4-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Lake Manyara Safari

4 Days Safaris in Tanzania

starts from$1650Per Person

About the 4-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Lake Manyara Safari

Four days is the most common length we recommend to first-time safari visitors, and this particular combination — Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, and Lake Manyara — covers all four major northern parks without compressing any of them into a rushed drive-through.

We start in Tarangire because the timing works well (it's the closest park to Arusha), but also because August through October, this is where you'll find elephant concentrations that rival anything in Africa. Hundreds of elephants moving between the baobab groves and the Tarangire River — before you've even reached the Serengeti, the trip has already delivered something you'll remember.

Ngorongoro Crater on Day 2 is a descent into a 260 square kilometre enclosed world. The crater floor holds roughly 25,000 large mammals at any time — lions, elephants, hippos, hyenas, Cape buffalo, flamingos at the soda lake, and one of the world's best chances of seeing black rhino in the wild. You cannot drive fast here; there's too much to stop for.

Day 3 is a full Serengeti day. We position your camp based on where the migration herds are at the time of your visit — this is something a local operator can actually do, rather than a pre-set camp booking that ignores what the animals are doing. Day 4 finishes with Lake Manyara: tree-climbing lions, a groundwater forest alive with primates, and the lake's birdlife before driving back to Arusha.

Day-by-Day Itinerary: 4-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Lake Manyara Safari

Tanzania safari wildlife and landscape

Day 1 - Arusha to Tarangire National Park


Morning : Depart from Arusha after breakfast and drive to Tarangire National Park (approximately 2-3 hours).

Mid-morning : Begin a game drive in Tarangire, renowned for its large elephant herds and towering baobab trees. Spot zebras, giraffes, and a variety of bird species.

Lunch : Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park.

Afternoon : Continue your game drive, with chances to see predators like lions and leopards.

Evening : Arrive at your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay within or near the park.

Tanzania safari wildlife and landscape

Day 2 - Tarangire to Ngorongoro Crater

Morning : After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area (approximately 2 hours).

Mid-Morning : Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Enjoy a game drive, where you’ll spot rhinos, lions, and hippos among other wildlife.

Lunch : Have a picnic lunch by the crater’s beautiful lake.

Afternoon : Continue your game drive before heading to your lodge on the crater rim or nearby for dinner and overnight stay.

Tanzania safari wildlife and landscape

Day 3 - Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park


Morning : Depart for Serengeti National Park (approximately 3 hours).

Midday : Arrive in Serengeti, famous for its vast plains and the annual Great Migration. Begin your game drive, spotting predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards.

Lunch : Picnic in the park.

Afternoon : Continue your game drive, enjoying the abundant wildlife and stunning scenery of the Serengeti.

Evening : Overnight in a lodge or camp inside the park.

Tanzania safari wildlife and landscape

Day 4 - Serengeti to Lake Manyara and Return to Arusha


Morning : Early drive to Lake Manyara National Park (approximately 3 hours), known for its tree-climbing lions and beautiful flamingos.

Mid-Morning : Enjoy a game drive in Lake Manyara, where you’ll see elephants, buffalo, and a variety of bird species.

Lunch : Picnic lunch inside the park.

Afternoon : After your final game drive, return to Arusha, marking the end of your incredible safari adventure.

Meal & Drinks

- All Meals included
- Non - Alcoholic Drinks

Accommodation

- Farm of Dreams Lodge
- Kontiki Serengeti Camp (Inside Central Serengeti)
- Kankari Lodge (Karatu - Manyara)
- End of Tour.

4-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Lake Manyara Safari — Photo Gallery

Tanzania safari wildlife and landscape

Safari Prices 2026/2027

Budget Camping
$1650
per person
  • ✓ Public campsites or basic tented camps
  • ✓ Shared ablution facilities
  • ✓ Camp meals cooked in field
  • ✓ Same parks, guide & vehicle
⭐ Mid-Range Lodge
$2310
per person
  • ✓ Comfortable lodge rooms or en-suite tents
  • ✓ Private bathrooms, hot showers
  • ✓ Restaurant meals and bar service
  • ✓ Wi-Fi at lodge (where available)
Luxury Camp
$3465+
per person
  • ✓ Upmarket tented camps or lodges
  • ✓ Private deck, premium service
  • ✓ Full board dining, bush breakfasts
  • ✓ Private game drives available

All prices include park fees, private 4×4 vehicle, English-speaking guide, and meals during safari.
Contact us for a personalised quote based on your exact dates and group size.

What's Included in This Package

Professional English-Speaking Guide
Knowledgeable and experienced guide who will lead the game drive and provide information about the wildlife and park.

Park Entry Fees
All Park entry and concession fees are included.

Packed Lunch
A delicious packed lunch to enjoy during your safari, served at one of the park’s scenic picnic spots.

Bottled Water
Complimentary bottled water will be provided throughout the day to keep you hydrated.

Game Drives
Multiple game drives within Park for wildlife viewing.

Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Arusha or Dar es Salaam (or nearby accommodation).

Government Taxes and Levies
All applicable government taxes and park fees.

What's Not Included

International Flights
Flights to and from Tanzania are not included in the package.

Personal Expenses
Any personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and additional snacks.

Tips and Gratuities
Tips for your guide, driver, and other service providers are not included.

Travel Insurance
We recommend travelers have personal travel insurance; this is not covered in the package.

Alcoholic Beverages
Any alcoholic drinks during the trip are at the traveler’s own expense.

Visas and Entry Fees
Visa fees for entering Tanzania or any associated fees are not part of the package.

Accommodation Options

Accommodation is confirmed based on your chosen budget tier. Properties below are representative examples — we'll confirm exact lodges and camps when quoting based on availability and season.

Budget Camping

Public campsites inside the parks, or basic permanent tented camps nearby. Same access to the parks and wildlife as mid-range and luxury — the difference is where you sleep.

Mid-Range Lodges & Tented Camps

Comfortable lodge rooms or well-appointed en-suite tented camps with private bathrooms, restaurant meals, and wifi where available. Good balance of comfort and value.

Luxury Tented Camps

Upmarket tented camps and lodges with private decks, premium furnishings, and full-service dining. Some properties offer private game drives and exclusive access to concession areas.

Why Choose This 4 Day Tour

Elephant Encounters

Get up close with some of Tanzania’s largest elephant populations, often seen in large herds near the riverbanks.

Ngorongoro Crater

Descend into the world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife.

Diverse Wildlife Viewing

Experience an incredible variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and the endangered black rhino, all within the crater's floor.

Cultural Interaction

Optionally visit a Maasai village to experience the rich culture and traditions of the Maasai people, who coexist with the wildlife in the region.

Tree-Climbing Lions

Witness the unique sight of lions lounging in trees, a rare behavior observed in this park, providing fantastic photo opportunities.

Bird Watching exceptional destination

Spot over 400 bird species, including colorful flamingos, pelicans, and various raptors, making it a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

Scenic Picnic Lunch

Enjoy a delicious packed lunch in a scenic spot within the park, surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Park entrance fees, a private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof, an English-speaking driver-guide, accommodation for the nights specified, and all meals during the safari. Excluded: international flights, Tanzania visa, travel insurance, tips, and personal expenses.

Most international travelers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is about 50km from Arusha. We can arrange airport pickup. You can also fly into Julius Nyerere International in Dar es Salaam and connect to Arusha via domestic flight or overland.

Yes. If you want to swap a park, add a day, change accommodation level (budget camping to luxury lodge), or combine this trip with a Kilimanjaro climb or Zanzibar extension, we can adjust the itinerary and price accordingly.

Neutral-colored clothing (khaki, olive, beige — avoid blue or black which attract tsetse flies), a light fleece or jacket for early morning drives, a sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a camera, and any prescription medications. Binoculars are provided in the vehicle.

June–October (dry season) is generally best for wildlife viewing as animals concentrate near water. January–March is excellent for the calving season in the Serengeti. The green season (November–December, April–May) has lush scenery, fewer tourists, and lower prices.

4 days Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Lake Manyara

OTHER PACKAGES

Related Tanzania Safaris Packages