5-day itinerary covering Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti. This itinerary ensures you experience the highlights of each park, with optimal time for wildlife spotting and some relaxation.
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
- Morning: Depart from Arusha (about 2 hours to Tarangire).
- Activities: Full-day game drive in Tarangire. Look out for elephants, lions, giraffes, and baobab trees.
- Lunch: Picnic inside the park.
- Evening: Head to a lodge or tented camp near the park (Tarangire Safari Lodge or similar).
Day 2: Tarangire to Serengeti National Park
- Morning: Early breakfast, then drive toward the Serengeti. Pass through Mto wa Mbu and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
- Activities: Short game drive route as you enter the Serengeti.
- Lunch: Picnic or lodge lunch stop.
- Evening: Sunset game drive in Serengeti’s plains. Look for lions, cheetahs, and wildebeests.
Day 3: Full Day in Serengeti
- Morning & Afternoon: Full-day game drive. Explore areas like Seronera (for predators) or the Northern Serengeti (if during migration season).
- Lunch: Picnic in the wild.
- Evening: Return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Morning: Early game drive as you exit the Serengeti.
- Activities: Drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with stops along the way for wildlife sightings.
- Lunch: Picnic or at a lodge along the route.
- Evening: Arrive at a lodge on the Ngorongoro crater rim (e.g., Ngorongoro Serena Lodge) with stunning views of the crater.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
- Morning: Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. Spot black rhinos, lions, flamingos, and hippos.
- Lunch: Picnic by a hippo pool in the crater.
- Afternoon: Ascend the crater and drive back to Arusha (around 4 hours).
Optional Add-ons
- Balloon Safari: Early morning in the Serengeti.
- Cultural visit: Stop at a Maasai village on the way to Ngorongoro.
- Relaxation: Extend the trip with a visit to Lake Manyara or Zanzibar.