4 Days - Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari in Tanzania
This 4 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari covers 1 night near Lake Manyara, 1 night within Serengeti National Park, and 1 night in the Ngorongoro Highlands, with an additional 1 night stay in Arusha City before the safari begins. The safari starts with airport pick-up from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) and ends with airport drop-off after the tour. Accompanied by our professional, certified, experienced and passionate safari guides from Macpace Tours and Safaris, this journey offers a classic Tanzania safari experience and memories that will last a lifetime.
Starting from Arusha City or Moshi Town, this safari is a good choice for travelers who want to visit Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater in a short but rewarding itinerary. It is simple, well planned, and gives you a chance to enjoy lake scenery, forest wildlife, endless plains, big cats, highlands, and one of Africa’s most famous natural wildlife areas.
Your safari journey begins with your arrival in Arusha. You will spend the first night in Arusha City before going into the parks. This night gives you time to rest after your flight, prepare your safari luggage, meet your safari guide, and get ready for the next day’s adventure.
On the first day of Safari, your guide will pick you up after breakfast and drive to Lake Manyara National Park. This beautiful park sits below the Great Rift Valley escarpment and is known for its green groundwater forest, lake views, open grassland, hot springs, and rich birdlife.
During your game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, you may see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, baboons, blue monkeys, flamingos, pelicans, and many other bird species. The park is also known for tree-climbing lions, although sightings depend on the day and season.
On the second day of Safari, your journey continues from Lake Manyara area towards Serengeti National Park. The drive takes you through local villages, farms, the Ngorongoro Highlands, and open countryside before reaching the wide plains of Serengeti.
As you enter Serengeti National Park, the landscape changes into endless grasslands filled with wildlife. You may start seeing zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, and sometimes predators along the way. After arrival, you will enjoy a game drive before heading to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
On the third day of Safari, you will continue exploring Serengeti National Park. This is one of the best wildlife destinations in Africa and a great place to search for lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and many other animals.
Depending on the season, you may also witness part of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Your guide will follow the best wildlife areas of the day to give you a better chance of seeing animals and enjoying the real beauty of Serengeti.
Later in the day, you will drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The scenery changes from open plains to cooler green highlands with beautiful views. You will arrive near the crater area for dinner and overnight stay.
On the fourth day of Safari, you will descend into the famous Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive. The crater is one of the best wildlife areas in Tanzania because many animals live inside the crater throughout the year.
During the game drive, you may see lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, gazelles, and if lucky, the rare black rhino. The crater also has beautiful scenery, including open grassland, forest, swamp areas, and a lake, making it one of the most special places on this safari.
After the Ngorongoro Crater game drive, you will begin your journey back to Arusha. Depending on your travel plan, you can be dropped at your hotel, Arusha Airport, or Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Throughout this safari, you will travel in a comfortable 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof. This gives you a clear view for wildlife watching, photography, and enjoying the beautiful landscapes of northern Tanzania.
This 4 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari is perfect for first-time visitors, couples, families, solo travelers, photographers, and wildlife lovers. It combines lake scenery, forest wildlife, Serengeti plains, big cats, highlands, and the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater in one short and well-planned Tanzania safari.
4 Days Tanzania Safari at a Glance
- Safari Name: 4 Days Tanzania Safari to Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
- Starting Point: Arusha City or Moshi Town
- Airport Arrival: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK)
- Ending Point: Arusha, Moshi, JRO Airport, or Arusha Airport
- Accommodation Before Safari: Optional overnight stay in Arusha or Moshi
- Night 1: Lodge / Tented Camp near Lake Manyara or similar accommodation
- Night 2: Lodge / Tented Camp within Serengeti National Park
- Night 3: Lodge / Tented Camp in Ngorongoro Highlands or similar accommodation
- Main Attractions: Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
- Wildlife: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, flamingos, rhinos if lucky, and more
- Best For: First-time visitors, wildlife lovers, photographers, couples, families, groups, and short Tanzania safari holidays
Important Travel Information
| Location | Distance & Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park | Approximately 125 km | About 2 to 3 hours drive |
| Moshi to Lake Manyara National Park | Approximately 205 km | About 4 to 5 hours drive |
| Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park | Approximately 205 km | About 5 to 6 hours drive including park entry procedures and scenic stops |
| Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands | Approximately 145 km | About 3 to 4 hours drive with wildlife viewing on the way |
| Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha | Approximately 190 km | About 4 to 5 hours drive |
| Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha | Approximately 50 km | About 1 hour drive |
| Arusha Airport to Arusha City | Approximately 8 km | About 15 minutes drive |
Places You Will Visit on This 4 Days Tanzania Safari
Arusha City – Gateway to Northern Tanzania Safari
Arusha City is the main starting point for many northern Tanzania safaris. The city is located near Mount Meru and gives easy access to Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and other famous safari destinations.
Most travelers spend a night in Arusha before the safari starts. This makes the journey easier and gives you time to relax, prepare, and meet your safari team before the adventure begins.
Lake Manyara National Park – Forest, Lake Views and Birdlife
Lake Manyara National Park is a beautiful park located below the Great Rift Valley escarpment. It is famous for its green forest, lake scenery, hot springs, open grassland, and rich birdlife.
During your game drive, you may see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, warthogs, hippos, baboons, blue monkeys, flamingos, pelicans, and many other birds. The park is also known for tree-climbing lions, although sightings depend on the day and season.
Lake Manyara is a great place to begin your safari because it offers wildlife, birds, forest, lake views, and beautiful scenery within a short distance from Arusha.
Serengeti National Park – Tanzania’s Endless Plains
Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s most famous safari destination and one of the best wildlife parks in Africa. The park is known for its endless plains, big cats, large animal herds, and the Great Wildebeest Migration.
During your game drives in Serengeti, you may see lions resting on the plains, cheetahs hunting in open grassland, leopards hiding in trees, elephants moving through the bush, and large herds of zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and buffaloes.
Serengeti gives you the true feeling of a classic African safari. Its wide landscapes, rich wildlife, and dramatic game-viewing moments make it one of the main highlights of this 4 Days Tanzania Safari.
Ngorongoro Highlands – Scenic Overnight Before the Crater
The Ngorongoro Highlands are located between Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. The area is known for cool weather, green hills, farms, forests, Maasai villages, and beautiful views.
Spending a night in the Ngorongoro Highlands gives you a good location for an early morning descent into the crater. It also adds a peaceful and scenic experience to your Tanzania safari.
Ngorongoro Crater – Tanzania’s Natural Wildlife Wonder
Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most famous wildlife destinations in Tanzania. It was formed millions of years ago after a large volcano collapsed, creating a huge natural caldera filled with animals.
The crater floor has grassland, forest, swamp, lake areas, and open plains. This makes it home to many animals throughout the year, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, gazelles, and the rare black rhino.
Because many animals live inside the crater, Ngorongoro gives visitors one of the best chances to see a lot of wildlife in a short time.
Why Choose This 4 Days Tanzania Safari?
- Visit three famous northern Tanzania safari destinations in one trip.
- Explore the forest and lake scenery of Lake Manyara National Park.
- Experience the endless plains of Serengeti National Park.
- Enjoy a game drive inside the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater.
- Good chance to see big cats and many other wild animals.
- Great option for travelers who want Serengeti in a short itinerary.
- Professional English-speaking safari guide.
- Comfortable 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof.
- Airport pick-up and drop-off available from JRO or Arusha Airport.
- Suitable for couples, families, solo travelers, groups, and photographers.
Best Time for This 4 Days Tanzania Safari
This 4 Days Tanzania Safari to Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater can be done throughout the year. The dry season from June to October is one of the best times for wildlife viewing because animals are easier to see around water sources and open areas.
The green season from November to May is also beautiful, with fresh landscapes, many birds, fewer crowds, and good photography conditions. Serengeti and Ngorongoro offer excellent wildlife viewing in many seasons, while Lake Manyara is especially beautiful when the scenery is green.
Detailed 4-Day Tanzania Safari Itinerary
Day
0
Arrival in Arusha – Airport Pickup & Hotel Stay
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), our safari representative will meet and welcome you to Tanzania. After a short introduction, you will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha for relaxation and overnight stay before your safari begins.
This arrival day gives you time to rest after your flight, prepare your safari luggage, and get ready for the adventure ahead. Depending on your arrival time, you may also meet your safari guide for a short briefing about your 4-day Tanzania safari itinerary, including Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater.
You will spend the night at your selected hotel in Arusha, ready to start your safari journey the following morning.
Day
1
Arusha Town to Lake Manyara National Park
You will leave from your hotel early in the morning after breakfast and drive from Arusha towards Lake Manyara National Park. The drive from Arusha takes approximately 2 hours, passing through local villages, beautiful landscapes, and the busy town of Mto wa Mbu near the park entrance.
After reaching the area, your guide will assist with park entry procedures before you begin your game drive inside Lake Manyara National Park. This park is one of the most beautiful safari destinations in northern Tanzania, famous for its green forest, lake views, open grassland, acacia trees, and rich wildlife.
During your game drive, you may see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, warthogs, baboons, blue monkeys, hippos, and many other animals. Lake Manyara is also known for its tree-climbing lions, although sightings depend on the day and season.
The park is also a wonderful place for bird watching. Near the lake, you may see flamingos, pelicans, storks, birds of prey, and the colorful lilac-breasted roller. The mix of wildlife, birds, forest, and lake scenery makes Lake Manyara a perfect first stop for this 4-day Tanzania safari.
After enjoying your game drive and picnic lunch, you will continue to your accommodation near Lake Manyara or Karatu for dinner and overnight stay, ready for the next day’s journey to Serengeti National Park.
Day
2
Lake Manyara National Park to Serengeti National Park
After a fascinating breakfast in the Lake Manyara National Park, we travel towards the Central Serengeti National Park by passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We enter into the center of wild Africa; Serengeti National Park known as endless plain. We head to the central Serengeti area, the Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the Serengeti National Park, with its beside Seronera River, as water source attracting wildlife animals’ representatives of most of the Serengeti’s wildlife species. We will arrive best time for lunch in the afternoon and proceed with game drive in the Serengeti National Park. Dinner and overnight at your hotel/camp.
Day
3
Full day game drive in Serengeti National Park overnight in Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
After breakfast time you will proceed with a game drive safari in Serengeti National Park with lunch box following the wildebeests Migration at the Northern Serengeti, you will be able to see wildebeest, zebra, a topi hartebeest, eland, antelope, hyena, varieties of birds on the trees also taking pictures of the beauty of Serengeti landscapes and nature. We will get lunch and then continue with game view in Serengeti towards the Serengeti gate checking out of Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation site.
Day
4
Ngorongoro Crater to Moshi/Arusha
In the early morning you wake up with healthy breakfast before descend into the Ngorongoro Crater with lunch box experiencing the game drive for more than six hours. The Ngorongoro Crater is the most crowded African wildlife area in the world. Ngorongoro Crater supports a variety of animals including herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and elephants, huge population of predators, like lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and leopards available in the Ngorongoro Crater floor. Then after a picnic lunch you will have a short game drive in Ngorongoro Crater and in the late afternoon you will ascend to Ngorongoro gate drive heading back to Arusha/Moshi Town.
Pre & Post Tour Hotels
Arusha is the base for safari tours in North Tanzania. If you need accommodation in Arusha before/after your safari tour you can check some popular hotel prices on bed and breakfast basis below.
Single Room
- Crest Safari Lodge - USD 47
- Kutoka Lodge - USD 64
- Karama Lodge - USD 113
- The African Tulip - USD 149
- Four Points by Sheraton - USD 205
- Arusha Coffee Lodge - USD 375
Double Sharing
- Crest Safari Lodge - USD 29
- Kutoka Lodge - USD 49
- Karama Lodge - USD 76
- The African Tulip - USD 112
- Four Points by Sheraton - USD 120
- Arusha Coffee Lodge - USD 240
Triple Sharing Room
- Crest Safari Lodge - USD 29
- Kutoka Lodge - USD 40
- Karama Lodge - USD 73
- The African Tulip - USD 93
- Arusha Coffee Lodge - USD 180
Add-on tours in Ngorongoro
- Masai Village Tour: USD 25 per person
- Olduvai Gorge museum visit: USD 35 per person
- Ngorongoro Crater Rim Hike: USD 35 per person
Add-on tours in Lake Manyara
- Canoeing in Lake Manyara: USD 74 per person
- Night Game drives in Lake Manyara NP: USD 114 per person
- Treetop Walkway: USD 54 per person
Add-on tours in Tarangire
- Hot Air Balloon Ride: USD 540 per person
- Short Walking Tour (upto 4 hours): USD 45 per person
- Long Walking Tour (upto 6 hours): USD 60 per person
- Night Game Drives (for clients staying inside): USD 100-200 per person depending on lodge
Add-on tours in Karatu
- Coffee Plantation Tour: USD 20 per person
- Iraq Village Tour: USD 25 per person
- Endoro Falls & Elephant Caves visit: USD 35 per person
Transfers Details
This tour starts from Arusha. Kilimanjaro Airport is the nearest international airport and Arusha Airport is the nearest domestic airport.
Airport Pickup / Drop
Arusha Airport: No extra charge
Kilimanjaro Airport: USD 30 per vehicle
Airport to Hotel Transfers
Arusha Airport ↔ Hotel: USD 25 per vehicle
Kilimanjaro Airport ↔ Arusha: USD 50 per vehicle
Intercity Transfers
Moshi ↔ Arusha: USD 100 per vehicle
Nairobi ↔ Arusha: USD 275 per vehicle
Flights Details
Important Note
We do not book international flights. We assist with local flights based on availability.
Intercity Flights
Zanzibar ↔ Arusha: From USD 100 (Morning flight)
Dar es Salaam ↔ Arusha: From USD 90 (Morning flight)
Arusha ↔ Zanzibar: From USD 170 (Afternoon flight)
Arusha ↔ Dar es Salaam: From USD 110 (Afternoon flight)
4 Days Meals Tips
Safari Tour Inclusions & Exclusions
Below is a clear breakdown of what is included and excluded in your Tanzania safari package. This helps you understand exactly what to expect before your journey to Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and other parks.
