Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 5-day safari through the heart of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit. Discover the incredible wildlife and breathtaking landscapes of Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater—one of the world’s natural wonders—and the world-famous Serengeti National Park. For your convenience, airport pickup and drop-off are included.
Trip Highlights
- Budget tour: This budget tour uses lodges and self catering accommodations.
- Private tour: This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
- Scheduled departures: This tour starts on fixed start dates only.
- Can be customized: You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
- Not for solo travelers: Solo travelers cannot book this private tour.
- Minimum age of 10 years: The minimum age for this tour is 10 years.
Itinerary
After breakfast, you will meet an office representative for a briefing about your safari then take 2 hours’ drive to Tarangire National Park. Along the way, you will take in the scenic views of the grassland plains speckled with the ancient baobab trees, traditional Maasai houses, and cattle being herded by the nomadic people.
You will endorse all that Tarangire National Park is known for – the famous ancient baobab trees, tree climbing pythons, and the largest concentration of African elephants, lions, leopards, cheetah. After a picnic lunch in midday, you will resume your afternoon game drive then drive to Karatu near Near Ngorongoro for dinner and overnight at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge.
Main Destination:
Tarangire National Park
Accommodation:
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge
Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
After a healthy breakfast, you will drive to Serengeti National Park. This drive will take you through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area so you will be able to view the Ngorongoro Crater on the way. This drive will take around six hours depending on the game on the way because sometimes there is a high concentration of game on the southern plains. You will stop for a picnic lunch on the way then proceeds to your Lodge with a game drive en-route arriving in the evening. Overnight will be at Rest House Lodge Serengeti.
Main Destination:
Serengeti National Park
Accommodation:
TANAPA Serengeti Taji House
Budget self catering accommodation located inside Central Serengeti NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
You will have a full day of excursions in the Serengeti National Park on this day, enjoying the famous Serengeti Sunrise. Go on morning and afternoon game drives, and enjoy the famous 'Serengeti Sunset' from the camp. The center of the Serengeti, called Seronera, is a network of rivers that ensure dependable water supplies, which attracts wildlife throughout the year. It is here that you’ll have your best opportunity to spot the “Big Five”: lions, elephants, buffalo, rhino, and the leopard. There will be no shortage of animal sightings as the presence of permanent mud pools and shade attract giraffes, impalas, warthogs, and hippos. You might also catch a glimpse of cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals.
Overnight will be at Rest House Lodge Serengeti.
Main Destination:
Serengeti National Park
Accommodation:
TANAPA Serengeti Taji House
Budget self catering accommodation located inside Central Serengeti NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
After breakfast, you will take a three-hour drive to the Ngorongoro conservation area for the Ngorongoro Crater descent which will be followed by a game drive. At mid-day, you will have your lunch at the base of the crater. Ngorongoro is one of the 8 Wonders of the World, and the crater is a very important refuge for a variety of wildlife. Most commonly seen are big bulls of elephants and the vulnerable species of black rhinos. The crater is also home to big herds of wildebeest and zebras, Thomson and Grant gazelles, hippopotamus, African cape buffalos, prides of lions, hyenas, serval cats, golden and black-backed jackals, and close to 400 species of birds. Dinner and overnight will be at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge in Karatu.
Main Destination:
Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation:
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge
Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
After breakfast, you will drive to Lake Manyara National Park with picnic lunches in hand. The park is situated inside of the Great Rift Valley with a distinctive evergreen forest that provides suitable habitat for olive baboons, monkeys, big families of elephants, tree-climbing lions, leopards, and African cape buffalos. At mid-day, you’ll enjoy lunch in the park before setting out for the open woodland areas where you'll hope to set your sights on giraffes, hippos, and flamingos. Upon finishing your afternoon game drive, proceed back to Arusha/Kilimanjaro for an overnight stay. This is where your tour ends.
Main Destination:
Lake Manyara National Park
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Cost Excludes
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
FAQs
The 5-Day Tarangire-Serengeti-Ngorongoro-Manyara Adventure takes you to four of Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife destinations: Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park. Each park offers unique landscapes, diverse wildlife, and unforgettable safari experiences.
During the 5-Day Tarangire-Serengeti-Ngorongoro-Manyara Adventure, you may encounter the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and black rhino—as well as cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, hyenas, tree-climbing lions, flamingos (seasonal), and numerous bird species.
The 5-Day Tarangire-Serengeti-Ngorongoro-Manyara Adventure typically includes accommodation, meals as outlined in the itinerary, park entrance fees, transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle, daily game drives, the services of a professional driver-guide, bottled drinking water, and airport or hotel transfers.
Yes. The 5-Day Tarangire-Serengeti-Ngorongoro-Manyara Adventure is ideal for first-time visitors, families, couples, and solo travelers. It covers Tanzania’s most famous safari destinations and offers an excellent introduction to the country’s incredible wildlife and natural beauty.
For the 5-Day Tarangire-Serengeti-Ngorongoro-Manyara Adventure, pack lightweight clothing in neutral colors, a warm jacket for cool mornings and evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera, and any personal medications.
The 5-Day Tarangire-Serengeti-Ngorongoro-Manyara Adventure is available throughout the year. The dry season from June to October is ideal for wildlife viewing, while the green season from November to May offers lush landscapes, excellent birdwatching, fewer crowds, and seasonal events such as the Serengeti calving season.
