6 Days 5 Nights Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Lodge Safari

6 Days 5 Nights  Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Lodge Safari

Beginning in Arusha, this Tanzanian adventure includes safaris in Lake Manyara and the Serengeti, visits to Olduvai Gorge and Ngorongoro Crater, and a trip to Tarangire National Park, offering a comprehensive exploration of Tanzania’s wildlife and natural beauty.

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha – Lake Manyara (Travel Time: 2½ hours, Distance: 130 km)

The journey begins as the travelers are picked up from Arusha and transferred to Lake Manyara National Park. They reach their destination just in time for lunch. After a satisfying meal, the adventure takes them into Lake Manyara National Park for an afternoon wildlife safari. This park, nestled at the base of the western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, is a captivating wildlife sanctuary in Tanzania. It is renowned for its vast, shallow soda lake, which covers two-thirds of the park’s area. The park’s diverse habitat attracts a wide variety of animals, including one of Africa’s largest concentrations of elephants, Lake Manyara’s unique tree-climbing lions, and large flocks of flamingos drawn by the lake’s algae. The day concludes with dinner and overnight accommodation, depending on the standard and type of accommodation chosen.

Day 2: Lake Manyara – Serengeti Plains (Travel Time: 6 hours, Distance: 205 km)

After breakfast, the journey leads to the Serengeti National Park, passing through the scenic farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Leaving the highlands behind, they descend into the heart of wild Africa, the Serengeti National Park, with its endless plains extending as far as the eye can see. They head to the central park area, known as the Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, featuring the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source and attracts wildlife representing most of the Serengeti’s species. Upon arrival, they enjoy lunch and embark on an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti National Park. The day ends with dinner and overnight accommodation in the Seronera area, as per their chosen accommodation.

Day 3: Serengeti National Park Full Day Game Drives

The entire day is dedicated to exploring this world-renowned destination. After breakfast, the travelers proceed for a game viewing drive along the Sogore River Circuit, which loops into the plains south of the Seronera River, offering good sightings of lions, Thomson gazelles, topi, ostriches, and cheetahs. Following the morning game drive, a visit to the Visitor Center near the Serengeti Seronera Lodge and the public campsites is recommended. The center boasts interesting wildlife displays, a gift shop selling information leaflets and maps, a shop offering cold drinks and snacks, a picnic area, and an informative trail around a nearby kopje. The travelers enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch at the center in the shade of giant acacia trees. In the afternoon, they follow the Kopjes Circuit, which goes anticlockwise around the Masai Kopjes, known for attracting several lions and huge cobras. These weathered granite outcrops scattered around the plains serve as miniature ecosystems, providing shade and water pools that make them excellent for spotting wildlife during dry seasons, including lions waiting for animals coming to drink. The day concludes with dinner and overnight accommodation in the Seronera area, based on the chosen accommodation.

Day 4: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater (Travel Time: 4 hours, Distance: 145 km)

An early morning game drive from 6:30 am to 9:30 am provides the travelers with the best opportunity to witness early morning kills by the big five. After the morning exploration, they return for breakfast and depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. En route, they make a stop at the Olduvai Gorge, renowned for its historical significance dating back to the dawn of time. This is where anthropologists Drs. Lois and Mary Leakey made remarkable discoveries of the skulls of ‘Nutcracker Man’ and ‘Handy Man,’ both highly significant in the study of human evolution. Lunch is served at the Olduvai Gorge, accompanied by a lecture on the theory of evolution. Following this, they continue their journey to Ngorongoro, reaching it in the late afternoon. The travelers have several hours to enjoy the breathtaking view from the crater’s rim before dinner and an overnight stay in the Seronera area, based on their selected accommodation.

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater – Tarangire (Travel Time: 3½ hours, Distance: 155 km)

After breakfast, the travelers descend over 600 meters into the crater for a half-day safari tour. Supported by a year-round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro National Park sustains a varieties of animals, including herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthogs, hippos, and giant African elephants. The park is also home to a dense population of predators, including lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and the elusive leopard. The travelers visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern corner of the crater, known for being a main feature of the area. This part of the park typically hosts a substantial population of flamingos, hippos, and various other water birds. They enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater before proceeding for another afternoon game drive until 5:30 pm. After the exploration, they ascend from the crater and make their way to Tarangire National Park. The day concludes with dinner and overnight accommodation in the Seronera area, based on the chosen accommodation.

Day 6: Tarangire National Park – Arusha (Travel Time: 2 hours, Distance: 120 km)

Following breakfast, the travelers embark on a full day game drive in Tarangire National Park. The park runs along the line of the Tarangire River and mainly consists of low-lying hills on the Great Rift Valley floor. Its natural vegetation comprises Acacia woodland and giant African Baobab trees, along with significant swamp areas in the south. This park is known for its abundant wildlife, especially during Tanzania’s dry season, drawn by the river and swamps. It is reputed to contain some of the largest elephant herds in Africa and is also home to rare species like the Greater Kudu, the Fringed-eared Oryx, and Ashy Starlings. After a picnic lunch, the travelers engage in an afternoon game drive, concluding with their exit from the park. They are then transferred to Arusha, arriving in the early evening. Depending on their plans, they can be dropped off at their chosen hotel or taken to the airport if their flight is scheduled for the same day.

This adventure offers a detailed exploration of Tanzania’s captivating wildlife and scenic beauty.