Classic
3-Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Tarangire · Ngorongoro Crater
From $770 per person
View the 3-Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater SafariClassic
6-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Serengeti Safari
Three of Tanzania's greatest parks in one week: elephants, the Crater and the endless plains.
- Duration
- 6 Days / 5 Nights
- From
- $3,450 pp
From Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)
- 20+ Years' Experience (Founder & Team)
- Private Vehicle & Guide
- Reply Within 24 Hours
- No Payment to Ask
Overview
Overview: A 6-Day Safari from Arusha
This 6-day safari from Arusha takes you through three of northern Tanzania's most famous parks. You start in Tarangire among giant baobabs and large elephant herds. Next you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, home to black rhino and lion. Then you spend almost two full days in the Serengeti, following the big cats across its open plains.
The route is planned so most of your time is spent on game drives, not on the road. You get a full morning in the Crater, a full day in the Serengeti, and two nights in Karatu that split the longer drives.
At a glance
- Route: JRO → Arusha → Tarangire → Ngorongoro Crater → Serengeti → Karatu → JRO
- Parks: Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park
- Nights: Arusha (1), Karatu (2), Serengeti (2)
- Best for: first-time safari travellers, couples, families and photographers
- Vehicle: private 4x4 with pop-up roof, A/C, cooler or fridge, Wi-Fi where the network allows
- Guides speak: English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese, Russian
Where the route goes
- Day 1 · Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) → Arusha
- Day 2 · Arusha → Tarangire National Park → Karatu
- Day 3 · Karatu → Ngorongoro Crater → Seronera (Central Serengeti)
- Day 4 · Full day in the Serengeti
- Day 5 · Seronera (Central Serengeti) → Karatu
- Day 6 · Karatu → Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)
| Day | Where | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) → Arusha | Greenside Hotel |
| 2 | Arusha → Tarangire National Park → Karatu | Country Lodge |
| 3 | Karatu → Ngorongoro Crater → Serengeti | Tukaone Tented Camp |
| 4 | Serengeti National Park | Tukaone Tented Camp |
| 5 | Serengeti → Karatu | Country Lodge |
| 6 | Karatu → Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) | No overnight |
JRO → Arusha → Tarangire → Ngorongoro Crater → Serengeti → Karatu → JRO
Mix and match your camps
You can mix Classic, Signature and Bespoke accommodation within one safari. For example, you could upgrade only your Serengeti nights.
Day by day
6-Day Northern Tanzania Safari Itinerary
-
Day 1
Arrival in Arusha
Your safari begins the moment you land. Your guide meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drives you to Arusha, where you rest after the flight and get ready for the parks ahead.
≈ 50 km ≈ 1 hr driveWhere you stay
Greenside Hotel, Arusha
- Meals: Dinner
-
Day 2
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Tarangire has some of the largest elephant herds in Africa. After breakfast you drive to the park for a full day of game viewing along the Tarangire River. Here elephants, giraffe, zebra and lion gather beneath ancient baobab trees. In the late afternoon you continue up to the green highlands of Karatu.
≈ 120 km ≈ 2 hrs driveWhere you stay
Country Lodge, Karatu
- Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
-
Day 3
Ngorongoro Crater to the Serengeti
Today is one of the highlights of any Tanzania safari. You make an early start and descend 600 metres onto the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater. It is one of the best places in Tanzania to see black rhino, along with lion, hyena, buffalo, flamingo and thousands of zebra and wildebeest. After a picnic lunch by the hippo pool, you climb out and drive into the Serengeti, game viewing on the way to camp.
Early start: Around 6:00 am
≈ 35 km ≈ 1 hr driveWhere you stay
Tukaone Tented Camp, Serengeti
- Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
-
Day 4
Full Day in the Serengeti
With a full day in the Serengeti, there is no rush and no fixed route. Your guide follows the animals wherever they are. You might watch lion on the kopjes, leopard in the acacia trees and cheetah hunting on the plains. Depending on the season, you may also see the herds of the Great Migration.
Transfer: No transfer, full day of game drives
Where you stay
Tukaone Tented Camp, Serengeti
- Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
-
Day 5
Serengeti to Karatu
A last morning game drive gives you one more chance at the cats you missed. After lunch you drive back through the Ngorongoro highlands to Karatu for a relaxed final evening.
≈ 170 km ≈ 4.5 hrs driveWhere you stay
Country Lodge, Karatu
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 6
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport
After breakfast your guide drives you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight. We recommend flights departing after 1:00 pm.
Meals: Breakfast
≈ 190 km ≈ 3.5–4 hrs driveDeparture day, no overnight stay
Included
Price, Inclusions & Exclusions
Your investment
From $3,450 pp
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off at JRO
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with professional guide
- All park and conservation fees as per itinerary
- Ngorongoro Crater service fee
- 5 nights' accommodation as listed
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Drinking water on game drives
Not included
- International flights and visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide and camp staff
- Drinks at lodges, unless stated
- Optional activities
- Personal expenses
What to pack
- Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, green, beige)
- Warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and the Crater rim
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Binoculars and camera with spare batteries
- Insect repellent
- Personal medication and copies of your passport
Options
Options for Your 6-Day Safari
- Upgrade your stays: keep Classic lodges, or upgrade any night to Signature or Bespoke accommodation
- Hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti at sunrise on Day 4 (from USD 550–600 per person)
- Mto wa Mbu village walk on Day 2, on the way to Karatu
- Coffee farm tour on Day 6, for evening flights
- Add beach days in Zanzibar after your safari
Best time
Best Time for This Itinerary
This 6-day Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari runs all year, and each season offers something different:
June–October (dry season)
The best wildlife viewing overall. Tarangire is at its peak, with elephants crowding the river.
December–March
The green season. It brings calving season in the southern Serengeti, lush landscapes, excellent birding and fewer vehicles.
April–May (long rains)
The quietest months, with lower rates. Some roads may be slower.
Ngorongoro Crater
Excellent in every month.
Planning
How it works
-
01
Describe your dream
Tell us your dates, your group and what you most want to see. We reply within 24 hours with a first itinerary and price.
-
02
Confirm
We adjust the camps, pace and budget until it fits you. A deposit then secures your dates and rooms.
-
03
Start packing
You receive your final itinerary, packing list and travel documents. Your guide is waiting when you land.
Plan your safari
Let's plan your 6-day Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Serengeti safari
Tell us your dates and group size. We reply within 24 hours with a full quote and the camps you choose. No payment is needed to ask.
Keep exploring
Related safaris
Signature
4-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Eyasi Safari
Tarangire · Ngorongoro Crater · Lake Eyasi
From $2,800 per person
View the 4-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Eyasi Safari