6-Day Tanzania Family Safari with Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 See some of the largest herds of elephants in Africa in Tarangire National Park
• 02 Witness the great herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles, or a pride of lions in Serengeti
• 03 Descend to the Ngorongoro Crater floor for an exciting game drive
• 04 Look for flamingos and tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara National Park

Visit Tarangire National Park, famous for its huge population of elephants, continue to the endless plains of Serengeti National Park, and explore the remarkable Ngorongoro Crater, locally known as the Garden of Animals, where there is a big chance to spot the Big Five in one day. End your safari at Lake Manyara National Park, known for its flamingos, lush forests of Acacia and Mahogany trees, and tree-climbing lions that are unique to this region.

Visit Tarangire National Park, famous for its huge population of elephants, continue to the endless plains of Serengeti National Park, and explore the remarkable Ngorongoro Crater, locally known as the Garden of Animals, where there is a big chance to spot the Big Five in one day.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

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

Languages Dutch, English, French, German, Italian

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Tarangire National Park Game Drive

• Pick up at 8:30 AM from your hotel in Arusha and depart for Tarangire National Park with a picnic-packed lunch for a full-day game drive. Tanzania's third-largest national park is known for its majestic baobab trees that dot the landscape. The Tarangire River is the centrepiece of this park and is famous for some of the largest herds of elephants in Africa. Here, you may see lions, leopards, cheetahs, lesser kudu, buffalo, oryx, eland, giraffes, and zebras.
• After the game drive, return to your lodge, Marera Lodge, where a delicious dinner awaits you.

2

Day 02

Journey to Serengeti National Park

• The next morning, after a good breakfast, head out towards Serengeti National Park and travel amid the never-ending plain grasslands. Serengeti is arguably the most impressive wildlife sanctuary in the world. You will have an afternoon game drive in the endless plains of the Serengeti to see the great herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, or a pride of lions lounging in the shade.
• A picnic lunch will be taken during the day-long game drive itself. The eventful day ends with a hearty dinner and a good night's rest at Osero Tented Camp.

3

Day 03

Full-Day Game Drive in Central Serengeti

• Start your third day with a full-day game drive from 8 AM after a filling breakfast as you explore the central portion of Serengeti National Park. The legendary Serengeti is the most renowned safari destination for its incredible population of lions and leopards. The central portion of the Serengeti, known as the Seronera area, is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park. It features the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and attracts wildlife representative of most of the Serengeti's species.
• Along with a picnic lunch during the full-day game drive, the day will end at around 5 PM. The long day ends with a hearty dinner and a good night's rest at your accommodation, Osero Tented Camp.

4

Day 04

Serengeti Morning Drive and Ngorongoro Crater Rim

• After an early breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in Serengeti National Park. Later, depart for the Ngorongoro Crater Rim with a packed picnic lunch box. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest collapsed volcanic crater in the world and offers fourteen kilometres of isolated natural beauty. Surrounded by a ring of extinct volcanoes, the crater floor is dotted with watering holes and shelters some 30,000 animals. The eventful day ends with a hearty dinner and a good night's rest at your accommodation, Ang'ata Tented Camp.

5

Day 05

Ngorongoro Crater Floor Exploration

• On day 5, after an early breakfast, descend to the crater floor for a 5-hour game drive. You can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, and many birds. The birds seen here include eagles, vultures, flamingos in the Crater Lake, storks, bats, giant vultures, sacred ibis, kori bustard, blacksmith plover, long-necked heron, and the cattle eagle.
• After a picnic lunch at the beautiful Hippo Pool, begin the steep ascent to the top exit of the crater. The day will end with a 2-hour drive to your accommodation in Karatu. A freshly made delicious dinner is prepared for you at your chosen accommodation, Farm Of Dreams. The next day, you will begin the last leg of your safari.

6

Day 06

Lake Manyara Game Drive and Return to Arusha

• The final day of your family safari will begin as usual at 8:00 AM after a luscious breakfast. Today's destination is Arusha via Lake Manyara National Park, where you will have a half-day game drive. As you enter the national park by 9 AM, the lush forests of Acacia and Mahogany trees begin to set the mood for what awaits. The game drive will continue until mid-afternoon, with a short break for a picnic lunch.
• By mid-afternoon, you will head towards Arusha, where you will be dropped off at your preferred location by about 6 PM in the evening. With an incredible experience and many memories to cherish, this is when you bid goodbye to our Gifted Adventures team.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Parks entry fees
• Accommodation as per the itinerary
• Three meals as per itinerary
• Game drive in a 4WD jeep
• Professional driver/guides throughout your safari
• Bottled water
• Government taxes and levies
• Airport transfers

What's Not Included

• Tips and gratuities
• All items of a personal nature
• Champagne, cognacs, fine wines, and premium brand spirits
• And all not mentioned in the itinerary above

What to bring

• Safari equipment

Know before you go

• Some companies offer lower prices than Gifted African Adventures and Safaris. The nature of safaris can be quite adventurous, and Gifted African Adventures' number one priority at all times is your safety. This requires significant financial investment, including staff and a fleet of vehicles. Gifted African Adventures is a local tour operator. If you find a safari priced significantly lower than others, something (or someone!) is undoubtedly being compromised.
• In addition, Gifted African Adventures only offers private safari tours. Whilst it is a slightly more expensive option, there are many benefits. In consultation with your guide, you can have more control over your safari, e.g. daily departure times, the focus of your game drive, etc. You will also have more space in the safari vehicle and better viewing opportunities. You will explore the parks with your driver-guide as if you own part of them.
• We have made suggestions for accommodation, but this is very flexible. Some of our clients prefer to stay in various accommodations, both in terms of price and type, including lodges and tented camps.
• We are happy to amend the quote based on your preferences and can provide suggestions for alternative accommodation and pricing. We offer mid-range, luxury, luxury+, or any combination. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you would love to change or upgrade the accommodation.
• We will then advise you on what is possible, considering time, budget, and preferences.
• We ask for a 20% deposit to secure the booking. The final balance is due two weeks before departure or in cash at our office in Arusha. Payment can be made via bank transfer or credit/debit card, which incurs an additional 3.9% charge.
• If possible, you should bring a duffel bag or soft-sided bag. These are easier to carry and pack inside the safari vehicle. Ideally, the fabric should be hardy and waterproof, and the bag should be lockable. Put anything of value in a separate day pack, such as a backpack. Anything of real sentimental or monetary value should ideally be left at home.
• Pack for hot days and cool nights. Tanzania can be hot and dusty by day, but it is often cool and crisp by night. Layers are ideal for safari days. Pack clothing that can keep you cool but protect you from the sun and biting insects. Choose mid-tone colours and avoid white or bright colours that may distract the animals, as well as dark colours like black and blue, as these can attract tsetse flies. The best colours are the safari classics: olive, green, and khaki. For evenings at lodges, you can stay in your casual gear, as even the luxury lodges do not expect smart wear out in the bush. Check the temperature before you travel to ensure you have warm clothing for the season. It is always a good idea to bring a waterproof coat, whatever the season.
• Tanzania is quite a conservative culture, so please avoid wearing 'short' shorts or low-cut tops. These can attract unwanted attention and can sometimes offend.
• You want to be careful not to overpack, so you need to think carefully about what shoes to take. If you are not going on a safari that requires a lot of walking, you will be fine with trainers and some sports sandals. Sandals are also great for walking around the camp at night. You may also like to take flip-flops for the showers.
• The African sun can be brutal, so be sure to bring a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. You'll also need a hat that shades your face and covers your ears and neck for maximum sun protection. Of course, take plenty of high-protection sun cream and lip salve.
• Antiseptic ointment
• Antihistamine cream & tablets
• Nurofen or equivalent painkiller
• Eye-drops
• Anti-diarrhea treatment
• A couple of bandages
• Medication for personal allergies/asthma, etc.
• Insect repellent containing Deet or Picaridin
• Rehydration sachets/vitamin tablets
• Assorted plasters
• Strong bag/carry case to protect the camera - zip lock/plastic bags are useful for dusty conditions
• Spare/extra batteries
• Memory/storage media (2 x memory cards in case one gets corrupted)
• Binoculars. These will be essential when you are out spotting wildlife.
• It is forbidden in Tanzania to take photos of anything military. Bridges, border posts, and airports are also sensitive, so be careful or be prepared to have your film/camera confiscated. Please act with discretion and respect when taking photos of people - it is always better to ask first before you snap away!
• All our safari vehicles have power/charging points. Please bring travel adaptors to ensure they are suitable for your appliances/devices.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Arusha, Tanzania

Tour start

Arusha, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.