5 Days Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara Tanzania Safari
This 5 Days Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara Tanzania Safari covers 1 night near/within Tarangire 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 designed for travelers who want to explore Northern Tanzania's most famous wildlife destinations within a well-balanced itinerary. Accompanied by our professional, certified, experienced and passionate safari guides, this safari offers unforgettable wildlife encounters and some of the best safari experiences in Africa.
Starting from Arusha City, this safari combines the giant elephant herds of Tarangire National Park, the endless plains of Serengeti National Park, the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, and the beautiful forests and lake ecosystem of Lake Manyara National Park. It is one of the most popular safari routes for travelers seeking diverse landscapes and exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities.
Your safari journey begins in Arusha. You will spend the first night in Arusha City before entering the parks. This overnight stay allows you to relax after your arrival, organize your safari equipment, meet your guide, and prepare for the exciting adventure ahead.
On the first day of Safari, your guide will pick you up after breakfast and drive towards Tarangire National Park. This beautiful park is famous for its ancient baobab trees, large elephant herds, seasonal river, and rich wildlife population.
During your game drive, you may encounter elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest, impalas, warthogs, ostriches, baboons, and numerous bird species. The Tarangire River attracts animals throughout much of the year and creates excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. After the game drive, you will proceed to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
On the second day of Safari, you will depart the Tarangire area and travel towards Serengeti National Park through the beautiful Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, you will enjoy stunning scenery, Maasai villages, rolling hills, and spectacular views before reaching the famous Serengeti plains.
Upon entering Serengeti National Park, you will begin your first game drive. Wildlife sightings may include lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, buffaloes, and numerous other species before arriving at your camp or lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
On the third day of Safari, you will spend a full day exploring Serengeti National Park. This is one of the greatest wildlife destinations in Africa and home to an extraordinary concentration of animals and predators.
During your game drive, you may 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 crossing the vast Serengeti ecosystem.
After another exciting day in Serengeti, you will return to your accommodation for dinner and your second overnight stay inside the 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.
Wildlife viewing continues as you travel through the Serengeti ecosystem before reaching the cooler Ngorongoro Highlands. You will arrive at your lodge for dinner and overnight accommodation while enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
On the fifth day of Safari, you will descend into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive before continuing to Lake Manyara National Park for an afternoon wildlife experience.
Inside the Ngorongoro Crater, you may see lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, gazelles, and if fortunate, the endangered black rhino. The crater floor combines forests, lakes, swamps, and open grasslands, creating a perfect habitat for wildlife.
Later, you will proceed to Lake Manyara National Park. This beautiful park is famous for its groundwater forest, tree-climbing lions, elephants, baboons, hippos, and rich birdlife. After your game drive, you will begin your journey back to Arusha where the safari concludes.
Throughout this safari, you will travel in a comfortable 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof. This provides excellent visibility for wildlife viewing, photography, and enjoying the breathtaking landscapes of northern Tanzania.
This 5 Days Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara Tanzania Safari is perfect for first-time visitors, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, couples, families, solo travelers, and anyone looking to experience Tanzania's most famous safari destinations in one unforgettable adventure.
5 Days Tanzania Safari at a Glance
- Safari Name: 5 Days Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara Tanzania Safari
- Starting Point: Arusha City
- Ending Point: Arusha City
- Accommodation Before Safari: Optional overnight stay in Arusha
- Night 1: Lodge / Tented Camp near/within Tarangire National Park
- 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
- Main Attractions: Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park
- 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 safari adventurers
Important Travel Information
| Location | Distance & Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Arusha to Tarangire National Park | Approximately 120 km | About 2 to 3 hours drive |
| Tarangire National Park to Serengeti National Park | Approximately 280 km | About 6 to 7 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 Lake Manyara National Park | Approximately 60 km | About 1 to 2 hours drive |
| Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha | Approximately 125 km | About 2 to 3 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 serves as the starting point for most northern Tanzania safaris and provides easy access to the country's most famous national parks and wildlife destinations.
Most travelers spend a night in Arusha before the safari begins, allowing time to relax and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Tarangire National Park – Land of Giants and Baobab Trees
Tarangire National Park is famous for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and scenic landscapes. The park offers excellent wildlife viewing and is home to a wide variety of animals and bird species.
The Tarangire River attracts wildlife throughout much of the year, making the park one of Tanzania's best destinations for elephant viewing.
Tarangire provides a wonderful introduction to the northern safari circuit before continuing towards Serengeti.
Serengeti National Park – Tanzania's Wildlife Paradise
Serengeti National Park is one of Africa's most famous wildlife destinations and home to the Great Wildebeest Migration. The park is known for its endless plains, rich wildlife population, and outstanding predator sightings.
Visitors commonly encounter lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and many other species throughout the year.
Spending two nights inside Serengeti allows travelers to explore multiple wildlife regions and maximize game viewing opportunities.
Ngorongoro Highlands – Scenic Beauty and Cool Climate
The Ngorongoro Highlands are known for their rolling green hills, forests, farms, Maasai villages, and spectacular viewpoints overlooking the surrounding landscapes.
The area provides a relaxing overnight stop before visiting the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater.
Ngorongoro Crater – Africa's Natural Wildlife Sanctuary
Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest intact volcanic caldera and one of Africa's most remarkable wildlife destinations. The crater supports a high concentration of animals throughout the year.
Visitors may encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, gazelles, and the endangered black rhino in this unique ecosystem.
Its spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife make it one of the highlights of every Tanzania safari.
Lake Manyara National Park – Forest, Lake and Tree-Climbing Lions
Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its groundwater forest, tree-climbing lions, elephants, baboons, hippos, flamingos, and diverse birdlife.
The combination of forest, lake shoreline, open grasslands, and Rift Valley scenery creates one of the most beautiful safari environments in northern Tanzania.
Lake Manyara provides a perfect finale to this safari before returning to Arusha.
Why Choose This 5 Days Tanzania Safari?
- Visit four of Northern Tanzania's most famous safari destinations.
- Spend two nights inside Serengeti National Park.
- Explore the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater.
- Experience Tarangire's giant elephant herds and baobab trees.
- Discover Lake Manyara's forests and tree-climbing lions.
- Excellent opportunities to see the Big Five.
- Professional English-speaking safari guide.
- Comfortable 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof.
- Outstanding wildlife photography opportunities.
- Suitable for couples, families, solo travelers, and groups.
Best Time for This 5 Days Tanzania Safari
This 5 Days Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara Tanzania Safari can be enjoyed throughout the year. The dry season from June to October offers exceptional wildlife viewing as animals gather around rivers and water sources.
The green season from November to May brings lush landscapes, excellent birdwatching opportunities, fewer crowds, and beautiful photography conditions. Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara provide rewarding safari experiences throughout the year.
TRIP ITINERARY
Day
1
Moshi/Arusha to Tarangire National Park to Mto wa Mbu
Depart from your hotel in Arusha/Moshi after morning breakfast drive to the Arusha National Park. Entering to the Arusha National After Morning wake up you will be picked up in your hotel by driver from Macpace Tours & Safaris Travel Agency especially Tanzania Safari Operator, get breakfast before long drive to the Tarangire National Park, ‘Tarangire River’ is a name indicating river which flows across the park and is the only source of water for the animals drinking during the dry season. It is an amazing landscape, scattered with Baobab trees and high grasses with its mixture of vegetation than in the other parks in the Northern Safari Parks. Tarangire National Park is famous for its wildlife and birdlife; Birds species is over 550 species including yellow-collared lovebird. Animals include some of the BIG FIVEs and others are like Omo, the white giraffe who has a genetic condition called laicism: elephant, lions, warthogs, impala, cheetah, buffalo, and baboons. After a full day fantastic game drive in this Tarangire National Park, then head off to Mto wa Mbu and reach in the late afternoon for the dinner and overnight.
Day
2
Mto wa Mbu to Serengeti National Park
In the morning after breakfast drive from Mto wa Mbu to Serengeti National Park in which an adventure will begin. Serengeti National Park is a home of the world's largest concentration of wildlife including zebra, gazelle, lions, wildebeest, elephant and giraffe and generally a BIG FIVEs. Also is the point of the seasonal Wildebeest Migration of which may be your awesome lifetime adventure. Serengeti means 'The land that moves on forever'. You will stop for a break for lunch on a kopje (rock outcropping), gazing down on the incredible views while you eat and preparing yourself for your adventures deeper into the Serengeti National Park. In the evening head to the resting point for the overnight and dinner. On the next day you will have a whole day exploring Serengeti National Park further.
Day
3
Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater
You will progressively exploring Serengeti National Park after breakfast in the morning. The park contained the majority of the animals. This is a day which you will enjoy predators like lions tracking on other animals as their source of food. Perhaps in this day you will see more hippos, troop of monkeys and family of mongoose. After such an early start you will be looking forward to a magnificent delicious lunch, which will be served in the park. In the afternoon, you’ll start your Ngorongoro drive adventure by heading off to the accommodation site near/within Ngorongoro Conservation Area for dinner and overnight.
Day
4
Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara National Park
This 4th day Lake Manyara National Park safari destination produces the same experience as the Ngorongoro Crater, the game viewing is simply enough adventures. Most animals cannot go out the crater due to its high walls. This is the perfect location to view every member of ‘The Big 5’ in one day. You will have a great picnic lunch inside the Ngorongoro Crater. The Ngorongoro Crater home to hyenas, hippo, zebra, wildebeest and variety of water birds. Your guide will highlight for you by sharing his information experiences about the wilderness animals, vegetation. Fanaka Camp will provide competent camping facilities for rest, dinner and overnight.
Day
5
Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha/Moshi
Your last safari game drive day starts with a breakfast and then head off to the Lake Manyara National Park, which extends along the base of the Rift Valley escarpment. Lake Manyara National Park is a stock of forest, arid scrubland, Soda Lake and a paradise for bird lovers. The forest is fascinating with the birdsong and flittering with the antics of monkeys in the forest; giraffe roam the savannah and lions loll in trees, and others resting in the tree shade, while hippo families submerge in the soda lake water. You will get and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch served in the park before drive back to Moshi/Arusha, where your Best Safari Adventure ends. We can arrange for a transfer to Arusha/ Kilimanjaro Airport on request.
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
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
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
We do not book International Flights. We can book local flights based on availability. Below are indicative additional costs for local flights.
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.
What’s Included in Your Safari
What’s Not Included
Office Location
Related Packages
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