This 4-day Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater safari in Tanzania offers an amazing wildlife experience in some of the best protected areas in East Africa.
This short Tanzania tour includes wildlife viewing in three top destinations in the Northern Circuit: Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater.
In each park, you are guaranteed to see plenty of animals, including the Big Five and wildebeests.
Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park (2-3 hours by road)
- Day 2: Serengeti Plains expedition
- Day 3: Game drive and transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater half-day tour and drive back to Arusha
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park
You will be picked up early in the morning and start your journey from Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park, located between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley.
Arrive at the park early and enjoy a full-day game drive through the open plains. From your comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle, you will have clear views of wildlife, from big game to small mammals, along with the amazing scenery of the Great Rift Valley.
Day 2: Serengeti Plains Expedition
After breakfast, depart for Serengeti National Park. The drive takes about 4 hours with beautiful views of the countryside. Arrive in Serengeti in time for lunch at your lodge or tented camp.
In the afternoon, go for a game drive focusing on the Seronera area, well-known for its high number of animals. Look out for impalas, gazelles, wildebeests, rhinos, elephants, topis, buffaloes, and more. Return to your lodge in the Serengeti plains for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Game Drive and Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
After a relaxed breakfast, enjoy a short game drive as you exit Serengeti National Park. Then drive towards Ngorongoro Crater with a stopover at Olduvai Gorge, a famous archaeological site.
Arrive at Ngorongoro for an afternoon game drive inside the crater, home to large numbers of animals. Look out for elands, zebras, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, hyenas, cheetahs, jackals, lions, and various birds. After the game drive, head to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater Half-Day Tour and Drive Back to Arusha
After breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive. Explore the crater floor and look for early-morning active animals. You may spot hyenas, warthogs, leopards, elephants, rhinos, hippos, buffaloes, lions, jackals, and many others.
After the game drive, enjoy a relaxed lunch and then start the drive back to Arusha. You will be dropped off at your hotel or the airport. This marks the end of your special 4-day safari to three of Tanzania’s top destinations in the Northern Circuit.