NORTHERN CLASSIC SAFARI WITH MANYARA
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Destination to Visit
Arusha, Tarangire , Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater
Accommodation
Classic accommodation of your choice
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Overview
A slightly slower pace allows more time in each ecosystem while still covering the key wildlife areas of northern Tanzania. This safari connects Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro highlands in a route that balances driving distances with meaningful game viewing time.
An additional overnight near Ngorongoro reduces travel pressure toward the end of the tour and creates a more relaxed transition between the Serengeti plains and the crater visit.
The program works well for travellers who want broader exposure to wildlife habitats without extending into very long safari durations.
Day By Day
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
A representative from Jas Safaris meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Arusha. Your hotel sits between coffee farms and volcanic hills, offering a calm introduction before entering the national parks.
Depending on arrival time, guests often spend the afternoon resting, organizing luggage for safari conditions, or enjoying the lodge facilities and amenities. In the evening, a safari briefing by our safari manager provides practical details about driving distances, park regulations, and daily routines during safari.
Day 2: Arusha - Tarangire National Park
The tour begins with a drive to Tarangire National Park, an area well known for its ancient baobab trees and seasonal wildlife concentrations. During dry months, animals migrate toward the Tarangire River, creating reliable viewing conditions compared to some other parks. Elephant groups are often seen moving in family units, sometimes numbering over twenty individuals led by older females.
Game drives explore both riverine areas and open savannah, offering chances to see lions resting in shade, large buffalo herds, and numerous bird species including hornbills and kori bustards, one of the world’s heaviest flying birds. The day ends with transfer to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Tarangire - Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, the safari continues to Lake Manyara National Park, located beneath the steep escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. The park’s compact size allows varied scenery within a short driving distance, from dense forest to lakeshore flats.
Large troops of baboons are commonly seen near the entrance, sometimes numbering over one hundred individuals. Manyara is also known for its groundwater forest, sustained by underground springs that flow year-round regardless of rainfall.
Elephants, giraffes, and hippos are regularly encountered, while the lake attracts pelicans, storks, and seasonal flamingo populations. The afternoon concludes with transfer toward the Ngorongoro or Karatu area for overnight accommodation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Serengeti National Park
Today involves one of the longer drives of the safari, crossing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before entering Serengeti National Park. The route climbs through misty highlands where Maasai herders graze cattle alongside wildlife, reflecting the area’s multiple land uses.
Gradually, forest gives way to open plains, revealing the vast ecosystem that supports the migration cycle. Serengeti’s ecosystem extends into Kenya’s Maasai Mara, forming a connected habitat used by millions of grazing animals. A game drive begins upon entering the park, allowing time to observe wildlife while traveling toward camp. Arrival is usually late afternoon, followed by dinner and a quiet evening in the bush.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Serengeti National Park - Full Day
A full day of game drives allows exploration beyond main transit routes, increasing chances of observing predator activity and varied wildlife behavior. Lions are particularly well established here, with estimates suggesting over 3,000 individuals living within the greater Serengeti ecosystem. The open terrain makes wildlife easier to spot compared to wooded parks, though patience often rewards attentive observation.
Guides adjust routes depending on recent sightings, weather conditions, and animal movement patterns. Meals are taken at designated picnic areas or back at camp depending on the day’s plan. Time spent in one area often reveals smaller details, such as interactions within herds or hunting strategies among predators.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Serengeti - Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The morning begins with a final game drive in the Serengeti, taking advantage of cooler hours when animals remain active. After breakfast, the safari gradually exits the plains and returns toward the Ngorongoro highlands.
The change in elevation becomes noticeable as temperatures cool and vegetation becomes greener. Stops along the way allow for wildlife viewing and scenic viewpoints overlooking vast stretches of land traveled earlier in the trip. Reaching the Ngorongoro area by afternoon provides time to rest at the lodge, enjoy views across the highlands, and prepare for the crater visit scheduled for the following morning.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater and Transfer to Arusha – Departure
The starts early in the morning with a sumptuous breakfast before descending into the Ngorongoro Crater shortly after sunrise. This time of the day is when wildlife activity is often higher and light conditions are clear. The crater formed roughly 2 to 3 million years ago when a large volcano collapsed inward, creating one of the world’s largest intact calderas.
Game drives explore grasslands where wildebeest and zebra graze alongside predators, while hippos remain in permanent water pools throughout the day. After several hours of exploration and a picnic lunch, the vehicle ascends the crater wall and begins the return drive to Arusha, followed by transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for onward flights.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
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RECOMMENDED FOR
- Anyone looking to immerse themselves in Tanzania wilderness.
- People who want an authentic safari adventure.
- Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
PRICE INCLUSION
- All Game Drives;
- Accommodation At Lodges/Tented Camps
- English Speaking Driver/Guide;
- All Food; Drinking Water;
- 18% VAT Tax;
- At Least 1 Pair Of Binoculars;
- Accommodation In Moshi/Arusha;
- Airport Transfers;
PRICE EXCLUSIONS
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities (guide, driver, lodge staff)
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, souvenirs)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks (unless stated)
- Optional activities