5 Days (Group Joining) Tour to Lake Manyara, Serengeti (2 Nights), Ngorongoro Safari in Tanzania
This 5 Days (Group Joining) Tour to Lake Manyara, Serengeti (2 Nights), Ngorongoro Safari in Tanzania covers 1 night near Lake Manyara National Park, 2 nights within Serengeti National Park, and 1 night near/within the Ngorongoro Highlands, with an additional 1 night stay in Arusha City before the safari begins. The safari starts and ends in Arusha and is operated as a group joining safari, allowing travelers from different countries to enjoy Tanzania's most famous wildlife destinations while sharing safari costs. Accompanied by our professional, certified, experienced and passionate safari guides, this journey offers a classic Tanzania safari experience and memories that will last a lifetime.
Starting from Arusha City, this safari is a great choice for travelers who want to visit Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater in one rewarding itinerary. It is simple, well planned, and gives you a chance to enjoy beautiful forests, tree-climbing lions, endless plains, big cats, highlands, and one of Africa’s most famous natural wildlife areas.
Your safari journey begins 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 is known for its groundwater forest, alkaline lake, tree-climbing lions, large troops of baboons, elephants, hippos, and impressive birdlife.
During your game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, you may see elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, monkeys, baboons, warthogs, flamingos, and many bird species. The park offers beautiful scenery with forests, open plains, and views of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
On the second day of Safari, your journey continues from the 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, gazelles, 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.
After another exciting day of wildlife viewing, you will return to your accommodation for dinner and your second overnight stay inside Serengeti National Park.
On the fourth day of Safari, you will enjoy a morning game drive in Serengeti National Park before beginning your journey towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The scenery changes from open plains to cooler green highlands with beautiful views. Wildlife viewing continues along the way before you arrive near the crater area for dinner and overnight stay.
On the fifth 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 another designated drop-off point in Arusha.
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 5 Days (Group Joining) Tour to Lake Manyara, Serengeti (2 Nights), Ngorongoro Safari in Tanzania is perfect for first-time visitors, couples, families, solo travelers, photographers, and wildlife lovers. It combines Lake Manyara forests, tree-climbing lions, Serengeti plains, big cats, Ngorongoro Highlands, and the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater in one well-planned Tanzania safari.
5 Days Tanzania Safari at a Glance
- Safari Name: 5 Days (Group Joining) Tour to Lake Manyara, Serengeti (2 Nights), Ngorongoro Safari in Tanzania
- Starting Point: Arusha City
- Ending Point: Arusha City
- Accommodation Before Safari: Optional overnight stay in Arusha
- Night 1: Lodge / Tented Camp near Lake Manyara National Park or Karatu Area
- Night 2: Lodge / Tented Camp within Serengeti National Park
- Night 3: Lodge / Tented Camp within Serengeti National Park
- Night 4: Lodge / Tented Camp near/within 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, rhinos if lucky, and more
- Best For: First-time visitors, wildlife lovers, photographers, couples, families, solo travelers, and group travelers
Important Travel Information
| Location | Distance & Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park | Approximately 125 km | About 2 to 3 hours drive |
| Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park | Approximately 220 km | About 5 to 6 hours drive including scenic stops and park entry procedures |
| Serengeti National Park Full Day Game Drive | Full day wildlife exploration across different regions of the park |
| 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 5 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 and Tree-Climbing Lions
Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s most scenic wildlife destinations. The park is famous for its groundwater forest, large baboon population, elephants, hippos, birdlife, and occasional tree-climbing lions.
During your game drive, you may see elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, monkeys, flamingos, and many bird species. The park offers a unique safari experience within a compact but wildlife-rich environment.
Lake Manyara is a great place to begin your safari because it offers beautiful scenery, diverse habitats, and excellent wildlife viewing 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.
Spending two nights inside Serengeti allows you to explore more wildlife areas and enjoy one of Africa's greatest safari experiences.
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 near/within 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 5 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari?
- Visit three famous northern Tanzania safari destinations in one trip.
- Explore Lake Manyara National Park, famous for tree-climbing lions and birdlife.
- Spend two nights inside Serengeti National Park.
- Experience the endless plains of Serengeti and its incredible wildlife.
- Enjoy a game drive inside the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater.
- Good chance to see big cats and many other wild animals.
- Professional English-speaking safari guide.
- Comfortable 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof.
- Affordable group joining safari experience.
- Suitable for couples, families, solo travelers, groups, and photographers.
Best Time for This 5 Days Tanzania Safari
This 5 Days (Group Joining) Tour to Lake Manyara, Serengeti (2 Nights), Ngorongoro Safari in Tanzania 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. Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro offer excellent wildlife viewing in many seasons, making this safari rewarding throughout the year.
Short Itinerary
- Day 1 -Transfer from Arusha to Manyara. Game drives in Lake Manyara National park. Overnight at Nsya Lodge (Safari Bungalow) or similar
- Day 2 - Transfer to Serengeti for afternoon game drives. Overnight at Tukaone camps or Similar
- Day 3 - Full Day game drives in Serengeti. Overnight at Tukaone camps or similar
- Day 4 -Morning game drives in Serengeti and afternoon transfer to accommodation at Karatu. Overnight at at Omega view hotel or similar
- Day 5 - Ngorongoro crater tour (5 hours) in the morning and afternoon transfer to Arusha. End of tour
Ensuite Accommodation Packages
Below are packages with a few popular ensuite options for your private tour, starting on Nov 13, 2023, in a group of two adults. Ensuite hotels are tented camps/lodges that can be inside/around national parks. You will have a private room with attached bathroom. Meals are provided by hotels.
Option E1: $1,520 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 2 : Stay at Nsya Lodge or similar, Lake Manyara (Outside the Park)
- Day 2 - 4 : Stay at Tukaone Camps, Central Serengeti or similar, Central Serengeti
- Day 4 - 5 : Stay at Omega View Hotel, Karatu or similar, Karatu
TRIP ITINERARY
Day
1
Transfer from Arusha to Manyara. Game drives in Lake Manyara National park. Overnight at Nsya Lodge (Safari Bungalow) or similar
We start at around 6:30 AM from Arusha and drive to Manyara National park with packed lunch boxes. Manyara gate will be about 2.5 hours drive away. Once we reach the park, we start game drives here. As you enter the national park, lush forests of Acacia and Mahogany trees begin to set the mood for what is waiting ahead. The game drive will go on till around 5:00 PM or so with a small break for picnic lunch. During the game drive watch out for buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, baboons and the blue monkeys. Another spectacle of Lake Manyara National park is the tree climbing lions, however spotting them is a game of luck. In the right season, you can see the shoreline turning pink with millions of flamingos flocking there. Post the game drive, you will head back to your lodge to reach before 6:00 PM where a delicious dinner awaits you.
Optional add-on tours this day: Canoeing at Lake Manyara for about 2.5 hours ($74 per person ), Night game drives ($114 per person).
Day
2
Transfer to Serengeti for afternoon game drives. Overnight at Tukaone camps or Similar
After breakfast, we checkout from hotel around 9:00 AM and head towards Serengeti National Park, via the beautiful high lying farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After driving for about couple of hours, we Leave Ngorongoro highlands behind, and descend into dusty plains of Ngorongoro while passing next to Maasai villages. Around 1:00 PM, we reach the gate of the Serengeti National Park. After lunch, we check into park and head to the central park area, known as the Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, featuring the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and therefore attracts wildlife well representative of most of the Serengeti's species. We do an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti National Park till around 5:30 PM and proceed for overnight at Tukaone camps or similar.
Optional tours this day: Maasai Village tour ($25 per person) or Olduvai gorge museum visit ($35 per person) near/within Ngorongoro on the way to Serengeti.
Day
3
Full Day game drives in Serengeti. Overnight at Tukaone camps or similar
We depart around 8:00 AM after breakfast, with packed lunch boxes for full day game drives that last for about 8-9 hours in Central Serengeti. We return to camp around 5:30 PM. Overnight at Tukaone camps or similar
Optional add-on tours this day: Balloon Safari in the morning ($540 per person) or Walking safari for 3-4 hours ($45 per person sharing or $60 for solo client) in Central Serengeti.
Day
4
Morning game drives in Serengeti and afternoon transfer to accommodation at Karatu. Overnight at at Omega view hotel or similar
After early breakfast, we depart at around 6:30 AM and will have game drives till around noon in Central Serengeti. Later depart for accommodation in Karatu, crossing Ngorongoro conservation area. Overnight at Crater rim Inn or similar
Day
5
Ngorongoro crater tour (5 hours) in the morning and afternoon transfer to Arusha. End of tour
After an early breakfast, descend to the crater floor for game drive(5 hours). You can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, hyenas, Jackals, rhinos and many birds. The birds seen here include eagle, vulture, flamingos in the Crater Lake, storks, giant vulture,and many more. Post the picnic lunch at the beautiful Hippo pool, you will begin a steep ascend to the top exit of the crater. With a 3.5 hr drive left to your accommodation in Arusha, the day will come to a close. This is also the last day of our tour! Bid goodbye to your guide with lots of good memories. Hotel in Arusha can be arranged at extra cost.
Stay Locations
- Day 1 - Lake Manyara (Outside the Park)
- Day 2 - Central Serengeti
- Day 3 -Central Serengeti
- Day 4 - Karatu
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, Arusha - Traditional queen room - USD 205
- - Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge - Plantation room - USD 375
Double Sharing room
- - Crest Safari Lodge - USD 29
- - Kutoka Lodge - USD 49
- - Karama lodge - USD 76
- - The African Tulip - USD 112
- - Four Points by Sheraton, Arusha - Traditional queen room - USD 120
- - Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge - Plantation room - USD 240
Triple Sharing Room
- - Crest Safari Lodge - USD 29
- - Kutoka Lodge - USD 40
- - Karama lodge - USD 73
- - The African Tulip - USD 93
- - Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge - Plantation room - USD 180
Transfers
This tour starts from Arusha. Kilimanjaro airport is the nearest international airport and Arusha airport is the nearest domestic airport.
Airport Pickup/Drop
Pickup or drop off at Arusha airport on the day of safari: No extra charge Pickup or drop off at Kilimanjaro airport on the day of safari: USD 30 per vehicle
Airport to Hotel transfers
Transfer from Arusha airport to Arusha hotel or vice versa: USD 25 per vehicle Transfer from Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha hotel or vice versa: USD 50 per vehicle
InterCity transfers
Transfer from Moshi to Arusha or vice versa: USD 100 per vehicle Transfer from Nairobi to Arusha or vice versa: USD 275 per vehicle
Flights
We do not book International Flights.
We can book local flights based on availability. Below are indicative additional costs for local flights.
Intercity Flights
- From Zanzibar to Arusha: From USD 100 per person (Morning flight)
- From Dar es salaam to Arusha: From USD 90 per person (Morning flight)
- From Arusha to Zanzibar: From USD 170 per person (Late Afternoon flight)
- From Arusha to Dar es salaam: From USD 110 per person (Late Afternoon flight)
Meals
- Day 1 - Lunch & Dinner
- Day 2 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 3 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 4 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 5 - Breakfast & Lunch
Drive Times
- Day 1 -Arusha to Lake Manyara takes about 2.5 to 3 hours (114 km)
- Day 2 -Lake Manyara to Central Serengeti takes about 4 to 4.5 hours (192 km)
- Day 4 -Central Serengeti to NCA takes about 3 to 3.5 hours (151 km))
- Day 5 - NCA to Arusha takes about 4 to 4.5 hours (154 km)
Note: These are estimated drive times. Because of the traffic, location of the accommodations, and several other factors, actual drive times may vary. Driving distances are approximate and do not account for exact places.
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.
