Explore Tanzania’s wildlife wonders on this 5 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater Safari, an unforgettable journey through three of East Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. This itinerary is perfect for travelers seeking diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and authentic safari experiences.

Begin at Lake Manyara National Park, nestled in the Great Rift Valley. Known for its tree-climbing lions, large herds of elephants, and playful baboons, this park offers a compact but thrilling wildlife experience. The soda lake attracts thousands of flamingos and other vibrant bird species, making it a haven for birdwatchers and photographers alike. Explore lush forests and savannahs, spotting animals in their natural habitat.

Next, venture to the legendary Serengeti National Park, world-renowned for its endless plains and exceptional biodiversity. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events. The park is home to the Big Five — lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos — as well as giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and countless other species. Morning and afternoon game drives ensure maximum wildlife viewing and unforgettable photographic opportunities.

Your safari concludes at the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact volcanic caldera on Earth. Often called “Africa’s Eden,” this natural amphitheater supports one of the highest densities of wildlife anywhere in Africa. Spot the Big Five, wildebeest, zebras, hippos, and other species against dramatic crater landscapes. The area is also home to the authentic Maasai and Hadza communities, offering a unique cultural experience alongside wildlife encounters.

Together, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater provide an extraordinary mix of forests, savannahs, and crater landscapes, making this 5-day safari a perfect choice for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and first-time safari travelers looking for an unforgettable African adventure.

Aerial view of wildebeest and zebra Great Migration with swirling dust trail over Serengeti plains, Tanzania

Hot-air balloon safari over Serengeti plains with wildlife below followed by wilderness champagne lunch under acacia trees

Included/Exclude

Cost Includes

All park entry fees for Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater
Transportation in a 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for optimal wildlife viewing
Full-board accommodation at lodges or camps as per the itinerary
Camping fees where applicable
Accommodation in tents or lodges according to the safari plan
Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Camping equipment, including table, chairs, mattress, and tent for camping safaris
Ngorongoro Crater service fees
Professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout the safari

Cost Excludes

Tips and gratuities for the driver/guide
Personal travel insurance
All personal expenses, including drinks, souvenirs, and other items of personal nature
Any services or items not explicitly listed in the “What’s Included” section

Departure City
Arusha (hotel or airport pickup)
Accomodation
Budget, mid-range, or luxury lodges/camps
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (as per itinerary)
Best Season
June – October (dry season), December – February (short rains)
Guide
Professional English-speaking safari guide
Transportation
Comfortable safari van (option to upgrade to 4×4 Land Cruiser)
Tour Availability
Available all year
Payment Method
VISA, MasterCard, PayPal, Pesapal, Direct Wire Transfer, American Express, Discover, Maestro, V Pay, M-PESA

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Brief Overview

Experience Tanzania’s wildlife on this 5-day Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari. Witness tree-climbing lions, flamingos, the Great Migration, and the Big Five across spectacular landscapes. Explore Lake Manyara’s forests, Serengeti plains, and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, creating unforgettable safari memories for wildlife lovers and photographers alike.

Highlights

Tree-climbing lions and diverse wildlife in Lake Manyara National Park
Thousands of flamingos and vibrant bird species at Lake Manyara
Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration across the Serengeti plains (seasonal)
Spot the Big Five — lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos
See hippos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and cheetahs across Serengeti and Ngorongoro
Explore the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations
Stunning savannah, forest, and crater landscapes perfect for photography
Guided game drives for close-up wildlife experiences
Opportunity to experience authentic Maasai and Hadza culture near Ngorongoro
Ideal for first-time safari travelers, wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers
An OPTIONAL hot air balloon ride gives a bird’s-eye view of the Serengeti plains, wildlife, and the Great Migration (seasonal).

Day 01 :

Day 1: Arusha- Lake Manyara

Start your safari with a morning pickup from your hotel or airport in Arusha, followed by a short safari briefing. Depart for the breathtaking Lake Manyara National Park, a pristine soda lake nestled in the Great Rift Valley.

Journey through scenic landscapes dotted with majestic baobab trees, which line the route through this lowland wildlife haven. Explore the park’s diverse habitats and encounter a variety of bird species, including thousands of flamingos during peak seasons. Keep an eye out for monkeys, elephants, lions, and other fascinating wildlife that roam the forests and open savannahs.

Enjoy lunch at your lodge or camp, then take an afternoon game drive to discover more of the park’s stunning wildlife and scenery. In the evening, return to your camp or lodge for dinner and overnight stay, preparing for the adventure ahead in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 02 :

Day 2: Lake Manyara - Serengeti

After breakfast, depart Lake Manyara and journey to the iconic Serengeti National Park. Enjoy an en-route game drive, spotting wildlife as you traverse scenic landscapes toward your camp or lodge.

Stop for lunch at your accommodation, then embark an afternoon game drive across the vast Serengeti plains. This legendary park is home to the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world, with millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles moving across the savannah, attracting countless predators. The Serengeti’s endless plains, rolling hills, and scattered forests make it one of Africa’s top safari destinations and a natural wonder of the world.

Return to your camp or lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay, reflecting on a day full of incredible wildlife encounters and breathtaking scenery.

Day 03 :

Day 3: Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, enjoy a full day of game drives in the world-famous Serengeti National Park, with morning, midday, and afternoon safaris to maximize wildlife viewing. The Serengeti is renowned for its endless plains of savannah and scattered forests, covering over 30,000 km², with 80% located in Tanzania.

Depending on the season, witness the spectacular Great Migration, when approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move across the plains, accompanied by thousands of predators. After the rains in mid-April, the herds migrate back via western corridors, making the Serengeti a dynamic and ever-changing wildlife spectacle.

The park’s vast grasslands, which cover more than one-third of the area, are home to a year-round abundance of animals, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes, offering incredible photography and wildlife observation opportunities.

Return to your camp or lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay, reflecting on a thrilling day of wildlife encounters and the breathtaking beauty of the Serengeti plains.

Day 04 :

Day 4: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater

Start the day with an early morning game drive in the Serengeti National Park, witnessing the savannah come alive with lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and other iconic wildlife. Capture stunning photos as animals roam freely across the vast plains and scattered forests.

After the morning safari, depart for the Ngorongoro Crater Rim, enjoying an en-route game drive that offers additional wildlife sightings and scenic landscapes. Arrive at your lodge or camp in the late afternoon, taking in the breathtaking views of the Ngorongoro highlands.

Relax and unwind before dinner and overnight stay, preparing for the next day’s adventure inside the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most spectacular natural wonders.

Day 05 :

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater-Arusha

Wake up early for breakfast, then descend into the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. With a diameter of approximately 20 kilometers and 600-meter-high crater walls, this natural wonder is home to an estimated 30,000 large mammals, including the Big Five. At its center lies a salt lake, creating a unique ecosystem that supports a diverse array of wildlife.

The crater is also inhabited by authentic Maasai and Hadza communities, offering a rare opportunity to experience the coexistence of humans and wildlife in one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes. From the crater rim, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the dramatic terrain and its abundant inhabitants.

In the afternoon, begin the drive back to Arusha, arriving in the evening. You will be dropped off at your hotel or airport, concluding your unforgettable 5-day Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari, filled with thrilling wildlife encounters, stunning scenery, and lifelong memories.