Overview
This is Tanzania’s essential safari. Begin at Lake Manyara, with its groundwater forest and baboon troops, then climb over the Ngorongoro highlands and descend onto the endless Serengeti plains for two nights of game drives.
On your final full day, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning among black rhino, lion and huge herds before returning to Arusha. Every day brings a completely different landscape.
Route
Highlights
- Groundwater forest and baboons at Lake Manyara
- Two nights in the Serengeti
- Big cats on the kopjes
- Ngorongoro Crater floor
- Private 4x4 with pop-up roof
Activities
- Game drives
- Treetop walkway
- Canoeing (seasonal)
- Hot-air balloon safari
- Walking safaris in concession areas
- Crater floor game drive
- Crater rim walk
- Olduvai Gorge museum
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1:
Lake Manyara
Lake ManyaraYour guide collects you from your hotel in Arusha in the morning for the drive to Lake Manyara (about 2 hours). Game drive through Lake Manyara's groundwater forest, where baboons and blue monkeys move through the fig trees, and out onto the floodplain to see hippos, elephants and waterbirds along the lake shore.
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Day 2:
Into the Serengeti
SerengetiAfter breakfast, continue by road from Lake Manyara to Serengeti (4–5 hours via the Ngorongoro highlands). Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and descend onto the Serengeti plains, passing Maasai herders and gazelle as the grassland opens out to the horizon. Game drive through the park to your camp, arriving for a sundowner and dinner beneath the stars.
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Day 3:
Serengeti Big Cat Country
SerengetiSpend the day exploring the Seronera valley, where the river attracts resident wildlife all year. Your guide will search the sausage trees for leopards and the granite kopjes for lion prides, and you may see cheetah hunting on the open plains.
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Day 4:
Ngorongoro Crater Descent
Ngorongoro CraterAfter breakfast, continue by road from Serengeti to Ngorongoro (3–4 hours). Descend 600 m into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive on the caldera floor. Look for black rhino in the open grassland, lions resting near the Lerai forest and flamingos on Lake Magadi, with a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool before climbing back to the rim.
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Day 5:
Ngorongoro to Arusha
Ngorongoro CraterAfter an early game drive or a relaxed breakfast, travel back to Arusha (about 3.5 hours), with a lunch stop on the way. On arrival you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport or your hotel.
Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
Accommodation
This itinerary is priced with mid-range accommodation. Every property is chosen for its location, guiding and service; final properties are confirmed at booking and we can upgrade or adjust any night.
- Lake ManyaraLodge with escarpment views above Lake Manyara1 night
- SerengetiPermanent tented camp in the central Serengeti2 nights
- Ngorongoro CraterFarm lodge set among coffee gardens in Karatu1 night
Meals: Full board on safari; breakfast and dinner in cities and at the beach
What's included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as listed (or similar, subject to availability)
- Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- All national park, reserve and conservation fees
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- All government taxes and levies
- 24-hour in-country support from our Nairobi office
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks other than drinking water, unless stated
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Optional hot-air balloon flight (currently from around USD 450–600 per person)
Travel information
Best time to travel
Year-round, with location chosen by season: December–March in the south for calving; June–July in the west; July–October in the north for river crossings; Seronera is good at any time.
What to pack
- Neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
- A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards
- Insect repellent and personal medication
- A soft-sided bag rather than a hard suitcase
Experiences on this safari
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private safari?
Yes. This itinerary runs privately for your own group, with your own vehicle and guide. It can start on any date, and we can adjust the route, pace and accommodation to suit you.
What does the price include?
The guide price from USD 1,850 per person is based on two people sharing mid-range accommodation in the low season. It includes accommodation, the meals and activities listed, park fees and transfers. Prices vary by season and group size; we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
How many nights do I need in the Serengeti?
At least two, ideally three or more. The park is vast, and more time lets you explore different areas and follow the herds.
Gallery
Open image: Lake Manyara seen from the Rift Valley escarpment
Open image: African elephants in the Maasai Mara
Open image: Masai giraffes in Arusha National Park
Open image: Acacia-dotted grassland in the Serengeti
Open image: Zebra and wildebeest during the Serengeti migration
Open image: The rim of the Ngorongoro Crater
Open image: Black rhino on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater
Open image: Lion pride resting in the Maasai MaraEnquire about this safari
Every date is available on request. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will send a tailored quote — adjustments welcome.
