All Four Northern Parks in Four Days
from$2,070Per Person
What Does the 4-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Lake Manyara Safari Include?
This is a 4-day, 3-night private safari from Arusha that visits all four main parks of Tanzania's northern circuit: Tarangire on Day 1, Ngorongoro Crater on Day 2, the Serengeti on Day 3 and Lake Manyara on Day 4. Prices start from $2,070 per person for two people sharing at mid-range level.
It is the most varied 4-day route we offer: elephants and baobabs in Tarangire, the Big Five in the crater, big cats and open plains in the Serengeti, and forest and birdlife at Lake Manyara. The trade-off is pace. Day 4 is a long day, with the drive out of the Serengeti, a shorter game drive in Lake Manyara and the return to Arusha. Sightings vary, and no species can be guaranteed.
The sections below cover each day, the wildlife you may see, the best season, prices by group size and what to pack.
Trip at a Glance
| Duration | 4 days, 3 nights |
|---|---|
| Start and finish | Your hotel in Arusha |
| Parks | Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Lake Manyara |
| Activities | A game drive in every park, including a crater game drive |
| Tour type | Private, with a 4x4 safari vehicle and an English-speaking driver-guide |
| Overnights | Mto wa Mbu (Night 1); Karatu (Night 2); central Serengeti (Night 3) |
| Physical level | Easy and vehicle-based, but with a long final day |
| Price | From $2,070 per person (mid-range, 2 sharing); see the table for other levels and group sizes |
Safari Highlights
- Four different parks in four days
- Tarangire's elephants and baobab trees
- A game drive on the floor of Ngorongoro Crater
- A night in central Serengeti
- Lake Manyara's forest and birdlife on the way back
What Happens on Each Day of the Safari?
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Day 1 begins after breakfast with the drive of roughly two to two and a half hours from Arusha to Tarangire National Park.
You spend the day game driving, with a picnic lunch in the park, looking for elephants, giraffes, zebras and the predators that follow them. Tarangire is at its best from June to October, when animals gather along the river. In the evening you drive to your lodge in Mto wa Mbu.
- Overnight: A lodge near Tarangire and Lake Manyara (Mto wa Mbu)
- Meals: Picnic lunch and dinner
- Driving: Roughly 2–2.5 hours to Tarangire
Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater
Day 2 starts with an early breakfast and a drive of about 1.5 hours to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You descend to the crater floor for a game drive, with a picnic lunch by the crater lake.
You may see lions, buffaloes, elephants, hippos, wildebeest and zebras, and with luck black rhinos. In the afternoon you climb out of the crater and drive to your lodge in Karatu.
- Overnight: A lodge in Karatu
- Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
- Driving: About 1.5 hours to the crater, then about 45 minutes to Karatu
Day 3: Karatu to the Serengeti
Day 3 begins after breakfast with the drive through the Ngorongoro highlands to the Serengeti, roughly three to four hours to the park gate.
You game drive into central Serengeti, with a picnic lunch in the park, looking for lions, cheetahs, leopards and large herds. Depending on the season, the migration herds may be nearby. You spend the night at a lodge or camp inside the park.
- Overnight: A lodge or camp in central Serengeti
- Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
- Driving: Roughly 3–4 hours to the Serengeti, then game drives
Day 4: Serengeti to Lake Manyara, Then Back to Arusha
Day 4 is the longest day. After an early breakfast you drive out of the Serengeti and back through the Ngorongoro highlands to Lake Manyara National Park, roughly five hours.
You have a shorter game drive in Lake Manyara, looking for elephants, giraffes, baboons, hippos and the lake's birdlife, with a picnic lunch. Lions here sometimes rest in trees, but this cannot be promised. You then drive about two hours back to Arusha, arriving in the evening.
- Overnight: Not included; the safari ends in Arusha
- Meals: Breakfast and picnic lunch
- Driving: Roughly 5 hours to Lake Manyara, then about 2 hours to Arusha
Route: Arusha → Tarangire National Park → Mto wa Mbu (overnight) → Ngorongoro Crater → Karatu (overnight) → central Serengeti (overnight) → Lake Manyara National Park → Arusha. Drive times are approximate.
Photos from Tarangire, Ngorongoro, the Serengeti and Lake Manyara
What Wildlife Can You See on This Safari?
Visiting four parks gives you a wide range of wildlife and scenery. The table is a general guide only; no sighting can be guaranteed.
| Animal | Tarangire | Ngorongoro Crater | Central Serengeti | Lake Manyara |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant | Often | Often, mostly bulls | Often | Often |
| Lion | Sometimes | Often | Often | Sometimes |
| Cheetah | Occasionally | Occasionally | Sometimes | Not usually |
| Leopard | Sometimes | Rarely | Sometimes, with luck | Rarely |
| Black rhino | Not present | Rarely | Very rarely | Not present |
| Giraffe | Often | Not present | Often | Often |
| Flamingos | Occasionally | Seasonal | Not usually | Often, when water levels suit |
When Is the Best Time for This Safari?
This safari runs year-round. June to October is generally the easiest time for game viewing and the best time for Tarangire. The migration herds move around the Serengeti through the year.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Main dry season | June–October | The easiest game viewing: short grass and animals near water. Cool mornings, dusty tracks and the busiest period. |
| Short rains | November–December | Brief showers, greener scenery and fewer vehicles. Wildlife begins to disperse. |
| Short dry spell | January–February | Usually warm and fairly dry, with good viewing and calving in the southern Serengeti. |
| Long rains | March–May | The wettest period, especially April and May. Lush and quiet, but some tracks become muddy. |
How Much Does This Safari Cost in 2026–2027?
- ✓ Campsites or basic tented camps
- ✓ Shared or simple facilities
- ✓ Same parks, guide & vehicle
- ✓ Comfortable lodges or en-suite tents
- ✓ Private bathrooms, hot showers
- ✓ Restaurant meals
- ✓ Upmarket lodges or tented camps
- ✓ More space and premium service
- ✓ Same private vehicle and guide
Prices are per person for two people sharing. Every level includes the same private 4×4 vehicle, guide, park fees and meals; only the accommodation changes.
Price per Person by Group Size
| Group size | Budget camping | Mid-range lodge | Luxury lodge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,430 | $3,035 | $4,150 |
| 2 people | $1,595 | $2,070 | $3,080 |
| 3 people | $1,315 | $1,810 | $2,735 |
| 4 people | $1,240 | $1,715 | $2,720 |
| 5 people | $1,145 | $1,630 | $2,585 |
| 6 people | $1,120 | $1,595 | $2,605 |
Contact us for a confirmed quote for your dates and group size.
What Affects the Price?
- Group size: the vehicle, guide and any Ngorongoro crater fee are shared, so the per-person price falls noticeably as your group grows.
- Accommodation level: budget camping, mid-range lodges or luxury lodges and camps.
- Parks: Ngorongoro Crater adds a per-vehicle crater fee, and nights inside national parks add concession fees.
- Fee changes: park and conservation fees are set by the authorities and can change, so we confirm your price in writing before you pay.
What Is Included in the Price?
Private 4x4 safari vehicle
A safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, used only by your group.
English-speaking driver-guide
Your guide drives, finds wildlife and explains the parks.
Park entrance fees
Entry fees for every park on the itinerary, including the Ngorongoro crater fee.
Accommodation
Three nights: one near Tarangire (Mto wa Mbu), one in Karatu and one in central Serengeti at your chosen level, confirmed in your final quotation.
Meals
Meals as listed in the itinerary, including picnic lunches on game-drive days.
Drinking water
Bottled water in the vehicle throughout the safari.
Transfers
Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Arusha.
Government taxes
All applicable taxes and levies.
What Is Not Included?
International flights and visa
Flights to and from Tanzania and the Tanzania visa.
Travel insurance
We strongly recommend cover for medical treatment and evacuation.
Tips
Tips for your guide and lodge staff.
Alcoholic drinks
Alcoholic and other drinks not listed in the itinerary.
Optional activities
Extras such as a Maasai village visit or balloon flight.
Personal expenses
Souvenirs, laundry and extra snacks.
Where Will You Stay?
You spend Night 1 in Mto wa Mbu, Night 2 in Karatu and Night 3 in central Serengeti, at your chosen level. We confirm the exact properties in your quotation.
Budget Camping
Campsites or basic tented camps with simple facilities. You visit the same parks with the same guide and vehicle; only where you sleep differs.
Mid-Range Lodges & Tented Camps
Comfortable lodge rooms or en-suite tented camps with private bathrooms and restaurant meals. A good balance of comfort and cost.
Luxury Lodges & Camps
Upmarket lodges and tented camps with more space, premium furnishings and full-service dining.
Is This Safari Right for You?
This safari suits travellers who want to see as many parks as possible in four days and do not mind a long final day. If you prefer a gentler pace, choose a route with fewer parks or add a day.
A Good Fit If You…
- Want all four northern parks
- Like variety more than long stays
- Do not mind one long driving day
- Have four days in Arusha
Consider Another Safari If You…
- Want a gentler pace: 4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
- Want the same parks over five days: 5-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Lake Manyara
- Do not need the Serengeti: 4-Day Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro
- Want to compare all 4-day routes: 4-day safaris
What Should You Pack?
Pack for hot plains and cold early mornings in the highlands. Avoid dark blue and black in Tarangire because of tsetse flies, and keep snacks handy for the long final day.
- Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige); avoid dark blue and black where tsetse flies occur
- A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings, essential on the Ngorongoro rim
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Camera with a zoom lens and binoculars
- Passport, as details are recorded at park gates
- Motion-sickness tablets if you need them
- Small notes for tips and any personal medication
