6-Day Northern Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara

Departure to Tarangire National Park

After breakfast at your accommodation in Arusha, your safari guide will pick you up and drive to Tarangire National Park, located in Tanzania’s Manyara region. Covering over 2,850 km², Tarangire is famous for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and iconic tree-climbing lions. These majestic baobabs, often called the “tree of life,” provide a dramatic backdrop for wildlife photography and are revered in local culture.

Full-Day Game Drive

Explore the park on a full-day game drive, taking in the Tarangire River, which flows year-round and attracts wildlife during the dry season. Spot elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and a variety of bird species. Keep an eye out for predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs, providing thrilling safari encounters. Pause for a picnic lunch in the heart of the park, surrounded by stunning scenery.

Evening Transfer to Mto wa Mbu

In the evening, drive to Mto wa Mbu for dinner and an overnight stay, preparing for the next day’s safari adventures.

Highlights

• Large elephant herds and other iconic wildlife
• Ancient baobab trees and dramatic landscapes
• Full-day game drive with picnic lunch
• Evening transfer to Mto wa Mbu

Accommodation: Ngedere Lodges & Camps

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Departure from Mto wa Mbu and Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After an early breakfast, depart Mto wa Mbu and cross the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its volcanic highlands, Maasai pastoral communities, and abundant wildlife. Along the way, stop for a short game drive, taking in breathtaking landscapes and spotting wildlife such as elephants, zebras, and antelopes.

Arrival in the Serengeti

Arrive in the Central Serengeti by midday and enjoy a picnic lunch before heading out on an afternoon game drive. The Serengeti is world-famous for its annual wildebeest migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeests and hundreds of thousands of zebras traverse the plains in a dramatic spectacle of survival.

Wildlife Highlights

Depending on the season, witness river crossings filled with crocodiles a rare and thrilling wildlife encounter. Other wildlife in the area includes elephants, gazelles, giraffes, and predators such as lions and cheetahs, offering unforgettable safari photography opportunities.

Highlights

• Scenic drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Picnic lunch in Central Serengeti
• Afternoon game drive with wildebeest migration (seasonal)
• Sightings of lions, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes

Accommodation: Nyani Campsite

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Journey to the Northern Serengeti

After breakfast, head to the Northern Serengeti, depending on the season, to witness the Great Migration near the Mara River. This river is one of East Africa’s most famous wildlife hotspots, where wildebeest and zebras cross crocodile-infested waters. Keep in mind that river crossings are seasonal and unpredictable, so witnessing them often depends on timing and a bit of luck.

Landscapes and Wildlife

The Northern Serengeti is characterized by rolling plains, riverine vegetation, woodlands, and dramatic kopjes, resembling Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. During your game drives, watch for predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas, as well as an abundance of herbivores including wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles.

Highlights

• Seasonal Great Migration at Mara River (river crossings are unpredictable)
• Scenic Northern Serengeti landscapes: plains, woodlands, and kopjes
• Opportunities to spot lions, leopards, cheetahs, and abundant herbivores

Accommodation: Nyani Campsite

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Early Morning Serengeti Game Drive

Begin the day with an early-morning game drive in the Serengeti for 1–2 hours, taking advantage of the cooler hours when wildlife is most active. Spot predators and herbivores while enjoying the endless plains and dramatic landscapes before departing for the Ngorongoro Highlands.

Scenic Drive Through Ngorongoro Conservation Area

En route, cross the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a unique region where wildlife coexists with Maasai pastoralists. Observe the Maasai grazing their cattle alongside zebras, wildebeests, and buffalo, offering a rare glimpse into traditional African life. Enjoy additional wildlife sightings and scenic landscapes along the way.

Arrival at Simba Campsite

Upon arrival at the Simba Campsite, located on the crater rim, take in spectacular views of the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most iconic natural wonders. Relax, have dinner, and prepare for an early morning adventure into the crater, where you’ll experience world-class wildlife viewing.

Highlights

• Early-morning game drive in the Serengeti
• Scenic journey through Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Maasai cultural encounters and wildlife sightings
• Spectacular crater rim views at Simba Campsite

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Simba Campsite

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Early Morning Descent into Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. This unique ecosystem is home to over 20,000 mammals, including black rhinoceroses, elephants, buffalo, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, and a high concentration of predators such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards.

Wildlife Viewing and Picnic Lunch

Take a picnic lunch at Hippo Pool, surrounded by the crater’s stunning scenery and abundant wildlife. Continue your game drive across the crater floor, experiencing the rich biodiversity and unique landscapes that make this area one of the best places in Tanzania to spot the elusive black rhino.

Return to Mto wa Mbu

After a full day of wildlife adventure, drive back to Mto wa Mbu for dinner and an overnight stay, reflecting on the incredible sights and experiences of the day.

Highlights

• Full-day wildlife safari in Ngorongoro Crater
• Opportunity to spot the rare black rhinoceros
• Picnic lunch at Hippo Pool
• Stunning crater scenery and diverse wildlife

Accommodation: Ngedere Lodges & Camps

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Morning Game Drive at Lake Manyara

After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park, a smaller but spectacular park known for its tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, and flamingo-studded alkaline lake. The lake’s shores are lined with acacia forests, providing habitats for giraffes, hippos, buffalo, antelopes, baboons, and hundreds of bird species. Enjoy a morning game drive, taking in the scenic landscapes and abundant wildlife.

Return to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport

After your game drive, head back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight. Along the way, reflect on the highlights of your safari and capture any final photographs of Tanzania’s breathtaking landscapes.

Safari Conclusion

This marks the conclusion of your 6-day Northern Tanzania safari, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the Big Five, wildebeest migration, Maasai culture, and Africa’s stunning natural beauty.

Accommodation: N/A 

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch