6 Days Tanzania Wildlife Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire

Begin your day with an early breakfast at Sana Hotel before setting off for Tarangire National Park, located about two hours from Arusha. Tarangire is renowned for its impressive elephant population, ancient baobab trees, and diverse wildlife, making it a captivating introduction to Tanzania’s natural wonders.

Upon entering the park, your expert guide will lead a morning game drive through varied landscapes — from riverine forests to open savannahs. Keep your eyes peeled for large herds of elephants bathing in the Tarangire River, prides of lions lounging in the shade, elusive leopards, graceful giraffes, and abundant birdlife including colorful lilac-breasted rollers and fish eagles.

Around midday, enjoy a scenic picnic lunch at a designated picnic site within the park, surrounded by the sounds and sights of the wild.

In the afternoon, continue with another game drive to maximize wildlife sightings during the cooler hours when animals become more active. As the sun begins to set, you will leave Tarangire and drive approximately 1.5 hours to The Retreat at Ngorongoro Karatu. This charming lodge offers a tranquil setting with stunning views of the surrounding highlands, providing the perfect retreat after a full day of wildlife adventure.

Relax in your comfortable room or take in the serene surroundings from the lodge’s lounge or garden areas. Dinner is served at the lodge, featuring delicious local and international cuisine prepared with fresh ingredients.

Overnight: The Retreat at Ngorongoro Karatu

After an early breakfast at The Retreat at Ngorongoro Karatu, you will depart for the legendary Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s most famous wildlife sanctuary and home to vast herds of animals.

The journey takes approximately 4 to 5 hours, including a scenic drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, you might catch glimpses of Maasai villages, rolling hills, and the spectacular Great Rift Valley.

Upon arrival in the Serengeti, you will embark on an afternoon game drive. This gives you a chance to start spotting the park’s incredible wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, and wildebeests. Your knowledgeable guide will share insights about the ecosystem and animal behaviors, enriching your safari experience.

In the evening, check in to Lahia Tented Lodge, a luxury tented camp that combines comfort with authentic wilderness immersion. Each tent is elegantly furnished and offers stunning views of the surrounding plains.

Enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars before settling in for a restful night, ready for a full day of exploration tomorrow.

Overnight: Lahia Tented Lodge, Serengeti National Park

Rise early and enjoy a hearty breakfast at Lahia Tented Lodge before heading out for a full-day game drive across the endless plains of Serengeti National Park. This is one of the best places in Africa to witness the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino — as well as cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and a stunning variety of birds.

Depending on the season and wildlife movement, your guide will take you to areas rich in animal activity. If you’re visiting during the Great Migration period, expect to see thousands of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles on the move, pursued by predators in dramatic life-and-death encounters.

You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot inside the park, allowing you to stay immersed in the wild throughout the day. The Serengeti is not only about wildlife — its breathtaking landscapes, from golden grasslands to rocky outcrops (kopjes), are equally captivating.

In the late afternoon, make your way to Kubukubu Tented Lodge, where you’ll spend the night. This luxury lodge sits atop a hill offering panoramic views of the Serengeti and is known for its warm hospitality, elegant design, and relaxing ambiance.

After a long day in the bush, unwind with a refreshing drink, take a hot shower, and enjoy a delicious dinner at the lodge’s open-air restaurant before settling in for the night.

Overnight: Kubukubu Tented Lodge, Central Serengeti

After an early breakfast at Kubukubu Tented Lodge, you’ll depart for your final morning game drive in Serengeti National Park. This is your last chance to spot any animals you may have missed — perhaps a leopard lounging in an acacia tree or a lion pride on the prowl during the cooler morning hours.

After the game drive, you will begin the scenic journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, passing through the plains and highlands of northern Tanzania. Along the way, you may spot Maasai herders tending to their cattle or wildlife roaming freely outside park boundaries.

Upon reaching Ngorongoro Crater, you’ll descend 600 meters (nearly 2,000 feet) into the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is often called “Africa’s Eden” for its dramatic scenery and dense concentration of wildlife. In just a few hours, you may encounter black rhinos, hippos, lions, flamingos, hyenas, jackals, and herds of buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest — all within a 260 square kilometer basin.

Enjoy a picnic lunch near the hippo pool, surrounded by breathtaking views and abundant wildlife. After lunch, continue exploring before slowly ascending out of the crater.

In the late afternoon, arrive at Kitela Lodge, a tranquil property set in the lush green highlands of Karatu. Surrounded by coffee plantations and gardens, this charming lodge offers a peaceful setting, beautifully designed rooms, and warm hospitality.

Relax with a hot shower or spa treatment, then enjoy a farm-to-table dinner served in the lodge’s cozy dining area.

Overnight: Kitela Lodge, Karatu

After an early breakfast at Kitela Lodge, you will check out and drive to the nearby Lake Manyara National Park for a final game drive. Though small compared to Serengeti and Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara is a hidden gem known for its stunning scenery and unique biodiversity.

As you enter the park, you'll be greeted by lush groundwater forests and towering fig and mahogany trees. Keep your eyes peeled for tree-climbing lions, large troops of baboons, and colorful flocks of flamingos lining the lake’s edge. You may also see elephants, hippos, giraffes, buffaloes, and more than 400 bird species.

Enjoy a relaxed mid-morning game drive, soaking in the peaceful beauty of this park — a perfect soft ending to your adventure. Afterward, you’ll begin the return journey to Arusha, with a scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley.

Depending on your flight schedule, you'll be transferred either to Arusha for a day room and late lunch (optional) or directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure.

As your safari comes to an end, you’ll carry unforgettable memories of Tanzania’s wildlife, landscapes, and warm hospitality.

End of Safari