, buffalo, baboons and blue monkeys. The park is also known for tree climbing lions, though sightings depend on luck. In the right season, the lake attracts large numbers of flamingos.
After the safari, drive to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Lake Manyara to Central Serengeti
After breakfast, drive towards Serengeti National Park via Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The route is scenic, moving from highland farms to open plains.
As you enter the Serengeti, the landscape changes to wide grasslands stretching far into the distance. Arrive in the central Serengeti region, known as Seronera, in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, go for a game drive. This area has strong wildlife presence due to the Seronera River, which attracts animals throughout the year.
Day 3 and 4: Safaris in Central Serengeti
Spend two full days exploring the central Serengeti. You can choose between early morning and afternoon safaris or a full day game drive with packed lunch.
The Seronera region is known for predator sightings, especially lions and leopards. You may also see cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and large herds of herbivores.
Even outside the migration season, this area offers consistent wildlife viewing. Return to your lodge each evening for dinner and rest.
Day 5: Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro
After breakfast, go for a morning game drive in Serengeti. Later, drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a picnic lunch.
Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most unique wildlife areas, formed from a collapsed volcano. The crater floor supports a large number of animals within a compact space.
On arrival, check in at your lodge near the crater and relax for the evening.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Return to Arusha
Start early and descend into the crater for a game drive. The crater floor has open grasslands, water sources and forest patches that support diverse wildlife.
You can see elephants, lions, buffalo, hippos and good chances of spotting black rhino. Enjoy a picnic lunch near the hippo pool before continuing your safari.
Later, ascend the crater and drive back to Arusha. You will be dropped at your hotel or airport by evening, marking the end of your safari.
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Places You Will Visit
Where You’ll Stay
Travel Information
Inclusion
- Accommodation in lodges and camps throughout the safari
- All meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Game drives in Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
- Park entry fees and conservation charges
- Private safari vehicle with experienced driver guide
- Picnic lunches during full day safaris
- All transfers between parks and Arusha
- Airport or hotel pick up and drop in Arusha
- All applicable taxes and on ground support
Exclusion
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry and phone calls
- Tips and gratuities for lodge staff and guides
- Any optional activities not included in the itinerary
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions section
Customization options
Safari vehicle options (standard 4×4, private upgrades if relevant)
- Standard option includes a shared 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof.
- Private 4×4 vehicles can be arranged for exclusive use throughout the itinerary.
Lodge options (budget, mid-range, high-end)
- Accommodation can be arranged at budget camps, mid-range lodges, or high-end tented camps in Arusha, Lake Manyara, Central Serengeti, and Ngorongoro region.
- Lodge selection may vary based on location within the Serengeti and access routes.
Game drive flexibility (timings if applicable)
- Game drives in the Serengeti can be arranged as full-day or split morning and afternoon sessions.
- Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater safaris are typically conducted as full-day game drives.
- Crater descent in Ngorongoro Crater follows park entry timing regulations.
Add-on experiences (based on itinerary)
- Hot air balloon safari is available in Serengeti National Park.
- Additional cultural visits can be arranged in Arusha.
- Optional guided walks may be available in the Ngorongoro region depending on lodge location.
Flexibility in number of nights per location
- Additional nights can be added in the Central Serengeti to extend wildlife viewing time.
- Ngorongoro region stay can be extended based on lodge availability.
An extra night in Arusha can be included at the beginning or end of the tour.
Flexible departure options
- Return to Arusha is included on the final day.
- Departure timing can be adjusted based on outbound flight schedules.
Cancellation Policy
- If cancellation requested before 120 days (or more) prior to departure, Full refund.
- If cancellation requested before 60 days (or more) prior to departure – 75% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 45 to 59 days prior to departure – 50% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 30 to 44 days prior to departure – 25% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 15 to 29 days prior to departure – 10% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested less than 15 days prior to departure, No Show – No Refund.
Further Information
Best time to visit (based on regions in the itinerary)
- June to October is suitable for wildlife viewing in Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater due to dry conditions and higher animal concentration.
- December to March offers good wildlife viewing in the Central Serengeti, with consistent resident game throughout the year.
- April and May are rainy months, which may affect travel times between Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro region.
Optional activities (relevant to locations in the outline)
- Cultural visits can be arranged in Arusha before or after the safari.
- A stop in the Ngorongoro region may include optional viewpoints or short guided walks near the crater rim, depending on lodge location.
- Hot air balloon safari is available in Serengeti National Park in the Central Serengeti.
- Night game drives may be available outside Lake Manyara National Park through lodges located in nearby concession areas.
Who this tour suits (based on pace, parks, and travel type)
- This tour suits travelers looking to cover key northern Tanzania parks with extended time in the Serengeti.
- It is suitable for those interested in multiple full-day game drives, especially in the Central Serengeti.
- The itinerary includes long road transfers between parks, making it suitable for travelers comfortable with overland travel and structured schedules.
