Magical
4 Days Northern Tanzania Safari – Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara
BOOK TOURThis 4 Days Northern Tanzania Safari – Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara offers a compact Northern Circuit experience in Tanzania, visiting Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park. Travelers will enjoy Big Five sightings, elephant herds, flamingos, tree-climbing lions, and scenic crater landscapes. This short but action-packed itinerary is perfect for first-time safari-goers or travelers with limited time.
4 Days Northern Tanzania Safari – Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara
Tour highlights
- Destinations: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara
- Attractions: Big Five game drives, wildebeest herds, elephant herds, flamingos, baobab forests, crater wildlife
- Activities: Morning and afternoon game drives, photography, wildlife observation, scenic drives
4 Days Northern Tanzania Safari – Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport and meet your guide for transfer to Tarangire National Park. The park is famous for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and set out on a late afternoon game drive, spotting zebras, elephants, and other wildlife. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.
Accommodation options:
- Budget: Tarangire Safari Lodge
- Mid-range: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
- Luxury: Ol Tukai Lodge
Day 2: Tarangire – Serengeti National Park
Begin the day with a morning game drive in Tarangire, capturing the park’s elephants and diverse birdlife in soft morning light. Afterward, drive to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s premier wildlife destination. Check in at your lodge and enjoy an afternoon game drive, encountering lions, cheetahs, and wildebeest herds if in season. Dinner and overnight stay follow.
Accommodation options:
- Budget: Serengeti Simba Lodge
- Mid-range: Serengeti Sopa Lodge
- Luxury: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Day 3: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater
Spend the morning on a game drive in the Serengeti, exploring its open plains and spotting predators and migratory herds. After lunch, drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and check in at your lodge. If time allows, enjoy a short evening game drive around the crater rim or lodge surroundings before dinner.
Accommodation options:
- Budget: Rhino Lodge
- Mid-range: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
- Luxury: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Manyara – Departure
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive, spotting lions, elephants, buffaloes, black rhinos, and flamingos. Afterward, continue to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for tree-climbing lions, hippos, and diverse birdlife along the lake’s edge. In the late afternoon, drive back to Arusha for your onward flight, concluding your 4-day Northern Tanzania safari.
Accommodation options (if overnight in Arusha is required):
- Budget: Arusha Hotel
- Mid-range: Mount Meru Hotel
- Luxury: Arusha Coffee Lodge
Best Time to Go on Safari
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June to October (Dry Season):
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Best overall wildlife viewing across East and Southern Africa.
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Animals gather around rivers and waterholes, making sightings easier.
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Ideal time for the Great Migration river crossings in the Serengeti and Maasai Mara (July–October).
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December to March:
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Great time for calving season in the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains.
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Fewer crowds and lush green landscapes.
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Excellent for birdwatching with migratory species present.
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April to May (Long Rains):
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Some camps close due to heavy rains and muddy roads.
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Cheaper prices and fewer tourists.
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Beautiful, dramatic skies for photography, though game viewing can be harder.
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What to Pack for a Safari
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Clothing
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Neutral-colored, lightweight clothing (khaki, beige, green—avoid bright colors and dark blue/black which attract insects).
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Long-sleeved shirts and trousers for sun protection and cooler evenings.
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A warm fleece or jacket for chilly mornings and nights.
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Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots.
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A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
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Gear & Essentials
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Binoculars for close-up wildlife viewing.
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Camera with extra batteries and memory cards.
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Reusable water bottle.
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Sunscreen and insect repellent.
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Small backpack or daypack for game drives.
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Travel Essentials
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Valid passport and required visas.
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Travel insurance documents.
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Vaccination certificates (Yellow Fever often required).
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Personal medications and a small first aid kit.
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Local currency and/or cards for expenses and tips.
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For more info or to book this tour
Consult our specialist to design a personalized safari itinerary!
Safari Gallery
4 Days Northern Tanzania Safari – Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara
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