6 Days Adventure Towards Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire

Tarangire’s elephants, the Serengeti’s open grasslands, and a dawn descent into Ngorongoro Crater make this six-day safari a strong first taste of northern Tanzania. You move through three famous wildlife areas without rushing past the main sights, with time for game drives and one full day in the Serengeti.

I like the private vehicle and guide, which give your group more control than a large shared departure. I also like the careful planning and quick communication praised by previous customers, with Edward and Joshua receiving special mention for guiding, driving, safety, and personal care.

The main thing to consider is the amount of time spent on the road. Day two takes about five hours to reach the Serengeti, and day six requires another three to four hours back to Arusha before the airport transfer. This is a rewarding route, but it is not a relaxed resort holiday.

Key points at a glance

• Tarangire starts the safari well: Expect elephants, baobabs, more than 500 bird species, and animals gathering near the Tarangire River in the dry season.
• Two full Serengeti days give you time: Morning and afternoon drives offer better odds of seeing varied wildlife than a brief pass through the park.
• Ngorongoro brings a different setting: The crater’s enclosed caldera is known for lions, rhinos, hippos, and close wildlife viewing.
• Guiding is a major strength: Edward and Joshua are specifically praised for expertise, care, safety, and their skill behind the wheel.
• Your group stays private: Only your party takes part, with a professional guide and private safari vehicle.
• The price covers the costly basics: At $3,789 per person, park fees, accommodation, meals, WiFi, and guiding are included, but flights and insurance are not.

Why this route works for a first Tanzania safari

This trip links three of Tanzania’s best-known wildlife areas in a sensible arc from Arusha. Tarangire gives you a strong opening day, the Serengeti receives the most time, and Ngorongoro closes the safari with a dramatic crater drive.

I like that the plan does not treat the Serengeti as a quick photo stop. You have an afternoon drive on arrival, a full day afterward, and another morning before heading toward Ngorongoro. That layout matters because wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and more time in one park gives your guide more room to respond to conditions.

The route also offers variety. Tarangire is known for elephants and baobabs. The Serengeti is the place for broad savannah views and possible Great Migration sightings. Ngorongoro changes the scene again, placing you inside a vast volcanic caldera where several major species can be found in a relatively contained area.

The company also presents the safari as an eco-conscious trip that supports local communities and conservation. That is a worthwhile goal, but you should ask what specific conservation or community programs your booking supports if this is important to you.

Day 1: Elephants and baobabs in Tarangire

Your safari begins from the Clocktower Roundabout in Arusha at 8:00 am, with pickup offered. The first park is Tarangire, a good choice for an opening game drive because its identity is immediately clear: giant baobab trees, the Tarangire River, and large elephant herds.

In the dry season, the river becomes a key water source. Animals gather around dependable water, and seasonal movement can bring more wildlife into the park. You might see lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, buffalo, wildebeests, baboons, and elephants at close range.

Tarangire also adds species that are less often highlighted on a standard safari list. Gerenuks and fringe-eared oryx are noted here, while bird-watchers have more than 500 recorded species to look for. The yellow-collared lovebird and Kori bustard are two especially appealing targets.

The day is scheduled for about seven hours. That is long enough for a proper park visit without making the opening day as demanding as the Serengeti transfer days. Admission is included, as are park fees for the safari.

Day 2: The long road to the Serengeti

After breakfast, you leave for the Serengeti. The drive takes about five hours, with views of the Rift Valley and wildlife along the way before an afternoon game drive in the park.

This is one of the days when expectations matter. You are not spending five hours in continuous game viewing. Much of the value comes from reaching the Serengeti while seeing how the scenery changes between northern Tanzania’s major wildlife areas.

The afternoon drive gives you a first look at the park’s wide savannahs. Your guide may adjust the route according to time, recent sightings, and the season, but the precise pattern is not guaranteed in advance. The itinerary lists this as a 10-hour day, so you should be ready for a full day in the vehicle.

The private format helps here. With only your own group aboard, you have a better chance to discuss timing, comfort, and what you most want to see with your guide. The company supplies WiFi on board, though you should not treat that as a replacement for reliable connectivity everywhere along the route.

Day 3: A full day where wildlife keeps changing

Day three is the heart of the safari. Morning and afternoon game drives allow you to spend a full day in Serengeti National Park rather than packing all your wildlife viewing into a single arrival afternoon.

I value this extra day because the Serengeti is enormous, and the experience changes with the season. The Great Migration may be visible if your dates and location line up with it, but the itinerary wisely presents it as a possibility rather than a promise.

The Big Five are also listed as a main focus. You may see lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, and rhinos, although no responsible safari operator can guarantee every species. Your guide’s skill in reading conditions and locating recent sightings is therefore important.

You can also pre-book an optional hot-air balloon safari at an additional cost. The minimum age is eight. This is the main paid add-on named for the trip, so ask for the exact price and departure details before confirming if you want it.

An evening back at camp offers a change from the vehicle. The plan describes time under the stars, but the exact accommodation is not named in the supplied details. Ask where you will sleep each night, what room or tent category is included, and whether the advertised luxury level applies to every night.

Day 4: One last Serengeti drive, then toward Ngorongoro

The fourth day begins with another morning game drive. This is a smart use of the route, since you get one more chance to spot animals before leaving the Serengeti.

After lunch, you drive toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Olduvai Gorge is available as an optional stop. It is a historic archaeological site, and it adds a human-history dimension to a trip otherwise centered on wildlife and scenery.

The road portion makes this another long day, listed at about 10 hours. You arrive at a lodge overlooking the crater in the evening. That setting can be a memorable preview of the next morning, but the long schedule means you may have limited time to enjoy the lodge before the early crater descent.

If you want the Olduvai stop, confirm whether it carries an extra charge and how much time it adds. The itinerary calls it optional but does not list a separate fee.

Day 5: Down into Ngorongoro Crater

The early start is worth understanding. You descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a morning of game viewing, followed by a picnic lunch at a scenic spot inside the caldera.

Ngorongoro feels different from the Serengeti because the crater walls create a clearly defined setting. Lions, rhinos, hippos, and other wildlife are listed among the possible sightings. The scenery is also a major part of the appeal, especially when viewed from inside the crater rather than only from the rim.

The crater visit lasts into the afternoon before you return to the lodge for a short rest. You then transfer to Karatu for the overnight stay. This split may sound slightly confusing, so confirm the exact accommodation location for that night. The day is scheduled for about eight hours and includes admission.

A picnic lunch inside the crater is practical, not just scenic. It lets you keep more time for game viewing instead of leaving the park for a restaurant. Still, early mornings and long vehicle days require moderate fitness, which the operator lists as a requirement.

Day 6: Returning to Arusha and the airport

After breakfast, you drive back to Arusha, a trip of about three to four hours. A final shopping stop for souvenirs is possible if you want one, followed by transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.

This timing deserves care when you book flights. The activity ends back at the meeting point, but an airport transfer is also included in the stated plan. Ask the operator to match the return drive and shopping stop to your flight time rather than assuming you can fit in a long stop.

The final day is listed at about five hours. It is a useful end point for a safari that begins and finishes around Arusha, but you should avoid scheduling a tight international connection.

The guiding and driving matter here

The strongest personal detail attached to this safari is the praise for the guides. Edward is repeatedly singled out for being attentive, friendly, and willing to go beyond the basic plan. That kind of care matters most on a private safari, where your guide shapes the pace, explanations, wildlife searches, and day-to-day feel.

Joshua is also praised for combining guiding with safe driving. That combination is important in Tanzania, where you spend many hours on the road and often need a driver who can handle changing conditions while keeping an eye on wildlife.

Silas and Robert are also named in connection with the smooth running of one safari. The practical lesson is simple: ask who is likely to guide your departure and how guide assignments are handled. The named staff have earned strong praise, but a specific guide is not guaranteed in the information provided.

Communication is another bright spot. Email and WhatsApp contact are described as quick and clear, and payment arrangements are described as secure. Before departure, use that contact to confirm the pickup point, accommodation names, dietary needs, airport timing, and any optional activities.

What $3,789 per person includes

The price is high in absolute terms, but a private six-day safari in northern Tanzania carries substantial park, transport, accommodation, and guiding costs. Here, the listed package includes:

• Park fees
• A professional guide
• A private safari vehicle
• Accommodation throughout the safari
• WiFi on board
• Six dinners
• Six breakfasts
• Seven lunches

The extra lunch is worth clarifying, since the food count is unusual for a six-day trip. Ask how meals are scheduled and whether any lunch is intended for the arrival or departure portions.

A private vehicle is the largest value point for me. You are paying more than you would for a shared group departure, but you also avoid being tied to strangers’ schedules. For a honeymoon, family trip, or small group with specific wildlife goals, that added control may justify the premium.

The package does not include international flights, travel insurance, or alcoholic beverages. The hot-air balloon safari is included only if that option is selected, so treat it as an extra unless your booking confirmation says otherwise.

The accommodation is described as luxurious, but individual properties and room categories are not supplied. I would not pay the full price without asking for a night-by-night accommodation list. That is the clearest way to judge whether the package matches your expectations.

Who will enjoy this safari most

I would recommend this trip to a first-time safari visitor who wants the classic northern Tanzania route in a private setting. You get Tarangire, two substantial Serengeti sections, Ngorongoro Crater, meals, park fees, a guide, and airport transfer in one plan.

It also suits couples and honeymooners. The company has handled honeymoon arrangements, and the private format gives you more personal space than a shared vehicle. Families can also consider it, though the long drives and early starts require patience.

Wildlife photographers may appreciate the repeated game drives, especially the full Serengeti day. But if photography is your main purpose, ask about vehicle design, seat access, charging facilities, and how much flexibility the guide can offer at sightings. Those details are not provided.

This is less suitable if you want short transfer times, fixed luxury hotels with full property details, or a slow schedule with afternoons at leisure. Days two and four are long, and day five begins early.

Practical details before you book

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is listed as a private tour. Only your group participates. Pickup is offered, with the stated start point at Clocktower Roundabout in Arusha and an 8:00 am start.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. The main challenge is not strenuous walking, since the safari centers on vehicle drives, but the early mornings, long sitting periods, road transfers, and full-day schedule.

Alcohol is permitted for people aged 18 and above, but alcoholic drinks are not included. The hot-air balloon option has a minimum age of eight and requires pre-booking.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the six-day route?

I would book this safari if you want a private, wildlife-focused introduction to northern Tanzania and place a high value on a caring guide. The route gives you a good mix of elephants, baobabs, broad Serengeti drives, possible migration sightings, and a memorable crater day.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the private vehicle, the amount of Serengeti time, and the repeated praise for guides such as Edward and Joshua. The main reasons to pause are the $3,789 price, the long driving days, and the lack of named accommodation details.

Before paying, confirm your guide, every lodge or camp, the hot-air balloon supplement, the Olduvai Gorge cost, the meal schedule, and the airport timing. If those answers suit your budget and flight plan, RO Scavenger Safaris offers a well-rounded six-day safari with a strong emphasis on personal service.

FAQ

Where does the safari start?

The stated meeting point is Clocktower Roundabout in Arusha, Tanzania. The start time is 8:00 am, and pickup is offered.

Which national parks and areas are included?

The route includes Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Ngorongoro Crater. The final day returns through the Arusha Region.

Is the safari private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

Are park fees included?

Yes. Park fees are included in the package. Admission for the Ngorongoro Crater day is also listed as included.

Is the hot-air balloon safari included?

It is included only if you select that option. It costs extra when not selected as part of the booking, requires pre-booking, and has a minimum age of eight.

What meals are included?

The package lists six dinners, six breakfasts, and seven lunches. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the local start time are not accepted for a refund.