6-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari
About This Tour
Experience the best of Tanzania's wildlife and breathtaking landscapes on this six-day safari through Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Your adventure begins in Arusha with an exciting safari in Tarangire, famous for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and diverse wildlife. Continue to Karatu before travelling through the scenic Ngorongoro highlands to the legendary Serengeti, where you will enjoy unforgettable game drives in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and the Great Wildebeest Migration, depending on the season. Enhance your experience with an optional hot-air balloon safari over the Serengeti plains before heading to Ngorongoro for spectacular crater views. On your final day, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a memorable game drive, with the opportunity to spot the endangered black rhinoceros and other remarkable wildlife, before returning to Arusha. With comfortable lodge accommodation, delicious meals and expert safari guiding, this journey offers an exceptional introduction to Tanzania's natural beauty and wildlife.
Day by day
The plan for all 6 days, as the operator who would run it wrote it. Your own version can be adjusted — this is a private trip, so the route, the pace and the lodges are yours to change.
Day 1
Arusha to Tarangire National Park140 km2+ hours drivingTarangire Sopa LodgeLunch and Dinner
Your safari adventure begins with a pickup from your hotel in Arusha by your professional safari guide. After a short briefing, you will travel to Tarangire National Park, a beautiful wilderness area known for its impressive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and diverse wildlife.
Upon arrival, you will proceed to Tarangire Sopa Lodge for check-in and lunch, depending on your arrival time. After some time to relax, prepare for an exciting night game drive, offering a different perspective of the African wilderness.
Accompanied by an experienced guide, you will explore the park in a safari vehicle equipped with appropriate spotlights. Keep an eye out for nocturnal animals such as genets, civets and porcupines. With some luck, you may also encounter predators such as lions and leopards.
After this unique wildlife experience, return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of the African bush.
Day 2
Tarangire National Park to Karatu100+ km2+ hrs drivingAcacia Farm LodgeBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Wake up to the sounds of the African wilderness and enjoy breakfast at Tarangire Sopa Lodge before heading out for a morning game drive.
Tarangire is particularly famous for its large elephant populations, magnificent baobab trees and diverse wildlife. During the drive, your guide will help you search for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes and various antelope species. Lions and other predators may also be spotted resting beneath trees or moving through the grasslands.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park or return to the lodge for lunch, depending on your schedule and the arrangements made for your safari.
In the afternoon, continue exploring Tarangire before beginning your journey to Karatu, a charming town located in the fertile highlands near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Upon arrival, check in at Acacia Farm Lodge. Spend the evening relaxing in the tranquil surroundings, enjoy dinner and prepare for the next stage of your safari.
Day 3
Karatu to Serengeti National Park180+ km4+ hours drivingTanzania Bush Camps, SerengetiBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast at Acacia Farm Lodge, depart Karatu and begin your journey towards the world-famous Serengeti National Park.
The drive takes you through the spectacular landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where rolling hills, open grasslands and traditional Maasai settlements create a memorable introduction to northern Tanzania's wilderness.
As you enter the Serengeti, the scenery gradually opens into vast golden plains stretching towards the horizon. Your adventure continues with a game drive en route to your accommodation in the central Serengeti, particularly the Seronera region, which is renowned for its abundant wildlife and year-round predator sightings.
Throughout the journey, look out for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and numerous antelope species. The Serengeti is also famous for its large populations of lions, cheetahs and leopards.
Depending on the season and the location of the migrating herds, you may have the opportunity to witness part of the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration.
Arrive at Tanzania Bush Camps in the evening, check in and enjoy dinner under the African sky.
Day 4
Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti National ParkTanzania Bush CampsBreakfast, Picnic Lunch and Dinner
Enjoy an early breakfast before setting out for a full day of wildlife exploration in Serengeti National Park.
With an entire day dedicated to game viewing, you will have more time to explore different areas of the park and search for its remarkable wildlife. Your experienced safari guide will plan the route according to recent wildlife sightings, seasonal movements and the best opportunities for photography.
The central Serengeti is particularly well known for its resident lion prides, leopards, cheetahs and large numbers of plains game. You may encounter elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles and many other species throughout the day.
Depending on the time of year, your guide may also look for areas where wildebeest and zebras gather during their annual migration. The exact location of these herds changes with the seasons and rainfall.
A picnic lunch will be served at a designated location in the park, allowing you to enjoy your meal without interrupting the day's adventure for too long.
Continue your game drive into the afternoon, taking advantage of the changing light and opportunities to observe animals in their natural habitat.
Later, return to Tanzania Bush Camps for dinner and an overnight stay in the heart of the Serengeti wilderness.
Day 5
Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area180 km4+ hours drivingBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Photo: PLBechly, CC BY-SA 4.0 Hot-Air Balloon Safari and Journey to the Crater Highlands
Rise before dawn for one of the most memorable experiences of your Tanzania safari: a hot-air balloon safari over the Serengeti.
Your guide will transfer you to the designated launch site, where you will watch the balloon being prepared as the first light appears over the plains. Once airborne, you will float above the Serengeti, enjoying remarkable aerial views of its sweeping landscapes, winding rivers and wildlife-rich grasslands.
From above, you may see herds of wildebeest and zebras, giraffes, elephants and other animals moving across the plains. Wildlife sightings depend on the season, weather conditions and the balloon's flight path.
The flight typically lasts around one hour, subject to weather conditions. After landing, enjoy a celebratory drink and a bush breakfast before continuing your safari.
Please note that the hot-air balloon safari is generally an optional activity and should be confirmed in advance. Its cost is usually separate from the standard safari package unless specifically included.
After breakfast, begin your journey towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The route takes you across the Serengeti plains and towards the dramatic highlands surrounding the Ngorongoro Crater.
Upon arrival, stop at an appropriate crater viewpoint to appreciate the breathtaking panorama of the enormous volcanic caldera below. The scenery offers excellent photography opportunities and a striking contrast to the open plains of the Serengeti.
Continue to your accommodation in the Ngorongoro area. Depending on your selected lodge, you may stay on the crater rim or in the surrounding highlands.
Enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening in preparation for the following day's crater descent.
Day 6
Ngorongoro Crater to ArushaApproximately 210 kmApproximately 4+ hours drivingVilla Maua, ArushaBreakfast and Lunch
After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a memorable morning game drive.
The crater is one of Tanzania's most remarkable wildlife destinations, with a diverse range of animals living within its natural boundaries. Its grasslands, wetlands, forests and seasonal lakes support an impressive variety of wildlife.
During your game drive, look out for lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and numerous bird species. The crater is also one of the best places in northern Tanzania to look for the endangered black rhinoceros, although sightings are never guaranteed.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated location before beginning the drive out of the crater and continuing towards Arusha.
The journey takes you through the scenic highlands and rural landscapes of northern Tanzania, offering a final opportunity to appreciate the region's natural beauty.
Arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon or early evening, depending on the length of the crater game drive and road conditions. Check in at Villa Maua for an overnight stay.
Your six-day safari concludes with wonderful memories of Tanzania's wildlife, spectacular landscapes and unforgettable wilderness experiences.
When can you go?
Whenever suits you. This trip runs privately for your party alone, so there is no departure date to fit into — pick a month in the form and we'll check it with the operator and come back with an itinerary and a price.
Before you go
Read these before you travel — health, entry rules and how to stay safe on this trip.
Emergency in Tanzania: 112
How you'll pay
Only once you've accepted a quote — never to ask for one.
Get a price for this trip
A safari is priced per vehicle, not per head, so the cost depends on when you travel and how many of you there are. Tell us both and we'll send a real price within 24 hours.