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5 days · Tanzania · Mid-range

5 Days Northern Tanzania Safari Tour

The northern Tanzania circuit in five comfortable days: Lake Manyara, two nights on the Serengeti with a stop at Olduvai Gorge, and a full day inside the Ngorongoro Crater.

  • 5 days
  • Tanzania
  • Mid-range
  • Starts Arusha
  • Ends Arusha
Lion lioness seen during an East African safari

Safari snapshot

At a glance

The essentials for comparing this journey before you enquire.

Duration
5 days
Country
Tanzania
Destinations
Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro Crater
Safari style
Mid-range
Price
Price subject upon request
Starts
Arusha
Ends
Arusha

Best for

  • First safari in Tanzania
  • Couples
  • Travellers who prefer lodges

The route

A round trip from Arusha

  1. Stop 1Arusha
  2. Stop 2Lake Manyara
  3. Stop 3Serengeti
  4. Stop 4Ngorongoro Crater
  5. Stop 5Arusha

Safari highlights

What shapes the journey

  • Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lions and flamingos
  • Olduvai Gorge on the way to the Serengeti
  • A full day on the Serengeti plains
  • A day on the Ngorongoro Crater floor

Day by day

Five days, day by day.

The plan is a guide: timings may change with road and park conditions and your group's interests. Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Wildebeest seen during an East African safari

Day 1

Arusha → Lake Manyara

The safari begins at Manyara

Your safari starts after breakfast at your Arusha hotel. Depart for Lake Manyara with lunch on the way, crossing the Maasai steppe towards the Rift Valley escarpment. Then take a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions and for the flocks of flamingos that can gather on the lake. Elephants and baboons are often seen in the forest near the gate. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Overnight
Lake Manyara · lodge
Main activities
Game drive
Lion pride track

Day 2

Lake Manyara → Serengeti

Olduvai Gorge and the plains

After breakfast, leave Lake Manyara and climb into the Ngorongoro highlands before descending towards Olduvai Gorge, with lunch on the way to the Serengeti. The optional museum visit covers the sites where early human remains were discovered by the archaeologist Louis Leakey. Continue to the Serengeti plains for afternoon game drives, as the grassland stretches to the horizon, before dinner at your lodge.

Overnight
Serengeti · lodge
Main activities
Afternoon game drive

Day 3

Serengeti National Park

A full day in the majestic Serengeti

An optional balloon flight can open the day (pre-arranged, extra cost). Then set off early with picnic lunches for a full day on the plains. The Serengeti's migration moves through different areas across the year, following the rains, and resident lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, warthog and serval cat can be seen at any time.

Overnight
Serengeti · lodge
Main activities
Full-day game drive · Picnic lunch
Lion lioness nairobi skyline

Day 4

Serengeti → Ngorongoro

Final Serengeti drive to the crater rim

After breakfast, enjoy a final game drive in the Serengeti National Park, a last chance to look for lion, cheetah and the season's herds on the open plains. Then depart for the Ngorongoro highlands with lunch on the way, arriving in the afternoon. The cooler air and forested slopes are a contrast to the plains. Dinner and overnight at your lodge near the crater, ready for tomorrow's descent.

Overnight
Ngorongoro · lodge
Main activities
Morning game drive
Rhino buffalo seen during an East African safari

Day 5

Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha

Down to the crater floor

After breakfast, descend about 600 metres to the crater floor with picnic lunches. Spend the day exploring, with a lunch break at the Ngoitokitok Springs picnic site. The crater contains populations of black-maned lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant and many grazing animals. Later, drive back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon for drop-off at your hotel.

Main activities
Crater game drive

Recommended accommodation

Where you stay.

Named properties are the ones used for this package. Nights listed by category are confirmed with your quotation, subject to availability.

Accommodation category

Overnight at the lodge

Mid-range · Lake Manyara · 1 night

Accommodation category

Overnight at the lodge

Mid-range · Serengeti · 2 nights

Accommodation category

Overnight at the lodge

Mid-range · Ngorongoro · 1 night

What’s included

Clear from the start.

  • 4×4 Land Cruiser in Tanzania
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • All meals while on safari (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Services of a professional driver-guide
  • All park entrance fees
  • All game drives

What’s not included

No hidden assumptions.

  • Travel and personal insurance
  • Items of personal use
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Optional activities, including the Olduvai Gorge museum and cultural visits
  • Accommodation and flights for Zanzibar
  • Tips and gratuities

Your written quotation confirms the exact inclusions for your dates.

Flexible pricing

A clear quote for your journey.

The final price depends on when and how you travel: season, group size, accommodation level and private or shared transport.

Pricing

Price subject upon request

We quote this journey individually because travel dates, group size and accommodation availability change it significantly.

What affects the final price?

  • Travel dates and season
  • Group size
  • Accommodation availability
  • Private or shared vehicle
Request Exact Quote Ask on WhatsApp (opens WhatsApp)

Made around you

Make this safari yours.

Where operationally possible, a local planner can help adapt the journey without losing the route’s natural rhythm.

  • Travel dates and pace
  • Adding or removing nights where the route allows
  • Accommodation choices, subject to availability
  • Combining with another destination
Customise This Safari

Optional experiences

Add a different perspective.

Availability, location, age limits and extra costs are confirmed for your final itinerary.

Hot-air balloon safari over the Serengeti

Optional · extra cost · pre-arrangement required

Olduvai Gorge museum visit

Optional · extra cost

Maasai village visit

Optional · extra cost

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External review source

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Before you travel

Safari questions, answered clearly.

How much does the 5 Days Northern Tanzania Safari Tour cost?

The 5 Days Northern Tanzania Safari Tour is quoted individually (price subject upon request), because travel dates, group size and accommodation availability change the cost. Share your dates and a planner will send an exact quotation.

Where does this safari start and finish?

It starts and finishes in Arusha. Your planner can advise on arrival and departure arrangements.

Where will I stay?

Nights are listed as “overnight at the lodge”: the specific property is confirmed with your quotation, subject to availability.

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Start planning with a local expert

Your safari starts with a conversation.

Tell us your dates, travel style and what matters most. A Nairobi-based planner can shape the details with you.

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PricingPrice subject upon request
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