Experience the heart of Tanzania’s wildlife wonders with this unforgettable 6 day Tanzania luxury safari, a carefully curated journey through Lake Manyara, the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. Designed for discerning Canadian travellers seeking an immersive experience without the longer timeframe of the Serengeti, this safari showcases the diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife of the Northern Circuit. Expertly planned by Bubble Tours & Travel, your East Africa specialists based in Kenya, we leverage our regional knowledge and trusted Tanzanian partners to ensure seamless logistics, premium comfort, and a bespoke Tanzania itinerary.

Brief Day by Day Itinerary Outline

Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Arusha
Day 2: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park – Ngorongoro
Day 3: Ngorongoro – Ngorongoro Crater – Ngorongoro
Day 4: Ngorongoro – Tarangire National Park
Day 5: Tarangire National Park – Arusha
Day 6: Departure

Activities:

* Game drives in Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park
* Explore the unique landscapes and geological formations of each park
Optional activities: Maasai Boma Village cultural tour, bird watching

Optional Travel Upgrade:

Travel Between Parks with Light Aircraft: For a seamless and time-efficient experience, consider upgrading your transportation between parks with a scenic light aircraft flight. This option offers breathtaking aerial views of the landscape and significantly reduces travel time, allowing you to maximize your time on safari.

Wildlife & Scenic Highlights:

Lake Manyara National Park: Tree-climbing lions, baboons, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, gazelles, impalas, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, warthogs, and a variety of bird species.
Ngorongoro Crater: The Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes), wildebeests, buffalo, zebra, eland, Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelle, giant tusked elephants, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, jackals, rare wild dogs, white pelicans, and flamingos
Tarangire National Park: Biggest Elephants, old Baobab trees, leopards, lions, hyenas, cheetahs, gazelles, impalas, zebra, wildebeest, buffaloes, warthogs, and different types of bird species
Scenic Landscapes: The picturesque landscapes of the Rift Valley, acacia forests, the shimmering waters of Lake Manyara, the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater, and the baobab-studded plains of Tarangire.

Your Bespoke Tanzanian Luxury Adventure

Bubble Tours & Travel ensures your compact Tanzanian safari exceeds expectations:

• Premium Tanzanian Accommodations: Stay in carefully selected high end lodges and comfortable tented camps across Manyara, the Ngorongoro area, and Tarangire, chosen for their exceptional locations, service, comfort, and ethical practices.
• Expert Tanzanian Guides: Explore with professional, knowledgeable Tanzanian driver guides in comfortable private 4×4 safari vehicles, ensuring deep local insights and maximizing your wildlife viewing success.
• Seamless East African Logistics: As your East Africa specialists, we meticulously coordinate all aspects of your Tanzanian journey from our Kenyan base, including internal transfers (road or optional flights), park fees, activities, and accommodation bookings, ensuring a smooth experience for Canadian travellers.

Tailoring Your Tanzania Wildlife Safari

This carefully selected 6 day itinerary provides an excellent foundation. As creators of bespoke Tanzania luxury travel, we welcome adjustments:

• Duration: Easily add extra nights in Tarangire, for increased elephant viewing, or the Ngorongoro area for more Crater exploration.
• Focus: Tailor activities towards photography, family interests, or specific wildlife goals.
• Accommodation Selection: Choose from a portfolio of premium properties, from elegant lodges with Crater views to stylish camps near Tarangire.
• Combine Destinations: Seamlessly connect this safari with a Mount Kilimanjaro climb or a Zanzibar beach extension.

Best Time for This Safari (Manyara, Ngorongoro, Tarangire)

This circuit offers outstanding experiences year round:

• Tarangire: Particularly famous for its concentration of elephants during the dry season (approximately June to October).
• Ngorongoro Crater: Consistent, phenomenal wildlife density year round.
• Lake Manyara: Good bird watching year round.
• Overall: Dry seasons (June Oct, Jan Feb) typically offer easier wildlife viewing and pleasant weather. Green seasons (Mar May, Nov Dec) bring lush landscapes and fewer crowds.

Why Choose This Compact Tanzania Safari?

• Iconic Parks: Covers three of Tanzania’s most famous and diverse northern parks.
• High Wildlife Density: Excellent opportunities for Big Five sightings, particularly within the Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire’s elephant herds.
• Well Paced: Allows for a good balance between wildlife viewing and travel over a shorter timeframe (6 days).
• Scenery & Birdlife: Offers varied landscapes, from the Great Rift Valley backdrop of Manyara to Tarangire’s baobabs, plus abundant birdlife in Manyara.

Plan Your Tanzania Wildlife Adventure

The detailed day by day itinerary, featuring specific accommodation suggestions and logistical recommendations, follows below. If exploring the icons of Northern Tanzania in a shorter timeframe appeals, contact our East Africa specialists to begin planning.

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Arusha (Approx. 1-hour drive)

• Morning/Afternoon (Dependent on Arrival Time): Arrival at JRO: Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by your professional driver/guide. After a brief welcome and safari briefing, you will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha.
• Transfer to Arusha: The transfer is a short and comfortable drive, taking approximately one hour.
• Check-in and Relaxation: Upon arrival in Arusha, you will check in to your pre-booked hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax by the pool, freshen up, or explore the town of Arusha. Arusha is known as the “safari capital” of Tanzania and offers local markets and cultural experiences.
• Evening: Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel in Arusha.

Hotel Suggestions (Arusha): Mount Meru Hotel, Gran Melia Arusha, Arusha Coffee Lodge, Rivertrees Country Inn, Onsea House.

Day 2: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park – Ngorongoro (Approx. 4-5 hours drive including game drive)

• Morning (8:00 AM): Departure for Lake Manyara: After breakfast at your hotel, you will depart for Lake Manyara National Park. The drive takes you through scenic landscapes and local villages.
• Mid-morning (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Game Drive in Lake Manyara: Upon arrival at Lake Manyara, you will begin your game drive. This park is known for its diverse birdlife, including large flocks of flamingos (seasonal), as well as its tree-climbing lions (though sightings are not guaranteed), elephants, giraffes, baboons, and other wildlife. The park’s varied habitats, including groundwater forests, acacia woodlands, and the alkaline lake itself, support a wide range of species.
• Lunch (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM): Picnic Lunch or Lunch at a Lodge: You will enjoy a picnic lunch within the park or have lunch at a nearby lodge, depending on your preferences and arrangements.
• Afternoon (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM): Drive to Ngorongoro: After lunch, you will continue your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive offers stunning views as you ascend to the crater rim.
• Evening (5:00 PM Onwards): Check-in and Relaxation: Upon arrival in the Ngorongoro area, you will check in to your chosen lodge/camp located on the crater rim or nearby.
• Evening: Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay with breathtaking views (depending on your lodge’s location).

Lodge/Camp Suggestions (Ngorongoro Outer Rim): Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, The Manor at Ngorongoro, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Ngorongoro Farm House.

Day 3: Ngorongoro – Ngorongoro Crater – Ngorongoro (Crater tour is typically 5-6 hours)

• Morning (6:00 AM): Early Descent into the Ngorongoro Crater: An early start is recommended to maximize your time in the crater and to see wildlife during their most active hours. After breakfast, you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater in a 4×4 vehicle.
• Morning/Afternoon (7:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Game Drive in the Ngorongoro Crater: The Ngorongoro Crater is a unique volcanic caldera, a natural enclosure that supports a high concentration of wildlife. You will spend several hours exploring the crater floor, searching for lions, black rhinos (a highlight of the crater), elephants, hippos, wildebeest, zebras, and a variety of bird species.
• Lunch (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM): Picnic Lunch in the Crater: You will enjoy a picnic lunch within the crater, surrounded by the stunning scenery and wildlife.
• Afternoon (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Ascent from the Crater and Return to Lodge: After lunch, you will ascend from the crater and return to your lodge/camp near Ngorongoro.
• Evening: Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4: Ngorongoro – Tarangire National Park (Approx. 3-4 hours drive)

• Morning (8:00 AM): Departure for Tarangire: After breakfast, you will depart for Tarangire National Park.
• Mid-morning/Afternoon (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM): Game Drive in Tarangire: Upon arrival at Tarangire, you will begin your game drive. Tarangire is famous for its large elephant herds, especially during the dry season (June-October), and its iconic baobab trees, which dot the landscape. You’ll also have opportunities to see giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and various predators.
• Evening (4:00 PM Onwards): Check-in and Relaxation: Check in to your chosen lodge/camp in or near Tarangire.
• Evening: Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.

Lodge/Camp Suggestions (Tarangire): Tarangire Safari Lodge, Sanctuary Swala Camp, Oliver’s Camp, Tarangire Treetops, Tarangire Simba Lodge.

Day 5: Tarangire National Park – Arusha (Approx. 2-3 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM): Morning Game Drive: Enjoy a final morning game drive in Tarangire, taking advantage of the cooler morning hours for wildlife viewing.
• Late Morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Drive back to Arusha: After breakfast, you will depart back to Arusha.
• Afternoon (12:00 PM Onwards): Arrival in Arusha and Relaxation/Activities: Upon arrival in Arusha, you will check back into your hotel. You can relax, do some souvenir shopping, or visit a local market.
• Evening: Farewell dinner and overnight stay in Arusha.

Day 6: Departure from JRO

• Morning/Afternoon (Dependent on Flight Time): Transfer to JRO: After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure flight. The transfer time will be coordinated with your flight schedule.

Important Considerations:

• Transportation: Transportation will be in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing.
• Meals: Meals will be provided on full board.
• Accommodation: The suggested accommodations offer various levels of comfort, from standard to luxury. You can choose according to your budget.
• Driving Times: Driving times are estimates and can vary depending on road conditions and traffic.

Preparation:

• Clothing: Pack light, neutral-coloured clothing, warm layers for early mornings and evenings (especially in Ngorongoro), comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• Medications: Ensure you have any necessary medications and consult your doctor regarding recommended vaccinations.
• Other Essentials: Binoculars, a camera with extra batteries and memory cards, and a travel journal are recommended.

Recommendation:

• It is highly recommended to book your safari well in advance, especially if you are travelling during peak season (July-October and January-February).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the advantages of choosing this itinerary over one that includes the Serengeti? This itinerary focuses on three phenomenal parks while requiring less overall travel time than a longer Serengeti-inclusive trip. It’s also often a more cost effective option, while still delivering outstanding wildlife experiences, particularly in the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire.

2. Is 6 days enough time to experience Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire properly? Yes. While longer itineraries allow for more in depth exploration, 6 days provides a good balance between game viewing and travel between locations. The suggested Day-by-Day pacing allows for suitable time in each park.

3. What are the key differences between Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks? Lake Manyara is a relatively small park known for its picturesque setting along the Great Rift Valley, excellent birdlife, potential to see tree climbing lions, and ground water forest habitat. Tarangire, on the other hand, is larger, drier, and more famous for its huge concentration of elephants, particularly during the dry season, as well as its ancient baobab trees.

4. What is the Ngorongoro Crater descent experience like? You will descend onto the Crater floor for game drives within this unique caldera, often called a natural zoo because of its incredibly high density of wildlife, including lions, hyenas, elephants, flamingos, and a good chance to spot the black rhino. Time on the Crater floor is usually limited to a maximum of six hours per vehicle by park regulations.

5. How is travel handled between these parks? Are flights useful? The standard method is by road in 4×4 safari vehicles. Road transfers are scenic but can involve some longer drives. An optional light aircraft flight from the Tarangire area back to Arusha near the end of the trip can significantly reduce travel time and offers a different perspective on the landscape.