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Elephants walking along a track past a baobab in Tarangire

Tanzania · 5 days · Budget

5 Days Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Lake Manyara Budget Safari

The full northern Tanzania circuit on a budget: Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge, and a final game drive at Lake Manyara.

Duration
5 days · 4 nights
Countries
Tanzania
Starts
Arusha
Ends
Arusha
Tier
Budget
Format
Group joining

Per personFrom USD 900 pp

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01 / Overview

The journey in brief.

The full northern Tanzania circuit on a budget: Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge, and a final game drive at Lake Manyara.

This 5-day budget itinerary starts in Arusha and ends in Arusha. Accommodation: Other stops: overnight at the camp/lodge.

Ideal for
First safaris in Tanzania · Budget travellers
Safari style
Budget · Group Joining

Destination guides: Tarangire · Ngorongoro · Serengeti · Lake Manyara

Route

  1. Arusha

    Start

  2. Tarangire

    Stop 1

  3. Ngorongoro Crater

    Stop 2

  4. Serengeti

    Stop 3

  5. Lake Manyara

    Stop 4

  6. Arusha

    Finish

02 / Highlights

What stays with you.

  1. 01

    Tarangire's baobabs

  2. 02

    Afternoon on the Ngorongoro Crater floor

  3. 03

    Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge

  4. 04

    Lake Manyara game drive

03 / Day by day

Travel it day by day.

5 days · driving times are approximate

  1. Day 1 · Approx. 2 hours by road

    Arusha to Tarangire

    Depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park, arriving in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. Lesser kudu, eland, lion and gerenuk live among the park's many baobab trees.

    Meals
    Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Tarangire — Fanaka Campsite
    Elephants walking beneath giant baobab trees in Tarangire

  2. Day 2 · Approx. 3 hours by road

    Tarangire to the Ngorongoro Crater

    Drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend about 600 metres to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, an enclosed caldera with its own resident wildlife: lions, buffalo, elephants, hyenas, large herds of zebra and wildebeest and one of Tanzania's few populations of black rhino. Lunch is taken at a picnic site on the crater floor. Overnight near the crater rim.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Ngorongoro — Simba Campsite
    Lions resting on the crater floor with the crater wall behind

  3. Day 3 · Approx. 3–4 hours with game viewing

    Ngorongoro to the Serengeti

    Drive to the Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge, where Louis and Mary Leakey made important discoveries of early human ancestors; the museum can be visited at extra cost. Lunch at Seronera, then an afternoon game drive on the endless plains.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Serengeti — Seronera Camp
    Zebra and wildebeest massing on the riverbank before a crossing

  4. Day 4 · Approx. 5 hours by road

    Serengeti to Lake Manyara

    An early game drive before breakfast, a late breakfast at camp, then drive to Lake Manyara with lunch en route. Evening game drive until sunset.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    Lake Manyara — Fanaka Campsite
    Giraffe beneath a large green tree in northern Tanzania

  5. Day 5 · Approx. 2 hours by road

    Lake Manyara to Arusha

    A morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, home to hippos, monkeys, occasional tree-climbing lions and abundant birdlife. Lunch, then drive back to Arusha.

    Meals
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Overnight
    End of safari
    Lion cubs climbing along a tree branch

04 / Where you stay

Budget camps and hotels.

Named properties are the budget stays we use on this route. Where the itinerary says “overnight at the camp/lodge”, your quotation confirms the exact stay.

  • Tarangire1 night

    Fanaka Campsite

    Pool and garden cottages at Fanaka Campsite near Lake Manyara and TarangireSimple guest room at Fanaka Campsite near Lake Manyara and Tarangire
  • Ngorongoro1 night

    Simba Campsite

    Tents beneath a broad shade tree at Simba Campsite on the Ngorongoro rim
  • Serengeti1 night

    Seronera Camp

    Dome safari tent with chairs at Seronera Camp in the Serengeti
  • Lake Manyara1 night

    Fanaka Campsite

    Pool and garden cottages at Fanaka Campsite near Lake Manyara and TarangireSimple guest room at Fanaka Campsite near Lake Manyara and Tarangire

Quick planning facts

Duration
5 days · 4 nights
Countries
Tanzania
Starts
Arusha
Ends
Arusha
Tier
Budget
Format
Group joining
Accommodation
Other stops: overnight at the camp/lodge
Best for
First safaris in Tanzania · Budget travellers

05 / What’s included

Clear from the start.

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off in Arusha (hotel, bus stop or airport)
  • Transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof
  • Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • Accommodation as described in the itinerary
  • All meals while on safari
  • Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area fees
  • Game drives as listed in the itinerary
  • Drinking water in the vehicle (1 litre per person per day)

Not included

  • International flights and visa fees
  • Travel and medical insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Tips and gratuities for guides and camp staff
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks unless stated
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry and phone calls
  • Optional activities not listed as included
  • Tanzania visa

06 / Pricing

Honest, complete pricing.

Prices are per person, in US dollars, for the complete 5-day package — not per day.

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Package price per person in US dollars
OptionComplete package
From, per personUSD 900

Optional extras (not included)

  • Olduvai Gorge museum visitEntrance paid on the day; price confirmed when you book.
  • Maasai village visitQuoted on request
  • Serengeti hot-air balloon safariQuoted on request, subject to availability.

07 / Good to know

Questions, answered.

Important notes

  • Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Your guide will adapt the day to recent sightings, weather and road conditions.
  • Driving times are approximate and depend on road conditions, stops and wildlife encountered along the way.
  • Park and conservancy fees are set by the authorities and may change; any change is passed on at cost.
How much does this safari cost?

From USD 900 pp for the complete 5-day package (per person, complete package). Prices are per person in US dollars. The pricing section lists exactly what is included.

Where does the safari start and finish?

It starts in Arusha and finishes in Arusha.

Is this a private or group-joining safari?

This itinerary usually runs as a group-joining safari, sharing the vehicle with other travellers to keep costs down. It can also be quoted as a private trip.

What accommodation is used?

The accommodation pattern is: Other stops: overnight at the camp/lodge. Each night is listed in the day-by-day itinerary.

Can this itinerary be changed?

Yes. Dates, pace, accommodation level and the order of stops can usually be adjusted. Tell us what you have in mind when you enquire.

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5 days · Tanzania

From USD 900 pp

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