6-Day Safari: Tarangire, Central Serengeti, Northern Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Arusha
Imagine exploring Tanzania’s breathtaking wilderness on a 6-day safari filled with incredible wildlife encounters, endless savannahs, and unforgettable moments in the heart of Africa. With Serengeti Budget Safari, journey through Tarangire National Park, the Central Serengeti, and the remote Northern Serengeti before discovering the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater.
Watch elephants wander beneath ancient baobab trees in Tarangire, search for lions resting in the golden grasslands of the Serengeti, and follow the movements of vast wildebeest and zebra herds during the Great Migration season. In Northern Serengeti, visit the famous Mara River area, where dramatic river crossings may occur as migrating herds face the challenges of crocodile-filled waters. River crossings are unpredictable and depend on the movement of the animals and seasonal conditions.
Continue through spectacular African landscapes before descending into the Ngorongoro Crater, a remarkable natural sanctuary where you may encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, and the endangered black rhino.
Accompanied by a knowledgeable local safari guide, you will experience Tanzania’s remarkable wildlife, learn about animal behaviour, and enjoy opportunities to capture stunning photographs along the way. From the peaceful beauty of the savannah at sunrise to the excitement of tracking wildlife across the plains, every day brings a new adventure.
This six-day safari offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience Tanzania’s iconic national parks, the magic of the Great Migration, and the natural beauty of Ngorongoro in one memorable journey.
Trip highlights
- Tarangire Elephants & Baobab Trees
- Central Serengeti Wildlife
- Northern Serengeti Great Migration
- Mara River Crossing Areas
- Ngorongoro Crater Big Five Safari
- Black & White Rhino Sightings
- Expert Local Safari Guide
What's included
- Airport transfers
- All park entrance fees
- Ngorongoro Crater service fees
- 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Fuel and driver expenses
- Accommodation during the safari
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the safari guide ($15–$20 per day)
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation before and after the safari
- Airport transfers not specified in the itinerary
Day by day
Airport Arrival and Transfer to Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, your Tanzanian adventure begins with a warm welcome from your safari representative. Enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Arusha, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and the vibrant atmosphere of this safari gateway city. Take time to relax after your journey, admire the views of the surrounding countryside, and soak up the excitement of your upcoming African adventure. Depending on your arrival time, you can explore the hotel facilities or simply unwind before your wildlife safari begins the following day. Enjoy an overnight stay in Arusha, ready for the unforgettable experiences ahead.
Tarangire National Park Safari and Wildlife Game Drive
After breakfast, depart from Arusha and journey towards Tarangire National Park, a spectacular wildlife destination famous for its ancient baobab trees, vast savannahs, and impressive elephant herds. As you enter the park, the adventure begins with a game drive through beautiful landscapes where wildlife roams freely.
Keep your eyes open for elephants gathering along the Tarangire River, lions resting in the shade, giraffes browsing among acacia trees, and zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, and antelopes grazing across the plains. Tarangire is also a paradise for bird lovers, with a rich variety of colourful bird species to discover.
With your professional safari guide, explore the park’s diverse habitats and enjoy excellent opportunities for wildlife photography. Every turn may reveal a new animal encounter against the backdrop of magnificent baobabs and the golden African landscape.
In the late afternoon, leave the park and continue to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay, carrying wonderful memories of your first full day of safari in Tanzania.
Central Serengeti National Park Safari and Wildlife Game Drive
After breakfast, depart for the legendary Serengeti National Park, travelling through the breathtaking landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, enjoy sweeping views of the highlands before entering the vast African savannah of the Serengeti.
Upon arrival in Central Serengeti, embark on an exciting game drive across the endless plains, renowned for their abundant wildlife and impressive predator populations. Look out for lions resting on rocky outcrops, cheetahs scanning the grasslands, leopards hiding among trees, and large herds of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles moving across the plains. Elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and many bird species may also appear during your adventure.
With your experienced local safari guide, explore different areas of the park while learning about animal behaviour and the remarkable Serengeti ecosystem. The changing scenery, golden grasslands, and spectacular wildlife encounters create wonderful opportunities for photography.
As the afternoon draws to a close, continue to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and an overnight stay in the heart of the African wilderness, surrounded by the unforgettable atmosphere of the Serengeti.
Northern Serengeti Great Migration and Mara River Safari
After an early breakfast, set out for a full-day game drive in Northern Serengeti, one of Tanzania’s most spectacular wildlife destinations during the Great Wildebeest Migration. Travel across the vast savannah towards the famous Mara River, where thousands of wildebeests and zebras move through the region in search of fresh grazing and water.
During migration season, you may witness herds gathering along the riverbanks, preparing to cross waters inhabited by large Nile crocodiles. These dramatic crossings are among Africa’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles, although sightings cannot be guaranteed because the animals move according to natural conditions.
As you explore the northern plains, look out for lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and other wildlife that thrive in this remote wilderness. Your experienced local safari guide will follow animal movements and select promising viewing areas, giving you the best possible opportunities to observe wildlife and capture memorable photographs.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush before continuing your afternoon game drive through the beautiful landscapes of Northern Serengeti. As the sun begins to set over the plains, return to your camp or lodge for dinner and an overnight stay surrounded by the sounds and atmosphere of the African wilderness.
Northern Serengeti to Karatu with En-Route Game Drive
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in Northern Serengeti, taking in the beautiful landscapes and searching for wildlife across the open plains. Keep an eye out for lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests as you make your way out of this remarkable wilderness.
Continue your journey towards Karatu, passing through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, enjoy changing landscapes, from the endless Serengeti plains to the rolling hills and lush highlands of Ngorongoro. You may encounter wildlife along the route, offering further opportunities for photographs and memorable sightings.
Arrive in Karatu in the late afternoon and check in at your lodge. Relax, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the next day's adventure in the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater.
Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive and Transfer to Arusha
After an early breakfast in Karatu, depart for the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Descend into the crater in your 4x4 safari vehicle and discover a breathtaking natural landscape surrounded by towering crater walls.
Enjoy an exciting game drive across the crater floor, where open grasslands, acacia woodlands, freshwater pools, and wetlands support an incredible variety of wildlife. Look out for lions resting in the grass, elephants moving through the woodland, buffaloes grazing on the plains, and hippos relaxing in the water. With some luck, you may also spot the rare black rhino and other members of the Big Five. Zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, and colourful bird species add to the unforgettable experience.
Your local safari guide will help you explore the crater’s diverse habitats while sharing fascinating insights into its wildlife and unique ecosystem. Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the magnificent scenery before continuing your wildlife adventure.
In the afternoon, ascend the crater rim and begin your return journey to Arusha. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off at your hotel or at the airport, bringing your memorable six-day Tanzania safari to an end.
Common questions
Yes. Every itinerary here can be extended with Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Zanzibar or a Ngorongoro Crater add-on. Tell us your dates and interests and we will adapt one of the options below or build a custom route.
No, and we would not trust an operator who claims otherwise. A wildebeest birth, a predator kill or a river crossing are wild, natural events controlled by rainfall, grass, water levels and animal behaviour, not by any company's schedule. We follow the migration, we do not make promises on behalf of nature. What we do guarantee is an experienced guide who reads the conditions, tracks and other vehicles' reports to give you the best realistic chance.
We cannot promise it. A crossing happens when the herds decide conditions are right, driven by rainfall, pasture and water levels on both banks. Our guides track the herds' movement daily and position you with the best realistic chance, but nobody, including us, can guarantee a wild crossing on a fixed schedule.
For very limited time, the 4-day Fly-In & Fly-Out Western Serengeti works well. For a balanced classic road safari, choose the 5-day Classic Grumeti Migration Safari. For travellers who want meaningful time in the Western Corridor, we recommend the 6-day Extended Grumeti & Western Serengeti.