Northern Safari
☀ Best Season
4-Day Tanzania Safari — Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
A 4-day Tanzania safari through Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Manyara — tree-climbing lions, Big Five and a full crater descent. The northern circuit done properly.
4 days
Easy difficulty
2–8 people
Departs Tanzania
Overview
About this safari
4
Days
Easy
Difficulty
—
Max Altitude
New
0 Reviews
Four days is the sweet spot for Tanzania's Northern Circuit. This itinerary covers three of East Africa's most iconic parks: Lake Manyara (famous for tree-climbing lions and flamingos), the Serengeti (1.5 million wildebeest and the highest predator density in Africa), and the Ngorongoro Crater (the world's largest intact caldera and a black rhino stronghold).
You'll have two full days of Serengeti game drives — enough time to position for migration herds, track predators at dawn, and experience the Serengeti at different rhythms. The Lake Manyara afternoon and Ngorongoro full-day descent round out an itinerary that covers more genuine wildlife ground than most week-long trips in other African countries.
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Day by Day
4-Day Itinerary
Arusha → Lake Manyara → Serengeti
Morning
Arusha → Lake Manyara → Serengeti
Morning
Depart Arusha. Afternoon game drive in Lake Manyara National Park — tree-climbing lions in the fever tree forest, flamingos on the alkaline lake, elephant herds. Continue to lodge near Serengeti gate. Dinner and overnight.
Full-Day Serengeti Game Drive — Day 1
Morning
Full-Day Serengeti Game Drive — Day 1
Morning
Full day inside the Serengeti from sunrise. Focus on the central and western sections based on current migration and predator activity. Picnic lunch. Sundowner game drive. Camp overnight inside or on the border of the park.
Full-Day Serengeti Game Drive — Day 2
Morning
Full-Day Serengeti Game Drive — Day 2
Morning
Second full day with your guide exploring a different Serengeti zone. Morning: lion and cheetah tracking. Afternoon: kopje exploration and hippo pools. The second Serengeti day consistently delivers the best sightings — animals and rhythm known. Overnight camp.
Ngorongoro Crater Descent → Arusha
Morning
Ngorongoro Crater Descent → Arusha
Morning
Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Full crater descent: black rhino, lion, hippo, buffalo, flamingo on Lake Magadi. Ascend crater rim, lunch at viewpoint. Return to Arusha — arriving late afternoon for onward travel.
What's Covered
Included & Excluded
What's Included
3 nights mid-range accommodation (full board)
All game drives as per itinerary
Arusha hotel/airport transfers
Full Ngorongoro Crater descent
Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Park fees
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
Professional driver-guide
Not Included
Alcoholic beverages
International flights
Personal expenses
Tanzania visa ($50 USD)
Tips
Travel insurance
Photo Gallery
Moments from the trail
Guest Reviews
What travellers say
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Common Questions
Frequently asked
Is 4 days enough for Tanzania's Northern Circuit?
Four days covers the three flagship Northern Circuit parks comfortably: Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro. You get two full Serengeti days — the minimum for meaningful migration positioning. For those wanting to add Tarangire (Africa's best elephant park) and more Serengeti time, see our 5-Day Northern Circuit safari.
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