8 Days Grand Tanzania Safari – Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara
Tanzania's most complete safari loop — four iconic parks in 8 days including Tarangire elephants, Serengeti migration, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions.
About this Safari
This grand loop takes in four of Tanzania's most celebrated ecosystems in depth. Two full days in the Serengeti dramatically increase your odds of witnessing predator action, river crossings, and the sheer spectacle of the Great Migration depending on season. The Ngorongoro Crater offers the most reliable Big Five concentration in Africa, and Lake Manyara — often overlooked — rewards visitors with forest elephants, tree-climbing lions, huge hippo pods, and flamingo-pink shores. The 8-day format gives each park the time it truly deserves, making this the most rewarding safari for serious wildlife enthusiasts.
An 8-day safari covering Tarangire, the Serengeti including the Great Migration, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara is a complete northern Tanzania safari experience. You start in Tarangire with elephants and baobab scenery, head to the Serengeti for multiple days following the migration, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for Big Five viewing, and finish in Lake Manyara — famous for tree-climbing lions and massive flamingo flocks.
Highlights
- ✦All transfers (airport and inter-park)
- ✦Professional English-speaking guide
- ✦Private 4x4 safari vehicle
- ✦All national park and conservation area fees
Photo Gallery
What's Included
- All transfers (airport and inter-park)
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle
- All national park and conservation area fees
- Accommodation as specified
- All meals and drinking water
Not Included
- International flights, visa fees, and travel insurance
- Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, souvenirs)
- Tips for guides and lodge/camp staff (optional)
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arusha → Tarangire → Serengeti (2 nights) → Ngorongoro → Karatu → Lake Manyara → Arusha
Arrival in Arusha
We pick you up from Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Have dinner and rest in preparation for the grand safari ahead.
Activities
- • Airport pickup
- • Hotel check-in
- • Welcome briefing
- • Dinner
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Depart at 8:30 AM for Tarangire with a picnic lunch for a full day game drive. See massive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and over 550 bird species.
Activities
- • Drive to Tarangire
- • Full-day game drive
- • Elephant herd sightings
- • Baobab landscape exploration
- • Picnic lunch in the park
Tarangire to Serengeti National Park
Early departure from Tarangire, driving through the scenic Ngorongoro highlands to the Serengeti. Enjoy wildlife sightings along the route. Arrive around midday for an afternoon game drive on the open plains.
Activities
- • Drive through Ngorongoro highlands
- • Wildlife sightings en route
- • Enter Serengeti National Park
- • Afternoon game drive
- • Sundowner at camp
Serengeti Full Day Migration Game Drive
Full-day game drive following the Great Migration. Start early to maximize wildlife activity. Track wildebeest herds, look for river crossings depending on the season, and search for the Big Five across different zones of the park.
Activities
- • Early morning game drive
- • Great Migration herd tracking
- • Possible river crossing viewings
- • Big cat stalking
- • Picnic lunch in the Serengeti
- • Afternoon game drive
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Morning Serengeti game drive then depart around midday toward Ngorongoro. Stop for a picnic lunch in the Serengeti before continuing to the crater rim lodge with stunning views.
Activities
- • Morning game drive
- • Drive to Ngorongoro
- • Picnic lunch
- • Check-in with crater rim views
- • Dinner at lodge
Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive to Karatu
Early breakfast then descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full morning game drive. Spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, flamingos at Lake Magadi, and sometimes the rare black rhino. After the game drive, ascend and transfer to Karatu for overnight.
Activities
- • Dawn crater descent
- • Big Five game drive
- • Flamingo spotting at Lake Magadi
- • Black rhino search
- • Crater ascent
- • Transfer to Karatu
Karatu to Lake Manyara National Park
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a full day game drive through the park's groundwater forest, open plains, and along the lake shore. Watch for elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, baboons, and if lucky, the famous tree-climbing lions unique to this park.
Activities
- • Drive to Lake Manyara
- • Groundwater forest game drive
- • Open plains and lake shore drive
- • Tree-climbing lion spotting
- • Flamingo and pelican viewing
Lake Manyara to Arusha and Departure
Final morning game drive in Lake Manyara exploring the forest, plains, and lake shore. Stop for a picnic lunch inside the park then drive back to Arusha for your departure transfer.
Activities
- • Morning game drive in Lake Manyara
- • Picnic lunch in the park
- • Drive to Arusha
- • Departure transfer