Footloose itineraries – Tanzania safaris to Serengeti, Manyara and Ngorongoro

Tanzania safari – Serengeti, Manyara and Ngorongoro

This is a favourite itinerary, and gives an excellent trip visiting the best of the northern parks. It is totally flexible and can be changed to fit your timetable and interests.

Serengeti, Manayara and Ngorongoro Itinerary

For prices for this tour see our Tanzania safari prices & itineraries index

Day 1 – To Ngorongoro
You will be picked up from your hotel early. The drive to Ngorongoro is rough and dusty, but there is much of interest on the way. The first hour or so is pleasant, on a surfaced road. You quickly leave the coffee plantations and then across a very dry area with views of the mountains. The scarp slope of the Great Rift Valley to your right becomes clearer as you drive south.

At Makuyuni the road divides, and you may stop for fuel and to be accosted by ancient Masai women selling crafts. For the next hour the road is dusty and you will arrive at Mto Wa Mbu, where you can stop to buy from a wide range of crafts.

After Mto Wa Mbu the road climbs steeply up the scarp face out of the Rift Valley and you will see Lake Manyara below to your left. The road is extremely rough through Karatu, a village entirely covered in red dust, but improves as you climb through the forest towards Ngorongoro. You will get a first amazing glimpse into the crater where the road reaches the rim and then continue to the Lodge situated right on the rim, with views right across the crater.

Day 3 – To Serengeti
After breakfast you will leave for a morning's safari and game drive. The road down is further round the rim and takes you into the northern part of the crater. As you descend, you will begin to appreciate the vast scale of the crater and later you will see the surprising variety of habitats within.

This part of the crater was used by Masai herdsmen until recently, but they are no longer allowed in the crater in case they disturb the wildlife – food for thought!

After lunch you drive back t the rim and then continue to Olduvai Gorge. This is the area made famous by the work of the Leakeys and there is a museum describing their findings. You now are reaching the plains of the Serengeti and should begin to see the large numbers of animals which make the area famous.

Seronera Lodge is built around a rocky mound, and you should arrive in time for tea and to settle into a restful chair to watch the sunset.

Day 3 – To Manyara
Up early for a game drive to watch the animals before they take to the shade. Leopards and cheetah can often be seen in this area.

After lunch you will drive back across the plains to Ngorongoro. From here it is about an hour to Lake Manyara. The Lodge is situated on the wall of the Great
Rift Valley, with a magnificent view across the lake.

Day 4 – To Arusha
Before breakfast, transport will arrive for the drive into Lake Manyara National Park. From the hotel, you will drive back down the hill and into the park. The forested area is dry and scrubby and you should see lion, elephant and monkeys. The lake is home to a great variety of birds, including pink flamingos. The most popular spot is the hippo pools, where you will also see many giraffe and zebra.

You will leave at lunch time for the return drive to Arusha.

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For prices for this tour >

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For more about Tanzanian safaris our Tanzania safari page has details about the National Parks, Tanzania safari accommodation and wildlife and game viewing choices in Tanzania.

The Tanzanian safaris itineraries index gives several choices and suggestions for safrais, most of which can be tailored to your specific requirements.

Or, if you want to try further afield then take a look at our Kenya safari pages – or why not try Uganda, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia... or many other African safari destinations.