🇺🇸 USA

6-Day Northern Tanzania Safari
Itinerary with Ngasini Travel

Explore Tanzania’s Iconic Wildlife, Tribal Cultures & Scenic Wonders

This unforgettable 6-day Tanzania safari adventure offers an immersive blend of game drives, breathtaking landscapes, and authentic cultural encounters. Travelling through the heart of the Northern Safari Circuit, you’ll explore Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Natron, Lake Eyasi, and Tarangire National Park. Accommodation options include comfortable lodges or immersive camping, catering to your preferred style of travel.

Overview

This 6-day northern Tanzania safari combines the best of game viewing, scenery, and cultural encounters. From flamingos at Lake Manyara to lions on the Serengeti Plains, the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater, surreal Lake Natron, remote Lake Eyasi, and elephant-filled Tarangire, this journey offers an immersive and diverse safari experience.

  • Activities:
  • Morning Departure from Arusha – Your journey begins with a scenic drive from Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park, passing through local villages and the spectacular Great Rift Valley escarpment.
  • Game Drive Through Groundwater Forests and Open Plains – Lake Manyara is renowned for its lush groundwater forest, where you’ll likely spot troops of baboons, shy forest antelopes, and elephants. Venture further into the plains to seek out the park’s legendary tree-climbing lions, and herds of buffalo and giraffes.
  • Birdwatching by the Alkaline Lake – With over 400 recorded bird species, including pink flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, and African fish eagles, this is a birder’s paradise.
  • Picnic Lunch with a View – Enjoy a packed lunch while overlooking the glimmering soda lake, surrounded by dramatic escarpments and active wildlife.
  • Evening at Leisure – Transfer to your lodge or campsite near Lake Manyara for relaxation and dinner.

 

Accommodation: Lodge or campsite near Lake Manyara National Park.

  • Activities:
  • Early Morning Transfer to Serengeti – Travel via the Ngorongoro Highlands and descend into the vast plains of Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.
  • Game Drive Across the Serengeti Plains – Traverse the famous savannah landscapes in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and vast herds of wildebeest and zebra. Depending on the season, witness part of the awe-inspiring Great Migration.
  • Lunch in the Wild – Enjoy a picnic in the bush, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African wilderness.
  • Sunset Game Drive & Golden Hour Photography – Spot predators preparing for the hunt as the sun sets behind the acacia-dotted horizon – perfect for dramatic wildlife photos.
  • Evening in the Wild – Settle into your lodge or campsite deep in the heart of the Serengeti for a night under the stars.

 

Accommodation: Lodge or campsite in central Serengeti.

  • Activities:
  • Sunrise Game Drive in Serengeti – Take advantage of the early morning light to spot predators like lions, hyenas, and possibly elusive leopards on the move.
  • Transfer to Ngorongoro via Olduvai Gorge (Optional) – Continue your safari journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You may stop at Olduvai Gorge, known as the “Cradle of Humankind,” where some of the world’s oldest hominid fossils were discovered.
  • Cultural Visit to a Traditional Maasai Village – Meet the Maasai people, one of Tanzania’s most iconic tribes. Learn about their customs, traditional attire, and daily life through dance, song, and storytelling.
  • Evening Arrival at Crater Rim – Arrive at your lodge or campsite perched near the Ngorongoro Crater rim, offering panoramic views of the caldera.

 

Accommodation: Lodge or campsite near Ngorongoro Crater.

  • Activities:
  • Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for Game Viewing – Begin the day with an early descent into the 600-metre-deep crater, often described as Africa’s Garden of Eden. This extinct volcano is teeming with wildlife, including the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and the rare black rhino.
  • Lunch on the Crater Floor – Pause for a scenic picnic near the hippo pool, keeping an eye out for zebras and crowned cranes.
  • Afternoon Drive to Lake Natron – Travel off the beaten path to the ethereal landscape of Lake Natron, a remote, mineral-rich lake located below the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai.
  • Evening Walk Along Lake Natron – Explore the surreal shoreline, home to thousands of lesser flamingos, crustaceans, and unique salt-loving algae, which give the lake its distinctive hues.
  • Overnight by Ol Doinyo Lengai – Unwind at your camp with dramatic views of the sacred Maasai “Mountain of God.”

 

Accommodation: Camp near Lake Natron.

  • Activities:
  • Morning Transfer to Lake Eyasi – Continue southward to the shores of Lake Eyasi, a seasonal soda lake nestled between the Eyasi escarpment and the Yaeda Valley.
  • Hadzabe Hunter-Gatherer Experience – Spend time with the Hadzabe people, one of Tanzania’s last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes. Join them on a morning hunt, observe their archery techniques, and learn about their sustainable way of life.
  • Visit to the Datoga Tribe – Interact with the Datoga, skilled pastoralists and traditional blacksmiths. Watch them craft handmade arrowheads and jewellery using age-old techniques.
  • Scenic Walk by the Lake – Take a tranquil stroll along Lake Eyasi’s shoreline, absorbing the serene beauty and silence of this lesser-known gem.
  • Evening Rest and Reflection – Return to your accommodation for dinner and a well-earned rest.

 

Accommodation: Lodge or campsite near Lake Eyasi.

  • Activities:
  • Morning Transfer to Tarangire – Begin your final day with a drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its rolling savannahs, majestic baobab trees, and impressive elephant population.
  • Game Drive Through Tarangire’s Ecosystems – Explore the riverine woodlands and open grasslands, where you’ll likely see elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, lions, zebras, and over 550 bird species, including the vibrant lilac-breasted roller.
  • Picnic Lunch Inside the Park – Enjoy one last al fresco lunch while surrounded by Tarangire’s peaceful wilds.
  • Late Afternoon Return to Arusha – Conclude your journey with a relaxing drive back to Arusha, arriving in the early evening.

 

Optional Add-ons:

  • Extend your stay in Arusha with local city tours, coffee plantation visits, or craft shopping.
  • Upgrade your safari with a hot air balloon ride over Serengeti, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush.

This expertly crafted itinerary showcases the best of Northern Tanzania – from world-class game viewing and stunning landscapes to authentic tribal encounters and lesser-known natural wonders. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, cultural explorer, or first-time visitor, this 6-day safari adventure promises an immersive and unforgettable experience.

Included in This Safari:

  • Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • All park entry and conservation fees
  • Full-board accommodation in lodges or tented camps
  • Game drives and cultural visits as described
  • Bottled water throughout the safari

Optional Add-ons:

  • Hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti
  • Maasai village visit in Ngorongoro
  • Sunrise flamingo walk at Lake Natron
  • Extra nights in Arusha or Zanzibar post-safari

Would you like this itinerary turned into a Word document or PDF for download? I can also adapt it for specific traveller types like honeymooners, families, or photographers.