4-Day Serengeti Safari from Zanzibar with Ngorongoro and Tarangire

4 Days Round trip from JM7M+65W Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Spot the Big Five on game drives in Serengeti National Park
02 Descend into Ngorongoro Crater in search of black rhinos
03 Enjoy wildlife viewing beside the Tarangire River
04 Fly from Zanzibar for a short safari through Tanzania's Northern Circuit

Explore Tanzania's famous Northern Circuit on a 4-day safari from Zanzibar, with game drives in Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. Search for the Big Five in the Serengeti, look out for black rhinos on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, and enjoy Tarangire's rich wildlife along the Tarangire River. With domestic flights, accommodation, and safari logistics included, this tour is ideal for travellers who are passionate about wildlife and short on time.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Zanzibar, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park

Languages English, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Fly from Zanzibar to Serengeti for a Full-Day Game Drive

We will pick you up from your hotel in Zanzibar and transfer you to the airport. Arrive at the Seronera Airstrip in Serengeti around 10:30-11:00 am, where you will meet the safari crew and begin a full-day game drive. The Serengeti is particularly known for its abundance of predators and for having the largest concentration of wildebeests and zebras in the whole country.
Later, you will go to the picnic site and enjoy the beautiful view of the animals while having a hot lunch. Small monkeys and baboons may try to scare you away from your lunch, but there is nothing to worry about.
After lunch, proceed with the game drive while heading to your accommodation for dinner and your overnight stay.

Day 02

Early Serengeti Game Drive and Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater Rim

After an early breakfast at around 6:30 am, you will go on an early game drive in search of the Big Five until the afternoon, when you head back to the lodge for a hot lunch. We will then continue with the game drive as we exit the Serengeti and head to the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Upon arrival, we will settle in at Marera Valley Lodge, where we will spend the night on a full-board basis.

Day 03

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive and Transfer to Mto Wa Mbu

After an early breakfast, we will descend to the crater floor for an incredible morning game drive in search of black rhinos. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most stunning places on Earth, with huge walls surrounding the animals, almost like a Jurassic Park. In the afternoon, we will stop by a hippo pool for lunch while enjoying the view of the hippos nearby.
After lunch, we will proceed with a game drive. Later, we ascend the crater and exit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, heading towards Tarangire National Park for accommodation and an overnight stay at Jungle Peal, located at Mto Wa Mbu.

Day 04

Tarangire Game Drive and Flight Back to Zanzibar

After breakfast, we will begin with a game drive across a rich vista of the endless golden savannah surrounding the Tarangire River. The river is a vital source of water for the region's animals during the dry season and a setting for some riveting game viewing.
The river, lined with acacia and baobab trees, is a waterhole for the park's large elephant population and other herbivores. Driving through the park, you will also have the opportunity to see lions, leopards, Cape buffaloes, and a vast variety of antelopes. If you are lucky, you might even see endangered animals such as the greater kudu, the fringe-eared oryx, or the wild dog.
We will continue the game drive until late afternoon, when you exit the park and start driving to Arusha Airport for your flight to Zanzibar.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from JM7M+65W 5 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

All accommodations
All activities, unless indicated as optional
All transportation, unless labelled as optional
Meals, as specified in the day-by-day section
Taxes / VAT
All transport by road
Domestic flights
Park fees
Professional guide
Drinking water on all days
Government-imposed increases of taxes and/or park fees
Budget lodges
All meals on safaris
Quality safari jeep
Guide wages
Airport pickup
Airport pickup in Zanzibar
Air-conditioned car
Beer
Free transfer in Zanzibar

What's Not Included

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
International flights
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Tips (tipping guideline: USD 10-15 per person per day for your guide)

What to bring

Luggage: Use a durable, waterproof, lockable duffel or soft-sided bag. Keep valuables in a separate day pack, and ideally leave sentimental or high-value items at home.
Clothes: Pack layers for hot days and cool nights. Choose breathable, sun-protective clothing in mid-tone colours like olive, green, and khaki. Avoid white, bright, or dark colours. Casual wear is suitable for lodge evenings. Bring a waterproof coat and check the weather before travelling.
Shoes: Bring light hiking boots and sports sandals for daytime and camp walks. Flip-flops are useful for showers.
Sun protection: The African sun can be brutal, so be sure to bring a good pair of sunglasses, a hat, sun cream, and lip salve.
First aid supplies: Antiseptic ointment, antihistamine cream and tablets, painkiller (e.g. Nurofen), eye drops, anti-diarrhoea medication, bandages, personal medication for allergies/asthma, and insect repellent with DEET.
Photography & electrical equipment: We recommend bringing a strong bag or carry case to protect your camera, spare batteries, memory or storage media (2 memory cards in case one gets corrupted), and binoculars.
Electrical charging and power supply

Know before you go

Your safety on safari: Our 4x4 Land Cruisers are checked and serviced before every trip, every vehicle carries a first aid kit, and our guides are first-aid trained.
On arrival: Flying into Arusha / Kilimanjaro Airports is quite straightforward - English is widely spoken and used for signs and directions. Arusha Airport is a 30-minute drive from Arusha. Kilimanjaro Airport is roughly a one-hour drive from Arusha. If you are arriving in Kilimanjaro on an international flight, clearing immigration can be a lengthy process.
Money: The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. US Dollars and Euros are widely accepted. Most places will not accept older US dollar bills, especially anything printed before 2006.
Credit cards: If you intend to use your credit or debit card to withdraw funds, we suggest taking more than one card with you, as you may find that your card is not accepted at the first ATM you try. Visa and Maestro cards are best. We recommend informing your bank that you will be using your card abroad to avoid it being blocked.
ATMs: These are available in Arusha and allow you to withdraw local currency.
Flight information: We advise that you arrive in Arusha at least 1 day before your trip begins. Return flights can be booked for the late afternoon or evening of the final day of your safari, but please ensure your guide is aware of this so that you can arrive at the airport in plenty of time for your flight.
Visa & passports: Please check with the relevant embassy in your country for up-to-date visa and passport information. Make sure your passport is not going to expire within six months of your trip and that it has at least 3 clear pages. You will probably need a visa to enter Tanzania. Check with your own country's government travel website to find out how to get your visa. Most visas can be bought on arrival into the country.
Vaccinations & health: You will require vaccinations for your trip. As we are not medically trained, we are unable to give detailed advice on vaccination requirements. However, the following vaccinations are normally recommended for Tanzania: Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Rabies, Yellow Fever, and Malaria. Yellow Fever is compulsory when you are entering Tanzania from a country that has Yellow Fever. Vaccination certificates are often checked at immigration. If you are entering Tanzania from a country that does not have Yellow Fever, vaccination is not needed. Please visit the World Health Organization website for an up-to-date list. Malaria: In some of the areas we visit, there is a risk of contracting malaria. You must be aware that whatever malaria tablets you are taking, they only offer partial protection. They must be coupled with your physical efforts to avoid being bitten, which is the best prevention. Malaria-carrying mosquitoes come out at sunset, so from this time you should wear long sleeves and trousers. Exposed skin, especially ankles, should have insect repellent containing 'DEET' applied to it.
Travel insurance: We strongly recommend that you have extensive travel insurance to cover you for your trip. It is also wise to leave a copy of your insurance policy with a friend or relative for safekeeping. Your policy should include adequate medical emergency and repatriation coverage.
Climate: In Tanzania, the year is loosely divided into the 'short' rains (November) and the 'long' rains (March to May). The 'rains' usually last for one or two hours each day, followed by hot sunny weather. Nights can be surprisingly cold at higher altitudes, such as Ngorongoro Crater.