Arusha, Ngorongoro Crater & Central Serengeti
Arusha -> Lake Manyara -> Ngorongoro Crater -> Central Serengeti

Arusha, Ngorongoro Crater & Central Serengeti

Gran Melia, crater-rim luxury, and a shorter Serengeti finish

6 Days / 5 Nights

Safari Overview

This private lodge safari is a polished 6-day Northern Circuit route built around comfort, classic wildlife areas, and efficient pacing. It starts with a relaxed arrival night at Gran Melia Arusha, moves through Lake Manyara and two nights in the Ngorongoro highlands, then finishes with two nights in Central Serengeti before a final morning game drive and flight connection toward Arusha.

Stay style

Premium Melia lodges in Arusha, Ngorongoro, and Central Serengeti

Meals

Half board on arrival, then full board through the safari, ending with breakfast and lunch on departure day

Vehicle

Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and English-speaking driver-guide

Finish

Morning game drive in Serengeti before transfer to the airstrip for the Arusha connection

Safari Highlights

  • Arrival night at Gran Melia Arusha with dinner and breakfast
  • Lake Manyara lunch stop and game drive before climbing to the crater highlands
  • Two nights at Melia Collection Ngorongoro Lodge
  • Full day Ngorongoro Crater descent with packed lunch
  • Two nights in Central Serengeti at Melia Serengeti Lodge
  • Morning Serengeti game drive before airstrip transfer and Arusha flight connection
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with English-speaking guide, radio support, and safari accessories

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day01

Day 01

Arrival in Arusha

Arusha

Arrive in northern Tanzania and settle into Arusha, the safari capital at the foot of Mount Meru. This first day is intentionally light, giving you time to recover from travel before the wildlife circuit begins in earnest.

Arusha

Resting at the foot of Mount Meru, the sprawling city of Arusha is known as the safari capital of northern Tanzania. It serves as an excellent base from which to explore the remarkably scenic surrounding area which includes majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as the Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks. Arusha is a good spot to take a day or two off from the safari circuit as it features a temperate climate and lush surrounds.

Flow of the day

  • Pickup from JRO and private transfer to the hotel in Arusha.
  • Settle in and enjoy a relaxed evening ahead of the safari circuit.
  • Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Overnight

Gran Melia Arusha

Stay preview

Gran Melia Arusha

Selected overnight stay

Gran Melia Arusha is located between the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro National Parks and is surrounded by Tanzania's natural beauty. It works well as a polished safari gateway with city convenience and mountain views.

Rooms face either the city or the mountains and include air-conditioning, TV, and balcony space. Facilities include Saba Saba all-day dining, Yellow Chilli, rooftop dining, Ava Cafe, a spa, heated pool, and gym.

Board basis

Half board - dinner, bed, and breakfast.

Included with selected stay

  • Gran Melia Arusha: dinner, bed, and breakfast.
Day02

Day 02

Lake Manyara to the crater highlands

Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, leave Arusha for Lake Manyara National Park. The day combines lunch and a game drive in Manyara before climbing into the Ngorongoro highlands for dinner and an overnight stay above one of East Africa's most celebrated wildlife areas.

Ngorongoro Crater

Located in northern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater is best known for its natural beauty and abundance of diverse wildlife, which makes it one of Africa's most popular safari destinations. Surrounded by Tanzania's highlands, this UNESCO-listed crater is said to be the world's largest intact volcanic caldera and is famed for Big Five sightings, large zebra and wildebeest herds, birding, trekking, and cultural visits.

Flow of the day

  • After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park.
  • Enjoy lunch and a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park.
  • Continue to the lodge in the Ngorongoro area for dinner and overnight.

Overnight

Melia Collection Ngorongoro Lodge

Lodge preview

Melia Collection Ngorongoro Lodge

Selected overnight stay

Melia Collection Ngorongoro Lodge is set in the crater highlands overlooking one of Tanzania's most dramatic natural settings. It is designed around crater views and a high-end stay experience close to the conservation area.

The lodge offers luxury crater-facing rooms, including standard rooms, suites, and a villa. Facilities include multiple dining venues, a grill zone, an outdoor infinity pool, and a spa.

Board basis

Full board - dinner, bed, breakfast, and lunch.

Included with selected stay

  • Ngorongoro Melia: breakfast, lunch, dinner, concession fee, and TDL.
Day03

Day 03

Full day Ngorongoro Crater tour

Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, descend into the crater for a full day of game viewing with a packed lunch. Returning to the same lodge keeps the experience comfortable and gives the crater day enough room to unfold without a rushed onward transfer.

Flow of the day

  • After breakfast, descend into the crater for a full day tour.
  • Game drive on the crater floor with packed lunch.
  • Ascend later in the day and return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight

Melia Collection Ngorongoro Lodge

Lodge preview

Melia Collection Ngorongoro Lodge

Selected overnight stay

A second night here keeps the crater experience unhurried, with panoramic highland scenery and strong lodge facilities after a long safari day.

Board basis

Full board - dinner, bed, breakfast, and lunch.

Included with selected stay

  • Ngorongoro Melia: breakfast, lunch, dinner, concession fee, and TDL.
Day04

Day 04

Drive into Central Serengeti

Central Serengeti

After breakfast, continue west into Serengeti National Park. The drive itself is part of the safari experience, opening into the central plains before lunch and an afternoon game drive lead into your first night in the park.

Central Serengeti

Situated in the heart of Tanzania, the Central Serengeti encompasses the world-famous Seronera Valley, known for prime wildlife-viewing opportunities. Endless savannah, granite kopjes, acacia woodland, rivers, and streams make this one of the strongest year-round safari zones in East Africa, with giraffe, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, hippo, and much more.

Flow of the day

  • After breakfast, drive to Serengeti National Park.
  • Enjoy lunch and a PM game drive in Central Serengeti.
  • Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Overnight

Melia Serengeti Lodge Melia Collection

Lodge preview

Melia Serengeti Lodge Melia Collection

Selected overnight stay

Located in the heart of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Melia Serengeti Lodge is designed for a premium safari stay with sweeping views across the surrounding landscape and easy access to central game-viewing areas.

Rooms offer air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, minibar, coffee maker, and private terrace. Suites add more space, including TV and dining area. The lodge also has a restaurant, bar, fitness centre, swimming pool, and spa.

Board basis

Full board - dinner, bed, breakfast, and lunch.

Included with selected stay

  • Serengeti Melia: bed, breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Savannah Restaurant, plus VAT, concession fee, and TDL.
Day05

Day 05

Full day game drive in Serengeti

Central Serengeti

Spend the day exploring Central Serengeti in depth. This is the main long safari day in the park, giving the guide room to follow active sightings and shape lunch style around the rhythm of the wildlife.

Flow of the day

  • Full day game drive in Serengeti National Park.
  • Packed lunch or hot lunch can be arranged depending on your preference.
  • Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight

Melia Serengeti Lodge Melia Collection

Lodge preview

Melia Serengeti Lodge Melia Collection

Selected overnight stay

This second night in the Serengeti gives the route enough depth to feel rewarding while still keeping the overall itinerary compact and efficient.

Board basis

Full board - dinner, bed, breakfast, and lunch.

Included with selected stay

  • Serengeti Melia: bed, breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Savannah Restaurant, plus VAT, concession fee, and TDL.
Day06

Day 06

Morning game drive and flight connection

Serengeti to Arusha

Finish with one last morning game drive in Serengeti before transferring to the airstrip for the flight to Arusha. From there, connect onward for your next international or regional departure.

Flow of the day

  • AM game drive in Serengeti National Park.
  • Transfer to the airstrip for the flight to Arusha with lunch boxes.
  • Connect onward for your departure flight.

Board basis

Breakfast and lunch.

Plan This Safari

What's Included

What's Included

  • Transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for easy game viewing and photography
  • Services of an English-speaking driver-guide, game viewing drives, and park entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
  • All government taxes and levies
  • All meet and greet services
  • 24-hour standby contact number
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Two-way long-range high-frequency radio communication in each vehicle
  • Two bottles of water per person per day during game drives
  • Safari accessories in each vehicle including first-aid kits, wildlife books, cool box, and fire extinguisher
  • VAT and concession fee

Not Included

  • All items of a personal nature such as telephone, fax, email, and incidental bills
  • Gratuities and tips to hotel, lodge, camp, and driver-guide staff
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
  • Any local or international flights, departure taxes, and other taxes unless specifically added to the quote
  • Laundry services
  • Concession fees in case of any newly introduced park fees not known at the time of quoting
  • Any other item not included in the itinerary
  • Visa fees
  • Optional Flying Doctors coverage at 50 USD per person
  • Hospital bills and personal travel insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

This itinerary is structured as a private lodge safari with your own vehicle, guide, and pacing. That works especially well for travelers booking premium lodges like the Melia properties and wanting flexibility around game drives, lunch style, and airport connections.

Not by default. The itinerary ends with a Serengeti airstrip transfer and a flight toward Arusha, but the cost notes list local and international flights separately. We quote the flight around your exact dates and onward routing.

Day 1 is half board at Gran Melia Arusha with dinner and breakfast. Days 2 to 5 are full board with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Day 6 includes breakfast and lunch before departure.

The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. Cards and travellers checks are not widely accepted outside major hotels and some tourist businesses, and charges can be high where cards are used. Many travelers carry clean, newer US dollar notes and exchange them in main towns or tourist areas as needed.

Lightweight cotton or linen clothing works best in Tanzania, with neutral safari colors such as beige, khaki, brown, and white for game drives. Bring a hat, walking shoes, sun protection, and a warm layer for chilly evenings and early mornings. If you continue to the coast, pack swimwear as well, but dress modestly in public areas because much of Tanzania is culturally conservative.

Tap water is generally not considered safe to drink, so most travelers rely on bottled or filtered water. Tanzania uses mainly 230V power with Type G, C, or D sockets, so a travel adapter is worth bringing. Plastic carrier bags are restricted, and self-driving through remote parks is not recommended because roads can be rough and poorly marked.