6-Day Classic Tanzania Safari
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- 6-Day Classic Tanzania Safari
Overview
Ideal for: First-time visitors, wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers.
Highlights:
- Serengeti National Park – Witness the Big Five and the Great Migration.
- Ngorongoro Crater – Explore the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera with a high density of wildlife.
- Tarangire National Park – See large elephant herds and baobab trees.
- Lake Manyara National Park – Famous for tree-climbing lions and flamingos.
📌 Best time to visit: Year-round, but best during June – October for the dry season wildlife spectacle.
Tour Plan
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
A representative from Lora Adventures Africa will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha.
Arusha is a lively city sitting at the foot of Mount Meru, and it serves as the starting point for most northern Tanzania safaris. If you arrive with some energy, the town centre is worth a short walk. Your safari begins the following morning.
Overnight: Parrot Hotel Arusha or similar mid-range hotel.
Meal Plan: No meals included.
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire
After breakfast, we pick you up from the hotel and drive about 2.5 hours to Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire is a strong start to any safari. The park sits along the Tarangire River, which draws large numbers of elephants during the dry season, sometimes in herds of several dozen moving together across the open plains. Ancient baobab trees rise out of the landscape and give the park a character that is hard to describe until you see it. Lions, giraffes, zebras, and buffalo are also commonly seen here.
We spend the day on a game drive with a picnic lunch inside the park, then drive to Karatu for the evening.
Overnight: Bouganivillea Safari Lodge or similar mid-range lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Karatu to Ngorongoro Crater then transfer to Serengeti National Park
We have an early breakfast and drive about 30 to 45 minutes to the Ngorongoro Crater rim, then descend into the caldera for a morning game drive.
The crater floor covers about 260 square kilometres and supports a wide variety of wildlife within its walls. Black rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo, and hyena all live here, and the enclosed environment makes for an intimate game viewing experience unlike open plains driving. After three to four hours inside, we stop for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot, then continue west toward the Serengeti.
The drive into the Serengeti in the late afternoon is an experience in itself. The landscape shifts gradually, and the scale of the plains becomes clear as you get further in.
Overnight: Tamba Tented Camp or similar mid-range accommodation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
A full day in the Serengeti with no other park to move to. This is where you slow down and let the park come to you.
We start with an early morning game drive while the air is still cool and predators are most active. Lions, cheetahs, and leopards tend to be on the move at this hour. As the morning progresses, the pace becomes more relaxed. We explore different parts of the park based on where wildlife has been sighted, have a picnic lunch in the field, and continue through the afternoon.
The Serengeti is the largest national park in Tanzania, covering about 14,750 square kilometres, so there is always a different corner to explore. Your guide will read the conditions and take you where the activity is.
Overnight: Tamba Tented Camp or similar mid-range accommodation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Sunrise Serengeti Safari then transfer to Karatu Town
We do one final game drive in the Serengeti before leaving. The early morning light in the Serengeti is something photographers and non-photographers alike appreciate, and it is a good chance to see whatever the night left behind.
After the drive, we have a picnic lunch and then begin the drive back east toward Karatu, where we spend the night before the final day in Lake Manyara.
Overnight: Bouganivillea Safari Lodge or similar mid-range lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Lake Manyara National Park then Back to Arusha
Our last game drive takes us to Lake Manyara National Park, about 45 minutes from Karatu. It is a compact park but a rewarding one to end on.
The park sits below the Great Rift Valley escarpment, and the drive in takes you through dense groundwater forest before opening up to the lakeshore. Lake Manyara is known for its tree-climbing lions, a behaviour not fully understood even today. Elephant, giraffe, zebra, and hippo are also present, and depending on the season, the alkaline lake attracts large numbers of flamingos.
We have a picnic lunch inside the park, then drive back to Arusha in the late afternoon, arriving in about 2.5 hours. We will drop you at your hotel or the airport as needed.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Price Includes:
- 4×4 Safari Vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Park fees and crater entry fees
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off in Arusha
- Bottled water during game drives
- All meals as specified
- All government taxes and VAT related to tourism services
Excluded:
- International Flights: Airfare to/from Tanzania.
- Travel Insurance: Personal travel and medical insurance.
- Visas: Tanzanian visa fees.
- Alcoholic Beverages: Wines, spirits, or soft drinks beyond water.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs, or phone calls
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 6-day safari worth it for a first-time visitor?
Yes, it’s a perfect length for first-timers. The 6-day safari allows you to experience four of Tanzania’s most famous parks without feeling rushed.
Which national parks will we visit?
You will visit Tarangire National Park, the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, the legendary Serengeti, and Lake Manyara. This itinerary is packed with the best of the Northern Circuit.
What is the main difference between this and shorter safaris?
This safari offers more time for deeper exploration, especially in the Serengeti, a highlight for many visitors. You also get to experience an extra park, Lake Manyara, known for its unique tree-climbing lions.
What types of wildlife can I expect to see?
You can expect to see the “Big Five” and a huge variety of other animals. The sheer size of the Serengeti gives you excellent chances to witness predators and the famous Great Migration.
What is the accommodation like on this safari?
We offer comfortable mid-range lodges and tented camps. These accommodations are chosen for their comfort and great locations near the parks.
What should I pack for this Safari?
Pack light, comfortable clothing in neutral colors (khaki, beige, or olive), including t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, comfortable trousers, and a light jacket for cool mornings in the Ngorongoro Crater. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent. It’s also useful to carry binoculars, a camera, a small daypack, personal medications, and your travel documents. A soft duffel bag is recommended instead of a hard suitcase for easier transport in safari vehicles.
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