6-Day Jewels of Tanzania Safari
Tarangire • Lake Manyara • Serengeti • Ngorongoro Crater
Trip Summary
- •Tarangire's massive elephant herds
- •Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lions
- •Two full days in Central Serengeti plains
- •Ngorongoro Crater
Day-by-Day Overview
Pricing
From USD $2,150
Safari Overview
Discover Tanzania's most iconic wildlife destinations on this carefully crafted 6-day Northern Circuit safari. Starting in the elephant paradise of Tarangire National Park, you'll encounter massive herds beneath ancient baobab trees, then explore the compact yet diverse Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions and flocks of flamingos along the soda lake shores.
The adventure continues into the legendary Serengeti National Park, where endless golden plains teem with wildlife and predators prowl the savannahs. You'll spend two full days in the heart of the Serengeti, maximizing your chances of witnessing extraordinary wildlife interactions. The journey culminates with a descent into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural amphitheater hosting Africa's densest concentration of wildlife, including the rare black rhino.
This thoughtfully paced itinerary balances exhilarating game drives with comfortable accommodations, providing an authentic safari experience without rushing. Whether you're watching lions on the hunt, elephants at waterholes, or witnessing the Great Migration (seasonal), this tour showcases Tanzania's extraordinary biodiversity and stunning landscapes. Perfect for first-time safari-goers and wildlife enthusiasts alike, this journey delivers the quintessential East African safari experience.
Safari Highlights
Tarangire's Elephant Giants
Encounter Tanzania's largest elephant herds wandering beneath iconic baobab trees in Tarangire National Park.
Tree-Climbing Lions
Spot the famous tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara lounging in acacia branches above the woodland floor.
Endless Serengeti Plains
Explore the vast savannahs of the Central Serengeti with abundant big cats, wildebeest, and zebras.
Ngorongoro Crater Wonder
Descend into the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, home to over 25,000 animals including rare black rhinos.
Big Five Encounters
Excellent opportunities to spot all Big Five animals: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros.
Authentic Tented Camps
Experience traditional safari camping at carefully selected tented lodges with modern comforts and bush ambiance.
Accommodation Options
Midrange Category (3★)
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Comfortable safari tented camp with spacious canvas tents, en-suite bathrooms, and views toward Lake Manyara and the Rift Valley escarpment.
Shuhudia Adventure Camp
Intimate tented camp in the heart of Serengeti with authentic bush atmosphere and excellent wildlife viewing from camp.
MidLuxury Category (4★)
Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge
Charming lodge set among coffee plantations on the crater's outer slopes with comfortable rooms and tranquil highland atmosphere.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Your Tanzanian safari adventure begins with an early morning departure from Arusha, Tanzania's safari capital nestled at the base of Mount Meru. The scenic 2-hour drive takes you through colorful villages and rolling farmland as you approach Tarangire National Park. This magnificent park is famous for its ancient baobab trees that dot the landscape like giant sentinels, and more importantly, for hosting Tanzania's largest concentration of elephants outside of the Selous ecosystem. During your afternoon game drive, watch massive elephant herds gather at the Tarangire River, the park's lifeblood during the dry season. You'll also encounter graceful giraffes browsing on acacia trees, large buffalo herds, zebras, wildebeest, and with luck, lions lounging under the shade. Birdwatchers will delight in over 550 recorded species including the endemic yellow-collared lovebird. As the sun begins to set, casting golden light across the baobab-studded plains, you'll transfer to Africa Safari Lake Manyara for dinner and overnight rest.
Day 2: Full Day Tarangire & Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, embark on a morning game drive deeper into Tarangire's wilderness, exploring different habitats from open grasslands to dense acacia woodlands and seasonal swamps. Morning is when predators are most active, so keep your eyes peeled for lions stalking prey, leopards in trees, or cheetahs surveying the plains from termite mounds. The park's varied terrain supports an incredible diversity of wildlife year-round. In the afternoon, journey to Lake Manyara National Park, a compact but remarkably diverse reserve tucked between the Great Rift Valley escarpment and the shores of alkaline Lake Manyara. Despite its relatively small size, the park packs incredible wildlife diversity into distinct ecological zones: groundwater forest, acacia woodland, open grassland, and the shallow lake itself. Watch for the park's famous tree-climbing lions resting in fig trees, large troops of baboons, blue monkeys in the forest canopy, and during the right season, thousands of pink flamingos creating a spectacular sight along the lake shores. Return to Africa Safari Lake Manyara for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Central Serengeti National Park (Day 1)
Today brings one of safari's most anticipated journeys as you drive through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area, traversing the crater rim with breathtaking views before descending into the Serengeti plains. The name "Serengeti" derives from the Maasai word "Siringet," meaning "endless plains" – an apt description of this 14,750 square kilometer wilderness. As you enter the Serengeti, you'll immediately understand why it's considered Africa's premier wildlife destination. The Central Serengeti (Seronera region) serves as the park's heartland, characterized by vast open grasslands dotted with granite kopjes (rocky outcrops) that serve as perfect vantage points for leopards and lions. These two full days allow you to explore extensively during morning and afternoon game drives, maximizing wildlife encounters. The Seronera River and its tributaries attract massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, followed closely by predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals. Watch for the iconic kopje-dwelling lions, often seen lounging atop the ancient rock formations. You'll overnight at Shuhudia Adventure Camp, a comfortable tented camp ideally positioned in the heart of Serengeti wilderness.
Day 4: Central Serengeti National Park (Day 2)
Another full day to explore the Serengeti's incredible biodiversity. The Serengeti boasts Africa's highest concentration of big cats, and your chances of witnessing predator-prey interactions are exceptional. Watch for lions on the hunt, leopards draped over tree branches, and cheetahs sprinting across the plains. Giraffes gracefully browse on acacia trees, elephants march across the plains in family groups, and massive herds of buffalo create dust clouds on the horizon. Birdlife is equally spectacular with over 500 species recorded. You'll overnight at Shuhudia Adventure Camp, a comfortable tented camp ideally positioned in the heart of Serengeti wilderness, allowing you to fall asleep to the sounds of the African night.
Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Enjoy one final sunrise game drive in the Serengeti, making the most of your last morning in these legendary plains. Wildlife activity peaks during the cool morning hours, offering excellent opportunities for final photographs and memorable sightings. After a leisurely breakfast at camp, begin your journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a unique landscape where wildlife conservation coexists with traditional Maasai pastoralism. The drive takes you through the stunning scenery of the crater highlands, ascending through different vegetation zones from acacia woodlands to misty montane forests. As you approach the crater rim, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic. You'll arrive at Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge, perched on the crater's outer slopes among working coffee plantations. The lodge offers stunning views and provides the perfect base for tomorrow's crater adventure. Spend the evening relaxing in this tranquil highland setting, perhaps enjoying a sunset walk through the coffee estate (optional), as you prepare for the grand finale of your safari.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater & Departure to Arusha
Today you'll experience one of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife spectacles. After an early breakfast, descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This natural amphitheater, formed over 2 million years ago when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed on itself, creates a unique enclosed ecosystem supporting over 25,000 large mammals year-round. The crater floor spans 260 square kilometers of diverse habitats including grasslands, swamps, forests, and a soda lake. This remarkable concentration and variety of wildlife makes Ngorongoro one of the world's best places to observe black rhinoceros, alongside lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards – completing the Big Five lineup. Watch massive-tusked elephants, often bulls with some of the largest tusks remaining in Africa, grazing peacefully near Lake Magadi. Spot endangered black rhinos, which number around 30 individuals within the crater, usually seen grazing in the open grasslands. The crater supports an estimated 7,000 wildebeest, 6,000 buffalo, 4,000 zebras, and numerous gazelles, providing abundant prey for large predator populations including over 60 lions. Hippos wallow in permanent pools, flamingos wade in the shallow soda lake, and hyenas patrol the grasslands in large clans. After a full morning of game viewing and a picnic lunch at a designated hippo pool site, you'll ascend the crater walls and begin your return journey to Arusha, arriving in the afternoon. Your safari concludes with a transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight, carrying unforgettable memories of Tanzania's spectacular wildlife and landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wildlife can I expect to see on this safari?
This itinerary visits Tanzania's premier wildlife areas, virtually guaranteeing sightings of elephants (especially in Tarangire), lions, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, and various antelope species. You have excellent chances of spotting all Big Five animals: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and black rhinoceros (in Ngorongoro Crater). Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lions and Serengeti's big cats are special highlights.
Is this safari suitable for first-time safari visitors?
Absolutely! This 6-day Northern Circuit itinerary is ideal for first-time safari-goers. The pacing allows you to experience Tanzania's most iconic parks without feeling rushed, while the accommodation selection balances authentic safari atmosphere with comfort. Your professional guide will explain animal behavior and ensure you're comfortable throughout. Many guests describe this as their dream safari come true.
What is included in the safari price?
The safari includes all park entry fees, accommodation for 5 nights, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner except final dinner), professional English-speaking guide, 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof, unlimited bottled water, and airport transfers. Not included: international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, gratuities, alcoholic beverages, and optional activities.
How many people share a safari vehicle?
We operate small group safaris with maximum 6-7 people per vehicle, ensuring everyone has a window seat. Every passenger gets guaranteed window access in our specially modified 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs. Private safari options are also available where you have the entire vehicle to yourselves with flexible scheduling.
What should I pack for this safari?
Pack neutral-colored clothing (khaki, brown, green, beige) as bright colors can disturb wildlife. Bring layers including warm fleece for early mornings and cool Ngorongoro highlands. Essential items: sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen SPF 50+, insect repellent, comfortable shoes, camera with zoom lens, binoculars, reusable water bottle, and personal medications. Avoid camouflage clothing as it's restricted in Tanzania.
Trip Summary
- •Tarangire's massive elephant herds
- •Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lions
- •Two full days in Central Serengeti plains
- •Ngorongoro Crater
Day-by-Day Overview
Pricing
From USD $2,150