6-Day Tanzania Camping Safari: Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Cater and Tarangire National Park from Arusha

The best part of this six-day Tanzania safari is the variety packed into one route. You move from Tarangire’s wildlife-rich plains to the Serengeti, then on to Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, with five nights under canvas instead of paying lodge prices. I like that the trip gives you serious game-viewing time, including a full day in the Serengeti.

I also like the small maximum group of eight, which matters when everyone wants a clear view from the 4WD. Meals, park fees, game drives, a cook, tents, mattresses, pillows, tables, and chairs are included, so the $2,675 price covers much of the expensive work. The trade-off is that this is a demanding safari: most days run about 10 hours, camping is basic, and you must bring your own sleeping bag.

• Four major parks in six days: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara give you a broad sample of northern Tanzania.
• A full Serengeti day: Early morning, mid-day, and afternoon drives give you the best chance to see changing animal activity.
• Camping keeps the price in check: Five nights in tents bring you closer to the outdoors, but comfort is simple.
• Small-group 4WD travel: The vehicle accommodates no more than eight people, making wildlife viewing more manageable.
• Strong big-game potential: One day in the Serengeti produced four of the Big Five, while Ngorongoro and Tarangire each produced three.
• Pack your own sleeping bag: A mattress and pillow are supplied, but a sleeping bag is not.

Four parks, five nights, and a lot of time in the vehicle

This is a fast-moving safari built for people who want to see as much of northern Tanzania as possible in six days. You leave Arusha at 9:00 each morning, spend long hours on game drives and transfers, and return to camp after a full day outdoors.

I like the route because each park brings a different kind of experience. Tarangire opens the trip with wildlife and a picnic lunch. The Serengeti receives the most attention, with an en-route drive on arrival and a full day after that. Ngorongoro adds one of Tanzania’s most famous wildlife settings, and Lake Manyara closes the trip before you return to Arusha.

The pace is the main issue to consider. This is not a slow safari with late mornings and long rests. You will have early starts, picnic lunches, dusty roads, and long transfers between parks. For me, that is a fair trade for reaching four important sites in one trip, but you should be comfortable with basic camping and a busy schedule.

Day 1: Tarangire begins with elephants and open country

Your pickup from an Arusha hotel is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. You then travel to Tarangire National Park for a picnic lunch and a game drive, with the day lasting about 10 hours.

Tarangire is a sensible first stop because it gives you an immediate taste of safari life without spending the first day only on a transfer. The park is known for large wildlife sightings, and the supplied trip details specifically note the chance to see three of the Big Five there in one day.

The picnic lunch keeps the schedule moving. You are not leaving the park for a formal meal, so more of the day goes toward wildlife viewing. The drawback is that your first day is already long, especially after a morning pickup and road travel from Arusha.

At camp, you begin the first of five nights in a tent. The camping package includes a mattress, pillow, table, chairs, and cook. It does not include a sleeping bag, so arrange one before departure. If you prefer more support than a ground mattress, note that a camp bed may be worth requesting, though the available details do not confirm that this option can be guaranteed.

Day 2: The long road into Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, you set out for the Serengeti. The drive includes an en-route game drive, a picnic lunch, and a short afternoon game drive after reaching the park.

This day is less about staying in one spot and more about reaching the park that many people picture when they think of a Tanzania safari. The Serengeti is the trip’s main wildlife stage, but getting there takes time. You should expect a full 10-hour day, not a relaxed transfer followed by an evening off.

The value of this arrangement is that wildlife viewing begins before you settle into camp. The en-route drive gives your guide chances to stop when something interesting appears, and the afternoon drive adds another window for animal activity.

The limitation is simple: the afternoon portion is described as short. If your priority is maximum Serengeti time, the following day is the one to look forward to. Keep your camera, water, and sun protection easy to reach, since the vehicle and picnic stops form much of the day.

Day 3: The safari’s strongest wildlife day

Day 3 is the centerpiece. You have an early morning game drive, a mid-day drive, and an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti, with breakfast and other meals included.

The split schedule is useful because animals behave differently as the day changes. Early morning gives you the first viewing window, while the mid-day and afternoon drives provide more chances after a rest and meal break. You are not relying on one long outing to deliver the entire Serengeti experience.

This is also where the trip has shown its strongest big-game results. One recorded experience saw four of the Big Five in the Serengeti in a single day, including a leopard. That is a notable result because leopards can be difficult to find, and it shows why a full day in one park is valuable.

Still, you should treat wildlife sightings as possibilities, not promises. No safari can control animal movement. The smart reason to book this route is not a guaranteed checklist, but the amount of time it gives you in one of Tanzania’s top parks.

Day 4: A final Serengeti drive before Ngorongoro

The fourth day begins early with another Serengeti game drive. After brunch, you depart for the Ngorongoro Crater rim, with wildlife viewing along the route.

That early drive gives you one more chance to see the Serengeti before the scenery and setting change. The route then shifts toward Ngorongoro, where your accommodation is near the crater rim rather than down on the crater floor.

Staying near the rim matters because Day 5 begins with a descent for the crater game drive. You are already positioned for that early start instead of making a long approach from farther away. The trade-off is another long day, with the drive between parks taking up a large part of the schedule.

Olduvai Gorge is not included in the standard plan. The historic site carries an additional fee of $18, and one safari experience did not have time to visit it. If Olduvai matters to you, ask about the timing and cost before booking. Do not assume the schedule has enough spare time.

Day 5: Down into Ngorongoro Crater, then onward to Lake Manyara

You start with breakfast and descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. Lunch is planned at the hippo pool picnic site, followed by an ascent to the crater rim and departure for Lake Manyara.

Ngorongoro is one of the trip’s biggest highlights because the crater floor brings wildlife into a contained setting. The supplied experience recorded three of the Big Five here in one day, which makes this a strong day for anyone hoping to see a broad range of large animals.

The hippo pool picnic stop adds a memorable setting, but it also means you are eating outdoors in a place where wildlife is part of the surroundings. Follow the guide’s instructions and stay with the group. The itinerary does not promise a long stop, so treat lunch as part of the day’s movement rather than a leisurely break.

After the crater drive, you climb back to the rim and continue toward Lake Manyara. This is a demanding sequence: an early start, a crater descent and drive, a meal stop, an ascent, and another transfer. It is worth it for the range of parks, but it will test your energy.

Day 6: Lake Manyara before the return to Arusha

The final day starts with breakfast and a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. After a picnic lunch, you leave in the middle of the afternoon for Arusha and a hotel drop-off.

Lake Manyara gives the route a different closing note from the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. You get one last park drive without adding another overnight stop, which keeps the trip within six days.

The timing is practical. A mid-afternoon departure leaves room for a morning drive and lunch, while still getting you back to Arusha later that day. The exact arrival time is not supplied, so avoid scheduling a tight onward connection.

For me, the final drive is a useful part of the plan rather than an afterthought. You have another chance to see animals, and the route ends with a hotel drop-off instead of leaving you to arrange your own return transport.

Camping keeps the $2,675 price useful

At $2,675 per person, this is not an inexpensive holiday in absolute terms. It is a serious outlay, but the price includes five nights of accommodation, park fees, 4WD transport, game drives, a cook, camping equipment, five breakfasts, five dinners, and six lunches.

That bundle gives the price real value. Park access and safari vehicles can quickly raise the cost of a Tanzania trip, and this package also removes the need to arrange meals and transfers between four major parks.

You are paying for access and coverage more than luxury. The camping option uses tents at campsites, with mattresses and pillows supplied. The lodge option is also listed, with five nights in tented camps and lodges, but the available information does not spell out the price difference or exact properties. Ask for those details before choosing between the two packages.

The meal plan is generous enough for the schedule: breakfast and dinner on five days, plus lunch on all six days. You will still need to budget for tips, your sleeping bag, and the $18 Olduvai Gorge fee if you add that site.

What the small group changes

The maximum group size is eight people. That is a useful limit for a safari because crowded vehicles can make every animal stop feel like a scramble for a view.

With up to eight people, you should have a better chance of hearing the guide and shifting your position when needed. It also makes picnic stops and departures easier to coordinate than they would be with a large coach group.

The vehicle is a 4WD, suited to game drives and the rougher roads between parks. The supplied details do not name the guide, so you should not book this trip expecting a particular person. The operator is Gracepatt Ecotours Kenya, and confirmation is provided at booking.

Who should book this safari?

I would choose this trip if you want a broad northern Tanzania route and prefer to spend your money on park time rather than hotel comfort. It suits active adults, first-time safari visitors, and anyone who wants Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara in one organized package.

It is also a good fit if you want meals, transport, park fees, and camping support handled for you. Most people can participate, according to the supplied tour information, but the long days and basic sleeping setup still require reasonable stamina.

I would hesitate if you need a soft bed every night, dislike early starts, or want time for unplanned stops. The route is tightly packed, and the camping setup may feel spartan. Older visitors should ask about camp beds before booking, since a mattress on the ground may not be comfortable.

The cancellation terms are strict enough to note. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least three full days before the local start time. Cancellations or changes within three days are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the six-day route?

Book it if your main goal is wildlife and variety. The full Serengeti day, strong Big Five potential, small group, and four-park route give you a lot for six days. Camping also keeps the package more affordable than a fully lodge-based safari.

Think twice if comfort and slow pacing matter more than coverage. You will spend long hours in the 4WD, sleep in tents, bring your own sleeping bag, and may not have time for Olduvai Gorge. For the right person, those are manageable costs for a packed introduction to northern Tanzania.

FAQ

Where does the safari start?

The safari starts in Arusha, Tanzania, with hotel pickup at 9:00 a.m.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is eight people.

Which national parks are included?

The route includes Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park.

How many nights are spent camping?

The camping package includes five nights in tents at campsites.

Is a sleeping bag provided?

No. A sleeping bag is not included, although a mattress and pillow are supplied.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes five breakfasts, five dinners, and six lunches.

Is Olduvai Gorge included?

No. Olduvai Gorge is not included in the standard cost. The additional historical site fee is listed as $18, and tips are also excluded.