4-Day Tanzania Lodge Safari | Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro

This is a vehicle-based safari — no walking is required and no fitness threshold applies. Game drives are conducted from a private 4x4 with a pop-up roof. The longest single drive is the Arusha-to-Serengeti leg on Day 2 (around 6 hours including game drives). Travellers with limited mobility are accommodated; let us know in advance and we'll select lodges with step-free access and brief your guide on any specific needs.

June to October is the dry season — short grass, animals concentrated at water sources, the highest sighting reliability of the year. January to February is the southern Serengeti calving season with the largest predator concentrations and significantly fewer tourists. The long rains in April and May can affect lodge access and game-drive comfort but offer the lowest rates of the year. November short rains are brief and manageable. The crater is productive year-round; Tarangire is at its peak in the dry season (June to October) when elephants concentrate along the river.

On a 4-day Northern Circuit safari you are highly likely to see lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, baboon and a wide range of antelope and birdlife. Black rhino is likely on the Ngorongoro Crater floor (one of the most reliable rhino sightings in Tanzania). Leopard is possible — the Serengeti has the highest leopard density in East Africa, but leopards are solitary and elusive, so sightings depend on guide skill and the day's movements. Cheetah is likely on the Serengeti plains. No operator guarantees specific sightings — wildlife cannot be scheduled.

The price covers private 4x4 with pop-up roof, professional English-speaking driver-guide, all national park entry fees (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ngorongoro Crater service fee), full-board accommodation as listed, all meals during the safari, and drinking water in the vehicle. International flights, Tanzania visa, travel insurance, tips for the guide, alcoholic drinks at the lodges and any optional add-ons (balloon safari, cultural visits) are not included. See the full "What's included" and "Not included" sections on this page for the complete breakdown.

Yes — this itinerary accepts children of 5 years and older. Children under 12 receive a discount on park fees per TANAPA policy. The 4x4 has space for a family of four comfortably. Game drives are long days (typically 07:00 to 17:00 with breaks) — bring books, light snacks and patience for younger children. We can adjust the pace and add shorter game-drive days for families with younger children at no extra charge.

Yes. This 4-day itinerary is a popular base that we adapt frequently: adding a Lake Manyara day, swapping Karatu lodges for tented camps inside the Serengeti, extending with a Zanzibar beach segment, or upgrading to luxury accommodation. WhatsApp us with your dates, group size and any preferences and we'll send back a tailored itinerary and quote within 24 hours.

Most nationalities can obtain a Tanzania tourist visa online via the eTA system at eservices.immigration.go.tz before travel, or on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO). The visa costs USD 50 for most nationalities and USD 100 for US citizens. Yellow fever vaccination is only required if you are arriving from a yellow-fever-endemic country. Malaria prophylactics are recommended. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation is required for all safari participants — we cannot accept bookings without it.

SafariBando operates from Moshi with our own vehicles and team. If a vehicle has an issue our Arusha operations base dispatches a replacement. If a guide falls ill we have a replacement available from our team in the same region. All vehicles carry a satellite phone for emergencies; lodges have radio contact with the operations base. The Flying Doctors Service covers medical evacuation from any of the parks on this itinerary; we can arrange membership as part of your booking on request.