A 6-day Tanzania safari tour encompassing Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Lake Manyara offers a diverse wildlife experience. This itinerary typically includes game drives in each park, showcasing the unique landscapes and animal populations, with overnight stays at lodges or camps. The tour starts and ends in Arusha.
Each day of the safari takes you closer to witnessing some of the world’s greatest natural wonders, from the massive herds of elephants in Tarangire to the thrilling predator-prey interactions in the Serengeti. With beautiful lodges providing comfort throughout the trip, this safari offers an ideal blend of adventure and relaxation.
Day 1: Moshi – Arusha– Tarangire National Park
In the morning, your safari adventure begins with a drive to Tarangire National Park, a premier wildlife destination in Tanzania. Covering approximately 2,600 square kilometers, Tarangire is comparable in size to Luxembourg. The park’s diverse landscape features sprawling savannahs, seasonal swamps, and iconic giant baobab trees.
Tarangire National Park is renowned for its impressive elephant populations, with herds of up to 300 individuals frequently spotted roaming the park. This makes it one of the premier locations in East Africa for observing these majestic creatures up close. In addition to elephants, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including Masai giraffes, buffalo, hartebeest, eland, fringe-eared oryx, the uniquely long-necked gerenuk, and over 550 bird species. After a day of extensive game drives, you will arrive at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge in Karatu for your overnight stay. This lodge offers a comfortable and relaxing retreat, perfect for reflecting on your day’s safari experiences
Day 2: Tarangire National Park – Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, you will embark on a drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a gem known for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes. This park boasts over 400 bird species, lush primate-filled forests, and expansive grassy plains. A significant portion of the park is covered by the alkaline Lake Manyara, renowned for its large colonies of flamingos and other waterfowl.
In addition to the vibrant birdlife, you may encounter elephants, giraffes, hippos, wildebeests, impalas, and lively groups of monkeys and baboons in the forested areas near the lake. The afternoon will be spent on an extensive game drive, exploring the park’s rich biodiversity.
Following your game drive, you will travel to the small, multi-cultural village of Mto wa Mbu, located on the outskirts of Lake Manyara National Park. In the late afternoon, you will check into Bougainvillea Safari Lodge in Karatu for your overnight stay, where you can unwind and reflect on the day’s adventures in comfort.
Day 3: Lake Manyara Area – Serengeti National Park
Today, you will journey into the lush highlands, where agricultural fields are abundant with crops such as wheat, corn, and coffee. As you traverse the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you may stop to marvel at the breathtaking views of the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Continuing your drive, you will arrive at Serengeti National Park, renowned for its expansive grassland savannahs, which stretch endlessly to the horizon. The name “Serengeti” translates to “endless plains” in the Maasai language, perfectly capturing the vastness of this iconic landscape.
The Serengeti is also famous for its dramatic rock formations, known as kopjes, which provide vantage points for observing predators. Depending on the season, you may witness the spectacular Great Migration, where thousands of animals traverse the plains in search of fresh grazing grounds.
In the late afternoon, you will check into the Serengeti Heritage Luxury Tented Camp, where you will enjoy a comfortable and immersive safari experience. This luxury camp offers an ideal base for exploring the Serengeti’s rich wildlife and stunning landscapes.
Day 4: Serengeti National Park
You will spend the entire day on an exhilarating game drive in Serengeti National Park, exploring the vast landscapes in search of wildlife. The areas you visit will be determined by the movements of the migrating herds, as predators closely follow these herds.
During the short rainy season from November to December, the herds migrate from the northern hills to the southern plains. Conversely, during the longer rainy season from April to June, the herds return north. The exact location of the herds can vary each year based on rainfall patterns, but your experienced guide will be adept at locating the best viewing spots for optimal wildlife sightings. In addition to the impressive herds of wildebeests and zebras, you may encounter predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
After a day of thrilling wildlife encounters, you will return to Serengeti Heritage Luxury Tented Camp for another night, where you can relax and reflect on the day’s adventures in comfort.
Day 5: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, you will embark on another exhilarating game drive in Serengeti National Park. This morning’s adventure offers the chance to spot any wildlife you may have missed previously. Serengeti National Park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including the prestigious Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard. Today could be the opportunity to witness all members of this iconic group.
Following a delicious picnic lunch at a designated site, you will drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As you arrive at the edge of the crater, you’ll be greeted by the breathtaking view of the Ngorongoro Crater, a massive caldera teeming with wildlife. The approximately 20-kilometer-wide crater is home to over 25,000 animals, offering exceptional wildlife viewing.
In the evening, you will check into Ngorongoro Tortilis, where you will enjoy a sumptuous dinner and spend the night. This camp provides a comfortable and scenic retreat, allowing you to rest and prepare for the next day’s adventures. where you will have dinner and overnight
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha – Moshi
Rise and shine! After an early breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic drive down into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest caldera. Within this vast caldera, you’ll encounter a remarkable variety of wildlife, including black rhinos, Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles, lions, leopards, and elephants. The forested slopes of the crater also provide habitat for mountain reedbucks. In addition to these iconic species, the crater is home to buffalo, spotted hyenas, rare wild dogs, and over 500 bird species, offering exceptional birdwatching opportunities.
After an extensive game drive and a picnic lunch within the crater, you’ll ascend in the afternoon and travel back to Arusha. Upon arrival in the evening, you will enjoy dinner and overnight accommodations at Arusha Planet Lodge, providing a comfortable end to your safari adventure.