Safari
Arusha, Tarangire, Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha
your journey
This is the shortest trip we offer that reaches the Serengeti. It is a full four days, with early starts, but it takes in three of the best-known parks of northern Tanzania and sleeps in lodges or tented camps every night.
You spend the first day in Tarangire among elephants and baobabs. Next morning you visit a Maasai community before crossing the Ngorongoro highlands to the Serengeti for an afternoon on the plains. After a sunrise game drive you head back east, with a stop at Olduvai Gorge if you wish, and sleep on or near the Ngorongoro Crater rim. The last morning is spent on the crater floor before the drive back to Arusha.
You can book it as a private safari or, where available, share the vehicle with other travellers.
Travellers with limited time who still want to see the Serengeti, first-time visitors, couples and families who prefer lodge or tented-camp nights to camping.
Parks visited
Tarangire National Park · Serengeti National Park · Ngorongoro Crater
what makes it special
day by day
Your driver-guide collects you from your hotel in Arusha at about 8:30 am and drives you to Tarangire National Park with a picnic lunch for a full day of game driving. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds and its baobab trees, and you may also see zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe, lion and a wide variety of birds. After the game drive you continue to your lodge or camp for dinner.
You start early with a visit to a Maasai community to learn about their traditional life, livestock, customs and heritage, then return for breakfast. The road climbs through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with wide views over the highlands, and drops onto the plains of Serengeti National Park. Once inside the park you begin your first game drive. Depending on the season you may find wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant, lion and cheetah before you reach your lodge or camp.
You head out for a sunrise game drive, when the air is cool and animals are often active, then return to your lodge or camp for breakfast. You then game drive as you travel towards Ngorongoro. In the afternoon there is an optional stop at Olduvai Gorge, an archaeological site linked to discoveries about early human history. After the visit you continue to your accommodation on or near the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
After an early breakfast you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive among one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Tanzania. You may see lion, elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and hippo, and the crater is one of the few places where you have a chance of the endangered black rhino. After a picnic lunch you leave the crater and drive back to Arusha, where your safari ends.
the price
| Season | Months | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low season | April – May, November | $1,550 | $1,350 | $1,220 |
| High season | June – October, December – March | $1,720 | $1,500 | $1,360 |
before you ask
You can go on safari here all year. The dry season from June to October is the easiest time for game viewing, because animals gather near rivers and the grass is short, but it is also the busiest. From November to May the parks are green, quieter and excellent for birds, with short rains around November and the long rains in April and May. Where the wildebeest migration is depends on the month, so tell us your dates and we will plan the route around them.
Our safaris use 4x4 safari vehicles with a pop-up roof, so you can stand up for game viewing and photography. On a private safari the vehicle and driver-guide are yours alone for the whole trip.
Each tour page lists exactly what is included and excluded. On our northern circuit safaris, such as the 7-day Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire trip, national park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area entrance fees are included. If you are not sure, ask your specialist before you book.
Yes. Every itinerary on this site is a starting point. We can add or remove days, swap parks, or change the accommodation to suit your budget, and your specialist will send you a revised plan and quote.
Bring light, neutral-coloured clothes, a warm layer for early mornings and for the Ngorongoro Crater rim, which is cold at night, comfortable shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent. Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards make a big difference. Soft bags pack into safari vehicles more easily than hard suitcases.
Most visitors need a visa. Apply online in good time through the official Tanzania Immigration website at eservices.immigration.go.tz, and do not use unofficial agents. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after arrival. Requirements differ by nationality, so check the official site for your country.
Yes. You can book it as a private safari with your own vehicle and guide, or join a shared vehicle where one is available. Tell us your dates and we will confirm the options.
Tips are not included and are always your choice. As a guide, many travellers give their driver-guide about US$20–25 a day per group. Most lodges also have a staff tip box at reception for the rest of the team.
Prices are per person in US dollars, for 2, 4 or 6 travellers sharing the vehicle and rooms or tents, with a lower rate in the low season. The more of you travel together, the less each person pays. Travelling alone or in a bigger group? Ask us for a quote.
Enquire
Every AAA Express Adventure trip can be changed to suit you: the pace, the lodges, the number of days. Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and our team in Arusha will come back to you with a plan and a price.
Your journey
From $1,220 Per person, sharing. Sample price for this proposal; confirm with AAA.
4 days · 3 nights
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karibu
Call us on +255 784 281316, email sales@aaaexpressadventure.com or send an enquiry. Our team in Arusha will get back to you.
From $1,220
Plan your trip
Enquiry about: 4-Day Lodge Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
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