Experience the highlights of the Northern Tanzania safari circuit on this 6-day wildlife adventure from Arusha.
The journey combines four major wildlife destinations: Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Tarangire is particularly known for its elephant concentrations and distinctive baobab landscapes. Lake Manyara adds a different landscape with forest, Rift Valley scenery and diverse birdlife, while the Serengeti provides extensive plains and wildlife viewing. The safari finishes with a Ngorongoro Crater game drive before returning to Arusha.
With two nights in the Serengeti, this itinerary gives you more time for wildlife viewing rather than simply passing through the park. Similar 2026 itineraries use the same four-park combination and allocate two nights to the Serengeti.
Why Choose This 6-Day Tanzania Safari?
The six-day itinerary provides enough time to experience several major Northern Tanzania ecosystems while still keeping the journey manageable.
You begin with the elephants and baobabs of Tarangire, experience the varied landscapes of Lake Manyara, spend two nights exploring the Serengeti, and finish with the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater.
Similar current six-day itineraries use this four-destination structure, with two nights in the Serengeti to allow a dedicated full game-drive day
Your 6 Days Tanzania Wildlife Safari begins with a morning pickup from your hotel in Arusha.
Meet your professional safari driver-guide and travel toward Tarangire National Park.
After entering the park, begin your first game drive through landscapes dotted with giant baobab trees and acacia woodland.
Tarangire is especially famous for its elephants and can offer excellent wildlife viewing around the Tarangire River and other water sources.
Keep an eye out for:
- Elephants
- Lions
- Giraffes
- Zebras
- Wildebeest
- Buffalo
- Warthogs
- Antelopes
- Monkeys
- Diverse bird species
Enjoy a picnic lunch during the game drive before continuing your wildlife exploration.
In the late afternoon, leave the park and travel to your accommodation.
Overnight: Budget / Mid-Range Lodge or Tented Camp
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, depart toward Lake Manyara National Park.
Lake Manyara offers a different safari environment from Tarangire, with woodland, open areas and the dramatic Rift Valley landscape.
Enjoy a game drive through the park while searching for:
- Elephants
- Buffalo
- Giraffes
- Zebras
- Wildebeest
- Hippos
- Baboons
- Monkeys
- Lions
- Flamingos and other birds
Lake Manyara is also associated with tree-climbing lions, although sightings are never guaranteed.
After your game drive, continue toward the Ngorongoro Highlands and your overnight accommodation.
Overnight: Budget / Mid-Range Lodge or Tented Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, begin your journey toward the legendary Serengeti National Park.
The route passes through the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands before reaching the Serengeti plains.
As you enter the Serengeti, your safari begins immediately with wildlife viewing along the route.
The Serengeti is known for its large wildlife populations and open grassland ecosystem.
Possible sightings include:
- Lions
- Leopards
- Cheetahs
- Elephants
- Buffalo
- Wildebeest
- Zebras
- Giraffes
- Hyenas
- Gazelles
Continue toward your Serengeti accommodation and enjoy an afternoon game drive, depending on arrival time.
Overnight: Serengeti Budget / Mid-Range Camp or Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today is dedicated to a full-day Serengeti safari.
Start early to take advantage of the cooler morning hours when many animals are active.
Your guide will choose the game-viewing areas according to current wildlife activity, road conditions and your interests.
Spend the day exploring the Serengeti plains in search of predators and large herbivore herds.
Wildlife You May See
Lions • Leopards • Cheetahs • Elephants • Buffalo • Wildebeest • Zebras • Giraffes • Hyenas • Hippos • Gazelles
Enjoy a picnic lunch in a designated area before continuing the game drive.
Depending on the season and location of the herds, you may also have an opportunity to witness part of the Great Migration.
Overnight: Serengeti Budget / Mid-Range Camp or Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Migration note: The Great Migration is a natural event. Herd locations change throughout the year, and specific sightings or river crossings cannot be guaranteed.
Wake up early for a final opportunity to enjoy wildlife in the Serengeti.
After breakfast, begin your journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The drive offers additional wildlife-viewing opportunities as you leave the Serengeti plains.
Continue toward the Ngorongoro Highlands and arrive at your lodge or camp near the crater.
Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon relaxing at the accommodation or taking in the surrounding highland scenery.
Overnight: Budget / Mid-Range Lodge near Ngorongoro or Karatu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wake up early and prepare for the final major wildlife experience of your safari.
After breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive.
The crater is a spectacular volcanic caldera with a rich concentration of wildlife.
Search for:
- Lions
- Elephants
- Buffalo
- Zebras
- Wildebeest
- Hippos
- Hyenas
- Gazelles
- Flamingos
- Other wildlife
- Black rhino, when conditions and sightings permit
Enjoy a picnic lunch during the crater excursion before beginning the journey back to Arusha.
Arrive in Arusha in the afternoon or evening, depending on the day's conditions.
Your 6 Days Tanzania Wildlife Safari ends in Arusha.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch