Gip Adventure · Tanzania · Classic Wildlife Safaris
5-Day Classic Safari (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Manyara)
Three of northern Tanzania's best-loved parks in five easy days, perfect after a mountain climb or a beach break.
- Tarangire
- Ngorongoro & Manyara
- 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Private Safari
Tour overview
Baobabs, a volcanic caldera and the Rift Valley wall, all in five days.
This package is designed for guests who want to experience northern Tanzania in style without a long journey: climbers coming down from Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru, travellers flying in from Zanzibar, or anyone short on time who still wants a real adventure. Our guide meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and you spend your first night at a hotel in Arusha, shaking off the stress of the journey.
Your first park is Tarangire, unique for its giant baobab trees, once used as hideouts by poachers and now stripped of their bark by the savanna's other giants, the elephants. Its savannas, open plains, woodlands and forests are kept alive by the meandering Tarangire River, which rises in the Kondoa highlands.
Next comes the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest unflooded volcanic caldera, home to some 25,000 animals. The trip ends at the foot of the Great Rift Valley wall in Lake Manyara National Park, with its hot springs, beautiful closed-basin lake and many other soul-soothing sights.
- Start date
- Can start any day
- Duration
- 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Tour plan
- Customisable itinerary
- Transport
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Language
- English
Your route
Arusha to Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara.
From Arusha you drive south-west to Tarangire and then up to Karatu, your base for the Ngorongoro Crater. On the way back towards Arusha you spend a day in Lake Manyara National Park at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment.
- ArushaDay 1 · 1 night
- KaratuDays 2–3 · 2 nights
- ArushaDay 4 · 1 night
Day by day
Your journey, day by day
Open each day to see the route, the safari experience and where you will sleep in each accommodation level.
Day01Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to Arusha
Your safari driver-guide meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drives you by road to your hotel, where you can rest after your journey.
Later you are briefed on the following day's programme. Take a stroll around the grounds and enjoy a memorable dinner and a peaceful first night.
Where you will be staying in Arusha
Day02Tarangire National Park
After a hearty breakfast, your guide picks you up at around 08:00 for the drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its superb game viewing, especially in the dry months when hundreds of animals gather along the Tarangire River, the park's lifeline, to drink and cool down from the scorching sun.
Buffalo, zebras, impalas and warthogs are often seen, and you may be lucky enough to spot rare wild dogs, cheetahs or kudu. After a picnic lunch, continue to your lodge in Karatu for dinner and the night.
Where you will be staying in Karatu
Day03Ngorongoro Crater
After a hearty breakfast at around 08:00, your guide drives you to the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa's most celebrated wildlife destinations. On the crater floor you may see rhinos, lions, ostriches, elusive leopards and large buffalo herds, along with a vibrant variety of birdlife.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater before climbing out and returning to your lodge in Karatu for dinner and the night.
Where you will be staying in Karatu
Day04Lake Manyara National Park and return to Arusha
After breakfast at around 08:00, you drive to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its diverse habitats, striking views of the Great Rift Valley, large trees with drooping branches along the escarpment and what has been called Africa's loveliest lake.
Look for the rare tree-climbing lions, the many birds wading on the mudflats and filter-feeding in the shallows, and the park's large troops of olive baboons, said to be bigger than in any other park in Africa. After a picnic lunch, you return to your hotel in Arusha for dinner and the night.
Where you will be staying in Arusha
Day05Departure from Kilimanjaro Airport
After breakfast, and depending on your flight time, your guide drives you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your international flight home, marking the end of your safari.
If you would like to continue your journey, ask us about adding a stay on the spice islands of Zanzibar.
Accommodation
Choose your accommodation level
Every night is matched to lodges in that exact area. Switch levels to see where you would stay.
Safari details
What is included in your safari
IncludedWhat is included
- Meet and greet service
- All transfers as stated in the itinerary
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- All drinks (unlimited bottled water, juice, bites and snacks)
- All national park gate fees, conservation fees and concession fees
- Service charges
- Unlimited game drives
- A professional English-speaking safari guide
- Wi-Fi on board
- All government taxes and levies
- Cultural tour
Not includedWhat is not included
- Personal items (visa, travel insurance, medical evacuation insurance, souvenirs and any other travel-related documents)
- Optional activities not included in this package
- Tips and other gratuities (highly recommended)
- Hard drinks
- Laundry (available on request at extra cost)
Safari pricing
Price on request
Prices depend on your dates, group size and accommodation level. Tell us your plans and we will send an exact quote, usually within the hour.
Comfortable, well-run lodges and tented camps with great locations and real value.
Quote for SilverPremium lodges and camps with more space, better views and a touch of style.
Quote for GoldThe finest luxury lodges and camps, exceptional service and the best locations.
Quote for PlatinumStart planning
Ready to make this safari yours?
Send us your dates, group size and preferred accommodation level and we will tailor 5-Day Classic Safari (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Manyara) to your plans. No booking fees, and a real person replies, usually within the hour.
Guest experiences
What our travellers say
5.0 · Reviews on Tripadvisor, all rated 5 out of 5
- ★★★★★
Credits Gipson’s calm pacing and constant check-ins on summit night for getting the group to the top of Kilimanjaro.
- ★★★★★
Four friends took the 7-day Machame Route, were checked on regularly for their health, and all four reached the summit.
- ★★★★★
Climbed Kilimanjaro in 2017 and Mount Meru in 2019 with Gipson, then kept coming back to Tanzania with friends and family. Felt safe as a solo hiker.
- ★★★★★
A family of six climbed Kilimanjaro, trusted Gipson’s calls on health and weather, and now want to tackle Mount Meru with him.
- ★★★★★
Gipson led a group of friends to the top of Kilimanjaro. The trip was well organised and his passion for it showed.
- ★★★★★
Rain turned to snow on the climb, but the team kept everyone fed, monitored oxygen levels, and got them to the summit.
- ★★★★★
Felt safe on every day of the Kilimanjaro hike and was confident of summiting in Gipson’s care. Found him funny and knowledgeable.
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