4-Day Northern Parks Safari from Zanzibar
Zanzibar Arusha Tarangire Ngorongoro Serengeti Arusha Zanzibar
From, per person$1,564
Tanzania safari
4-Day Luxury Serengeti & Crater Safari by Road
Overview
Comfort is the point of this trip. Over four days you travel the full overland route from Arusha to the Serengeti and back, but each night is spent somewhere special: two nights at a luxury tented camp or lodge in the central Serengeti and one at a high-end lodge or camp right on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Driving rather than flying lets you see how the country changes, from the farms around Karatu to the forested crater highlands and the endless grass beyond. Two Serengeti nights mean a full, unhurried day in the Seronera area, the park’s busiest wildlife zone. Sleeping on the crater rim then puts you at the top of the descent road at first light, so you reach the floor while the animals are active and before most day visitors arrive.
Tanzania Tourism Safaris runs every departure privately, which makes the trip a comfortable fit for couples and for families with children of any age. Your guide can slow down, add rest stops and shape each game drive around your group’s energy and interests.
Tour highlights
- Two nights at a luxury camp or lodge in the Serengeti
- A full day of game drives around Seronera
- Upscale crater-rim stay with early crater access
- Scenic road through the Karatu farmlands
- Visit to a local community on the last day
- Private vehicle that works well for families
Day by day
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Day 1 Through the Highlands to Central Serengeti Stay Luxury tented camp or lodge in the Seronera area, central SerengetiMeals Lunch, Dinner
Leave Arusha after breakfast and drive west through the rolling farmland of Karatu and up into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area’s forested highlands. Beyond them, the road drops onto the Serengeti plains. Head for the Seronera area in the middle of the park, where the Seronera River provides water all year and attracts most of the Serengeti’s typical species. Game viewing begins on the way to your camp or lodge, where dinner is waiting.
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Day 2 Searching for the Big Five Around Seronera Stay Luxury tented camp or lodge in the Seronera area, central SerengetiMeals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is all about the wildlife. Spend the morning and afternoon on game drives across the plains and along the river, with lunch in the park or back at your lodging. Lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant and buffalo all live in this area, along with giraffe, eland, gazelle, hyena and crocodile. Depending on the season, wildebeest and zebra herds may be passing through. Children usually enjoy the variety of birds, too.
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Day 3 Half-Day Game Drive, Then on to the Rim Stay Upscale lodge or tented camp on the Ngorongoro Crater rimMeals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take an early breakfast and spend the morning on a last game drive in the Serengeti. Around midday, start the drive toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, watching for animals as you cross the plains. Arrive at your lodging on the crater rim in time to settle in and watch the light change over the caldera. Dinner is served at the lodge, and evenings up here are cool.
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Day 4 First Light on the Crater Floor Meals Breakfast, Lunch
Head down into the crater early, using your rim location to get ahead of most of the day’s traffic. The morning is when lion and hyena are most active and when you have the best chance of finding black rhino. Later, visit a local village to meet the people who live in the conservation area and hear about their traditions, food and daily routines. In the afternoon, transfer back to Arusha or the airport.
Prices by season
Per person in US dollars. The price depends on when you travel and how many travelers share the trip.
| Season | 1 traveler | 2 travelers | 4 travelers | 6 travelers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low season 1 Mar – 31 May | $3,191 | $2,126 | $1,872 | $1,740 |
| High season 1 Nov – 20 Dec and 6 Jan – 29 Feb | $3,360 | $2,238 | $1,971 | $1,832 |
| Peak season Now 1 Jun – 31 Oct and 21 Dec – 5 Jan | $3,733 | $2,489 | $2,189 | $2,035 |
Tour price includes
- Airport meet-and-greet and private transfers
- Private 4×4 Land Cruiser (up to 7 travelers) with an English-speaking local guide
- National park and conservation area fees and taxes
- Three nights of luxury accommodation as listed
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- All activities in the itinerary, including the village visit
Tour price excludes
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Souvenirs and other personal spending
- Optional extras such as a hot-air balloon flight
Questions about this safari
Is this safari suitable for children?
Yes. The trip suits all ages, and because the vehicle is private your guide can add breaks, shorten drives and explain sightings at a level children enjoy. Long road days are part of the route, so bring snacks and something to do. Let us know your children’s ages when you enquire so we can suggest suitable rooms.
What makes this a luxury safari?
The difference is in where you sleep and how much time you have. All three nights are at high-end camps or lodges in prime locations, and the extra Serengeti night gives you a full day of game viewing instead of a rushed afternoon. The route itself is the same Serengeti and crater loop as our mid-range trips.
Why does staying on the crater rim matter?
The crater floor is reached by a small number of steep descent roads. Sleeping on the rim means you are already close to the top when the gates open, so you can be on the floor early, when the light is soft, the animals are active and fewer vehicles have arrived.
Before you go
Where you will go
Parks on this safari
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