6-Day Western Circuit Safari: Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
LUXURY SAFARI
This comprehensive 6-day itinerary explores the distinct ecosystems of northern Tanzania. By adding Lake Manyara to the classic Serengeti and Ngorongoro route, you experience a striking contrast of groundwater forests, massive bird colonies, endless savannah plains, and a volcanic crater floor. We base your stay at premium lodges to ensure excellent rest after every game drive.
Itinerary
Day 1 of 6
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania (Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha)
- Activity: Airport pickup and trip briefing.
- Accommodations: Arusha Serena Hotel (or similar comfort lodge in Arusha).
- The Daily Story: Welcome to Tanzania. Our driver will meet you directly outside the arrivals terminal at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), assist with your luggage, and transfer you in our private vehicle to your hotel in Arusha. Spend the evening resting, adjusting to the time zone, and preparing for the start of your safari tomorrow morning.
Day 2 of 6
Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
- Activity: Full afternoon game drive in the Great Rift Valley.
- Accommodations: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge.
- The Daily Story: We leave Arusha in the morning and drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a diverse sanctuary nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley wall. The park is famous for its massive flocks of pink flamingos along the lake shores and its groundwater forests home to large troops of baboons and monkeys. Keep an eye on the ancient mahogany trees—this park is one of the few places where lions frequently climb up branches to rest. We head to the lodge on the escarpment for dinner and your overnight stay.
Day 3 of 6
Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park
- Activity: Travel day with an afternoon game drive.
- Accommodations: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge.
- The Daily Story: Today we head deeper into the bush toward the Serengeti. Our route takes us up through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands, offering scenic views along the way. We stop at Naabi Hill Gate—the entrance to the Serengeti—for a picnic lunch and a short walk up the hilltop for your first view of the endless plains. From there, we spend the afternoon on a game drive, tracking wildlife on our way to the lodge.
Day 4 of 6
Serengeti Plains to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
- Activity: Sunrise game drive and traditional Maasai village visit.
- Accommodations: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge.
- The Daily Story: We head out at dawn for a morning game drive when the predators are active and the savannah is cool. After returning for a late breakfast, we pack our bags and journey toward the Ngorongoro Crater. Along the route, we stop at a local Maasai Boma to learn about their community, traditions, and cattle-herding lifestyle in the wild. We spend the night at a lodge built right on the rim of the crater.
Day 5 of 6
Ngorongoro Crater Floor to Arusha
- Activity: Full-day crater tour and return drive.
- Accommodations: Arusha Serena Hotel.
- The Daily Story: We descend early into the 600-meter-deep volcanic caldera of the Ngorongoro Crater. This unique ecosystem hosts over 25,000 large mammals. Your guide will navigate the crater floor to track the resident black rhinos, elephant bulls, prides of lions, and hyenas. After a picnic lunch near the hippo pool, we ascend the crater walls and drive back to Arusha for your final evening.
Day 6 of 6
Departure Day (Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport)
- Activity: Departure transfer.
- The Daily Story: Your 6-day safari concludes today. Checkout from your room is at 10:00 AM. Our driver will pick you up according to your international flight schedule to ensure you reach Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) on time for check-in. If you have a late evening flight and require a day room to rest before departing, please let us know in advance so we can arrange it.
PRICING
Include
Private 4×4 customized Land Cruiser, professional English-speaking guide, all national park fees, crater service fees, concession fees, all meals on safari, and unlimited purified drinking water inside the vehicle. *Wine and premium soft-drinks on the cooler; courtesy of Magical Hearts of Africa
Excuded
International flights, Tanzanian entry visa, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages at the lodges, and crew tips (discretionary).
*A Note on the Pricing Data:
Check the 4-pax price: the price dropped significantly to $2,229 for 4 people, but went back up to $3,107 for 5 people.double-check that number with your final cost sheet from Mr.Msophe