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6 days · Tanzania · Budget

6 Days / 5 Nights Tanzania Camping Safari: Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti

A Tanzania camping safari that starts and ends in Nairobi: a shuttle south to Arusha, then Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater with basic tented camps, before returning to Kenya.

  • 6 days
  • Tanzania
  • Budget
  • Starts Nairobi
  • Ends Nairobi
Wildebeest lake seen during an East African safari

Safari snapshot

At a glance

The essentials for comparing this journey before you enquire.

Duration
6 days
Country
Tanzania
Destinations
Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro Crater
Safari style
Budget
Price
Price on request
Starts
Nairobi
Ends
Nairobi

Best for

  • Travellers starting in Nairobi
  • Adventurous travellers
  • Travellers on a budget

The route

A round trip from Nairobi

  1. Stop 1Nairobi
  2. Stop 2Arusha
  3. Stop 3Lake Manyara
  4. Stop 4Serengeti
  5. Stop 5Ngorongoro Crater
  6. Stop 6Arusha
  7. Stop 7Nairobi

Safari highlights

What shapes the journey

  • Road shuttle between Nairobi and Arusha
  • Tree-climbing lions and flamingos at Lake Manyara
  • Afternoon game drives on the Serengeti
  • A full day in the Ngorongoro Crater

Day by day

Six 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.

Giraffe acacia seen during an East African safari

Day 1

Nairobi → Arusha

Across the border to Arusha

Leave Nairobi by shuttle for Arusha. The road crosses the Athi plains to the Namanga border post, where you complete immigration formalities before continuing into Tanzania. Arrive in Arusha in the afternoon and check in to your hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis. The rest of the day is free to rest and prepare for the safari.

Overnight
Arusha

Day 2

Arusha → Lake Manyara

The migration safari begins

Head for Lake Manyara with lunch on the way, then take a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions and the large flocks of flamingos that can gather on the lake. Elephant, baboon, giraffe and hippo are also found in its groundwater forest and along the shore. Dinner and overnight in basic tents.

Overnight
Lake Manyara · camp or lodge
Main activities
Game drive
Lion male lion storm

Day 3

Lake Manyara → Serengeti

Olduvai and the great plains

After breakfast, drive to Olduvai Gorge, where the remains of early humans were uncovered by the Leakey family; the museum visit is optional. Lunch is on the way to the Serengeti, where afternoon game drives introduce the plains. Depending on the season, the wildebeest migration may be passing through on its long circuit between the Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara.

Overnight
Serengeti · camp or lodge
Main activities
Afternoon game drive
Lion lioness seen during an East African safari

Day 4

Serengeti → Ngorongoro

A final drive, then the highlands

After breakfast, enjoy a final game drive in the Serengeti National Park, known for the migration and its wealth of resident animals, from lion prides on the kopjes to herds of zebra and gazelle. Then drive to the Ngorongoro highlands with lunch on the way, arriving in the afternoon as the air cools on the crater's forested slopes. Dinner and overnight in basic tents on the crater rim.

Overnight
Ngorongoro · camp or lodge
Main activities
Morning game drive

Day 5

Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha

A day on the crater floor

After breakfast, descend about 600 metres to the crater floor with picnic lunches. The day is spent in the crater, with a lunch break at the Ngoitokitok Springs picnic site. The crater supports lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant and many grazing animals. Later, drive to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon, for a night at your hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

Overnight
Arusha
Main activities
Crater game drive
Giraffe herd seen during an East African safari

Day 6

Arusha → Nairobi

Shuttle back to Kenya

After breakfast, board the shuttle back to Nairobi via the Namanga border, completing the journey between Tanzania's northern parks and Kenya's capital. The road passes the Maasai plains between Arusha and the border, and on clear days Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro may be visible. Arrive in Nairobi in the afternoon for drop-off at your hotel or onward connections, ending the camping safari.

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 in Arusha

Arusha · 2 nights

Accommodation category

Overnight at the camp/lodge

Budget · Lake Manyara · 1 night

Accommodation category

Overnight at the camp/lodge

Budget · Serengeti · 1 night

Accommodation category

Overnight at the camp/lodge

Budget · 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 on 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

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.

Olduvai Gorge museum visit

Optional · extra cost

Maasai village visit

Optional · extra cost

Verified guest voices

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External review source

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External review source

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Before you travel

Safari questions, answered clearly.

How much does the 6 Days / 5 Nights Tanzania Camping Safari: Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti cost?

The 6 Days / 5 Nights Tanzania Camping Safari: Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti is quoted individually (price on 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 Nairobi. Your planner can advise on arrival and departure arrangements.

Where will I stay?

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

Keep exploring

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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.

PricingPrice on request
Request Safari