Northern Tanzania's three best-known wildlife areas sit along one road west of Arusha, and this itinerary visits each of them once: Tarangire for elephants and baobab trees, the Serengeti for its open plains, and the Ngorongoro Crater for a dense concentration of wildlife inside a volcanic caldera.
We want to be clear about the pace. Four days is short for these distances. You get one full day in the Serengeti, and the crater visit happens on your last morning before the drive back to Arusha. It works well if your time is limited and you want a cross-section of the region rather than depth in one place.
If you can spare more time, the 5-day version adds a second Serengeti day and the 6-day Northern Tanzania Safari also includes Lake Manyara. Our guide to the northern Tanzania safari circuit compares the options.
Journey at-a-glance:Customize This Journey. Request More Information »
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Elephant herds and baobab trees in Tarangire
A full day of game viewing on the Serengeti plains
A game drive on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater
Private 4x4 with pop-up roof and your own driver-guide throughout
We pick you up in Arusha or at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive to Tarangire National Park, arriving for an afternoon game drive. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds, particularly along the Tarangire River in the dry months, and for the ancient baobab trees that dot the landscape.
A short morning drive in Tarangire, then the long road west into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You stop at a viewpoint on the crater rim before continuing down onto the Serengeti plains. You arrive in the afternoon and have your first Serengeti game drive on the way to camp.
A whole day exploring the Serengeti, with a picnic lunch out in the park. Your guide chooses the area based on the time of year - usually the central plains, or further afield if the wildebeest migration is within reach. The Serengeti is huge, so this is a day for covering ground and stopping wherever there is activity.
An early start from the Serengeti to reach the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive on the crater floor, one of the most reliable places in East Africa to see a wide range of large mammals in a single outing. You drive back up the crater wall around midday and continue to Arusha in the afternoon.
Planning tip: see our guide on Planning a Family Safari in Kenya or Tanzania.
Accommodation: Mid-range lodges and tented camps at each stop, with luxury upgrades available on request.
Vehicle: 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
The dry season, roughly June to October, is the best time for large herds along the river. In the wet season animals disperse outside the park, but the landscape is green and bird-watching is excellent.
Full Tarangire National Park destination guide »
It is fast, with real driving time between parks. It works if your time is fixed. If you can add a day or two, our 5- and 6-day Tanzania safaris cover the same parks at a more comfortable pace.
Most nationalities do. Many travellers apply online in advance, and some can get a visa on arrival. Rules vary by nationality and change from time to time, so check the official Tanzanian immigration information before you travel.
In Arusha, with pick-up from your hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport on day one and drop-off in Arusha on day four.
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