5 days, private, starts and ends in Arusha
Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Crater
Experience Tanzania’s classic safari highlights in five days, exploring three remarkable wildlife destinations. Discover Tarangire’s ancient baobabs and impressive elephant herds, Lake Manyara’s groundwater forest and varied wildlife, and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, renowned for its exceptional concentration of animals.
This safari is a wonderful introduction to Tanzania’s wildlife, landscapes and birdlife.
Times and drives are approximate. Your guide adjusts each day to the weather, the wildlife and you.
This day is set aside for your arrival. At Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport, your driver meets you with a sign reading Charles Tours and takes you on the short drive to Arusha for dinner and overnight.
After pick-up from your hotel in Arusha, we drive about two hours south-west to Tarangire. The park is famous for its baobabs and for some of the largest elephant herds in Tanzania, especially in the dry season, when the Tarangire River is the only water for miles around. We spend the day on the river circuit, watching elephants dig for water while giraffe, zebra and wildebeest come down to drink. Lions often rest in the shade of the riverbank, and pythons are sometimes seen in the trees. After a picnic lunch at a lookout and a slow afternoon drive, we head to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
A full day exploring Tarangire’s varied landscapes. We follow scenic tracks through baobab-studded plains and along the Tarangire River, watching for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes and, with luck, lions and leopards. Birders can look forward to bee-eaters, hornbills, vultures and many striking savanna birds. After a picnic lunch in the park we continue game viewing through the afternoon, then return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast we check out and drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a day of wildlife viewing and birding. We explore the park’s groundwater forest, open woodland and lakeshore, looking for elephants, giraffes, baboons and the famous tree-climbing lions. Birders can enjoy a variety of forest and savanna species, including the striking Silvery-cheeked Hornbill. After a picnic lunch in the park we continue with afternoon game drives along the lake and through the forest, then leave the park in the late afternoon and drive to Karatu for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast we drive into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a memorable game drive. The crater floor has open grassland, swamps, woodland and a soda lake, supporting an exceptional concentration of wildlife. Look out for lions, spotted hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, hippos and, with luck, the endangered black rhino. Birders can enjoy many species around the wetlands and lake, including flamingos when conditions are right.
After a picnic lunch and a final game drive, we climb out of the crater and drive back to Arusha or the airport, where your safari ends.
Depending on your flight schedule, an extra night in Arusha may be needed. We confirm this when you book.
We quote per person, based on your group size, season and accommodation level. Send an enquiry and you’ll have a full price within 24 hours.
Most days start between 6:00 and 6:30, because the first hours after sunrise have the best light and the most active animals and birds. We usually take a picnic lunch in the park or return to camp for a midday rest, then head out again in the late afternoon. Parks close at sunset, so evenings are at the lodge.
Yes. Every trip is private, so we can add days, swap parks, change the accommodation level or slow the pace. Tell us what you’d like, and we’ll send a revised plan and price.
A 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for viewing and photography, charging points and a window seat for everyone. The vehicle and guide are yours alone for the whole trip.
Send an enquiry and we’ll reply within 24 hours with a tailored itinerary and a full quote. Once you’re happy, we take a deposit to confirm, with the balance due before you travel. We’ll give you the exact terms in writing.
Just tell us. Lodges and our camp cooks regularly cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and other diets.
4daysSkip the long drive: fly straight into the Serengeti, stay in luxury lodges and finish with a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater.
12daysThree nights in the northern Serengeti searching for Mara River crossings, plus Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and the central Serengeti.
7daysLake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater, two nights in the Serengeti and a guided forest walk to the Endoro elephant caves.
Tell us your dates and the birds or animals you most want to see. We’ll reply within 24 hours with a route and a full quote.
