About this safari
The 6-Day Northern Tanzania Safari is the most efficient way to see the country’s four greatest parks in a single, un-rushed week. From the baobab valleys of Tarangire to the soda flats of Lake Manyara, the endless Serengeti plains and the immense Ngorongoro Crater, every day brings a different landscape and a new set of wildlife stories.
It is a private tour, so the vehicle, guide and schedule are entirely yours. You travel in a safari-equipped 4x4 with a pop-up roof, stopping whenever something remarkable appears — and on this route, something remarkable appears often.
Each park adds its own chapter. Tarangire is elephant country; Lake Manyara is famed for tree-climbing lions and flamingos; the Serengeti delivers the classic big-cat drama; and the crater packs the Big Five into a single verdant bowl. Together they give a first-time visitor the complete Tanzanian safari experience.
Comfortable lodges and permanent tented camps keep the trip relaxed, with short drives between parks and plenty of time to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
What makes this tour special
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Tarangire elephants
Huge herds and thousand-year-old baobabs beside the Tarangire River.
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Lake Manyara birdlife
Flamingos, pelicans and raptors along a shimmering Rift Valley soda lake.
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Serengeti big cats
Lions, leopards and cheetahs on the plains of the Seronera Valley.
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Ngorongoro Crater
A full crater-floor drive amid 25,000 resident large animals.
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Four parks in one week
A complete northern circuit with time to appreciate each habitat.
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Private 4x4 & guide
Your own vehicle, window seat and a guide who reads the bush for you.
Day-by-day plan
Arrival in Moshi or Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you are met and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. There is time to rest before your guide joins you for a briefing on the route, the parks and what to expect. Dinner is served beneath the warm Tanzanian evening sky.
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast you drive south into Tarangire National Park, one of the most scenic parks in the north. Elephants dominate here, drawn to the Tarangire River alongside zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and buffalo. Your afternoon game drive explores the river valley and its iconic baobabs before you reach your lodge for the night.
Lake Manyara National Park
A short, scenic drive brings you to Lake Manyara National Park, tucked between the Great Rift Valley escarpment and a glittering soda lake. Look for the park’s famous tree-climbing lions, enormous baboon troops, hippo pods and — season depending — thousands of pink flamingos feeding in the shallows.
Lake Manyara to the Serengeti
Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and enter the Serengeti National Park. The transition from farmland to open plains to true wilderness is one of the great safari experiences. Spend the afternoon exploring the Seronera Valley, where wildlife is abundant year-round, then relax at your camp under a sky full of stars.
Ngorongoro Crater
Today you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the crater floor you have a real chance of encountering all of the Big Five in a single morning, including the endangered black rhino. Picnic beside the hippo pool before a late-afternoon ascent to the rim.
Departure
After a final breakfast with crater views, drive back to Arusha or Moshi through the green highlands, arriving in good time for your onward flight. Prefer to finish on the beach or the mountain? We can extend your trip with Zanzibar or a Kilimanjaro climb on request.
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Park entry and conservation fees for all parks listed
- All meals as listed (B, L, D) and bottled drinking water on drives
- 5 nights’ accommodation as per the itinerary
- Unlimited game drives with no fixed mileage limits
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Government taxes and tourism levies
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips and gratuities for your guide and camp staff
- Optional activities such as balloon safaris and cultural visits
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
Where you’ll stay
Luxury lodges & tented suites
Full-board luxury camps and lodges with private decks, pools and all-inclusive service. <!-- TODO: lodge names -->
Comfortable lodges & camps
Well-run lodges and permanent tented camps with ensuite bathrooms and warm hospitality. <!-- TODO: lodge names -->
Simple lodges & campsites
Clean, friendly stays in and around the parks, some with shared facilities. <!-- TODO: lodge names -->
6-Day Northern Tanzania Safari in pictures
Best time to take this tour
This route works in every month, but the dry season from June to October gives the most consistent game viewing and the clearest crater panoramas.
| Season | Weather | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Warm, largely dry | Moderate | Calving season in the southern Serengeti; green, quiet parks |
| Apr–May | Long rains | Low | Lush scenery and low-season prices, though some tracks get muddy |
| Jun–Oct | Dry and cool at dawn | High | Prime wildlife viewing; animals gather around scarce water |
| Nov–Dec | Short rains | Moderate | Fresh green plains and outstanding bird watching |
Route & logistics
The tour is a loop that begins and ends in Arusha or Moshi, swinging through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in a clockwise direction. Most drives take two to four hours, with one longer leg into the Serengeti.
All transfers are in a private safari 4x4. Charter or scheduled flights can replace selected road legs on request, which is a popular way to save time on this itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
How many parks does this safari cover?
Four: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. It is a full northern circuit compressed into six days.
Is this tour good for first-time visitors?
It is ideal. The route introduces every major northern park at a manageable pace, with short drives and comfortable accommodation.
What is the best time to travel?
June to October offers the best all-round conditions. January to March is excellent for the calving season, while the green months of November to May are quieter and cheaper.
Can we travel as a family?
Yes. Children of around five and older are welcome, and the short driving distances make this a good family itinerary.
Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
Most visitors require a visa, which can usually be obtained as an e-visa before travel or on arrival. We send full guidance with your booking confirmation.
Can the tour be extended?
Absolutely. Many guests add Zanzibar beaches, a Kilimanjaro climb or the culturally rich towns of Arusha and Moshi.
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