4-Day Serengeti, Ngorongoro Private Lodge Safari

TRIP OVERVIEW

This 4-day private lodge safari takes you to two of Tanzania’s top wildlife areas — Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. You’ll enjoy game drives to see animals like lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and more. The trip includes two nights in the Serengeti and one night near Ngorongoro, with all stays in comfortable lodges. It’s a short but rich safari experience, perfect for travelers who want to see a lot in a few days.

ITINERARy

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Your adventure begins in the morning with a short safari briefing at your hotel in Arusha. After that, your guide will pick you up, and you’ll start your journey to Tarangire National Park.

The drive takes about 2 to 2.5 hours and covers a distance of around 120 km (75 miles). Along the way, you’ll pass through small towns, farms, and open countryside.

Once you enter the park, your game drive begins. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds, giant baobab trees, and the Tarangire River, which attracts many animals, especially during the dry season. You may spot giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeests, and even some unusual animals like the fringe-eared oryx and gerenuk. Lions are often seen, and if you’re lucky, you might also spot a leopard resting in a tree.

You’ll enjoy the views from the open roof of your safari vehicle, taking in both the animals and the peaceful surroundings. In the late afternoon, you’ll head to your lodge near the park for dinner and a good night’s rest.

Main Destination: Tarangire National Park
Distance from Arusha to Tarangire: ~120 km
Travel Time: Approx. 2 to 2.5 hours
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Suricata Boma Lodge

Day 2: Mto wa Mbu to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast at your lodge, your guide will pick you up, and you’ll begin the journey to Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most famous wildlife areas.

The drive takes around 6 hours (with stops included) and covers about 250 km. On the way, you’ll pass through the beautiful Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you’ll enjoy a short stop at the crater viewpoint. From here, you can take in a wide view of the Ngorongoro Crater — it’s a great photo opportunity and a nice break from the road.

Duration of stop at viewpoint: Approx. 20 minutes.

A bit further along the way, there’s an optional cultural visit to a Maasai village, where you can learn about one of Tanzania’s most well-known tribes. You’ll hear about their customs, daily life, and strong history.

Optional Visit: Maasai Village (Entrance fee: $40–$50)
Duration: 20–45 minutes
Note: This visit is not included in the safari price.

You’ll arrive in the Seronera area of Serengeti in the late afternoon. After checking into the park, you’ll enjoy a short game drive as you explore the area. Seronera is rich in wildlife, so keep your eyes open for elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a cheetah or leopard. As the sun sets, you’ll have a chance to watch the golden sky and the animals moving in the cooler evening hours — a truly special moment.

Later, you’ll head to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay inside or near the park.

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Distance from Mto wa Mbu to Serengeti (Seronera): ~250 km
Travel Time: Approx. 6 hours (with stops)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Land of Nature Camp – Lodge inside Central Serengeti

Day 3: Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater

You’ll start the day early with breakfast at your lodge, followed by a morning game drive in the Serengeti. Early mornings are one of the best times to see animals being active — you may come across lions returning from a night hunt, or elephants moving in search of water. You’ll also see plenty of other animals like zebras, giraffes, antelopes, and many bird species.

Around midday, you’ll return to the lodge for lunch and to pack your bags. After lunch, you’ll begin your journey out of the Serengeti with another game drive on the way, offering one last chance to spot wildlife.

You’ll then head towards Karatu, a town near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive from Serengeti to Karatu takes about 3 hours, depending on road conditions and wildlife sightings along the way.

In the late afternoon or early evening, you’ll arrive at your lodge in Karatu, where you can relax, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Distance from Serengeti to Karatu (via Ngorongoro): ~130 km
Travel Time: Approx. 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Farm of Dreams Lodge—mid-range lodge in Karatu

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater Tour – Return to Arusha

After an early breakfast, your guide will take you to the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of game viewing. This crater is one of the best places in Tanzania to see a wide range of animals in one area — it’s like a natural zoo without fences. The crater floor is home to lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, and many more. One of your main highlights today is the search for the rare black rhino, which can sometimes be seen grazing in the open grasslands.

You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch inside the crater, surrounded by beautiful views and wildlife. After lunch, you’ll continue with a short game drive, then begin the ascent back up the crater wall.

From there, you’ll begin your journey back to Arusha, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel. The drive from Ngorongoro to Arusha takes about 4 to 4.5 hours and covers roughly 190 km. You’ll arrive in the early evening, marking the end of your unforgettable 4-day safari adventure.