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6 days - Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire

The Serengeti, the Eighth Wonder and the baobabs

Six days through northern Tanzania, from Serengeti game drives to the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire's baobabs, with an optional beach extension in Zanzibar.

1 Country
3 Stops
5 Nights
Luxury to Ultra Luxury Service level
  • The storyThe headline tells the journey in a few lines, one after another.
  • At a glanceThe figures beneath it are the essential facts of the trip.

The journey

When to go

Serengeti game viewing
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire
Zanzibar beach extension
Serengeti game viewing Ngorongoro Crater Tarangire Zanzibar beach extension Avoid
June Primary window

Seronera is drying out and resident cats are easy to find, with the herds heading north and west. Tarangire dries out and the elephants move back towards the river. Zanzibar dries out and the weather turns pleasant.

Dry season Cool mornings

The route

Serengeti Ngorongoro Tarangire
01

Tanzania

Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and a return to Arusha.

Arrival at DAR international airport. Domestic flight is planned for 07:00 am to Seronera Airstrip, Serengeti national park through Zanzibar & Arusha (brief stops only). Arrival at 11:00 am. Upon arrival, our Iconic safari driver-guide will meet you. Welcome drinks and snacks will be served. After that - transfer to the lodge for a good rest with a game drive en route.
Today you’ll have a full day of game drives around spectacular Serengeti. Your knowledgeable driver will take you out to explore, and if you’re there at the right time of year, you may even see a Wildebeest Migration. Today you have the option of enjoying a picnic lunch out on safari, or you can break your day into two game drives and spend the afternoon at the luxurious lodge to relax by the pool or partake in afternoon tea with a view of the Serengeti.
Today we will make the final morning game drive before we bid farewell to Serengeti! After we are ready, we proceed to the Ngorongoro Conservation area. This journey will take us around 4 hours, but all these beautiful landscapes will hold your attention, and time will pass quickly. Once we reach our lodge, you'll be treated to fresh lunch. Thereafter, you can have a relaxing cocktail by the pool.
After breakfast, you'll depart for Ngorongoro Crater, considered by some to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. When you get your first glimpse of this vast, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you'll soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation. From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you'll be able to observe and photograph some of Africa's most recognisable faces. Your lunch will be served by the hippo pool.
After an early breakfast, we'll proceed to Tarangire national park for the final game drives. Very famous for its large elephant population. Here is the Tarangire River, next to which the mighty baobabs are spread out. Get ready to be greeted at the entrance to the park by large groups of baboons. This park will make you fall in love at first sight.
After a fresh breakfast, we are ready to proceed back to Arusha with a game drive en route. The best way to finish your 6-Day Tanzania Pearl Safari is to relax for a few days on a white sandy beach. Please let us know what kind of hotel and how many nights you'd like to spend in Zanzibar. Our journey will take around 3 hours to reach the airport, from where you'll catch a flight at 1:00 pm to Zanzibar for your beach holiday—landing at ZNZ airport at 2:15 pm. Timing depends on availability.

How to finish

Zanzibar beach extension · OptionalContinue with a few days on a white sand beach. Tell us the kind of hotel and how many nights you would like. The afternoon flight from Arusha lands in Zanzibar in the mid-afternoon, subject to availability.

The detail

About this trip

The 6-Day Tanzania Pearl Safari tour includes all the best northern Tanzania offers. Your adventure begins in Serengeti, one of the best parks in Africa. You will continue on your way to see the Eighth Wonder of the World–Ngorongoro Conservation area. After Ngorongoro, you will head to Tarangire Park, the land of elephants and baobabs. You can end your holiday in Zanzibar, where, with a glass of African wine, you will remember the brightest moments of African adventure and dream to come back here again.

What is included

  • Park fees (For non-residents)
  • All activities (Unless labelled as optional)
  • All accommodation (Unless listed as an upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (Unless labelled as optional)
  • All flights during the tour
  • Round-trip airport transfer
  • Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinking water (On all day)
  • Gifts

What is not included

  • International flights (From/ home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Taxes and/or park fees

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What language is spoken in Tanzania?
Swahili & English
What currency is used throughout Tanzania?
You can pay everywhere with USD (make sure notes are not older than 2003), Master Card/ Visa & Shillings
When is the best time to travel to Tanzania?
The whole year round, except April & May (rainy but saving season)
Is it safe to travel to Tanzania?
Tanzania welcomes many safari visitors every year. Conditions change, so check your government's current travel advice before you travel, and follow your guides' safety briefings.
Do I need any vaccinations to Travel to Tanzania?
There are no compulsory vaccinations required for Tanzania, however, we recommend you consult with your local travel clinic for the most up to date recommendations, particularly in regards to malaria prophylactics. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country where yellow fever occurs.
Is Tanzania family-friendly destination?
With an immense range of wildlife, beautiful beaches and much more there is something the whole family will love in Tanzania! Beaches, game reserves, and world class national parks and accommodation all await.
How does the 6-day Pearl Safari move from Dar es Salaam and back to Zanzibar?
On day 1 you land at Dar es Salaam, then take a 07:00 domestic flight to the Seronera airstrip, via brief stops in Zanzibar and Arusha, arriving at 11:00. Day 3 is a drive of around four hours to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On day 6 you return towards Arusha with a game drive en route, about three hours to the airport, for a 1:00 pm flight to Zanzibar landing at 2:15 pm.
When is the best time for the Pearl Safari and a Zanzibar beach finish?
June to October score highest at the Serengeti, the crater, Tarangire and Zanzibar, with dry weather, resident cats easy to find, elephants at the Tarangire River, and dry, breezy beach days. January and February are alternatives, warm and green. March to May are the rains, with muddy Tarangire tracks and a wet Zanzibar, and April is the wettest month.
What does a typical day look like on this 6-day itinerary?
Day 2 is a full day of game drives in the Serengeti, with a picnic lunch out on safari or two drives with the afternoon at the lodge. Day 3 starts with a final morning game drive before the drive to Ngorongoro. Day 4 is a day in the crater by open-top vehicle with lunch by the hippo pool, and day 5 is Tarangire after an early breakfast.
What is flexible on the Tanzania Pearl Safari?
On day 2 you choose between a picnic lunch out on safari or splitting the day into two game drives and relaxing at the lodge with afternoon tea. The itinerary ends with a Zanzibar beach holiday, so tell us what kind of hotel and how many nights you want in Zanzibar. Flight timing depends on availability. Dates and lodges are confirmed in your proposal.
Can you combine more than one country in a single trip?
Yes. Many of our journeys cross borders, for example Botswana with Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or Cape Town with a safari and the Falls. Tell us the places you have in mind through the enquiry form and we will plan the route and transfers as one itinerary.
What meals are included on safari?
Meals depend on the camp or lodge and are set out in your itinerary. On safari they are usually taken at camp, with a picnic or packed meal on some days. Tell us about any dietary needs when you enquire.
Do I need vaccinations or medication before an African safari?
Health requirements depend on where you are travelling from and where you are going, and they change. Check your country's official travel health advice or TravelHealthPro (travelhealthpro.org.uk), and see a travel clinic well before you depart. Ask about malaria prevention early.
What should I pack for an African safari?
Lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs helps against sun and insects, in neutral colours. Bring comfortable closed shoes (boots if you will walk), a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards. Your itinerary lists any luggage limits for charter flights.
How do I stay safe on safari?
Your guides brief you on how to behave around wildlife. Follow their instructions, stay in the vehicle or camp area as told, and never approach or disturb animals. Conditions differ by country and change over time, so check your government's current travel advice before you book and again before you travel.

On this trip

Photographs from the route, not stock library scenery.

6-Day Tanzania

Book it in this order

Work down the list. Each step depends on the one above it.

Field notes

The practical detail that decides whether a trip runs smoothly.

An early start on day 1

The flight to the Seronera airstrip leaves Dar es Salaam early and lands around mid-morning, with brief stops on the way. A welcome drink and a game drive follow.

Seronera game viewing

Seronera is known for lions and leopards throughout the year. Where the wildebeest are depends on the month, so we set expectations for your dates.

The crater in the morning

The Ngorongoro rim is high, so mornings are cold and often misty. Bring a fleece and a windproof layer. Lunch is by the hippo pool.

Baobabs on the last safari day

Tarangire is known for its elephant herds and baobab trees. Expect baboons near the entrance.

A relaxed last day

Day 6 is a drive of about three hours to Arusha with a game drive on the way, ahead of an afternoon flight to Zanzibar if you extend. Keep your timings flexible.

Tipping

Tips are not included. The tipping guideline for this trip is US$10 per person per day, and small notes are useful for lodge staff.

Plan this journey

Make this trip your own

Every journey is planned around your dates and your party. Tell us who is travelling and when, and a specialist will come back with a tailored itinerary and a quote. Payment is by invoice.

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