Tanzania · Safari

6-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari through Serengeti and Ngorongoro

6 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Lake Manyara National Park, home to more than 350 bird species
02 Discover the endless plains of the Serengeti and its rich wildlife habitats
03 Visit Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera
04 See Tarangire National Park's giant elephant herds and iconic baobab landscapes

Get a taste of Tanzania's Northern Circuit on this spellbinding wildlife safari through Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire. Look out for elusive leopards, Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions, wildebeest, and vast herds of elephants as you explore some of the country's most iconic parks. From the endless plains of the Serengeti to the dramatic setting of Ngorongoro Crater and the birdlife of Lake Manyara, this 6-day journey offers the quintessential African safari experience beneath stunning Tanzanian skies.

Be one of only a few fortunate people to glide in a hot air balloon over the Serengeti Plains, available at supplementary cost by pre-arrangement.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Arusha, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park

Meet your professional tour guide/driver in Arusha town for a short safari briefing.
Travel to Lake Manyara National Park, arriving in time for lunch at the lodge.
After lunch, head into Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania's most dramatically located wildlife areas, consisting of a massive but shallow soda lake covering two-thirds of the park at the foot of the Great Rift Valley's western escarpment.
The park's varied habitat attracts a wide variety of animals, including one of Africa's largest concentrations of elephants, Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions, as well as large flocks of flamingos drawn by the algae in the lake.

Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Non-game-viewing travel time: 2 1/2 hours | Distance: 130 km

Day 02

Lake Manyara to the Serengeti Plains

After breakfast, head towards Serengeti National Park via the beautiful high-lying farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Leaving the highlands behind, descend into the heart of wild Africa - Serengeti National Park - with its endless plains rolling into the distance as far as the eye can see.
Continue to the central park area, known as the Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, featuring the Seronera River. This river provides a valuable water source to the area and therefore attracts wildlife representative of most of the Serengeti's species.
Arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park.

Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Non-game-viewing travel time: 6 hours | Distance: 205 km

Day 03

Serengeti Game Drives and Seronera Exploration

Be one of only a few fortunate people to glide in a hot air balloon over the Serengeti Plains, available at supplementary cost by pre-arrangement. Float silently above the awakening bush while spotting wildlife and enjoying the amazing scenery of Africa, across rivers and over numerous small villages.
After breakfast, head for a game drive along the Sogore River Circuit, which loops into the plains south of the Seronera River and is good for possible lion, Thomson gazelle, topi, ostrich, and cheetah sightings.
Visit the Visitor Centre close to the Serengeti Seronera Lodge and public campsites after the morning game drive. This nicely designed centre offers interesting wildlife displays as well as a gift shop selling information leaflets and maps of the area. The centre also has a shop where cold drinks and snacks can be purchased, along with a picnic area and an information trail up and around a nearby kopje.
Enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch at the centre in the shade of the giant acacia trees.
In the afternoon, follow the Kopjes Circuit, which goes anti-clockwise around the Maasai Kopjes and usually attracts a number of lions and some formidably large cobras. Kopjes are weathered granite outcrops scattered around the plains, most of which are miniature ecosystems, providing shade and drinking water in pools left in the rock after the rains. This makes the kopjes particularly good for spotting wildlife in the dry seasons, including lions, which like to lie in wait for animals coming to drink.

Dinner and overnight in the Seronera area, as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Day 04

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater via Olduvai Gorge

After breakfast at the lodge, depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Make a stop at Olduvai Gorge, boasting a history dating back to the dawn of time. It was here that the anthropologists Drs. Lois and Mary Leakey discovered the skulls of 'Nutcracker Man' and 'Handy Man', both very significant links in the chain of human evolution.
Arrive in time for lunch at the lodge and, after lunch, descend over 600 meters into the crater to view wildlife on a half-day safari.
Witness a vast variety of animals, including herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants. Another big drawcard to this picturesque national park is its dense population of predators, which includes lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and the ever-elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot.
Visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern corner, which is one of the main features of the crater. A large number of flamingos, hippos, and other water birds can usually be seen here.

Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Non-game-viewing travel time: 4 hours | Distance: 145 km

Day 05

Ngorongoro Crater to Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, head to Tarangire National Park for a morning game drive. The park runs along the line of the Tarangire River and is mainly made up of low-lying hills on the Great Rift Valley floor. Its natural vegetation mainly consists of Acacia woodland and giant African baobab trees, with huge swamp areas in the south. Both the river and the swamps act like a magnet for wild animals during Tanzania's dry season.
The national park contains some of the largest elephant herds in Africa. This African national park is also home to three rare species of animals - the Greater Kudu, the Fringed-eared Oryx, as well as a few Ashy Starlings.

Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Non-game-viewing travel time: 3 1/2 hours | Distance: 155 km

Day 06

Tarangire National Park to Arusha

Enjoy breakfast, after which you will head back to Arusha.
Upon arrival in Arusha, have lunch and then end your African safari adventure.

Non-game-viewing travel time: 2 hours | Distance: 120 km

Where this trip takes you

Serengeti Plains, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 5 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transport in 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers with pop-up roof for game viewing
Park entry fees
Government fees and taxes
18% VAT on tour fees and services
Full-board accommodation whilst on safari in the above-mentioned suite tented camps and lodges
Ngorongoro Crater service fee
Private, English-speaking Tanzania safari guide
All meals while on safari
Enough bottled mineral water throughout the safari
Transfers to and from the International Airport and Moshi
3-man tents for 2 people, chairs, tables, and sleeping mats (camping safari)

What's Not Included

Alcoholic beverages, sodas, and items of a personal nature
Laundry service
Pre- and post-safari accommodation in Moshi / Arusha
Flights
Travel insurance
Other safari add-ons
Optional tours (balloon rides in Serengeti: USD 550 per person, etc.)
Tips to the driver guide and cook. Tipping is per group, not per person.
Driver guide: $20/day
Cook: $10/day (for budget camping safari)

Know before you go

Required documents
A passport is required and must be valid for at least six months after the date of departure. A visa is required and costs approximately EUR 50.00 or USD 50.00 per person. The visa can be obtained at the Tanzania Embassy in your country or upon arrival at one of Tanzania's international airports, although this is not applicable to all nationalities. For a visa application in Tanzania, you do not need a photograph or a copy of a ticket, which are required by embassies.

Money
The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling. You can bring cash in Euros, Pounds, or Dollars and exchange it at the airport, hotel, or lodge for Tanzanian Shillings. In many places, such as accommodations and souvenir shops, people prefer payment in U.S. Dollars; change is usually given in U.S. Dollars or Tanzanian Shillings at a normal exchange rate. In most places, credit card payments are also accepted. In bigger cities, there are opportunities to withdraw money from ATMs, but when you are on safari, this is often not possible, so it is better to make arrangements in advance. When buying souvenirs in Tanzania, it is customary to bargain for a good price with the seller.

Vaccinations
When you travel to Tanzania, there are no mandatory vaccinations, but several are strongly advised.
DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio): If you were previously vaccinated, such as in childhood, one injection every 15 years is sufficient. If not, you should get two DTP injections at least four weeks apart before departure and a third one after six months. Protection lasts 15 years.
Yellow fever: The injection must be obtained at least 10 days before departure. Protection lasts 10 years. If you are travelling to multiple destinations in Africa, proof of vaccination is mandatory.
Hepatitis A: One vaccination gives protection for a year and is best obtained two weeks before departure. If another vaccination is administered six months later, protection lasts 10 years.
It is also increasingly advised to include Hepatitis B on your vaccination list. Most of Tanzania is considered a malaria area, and various anti-malarial drugs can be taken for prevention. Recommendations may change, so it is important to speak to a specialist for the exact information that applies to you.
By far the best way to prevent malaria is to make sure mosquitoes cannot bite you. We recommend bringing a good anti-mosquito repellent with a high percentage of DEET. For the tours we organize, it is unnecessary to bring a mosquito net unless specifically stated otherwise.

Communications
Internet: Tanzania is a country where internet is available in many places, and using the web is integrated into daily life. At various accommodations, you can use a computer with internet access, but the speed may not always be what you are used to. When you are really on safari, keep in mind that internet access is often unavailable.
Mobile telephones: In Tanzania, there are three different networks - Safaricom, Zain, and Orange - which together have created a fairly strong network. It is surprising that even in the Serengeti and other remote areas, you may still be reachable by mobile phone. However, if you travel to remote areas, do not count on network coverage. In and around cities, you usually have excellent opportunities to make mobile telephone calls. When you arrive in Tanzania, you can buy a mobile SIM card at the airport and make calls in East Africa at a good price.
International calls: If you want to call abroad during your visit to Tanzania, it can be quite expensive, especially from hotels. It is often a better idea to use your own mobile phone.

Currency
The official Tanzanian currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. Coins are available in 50, 100, and 1000 shillings, and notes in 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 shillings.
The U.S. Dollar is widely used but may not be accepted in some establishments. It is also important to note that most businesses that accept U.S. currency will not do so if it is torn or wrinkled.
Notes must not be older than 2006, as local businesses will automatically reject them due to a past counterfeiting problem.

Safety
Tanzania is one of the safest countries in East Africa, but you can never be too careful when travelling. While safari areas are generally very safe, the country is no stranger to criminal activity. Like anywhere else in the world, there is always some risk of theft.
It is advisable to listen closely to your guide's advice at all times, especially in some urban areas. Either leave your valuables, such as electronics, credit cards, and documents, in your hotel room safe or carry them with you in concealed inner pockets.
Do not flaunt your valuables in public, as this may draw unwanted attention. Pickpockets are particularly active in heavily touristed areas, so it pays to be cautious in cities and places popular with tourists.
It is always a good idea to make copies of all your important documents and keep them in your luggage.

Language
Tanzania has two official languages: Swahili and English. Swahili, which has its origins in Zanzibar, is the most commonly spoken language in both Tanzania and Kenya.
English is widely spoken; however, you may wish to bring along a Swahili-to-English phrasebook to help with the basics. Locals always appreciate it if you know a little Swahili.

Logistics