Nights 1 & 5Suricata Boma Lodge
1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP
MealsLunch & dinner
Mid-range · Private safari
6-Day Ultimate Serengeti, Crater, Manyara & Tarangire
Tanzania’s four signature northern parks in one unhurried week: Tarangire’s elephants, two nights inside the Serengeti, a night in the Ngorongoro Highlands, a day on the crater floor and Lake Manyara on the way home.
- 6 days / 5 nights
- Starts & ends in Arusha
- Mid-range lodges and tented camps
- Private pop-up roof 4x4
- 5.0 on Tripadvisor (94)
Trip overview
The northern circuit, done properly
This safari links the best-loved parks of northern Tanzania: the Serengeti, the endless plains; Tarangire, home of the elephants; Lake Manyara, known for its tree-climbing lions; and the Ngorongoro Crater, often called an animal paradise.
It is a private trip, organised just for your group, with your own guide and a pop-up roof 4×4. It can start on any day, subject to availability, and we are happy to make small changes to the stays or the route.
- Arusha
- Tarangire
- Serengeti
- Ngorongoro Highlands
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Lake Manyara
Duration6 days / 5 nights
Comfort levelMid-range
Minimum age2 years
Start datesAny day
Destinations visited
Safari highlights
- Tarangire’s elephant herds and giant baobab trees.
- Two nights at a tented camp inside the central Serengeti.
- A night in the Ngorongoro Highlands, then a full day on the crater floor.
- Lake Manyara, home of the tree-climbing lions, on the final day.
- A private pop-up roof 4x4 and guide, just for your group.
- Planned by a local team in Arusha, with airport transfers included.
Day-by-day itinerary
-
We will depart Arusha in the morning and head directly to Tarangire National Park, named after the river that runs through it which quenches the thirst of a variety of animals, including giraffes, waterbucks, wildebeests, zebras, and a high density of elephants. Tarangire is home to over 550 species of birds and its hilly landscape is dotted with baobabs and diverse grasses. After a morning game drive, you will enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the river, before continuing wildlife viewing until leaving the park in the late afternoon.
- Game drive
- Stay
- Suricata Boma Lodge
- Meals
- Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
Today’s plan
- Pick-up from your Arusha hotel or the airport
- Game drive in Tarangire National Park
- Look for elephants, giraffe and baobab views
- Drive on to Suricata Boma Lodge for the night
-
After breakfast, you will start your journey to the Serengeti National Park.
The Serengeti National Park, home to the Big Five; rhinoceros, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and lion, is one of the greatest national parks in the world, spanning over 14,000 km². The name Serengeti comes from a Maasai word meaning ‘endless plains’.
Although populations fluctuate, there are an estimated 3 million large game animals in the Serengeti, including over 2,500 lions, 1.2 million wildebeest, and over 200,000 zebras. You will also have the opportunity to see giraffes, baboons, colobus monkeys, gazelles, antelopes, crocodiles, hippos, waterbuck, hartebeest, and more! This vast and varied park is home to more than 500 bird species; including ostriches, vultures, martial eagles, kori bustards, crowned cranes, and secretary birds.
You'll enjoy a picnic or camp lunch before continuing for an afternoon game drive through the vast plains. A trip to the Serengeti at any time of the year can never disappoint!
- Game drive
- Stay
- Safari Haven Serengeti Camp
- Meals
- All meals included
Today’s plan
- Drive through the Ngorongoro Highlands
- Enter the Serengeti and game-drive to camp
- Lunch on the way
- Evening at your tented camp in the park
-
Beginning the day with an early game drive, you will experience the Serengeti as the sun rises and wildlife awakens in the golden morning. This is one of the best times for wildlife viewing. You would either take breakfast box or you will return to your lodge / camp for a late breakfast and rest, before setting out into the vast Serengeti plains for the rest of the day.
We will enjoy a picnic lunch during the day and return to our camp early evening.
Your guide will speak to you to plan your day after researching where the good location for animals will be.
- Game drive
- Stay
- Safari Haven Serengeti Camp
- Meals
- All meals included
Today’s plan
- Early game drive across the central plains
- Track big cats with your guide
- Lunch out in the park
- Afternoon drive in the golden light
-
After breakfast we will enjoy at game drive to the main Serengeti gate and stop for a picnic lunch. Heading towards the Ngorongoro Crater we will pass through varied landscapes and micro-climates – vast plains, sweeping hills and dense forests. We will arrive early evening at your selected accommodation.
- Game drive
- Stay
- Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp
- Meals
- All meals included
Today’s plan
- Final Serengeti game drive
- Drive to the Ngorongoro Highlands
- Highland views on the way
- Night at Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp
-
After breakfast we will drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s safari highlights. The name Ngorongoro is from a Maasai word meaning ‘Gift of Life’.
You will begin with taking in the magnificent views from the crater rim before descending into the crater itself. You will have the opportunity to see elephants, lions, buffalo, zebra and many other species of animals and birds. We will enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the hippo pool.
The Ngorongoro Crater is beautiful at any time of year and teaming with wildlife. You may experience clear views of the crater bowl or mists rolling down into the base - either way a memorable experience.
- Game drive
- Stay
- Suricata Boma Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
Today’s plan
- Early descent onto the crater floor
- Game drive inside the crater
- Lunch in the crater
- Climb out and drive to Suricata Boma Lodge
-
After breakfast we will head to Lake Manyara, an alkaline lake, rich with plant and bird life. The lake’s environment supports over 300 species of birds including cormorants, pink flamingos, pelicans and storks. After a picnic lunch, we will enjoy an afternoon game drive where you can see elephants and baboons (in fact Lake Manyara boasts the most baboons in any park in Africa!) If you are lucky you will also see the famous tree-climbing lions.
- Game drive
- Stay
- End of tour
- Meals
- Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
Today’s plan
- Game drive in Lake Manyara National Park
- Look out for the tree-climbing lions
- Lunch, then the drive back to Arusha
- Drop-off at your hotel or the airport
Where you’ll stay
Mid-range lodges and tented camps, chosen for their position close to the parks. If a property is fully booked for your dates, we suggest a comparable alternative.
Nights 1 & 5
Nights 2–3Safari Haven Serengeti Camp
Inside Central Serengeti NP
MealsAll meals included
Night 4Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp
Inside Ngorongoro Highlands
MealsAll meals included
Safari prices
This tour is not available to solo travelers or groups larger than 4 people. Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country. This tour accepts children who are 2 years and older. Children under 6 are free.
| Travel dates | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $2,550 | $2,550 | $2,550 | Request a Quote |
| 2027 | $2,600 | $2,600 | $2,600 | Request a Quote |
All prices per person, in USD. Contact us for a custom quote.
What’s included
Included
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water (on all days)
Not included
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (tipping guideline US$25.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Your quote lists exactly what is included, including park fees, before you book.
What to pack
Pack light, and bring layers: early mornings and the highlands can be cool, and afternoons are warm.
Clothing
- Light clothes in neutral colours
- Long sleeves and trousers for sun and insects
- A warm fleece or jacket for the highlands
- A sun hat
Footwear
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Sandals for the lodge or camp
Gear
- Binoculars
- Camera, spare batteries and memory cards
- A reusable water bottle
- Small daypack and power bank
Health
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Personal medication
- Hand sanitiser
Trip gallery
What our guests say
5.0 Tripadvisor (94 reviews)5.0 SafariBookings (37 reviews)
“We managed to see all the Big 5 (multiple times) plus much more! The biggest highlight was our guides.”
“This was the best trip I have ever taken. Taswira went above and beyond anything I could have expected.”
“They learned what we were most interested in and comfortable with, and went way out of their way to accommodate each and all of us.”
Good to know
Where does this safari start and end?
It starts and ends in Arusha. Airport transfers at the start and end are included.
Is this a private safari?
Yes. The safari is organised just for your group, with your own guide and pop-up roof 4x4. It isn’t shared with other travellers.
Can I travel on my own?
Yes. Solo travellers are welcome, and the solo rate for each accommodation level is shown in the price table.
Can children join?
Yes, from 2 years old. Tell us your children’s ages and we’ll plan the days around them.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes, small changes to the accommodation and destinations are possible. Changes may affect the price, and we confirm the new price in your quote.
When can it start?
Any day of the year, subject to availability at the lodges and camps.
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