4-Day Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari

4 Days 3 Nights

Flamingos, Migration & Big Five Wonders

This 4-day safari takes you across three of Tanzania's most breathtaking landscapes. Begin with Lake Manyara's diverse ecosystems, from groundwater forests to alkaline lakes shimmering with flamingos.
Continue to Serengeti National Park, where the migration herds and predators define the savannah. End with the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural amphitheater packed with wildlife, offering one of the best chances to see the Big Five. A perfectly balanced short safari that blends landscapes, wildlife, and cultural insight.

Highlights

  • Spot flamingos and tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara
  • Traverse Serengeti's plains, home to the Great Migration
  • Explore Ngorongoro Crater, UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Chances to see the Big Five in diverse habitats
  • JoyTrekking's local guides for cultural and ecological context

Itinerary

  • Day
    One

    Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park

    • Morning departure from Arusha with your JoyTrekking guide, sharing stories of our home region en route.
    • Enter Lake Manyara, driving through lush groundwater forest where baboons, monkeys, and hornbills thrive.
    • Continue to the open plains, keeping an eye out for lions perched in acacia trees.
    • Picnic lunch at a scenic spot overlooking the lake, often shimmering with flamingos.
    • Afternoon game drive exploring hippo pools and savanna grasslands.
    • Evening transfer to a lodge near Ngorongoro. Dinner features local dishes - spiced rice, stews, chapati, and tropical fruit.

  • Day
    Two

    Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha

    • Early breakfast before descending into Ngorongoro Crater, a dramatic volcanic caldera teeming with wildlife.
    • Morning game drive across the crater floor, with high chances of seeing the Big Five - lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, and leopards.
    • Visit the hippo pool and soda lake, alive with birdlife and grazing herbivores.
    • Picnic lunch inside the crater with sweeping views of the wildlife plains.
    • Afternoon ascent out of the crater and return drive to Arusha, arriving by early evening.

Cost Includes

  • Professional local safari guide
  • 4x4 safari vehicle with open roof
  • All park entry fees
  • 3 nights (Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Karatu)
  • Meals: Full Board
  • Drinking water during safari
  • Airport/hotel transfers (Arusha)

Cost Excludes

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, drinks beyond water)
  • Tips for guide and lodge staff
  • Optional cultural add-ons

Dates

FAQs

How long is the drive from Arusha to Lake Manyara?

About 2-2.5 hours.

What wildlife is Lake Manyara known for?

Flamingos, tree-climbing lions, elephants, and rich birdlife.

How long is the drive to Serengeti?

About 4-5 hours, with scenic stops along the Ngorongoro Highlands.

What's the accommodation style?

Comfortable lodges and tented camps, with upgrade options.

Is this safari suitable for families?

Yes, it's family-friendly and offers shorter first-day travel.

Can this safari be customized?

Yes, extensions and cultural add-ons are available.