Northern Tanzania · 6 days · 5 nights · Year-round · driest Jun – Oct & Jan – Feb
6-Day Northern Tanzania Safari
This trip covers the four classic parks of northern Tanzania in under a week, keeping costs down by camping rather than staying in lodges. You start with an afternoon in Lake Manyara, then spend two nights in the central Serengeti with a full day of game drives on the plains. Day four takes you down onto the floor of Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive and picnic lunch. The trip ends with a village walk in the Ngorongoro highlands and a final game drive among Tarangire's elephants and baobabs before the drive back to Arusha.
From $2,646 per person
Specimen itinerary for planning purposes only — not a confirmed booking document.
Logistics & transport
- Pickup
- Confirmed 24 hours before departure on WhatsApp
- Guide language
- As selected at booking
- Group
- Private / small group · max 12 guests
Where you'll stay
Lodging varies by trip — tented camp, safari lodge, beach hotel, or city hotel as your package requires. The property for this package is confirmed in writing after you book — ask us on WhatsApp if you want options before paying.
Included in your package price — exact camp, lodge, or hotel confirmed after booking.
Indicative schedule — day by day
Planned rhythm for your trip — your guide may adjust on the day for conditions, light and wildlife.
Day 1: Arusha → Lake Manyara
After breakfast you drive from Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park for an afternoon game drive. Dinner and the night are at a campsite near the park.
Day 2: Lake Manyara → Serengeti
You head west into the Serengeti, passing Olduvai Gorge, where the Leakey family found fossils of early humans. A stop to visit the gorge is optional and costs extra. You camp in the central Serengeti for two nights.
Day 3: Full day in the Serengeti
Morning and afternoon game drives take you across the plains in search of lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and, with luck, rhino. Cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and plenty of birds are also part of the picture.
Day 4: Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater
You drop around 600 metres (2,000 feet) onto the crater floor for a game drive among lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and plains game. Lunch is a picnic in the crater before you climb back up to camp on the rim.
Day 5: Ngorongoro → Tarangire
A guided nature walk and village visit in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area gives you a feel for local life and the highland scenery. You then drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its big elephant herds and baobab trees, and camp for the night.
Day 6: Tarangire → Arusha
A final game drive in Tarangire looks for elephants and the park's tree-climbing lions, and the birding is good here, with more than 550 species recorded. Afterwards you drive back to Arusha and are dropped at your hotel.
Trip inclusions
- Camping accommodation at campsites in or near the parks
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
- All national park and conservation area entry fees
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and an experienced driver-guide
- Drop-off at your hotel in Arusha on the last day
- 24/7 WhatsApp support from the Bookara team
Trip exclusions
- International and domestic flights
- Tanzania visa (government fee — we help you apply)
- Travel insurance
- Olduvai Gorge visit (optional, extra cost)
- Tips for guides, drivers and camp staff
- Optional activities, drinks and personal expenses
Preparation & packing
Before you go
- This section is general Kenya travel guidance — not a substitute for official advice or your doctor.
- We confirm trip-specific details (property, pickup times, park rules) with you on WhatsApp before departure.
- Questions about 6-Day Northern Tanzania Safari? Message us anytime — we'd rather you ask than guess.
Visa & entry
- Most visitors need a Kenya eTA before travel — apply at etakenya.go.ke and check the current fee and rules.
- Passport usually needs 6+ months' validity and blank pages — verify with your airline and immigration.
- Keep a printed copy of this itinerary and your eTA approval for border control.
Health
- Yellow fever certificate may be required depending on where you are travelling from — check Kenya's latest entry rules.
- Malaria prevention is commonly recommended for safari areas — ask your doctor well before you fly.
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended.
- Bring personal medication in original packaging.
Weather & clothing
- Safari mornings and evenings are often cooler than midday — layers work better than one heavy coat.
- Neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige) are standard for game drives.
- Rain can appear in any season — a light waterproof layer is worth packing.
- We send a short weather note for your dates once your trip is confirmed.
Packing list
- Comfortable closed shoes for walking + sandals for camp or lodge
- Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Binoculars if you have a pair (optional — ask us if you'd like a recommendation)
- Power bank + travel adaptor (Kenya commonly uses Type G plugs, 240V)
- Soft bag often works better than a hard suitcase if your trip includes light-aircraft legs — we'll confirm luggage limits for your routing
- Some cash in USD (clean, newer bills) or KES for tips and small purchases
- Insect repellent
Money & connectivity
- Cards work in Nairobi and at many properties; cash is still useful for tips and markets.
- M-Pesa is widely used in Kenya — we can walk you through it on arrival if helpful.
- Wi‑Fi varies by property (lodge, camp, or hotel) — signal on game drives is usually limited.
- Tipping customs vary by property and guide — we share current guidelines for your trip before you travel.