5 Day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti Safari

This 5 day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari combines a Lake Manyara game drive, a Ngorongoro Crater tour and 3 nights in the Serengeti, ending with a flight from Seronera to Zanzibar.

Overview

Day by Day

Includes/Excludes

FAQs

Overview

This 5 day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari is a 4-night northern Tanzania safari from Kilimanjaro International Airport. You game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, spend a night near Karatu, tour the Ngorongoro Crater and stay 3 nights at Moyo Tented Camp in the Serengeti before flying from Seronera to Zanzibar. The page gives no fixed season, so it runs all year. It costs from USD 2,195 per adult.

It suits first-time visitors, couples and families who want the crater and the Serengeti in a short trip and plan to continue to the beach, travelling in a modified 4WD Land Cruiser with a photographic roof and an English-speaking guide.

Why choose a 5 day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari?

Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti give three very different safaris in five days. Lake Manyara has forests of giant fig and mahogany trees, elephants, giraffes, hippos, monkeys and plenty of birds, and is known for lions that rest in acacia trees.

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and one of the few places to see the rare black rhino. The Serengeti then gets 3 nights in one camp, with two full days of game drives across the endless plains, so you see the classic savannah wildlife without rushing.

Short-on-time travellers: the crater and 3 Serengeti nights in 5 days.
Beach lovers: the trip ends with a flight from Seronera to Zanzibar.
Bird lovers: flamingos, pelicans and hornbills at Lake Manyara.

What to expect on the 5 day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari

Day 1 starts with a meet-and-greet at Kilimanjaro International Airport and a drive across the Great Rift Valley to Lake Manyara National Park for lunch and a game drive. In the evening you drive back for dinner and the night at Omega View Hotel in Karatu.

Day 2 is a crater tour of the Ngorongoro Crater with a picnic lunch on the crater floor, looking for black rhino, lions, elephants, hippos and flamingos. In the late afternoon you continue to the Serengeti for dinner and the night at Moyo Tented Camp.

Days 3 and 4 are full days of game drives in Serengeti National Park, starting early to catch predators returning from the night’s hunt, with picnic lunches and both nights at Moyo Tented Camp. On day 5 you have a morning game drive in the central Serengeti, then lunch and a transfer to Seronera airstrip for your flight to Zanzibar.

Are 5 days enough for Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti?

Five days are enough for Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti if you want a first taste of each, because this route avoids the long drive back from the Serengeti by flying out from Seronera. The crater gets one game drive and the Serengeti two full days. If you want Tarangire as well, the 6 day Tarangire Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari adds it. Our Serengeti vs Ngorongoro guide explains how to split your days.

What is included in this northern Tanzania safari?

The northern Tanzania safari price includes transport in a modified 4WD Land Cruiser with a photographic roof, all airport pick-ups and drop-offs, accommodation and meals as per the itinerary, game drives, a professional English-speaking safari guide, all park fees and crater service fees, drinking water during game drives and the flight to Zanzibar listed on the page.

Not included are visa fees and travel insurance, international flights, tips, drinks and personal items such as phones and mosquito repellent. Read our Lake Manyara National Park guide before you travel, and see our Zanzibar beach holiday extension guide for ideas on the beach days after your safari.

How much does the 5 day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari cost?

From USD 2,195 per adult (USD 810 per child). The final price depends on your travel dates, group size and the lodges available, and we confirm every lodge in your written quote.

WhatsApp us on +254 706 223888, email [email protected] or request a free tailor-made quote, and we will reply with dates and availability.

Highlights

Lake Manyara game drive among fig and mahogany forest, elephants and hippos
Ngorongoro Crater tour with a picnic lunch and a chance of black rhino
3 nights at Moyo Tented Camp with 2 full days in the Serengeti
Early morning Serengeti drives as predators return from the hunt
Flight from Seronera airstrip to Zanzibar at the end of the safari

Day 01 :

Arusha- Lake Manyara National Park

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport met by our representative then drive to Lake Manyara National Park checking in the lodge Manyara secret Lodge and have a lunch and drive across the floor of the Great Rift Valley to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive.

This beautiful park with its lush vegetation and tropical forests of giant fig and mahogany trees, takes its name from the Maasai word for "euphorbia tirucalli", a bush which is used to make a thorny hedge to protect their cattle.

Elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra and a variety of antelope inhabit the park as well as a variety of monkeys and a large population of hippos.

If you are lucky you may spot the Manyara lions, well known for their tree climbing habits, lazily resting on the branches of an "Acacia tortilis" tree during your Northern Tanzania safari.

The birdlife is also abundant, with flamingoes, pelicans, hornbills and plenty of forest species. Later evening drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight at Omega View Hotel Karatu

Day 02 :

Lake Manyara - Serengeti Via Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast drive to Ngorongoro conservation area then you will descend into the crater for a wonderful crater tour with a picnic lunch inside the Ngorongoro Crater often described as one of the wonders of the world a designated UNESCO World Heritage; It is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera .

It is one of the few places where the rare black rhino can be observed in their natural setting.

As very few animals migrate in and out of the crater you can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, many birds and other species. With a bit of luck, the ‘Big Five’ can be spotted during one game drive only. Later afternoon proceed to Serengeti Dinner and overnight at Moyo Tented Camp Serengeti

Day 03 :

Serengeti Full Day -The Ultimate Northern Tanzania Safari

Early morning game drive to see also nocturnal predators returning from hunting and animals waking up in early morning sunrise followed by full day Serengeti National Park tour putting you in a position to see lots of the animals.

Serengeti in Maasai meaning the endless plain; 14763sq km in size is the home to many animals including Lions, Elephants, Giraffes, Wildebeests, Zebras, Leopards, Cheetahs, Warthogs, Hyenas plus a lots of bird life.

The great migration is taking place around Serengeti and during that particular time millions of Wildebeests, Zebras, Thompson’s Gazelles, Grants Gazelle, Elands and Impalas are mingling together followed by predators. Dinner and overnight Moyo tented camp

Day 04 :

Serengeti Full Day - Northern Tanzania safari

After breakfast another full day game drive in Serengeti National Park with picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight at Moyo Tented Camp Serengeti

Day 05 :

Central Serengeti -Zanzibar

After breakfast at the lodge set off for a morning game drive having completed the Northern Tanzania Safari .After lunch proceed to Seronera airstrip for Zanzibar flight.

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When is the best time for the 5 day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari?

The 5 day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari runs all year, and the page gives no fixed season. The crater and the central Serengeti hold resident wildlife in every month, and the wildebeest herds move around the Serengeti through the year. Tell us your dates and we will tell you what to expect.

What is included in the 5 day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari?

The 5 day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari includes a 4WD Land Cruiser with a photographic roof, airport transfers, accommodation and meals as per the itinerary, game drives, an English-speaking guide, all park and crater service fees, drinking water and the flight to Zanzibar listed on the page. Visas, insurance, international flights, tips and drinks are extra.

Where do you stay on this Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari?

On this Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari you stay 1 night at Omega View Hotel in Karatu after Lake Manyara and 3 nights at Moyo Tented Camp in the Serengeti. The day 1 text also mentions Manyara Secret Lodge, so we confirm each lodge in your written quote, based on availability.

Is the 5 day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari good for children?

Yes, the 5 day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari suits families, and the page shows a child price from USD 810. Day 2 is long, with the crater tour and the drive to the Serengeti, but flying out from Seronera avoids the long drive back. Tell us your children’s ages and we will plan rooms and seating.

How do I book the 5 day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari?

To book the 5 day Lake Manyara Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari, send the enquiry form on this page, WhatsApp us on +254 706 223888 or email [email protected] with your dates and group size. We reply with a written quote, lodge availability and your Seronera to Zanzibar flight details.