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Wildlife safari · Tanzania

5-Day Tanzania Safari - Lake Manyara · Ngorongoro · Tarangire

Five days in northern Tanzania without the Serengeti: Lake Manyara, a full morning in the Ngorongoro Crater, then Tarangire's baobabs and elephant herds along the river.

  • 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.

Five days in northern Tanzania without the Serengeti: Lake Manyara, a full morning in the Ngorongoro Crater, then Tarangire's baobabs and elephant herds along the river.

NgorongoroLake ManyaraTarangireArusha
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 36
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 78
Enquire about the midrange option

Luxury: 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

  • Premium camps and lodges with elevated service, delivered in a private-style format with a 4x4 Land Cruiser.
Price
On Request
Catalogue reference
Product 103
Enquire about the luxury option

Trip highlights

The places that shape this journey.

  • 01

    Ngorongoro

  • 02

    Lake Manyara

  • 03

    Tarangire

  • 04

    Arusha

Your route

Across Tanzania.

Arusha → Lake Manyara → Ngorongoro → Tarangire → Arusha

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

KENYATANZANIAArushaLake ManyaraNgorongoroTarangire

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

    Depart Arusha in the morning for Lake Manyara, arriving by lunchtime. The afternoon game drive explores a park fed by underground springs, rivers and streams that keep its forest green through the dry season. Hippo wallow in the pools, monkeys and baboon crowd the forest, flamingo and other waterbirds line the lake, and the park's tree-climbing lions may be resting in the acacias. Settle in after the drive and take dinner before the night.

    Overnight
    Fanaka Campsite, Lake ManyaraLake Manyara Serena Safari LodgeEscarpment Luxury Lodge Manyara
    Meals
    Lunch and dinner

  2. Day 2

    Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro Crater

    A morning game drive in Lake Manyara for a last look at the park's forest, lakeshore and hippo pool, then picnic lunch and the drive up the Rift Valley escarpment through Karatu to the Ngorongoro Crater. Set up camp on the rim and take time to relax; an optional evening walk along the crater edge catches the last of the sun over the caldera. Dinner follows, and the night air is cool at this altitude.

    Overnight
    Simba Campsite, NgorongoroNgorongoro Serena Safari LodgeNeptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

  3. Day 3

    Ngorongoro Crater

    After an early breakfast, the 4x4 Land Cruiser takes you 2,000 feet down into the Ngorongoro Crater to track animals across the floor. The caldera, the largest unflooded and unbroken in the world, is about 20 kilometres across and 600 metres deep, and its 300 square kilometres hold lion, elephant, buffalo, hyena, flamingo and a good chance of black rhino. Picnic lunch is taken in the crater before ascending to the campsite for dinner and overnight.

    Overnight
    Simba Campsite, NgorongoroNgorongoro Serena Safari LodgeNeptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

  4. Day 4

    Ngorongoro Crater – Tarangire

    After breakfast, drive south-east from Ngorongoro through Karatu and Mto wa Mbu to Tarangire National Park. The afternoon game drive explores a park known for its giant baobab trees and the Tarangire River, which draws large elephant herds in the dry season along with buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. Lesser kudu, eland, gerenuk and lion are all found here, and Tarangire also has a reputation for lions that climb trees. Meals are provided, and the day ends with time to unwind.

    Overnight
    Fanaka Campsite, TarangireTarangire Simba LodgeChem Chem Lodge, Tarangire
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner
    Cloud and mist over a broad green crater basin.
    The Ngorongoro Crater, reached at this point in the itinerary.

  5. Day 5

    Tarangire – Arusha

    A morning game drive gives a final opportunity for sightings among Tarangire's baobabs and along the river before you say goodbye to the bush. Picnic lunch is taken in the park, then exit and drive back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon. Check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight. This package is priced on request because the cost depends on the accommodation chosen, the number of participants and prevailing exchange rates.

    Overnight
    Charity Hotel, ArushaKibo Palace Hotel ArushaGran Melia Arusha
    Meals
    Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

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, Luxury, 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 Tanzania Safari - Lake Manyara · Ngorongoro · Tarangire 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

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Get a free quote · no obligation
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