Discover the Heart of Tanzania: A 6âDay, 5âNight Safari through Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire
If youâre looking for an unforgettable African adventure, the 6âday / 5ânight safari through Tanzaniaâs premier parks is an ideal blend of dramatic landscapes, incredible wildlife viewing, and cultural immersion. From the tree-climbing lions at Lake Manyara to the seemingly endless plains of the Serengeti, and the spectacular crater of Ngorongoro to the elephant-rich Tarangire, this itinerary provides a sampler of Tanzaniaâs northern circuit at a comfortable pace.
Day 1: Arusha â Lake Manyara National Park
Your safari begins as you depart from Arusha in the morning, typically around 08:30âŻam. The drive takes you towards the Rift Valley, past rolling farmland and highland scenery. Your first stop is Lake Manyara National Park, a relatively compact but ecologically diverse gem.
Game drives in Manyara often yield an array of wildlife: large herds of elephants, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, and â in some years â the famous treeâclimbing lions. Birdlife is also prolific, especially along the shores of the soda lake, which is often dotted with flamingos and waterfowl. After a full day of game drives and a picnic lunch, you settle into a lodge or camp near Manyara for your first night.
Day 2: Manyara â Serengeti National Park
After breakfast you depart Manyara, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, descending from the highlands into the vast open plains. En route, enjoy game viewing along the way, until you reach the southern gate of the Serengeti, often via Naabi Hill.
Once inside the Serengeti ecosystem, head to the Seronera region (central Serengeti), which is considered one of the most wildlife-dense zones. Expect your first encounters with large herds of antelope, zebra, wildebeest, and perhaps a resting pride of lions or lounging leopards near waterholes. Overnight at a lodge or camp within or adjacent to the Serengeti zone.
Day 3: Full Day in Serengeti
On your third day, youâll have a full schedule of game drives â morning and afternoon â to explore the heart of the Serengeti. With more time here, your chances of witnessing predator hunts, elusive leopards, cheetahs in pursuit, and large herds on the move increase significantly.
Depending on timing, you may shift between different sectors (such as from central toward western or northern corridors). In the evening, return to your accommodation and dine under the African sky.
Day 4: Serengeti â Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, enjoy one last short game drive in the Serengeti before you depart for the Ngorongoro Crater rim. As you transition from savannah to the crater highlands, the terrain changes dramatically, offering sweeping vistas of the Rift Valley escarpments and lush forests.
You arrive at your craterârim lodge by evening. The views over the crater floor â a 600âmetre drop to the basin below â are compelling and unforgettable.
Day 5: Full Day in Ngorongoro & Travel to Tarangire
This is one of the highlights of your safari. After an early morning descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, youâll spend the day driving within the crater floor ecosystem. With its enclosed character, the crater offers relatively easy wildlife spotting. You may see lions, elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, hyenas, and â with luck â the very rare black rhino.
After a picnic lunch within the crater, you ascend the rim and make your way toward Tarangire National Park, arriving in the late afternoon for a final evening drive. Tarangire is celebrated for its massive population of elephants, baobab-studded landscapes, and a variety of predators.
Day 6: Tarangire â Arusha
Your final day begins with a morning game drive in Tarangire. Because the park possesses permanent water in dry seasons, animals congregate around the Tarangire River, giving high chances for great sightings. Elephants, giraffes, large herds of herbivores, and predators such as lions and leopards are common.
After a midâday lunch (either picnic or lodge), you depart for Arusha, arriving in the afternoon. This marks the end of your 6âday expedition â though many travelers continue onward to destinations like Zanzibar or other regions of Tanzania.
Why This Itinerary Works
Balanced time in each park â You donât feel rushed. Serengeti gets two nights to deepen wildlife exploration, while the crater gets its special day.
Variety of ecosystems â From forests, soda lakes, savannahs, highlands, and closed caldera you experience dramatic habitat shifts.
Cultural & scenic transitions â Driving through the highlands and the rim areas gives you perspective, not just âpark to park.â
Comfort & logistics â The itinerary places you in lodges or camps that are suitably located to maximize wildlife time and minimize wasted transit.
Practical Tips & Considerations
Accommodation & lodgings â Most versions of this safari use lodges or safari camps rather than basic camping.
Inclusions & exclusions â Expect park fees, transport in 4Ă4 safari vehicles, game drives, full board meals, and guide services to be included. Exclusions usually cover international flights, visas, tips, personal items, and optional excursions.
Optimal travel window â Youâll have better sightings during the drier months when animals congregate near water, though wildlife is present year-round.
Group size & booking â Many operators limit group size (e.g. max 7 participants) to keep the safari more personal.
Wildlife diversity â Because you visit multiple parks, you increase your odds of seeing a wide spectrum of species: from tree lions to the Big Five in the crater, to large elephant herds in Tarangire.
Expect travel times â Some days involve significant drives between parks; the key is that game drives en route keep the journey lively rather than dull.
Final Thoughts
The 6 days / 5 nights safari layout is one of the most popular and rewarding itineraries for first-time or time-limited visitors to Tanzaniaâs northern safari circuit. It offers an excellent balance between immersion in wildlife, visual variety, and logistical feasibility. Each park has its own character: Manyaraâs aquatic and wooded scenes; Serengetiâs boundless plains; the craterâs geological wonder wrapped in biodiversity; Tarangireâs elephant strongholds. Over this journey, your eyes, ears and heart open wide to the rhythms of African wildness.
