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Wildebeest gathered at a river crossing, with one animal jumping from the bank.

Wildlife safari · Tanzania

5-Day Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro

The essential northern Tanzania circuit in five days: Lake Manyara, two days on the Serengeti plains, a picnic at Olduvai Gorge and an early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater.

  • 5 days
  • Tanzania
  • Wildlife safari
  • Quoted to your dates
Get a free quoteAsk on WhatsApp
4.9/5 from 31 traveller reviews on SafariBookings (opens in a new tab)

The journey

A closer look at your trip.

The essential northern Tanzania circuit in five days: Lake Manyara, two days on the Serengeti plains, a picnic at Olduvai Gorge and an early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater.

SerengetiNgorongoroLake ManyaraArusha
Duration
5 days
Countries
Tanzania
Trip style
Wildlife safari
Transport
4x4 Land Cruiser
Start
Arusha
End
Arusha
Price
On Request

Choose your safari style

The same route, at the level you want to travel.

This journey follows the same wildlife route whichever style you choose. What changes is where you sleep, the level of service and how the trip is quoted.

Choose your safari style

Budget: where you stay

Suggested accommodation

Suggested accommodation is subject to availability. A property of a similar standard may be proposed where necessary.

What this style means

  • Practical camps and lodges, and public campsites inside the Tanzanian parks. The wildlife itinerary, the guiding and the 4x4 Land Cruiser are the same as on the upgraded styles of this route.
Price
On Request
Catalogue reference
Product 33
Enquire about the budget option

Midrange: where you stay

Suggested accommodation

Suggested accommodation is subject to availability. A property of a similar standard may be proposed where necessary.

What this style means

  • Upgraded rooms, dining and a higher service level throughout, with a 4x4 Land Cruiser for game drives.
Price
On Request
Catalogue reference
Product 75
Enquire about the midrange option

Trip highlights

The places that shape this journey.

  • 01

    Serengeti

  • 02

    Ngorongoro

  • 03

    Lake Manyara

  • 04

    Arusha

Your route

Across Tanzania.

Arusha → Lake Manyara → Serengeti → Ngorongoro → Arusha

We will confirm the day-by-day sequence and overnight stops in your detailed proposal.

KENYATANZANIAArushaLake ManyaraSerengetiNgorongoro

Schematic route · See the day-by-day programme for travel details.

Day by day

5 days in East Africa.

  1. Day 1

    Arusha – Lake Manyara

    The safari begins early with pick-up from your hotel in Arusha after breakfast and the drive west to Lake Manyara. The park occupies a thin green band of forest with the cliffs of the Rift Valley wall on one side and the shores of the ancient soda lake on the other, and its wildlife is varied: many baboon, elephant, hippo and, with luck, the tree-climbing lions it is known for. It is also one of the best parks in Tanzania for birds. In the afternoon drive up to Karatu for dinner and the night.

    Overnight
    Karatu campsiteKaratu campsite
    Meals
    Dinner

  2. Day 2

    Serengeti National Park

    After breakfast, drive over the Ngorongoro highlands and down onto the plains of Serengeti National Park, with game viewing from the 4x4 Land Cruiser as you go. More than 1.5 million wildebeest and 700,000 zebra move through this ecosystem each year, and if your dates coincide with the migration the herds can stretch to the horizon; at other times the resident game is still plentiful. A sunset game drive rounds off the day, and dinner follows before the night.

    Overnight
    Seronera Camp, SerengetiSerengeti Serena Safari Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner

  3. Day 3

    Serengeti National Park

    The day begins with an early game drive, when the air is cool and the animals are active. The Serengeti offers arguably the finest game viewing in Africa: great herds of buffalo, groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant's gazelle. Lion prides work the grazing herds, leopard haunt the acacias along the Seronera River and cheetah patrol the south-eastern plains, alongside hyena, all three jackal species and smaller hunters such as serval. Return for dinner and settle in for the evening.

    Overnight
    Seronera Camp, SerengetiSerengeti Serena Safari Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  4. Day 4

    Serengeti – Ngorongoro C. Area

    A pre-breakfast game drive, then a full breakfast before leaving the Serengeti for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Stop for a picnic lunch at Olduvai Gorge, the archaeological site where the 1.75-million-year-old skull of 'Nutcracker Man' was found, and visit the small museum that displays casts of the 3.6-million-year-old footprints discovered nearby. Continue towards Ngorongoro with game viewing en route, arriving on the crater rim towards evening. The day ends with dinner and time to unwind.

    Overnight
    Simba Campsite, NgorongoroNgorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
    An acacia tree above grassland at sunset.
    Serengeti plains, where the next stage of the route takes you.

  5. Day 5

    Ngorongoro – Arusha

    The last day starts very early. With picnic lunches aboard, the 4x4 Land Cruiser descends 2,000 feet to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, where pasture, swamp, forest and permanent water support up to 25,000 large animals. This is the best chance on the safari to see black rhino, along with the black-maned lions the crater is known for, and elephant, buffalo, hyena and flamingo on the soda lake. After the crater tour, drive back to Arusha, where dinner and your overnight stay are on your own account.

    Meals
    Breakfast and picnic lunch

What is included

Your written quotation itemises every one of these for your dates, so you can compare it line by line with any other:

  • Park, reserve and conservancy entry fees
  • Accommodation for each night, named
  • Meals on each day
  • Game drives in the 4x4 Land Cruiser, with its seating
  • Driver-guide and fuel
  • Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Whether the vehicle is private or shared

What to allow for

Most travellers also budget separately for the items below. Your quotation confirms which apply to this trip.

  • International flights
  • Kenya eTA and any Tanzania visa
  • Travel and medical insurance (Tanzania now requires inbound cover)
  • Optional activities such as a balloon flight
  • Drinks and tips for guides and camp staff
How safari prices and park fees work →

When to travel

Seasonal considerations.

Game viewing across Tanzania is at its most reliable in the dry months, roughly June to October and again in January and February, when the grass is shorter and animals concentrate around permanent water. The long rains fall around April and May and the short rains in November; both bring green country, fewer vehicles and lower rates, at the cost of some unpredictability on the roads. There is no month in which this journey cannot run.

Read the full season guide →

Who it suits

Is this the right journey?

  • Travellers who want more than a sampler: enough days to settle into each area rather than moving on every morning.
  • Travellers at different budgets — this route is sold as Budget, Midrange, with the same wildlife itinerary throughout.
  • Solo travellers and couples happy to share a vehicle on a scheduled departure, or any group wanting the journey privately on request.

Pricing

Plan with the details in view.

On Request

Published catalogue reference rate. Confirm availability and the final quotation for your travel dates.

This itinerary can also be arranged privately in a 4x4 Land Cruiser on request. A private departure is quoted separately and confirmed with your dates and group size.

Request a quotation

Free quotation

Get a quote for this trip.

Tell us when and how many. We will reply with a written quotation for the 5-Day Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro in the style you selected above, and adjust the pace, parks or accommodation if you would like something different.

4.9/5 from 31 traveller reviews on SafariBookings (opens in a new tab)
  1. 01

    Tell us your dates

    Send the quick form or a WhatsApp message. It is free and commits you to nothing.

  2. 02

    Get a written quotation

    Our Nairobi team checks availability and sends a quotation stating the route, accommodation and exactly what is and is not included.

  3. 03

    Adjust it until it fits

    Change the pace, the style of accommodation or the parks. Ask anything before you decide.

  4. 04

    Book when you are ready

    Nothing is reserved or charged until you accept the quotation in writing.

Rather talk it through? Ask on WhatsApp

Free and without obligation. Nothing is booked or charged until you accept a written quotation.

Your questions, answered.

How do I request a quotation?

Send your travel dates, party size and accommodation preferences. We will confirm availability and send a written quotation before you book.

Can I customise this trip?

Ask our team about adjustments to the itinerary, accommodation and pace. We will explain what is practical for your dates and confirm any price changes.

What is the published price for this 5-day trip?

On Request. Ask us to confirm the quotation for your dates and group size.

What vehicle is used for game drives?

Safari game drives use a 4x4 Land Cruiser. Your quotation will confirm whether your trip is private or shared and specify any separate transfer arrangements.

Before you choose

Understand the places, stays and practical details.

Read the destination guides alongside this itinerary to compare access, wildlife habitat and accommodation position. The named comfort option and written quotation confirm the actual overnight stays, meals and activities.

Places on this route

Useful preparation

Keep exploring

Related journeys.

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