28-01-2026 | Tanzania Private Safari Packages
This 6-day Tanzania private safari tour offers an immersive journey through the world-renowned Northern Circuit, providing travelers with a comprehensive wildlife experience across four distinct ecosystems. Starting from USD 1920 for 2026/2027, this expertly crafted itinerary maximizes your time in the field, taking you from the elephant-rich plains of Tarangire to the lush groundwater forests of Lake Manyara, before venturing into the vast Serengeti and the iconic Ngorongoro Crater.
By choosing a private tour, you secure a dedicated 4x4 safari vehicle and a professional guide, ensuring your schedule remains flexible and focused on the sightings that matter most to you. Whether you are tracking the Great Migration or searching for the rare black rhino, this package delivers the perfect balance of adventure, comfort, and authentic African hospitality.
Safari Overview and Key Trip Highlights
- Exclusive Private Experience: Enjoy the undivided attention of a professional naturalist guide in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof.
- The Serengeti National Park: Spend two nights in the heart of the Serengeti, home to the largest concentration of plains game on earth.
- The Ngorongoro Crater: Descend into the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera for a chance to see the Big Five in a single day.
- Tarangire Elephant Herds: Witness some of the largest elephant populations in Africa among the ancient baobab trees.
- Lake Manyara Birdlife: Observe thousands of pink flamingos and the famous tree-climbing lions in this diverse rift valley park.
- Logistical Excellence: All park fees, high-quality meals, and comfortable mid-range or luxury accommodations are included in the price.
Detailed 6-Day Tanzania Private Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Exploration of Tarangire National Park
Your journey begins in Arusha, where your private guide will meet you for a briefing before departing for Tarangire National Park. The drive takes approximately two hours, passing through vibrant local villages and coffee plantations. Tarangire is often called the land of giants, a name inspired by the massive baobab trees that dot the landscape and the huge herds of elephants that congregate along the Tarangire River. During the dry season, the river becomes the primary water source for thousands of animals, creating a high density of wildlife rarely seen elsewhere. You will spend the afternoon navigating the park tracks, looking for lions, leopards, and various antelope species. The park is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, with over 550 species recorded. As the sun begins to set, casting a golden hue over the savannah, you will head to your lodge for dinner and overnight rest.
Day 2: The Diverse Ecosystems of Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, you will travel to Lake Manyara National Park. Although it is one of the smaller parks in the Northern Circuit, Manyara offers incredible ecological variety within a compact area. The park is characterized by its groundwater forest, which transitions into open grasslands and finally the alkaline shores of the lake itself. Your private guide will navigate through the dense forest, where you are likely to spot troops of baboons and blue monkeys. Manyara is famously known for its tree-climbing lions, a behavioral trait that is quite rare among large felids. You will also spend time near the lake's edge, where the spectacle of thousands of flamingos creates a pink ribbon across the horizon. Other sightings often include hippos cooling off in the water and giraffes feeding on the acacia trees. This day provides a serene contrast to the ruggedness of Tarangire, offering a peaceful yet exciting wildlife experience.
Day 3: Journey to the Great Serengeti National Park
On the third day, the adventure moves toward the crown jewel of Tanzania, the Serengeti National Park. The drive involves a scenic ascent of the Ngorongoro Highlands, providing breathtaking views back toward the rift valley. You will pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you can see Maasai pastoralists grazing their cattle alongside wild zebras. Upon entering the Serengeti through the Naabi Hill Gate, the landscape opens up into the iconic endless plains. This area is the heart of the Serengeti ecosystem. The afternoon will be spent on a game drive as you head toward the Central Serengeti, also known as Seronera. This region is famous for its high leopard population, often found lounging in the branches of sausage trees or yellow-fever acacias. You will reach your tented camp or lodge in time for a sundowner, surrounded by the sounds of the African bush.
Day 4: Full Day Deep Dive into the Serengeti Plains
A full day in the Serengeti allows for a more flexible and deep exploration of the wild. Depending on the season of your visit, your guide will focus on the locations where the Great Migration is currently concentrated. In the early morning, when the air is cool and predators are most active, you might witness a pride of lions on a hunt or a cheetah scanning the plains from a granite kopje. The Serengeti is an immense ecosystem, and having a private vehicle means you can choose to stay at a specific sighting for as long as you wish. You may take a picnic lunch to maximize your time in the field, dining under the shade of a lone acacia tree. The sheer scale of the landscape is humbling, and the diversity of life, from the smallest dung beetle to the largest buffalo, creates a constant sense of wonder. In the evening, you return to the camp to share stories around the campfire under a vast, starlit sky.
Day 5: The Ngorongoro Crater, Africa’s Garden of Eden
Leaving the Serengeti behind, you will make your way back toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The highlight of the day is the descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a 600-meter deep caldera that hosts a self-sustaining ecosystem. The floor of the crater is home to roughly 30,000 animals. Because the walls of the crater act as a natural enclosure, the wildlife density is staggering. This is your best opportunity to spot the endangered black rhino, which is frequently seen in the open grasslands of the crater floor. You will also see large prides of lions, massive bull elephants with impressive tusks, and hundreds of spotted hyenas. The Lerai Forest within the crater provides a different habitat for leopards and elephants, while Lake Magadi attracts water birds and hippos. After a full day of sightings and a picnic lunch by the hippo pool, you will ascend the crater walls to a lodge on the rim or in the nearby Karatu area.
Day 6: Cultural Insights and Departure to Arusha
On your final day, you have the option for a slower start. You may visit a Maasai boma to learn about the traditional customs and lifestyle of the local people who have coexisted with wildlife for centuries. This cultural exchange offers a deeper understanding of the human element of the Tanzanian landscape. Alternatively, you can spend the morning exploring the lush hills of the Karatu region, famous for its coffee plantations. Your guide will then drive you back to Arusha, arriving in the afternoon. Depending on your travel plans, you will be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. This concludes your 6-day private safari, leaving you with a lifetime of memories and a profound connection to the natural world.
Pricing, Costs, and Value Breakdown
The starting price of USD 1920 per person is based on a group of four to six travelers sharing a private vehicle and staying in high-quality mid-range accommodations. This price point represents exceptional value for a private tour in Tanzania. Several factors influence the final cost of your 6-day package. Seasonality is the most significant variable; prices are generally lower during the emerald season (April and May) and higher during the peak dry season (July to October) and the festive season in December. The number of people in your private group also impacts the per-person rate, as the costs for the vehicle, fuel, and the professional guide are shared. We believe in transparent pricing, so your quote will include all national park entrance fees, which are a substantial portion of the cost, along with the Ngorongoro Crater service fee. Meals are typically provided on a full-board basis, and we include bottled water throughout the safari. Tips for guides and staff are not included, and we recommend budgeting approximately USD 20 to 30 per day per vehicle for your guide, depending on your level of satisfaction.
Why Choose Our Private Safari Expertise?
Our team consists of veteran safari planners and local Tanzanian guides with decades of combined experience in the bush. We do not just book tours; we curate experiences based on real-world knowledge of animal movements, road conditions, and lodge quality. Our 4x4 Land Cruisers are custom-built for the rugged Tanzanian terrain, featuring extended chassis for extra legroom, heavy-duty suspension, and high-quality radio systems for guide communication. We prioritize safety and reliability, ensuring our vehicles undergo rigorous maintenance after every journey. Our guides are certified naturalists who undergo regular training in wildlife behavior, bird identification, and first aid. They speak fluent English and possess the local intuition required to find elusive predators and avoid the crowds. We are also committed to sustainable tourism practices, working with lodges that prioritize eco-friendly operations and supporting local communities through fair wages and conservation initiatives. When you book with us, you are engaging with a team that lives and breathes the Tanzanian safari experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year for this 6-day private safari?
The best time for wildlife viewing is generally during the dry season from late June to October, when animals congregate around water sources. However, the calving season in the Serengeti (January to February) is also spectacular for seeing predators and young animals. The rainy season in April and May offers lush landscapes and lower prices.
Is the 6-day Tanzania private safari suitable for families?
Yes, a private safari is ideal for families. Because the vehicle is exclusively yours, you can adjust the pace of the game drives to suit children, take breaks when needed, and focus on the animals they find most interesting. Most lodges we use are family-friendly and offer triple rooms or interconnected tents.
What kind of food can I expect on the safari?
You will enjoy a mix of international and local Tanzanian cuisine. Breakfasts usually consist of fruit, eggs, sausages, and bread. Lunch is often a high-quality picnic box during game drives, featuring sandwiches, chicken, fruit, and snacks. Dinners are three-course meals served at the lodge or camp, including soups, main dishes with meat and vegetables, and desserts.
Do I need any vaccinations for Tanzania?
We recommend consulting with a travel clinic before your trip. Common recommendations include vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, and Tetanus. Yellow Fever certification is required if you are traveling from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever. Malaria prophylaxis is also highly recommended for most travelers visiting the northern parks.
How much luggage can I bring on the safari vehicle?
Since this is a private road safari, there is more flexibility than on bush flights, but we still recommend soft-sided bags rather than hard suitcases. This makes it easier to pack the vehicle efficiently. A weight limit of 15 to 20 kilograms per person is a good guideline to ensure comfort for everyone in the vehicle.
What is the difference between a private and a group-joining safari?
A private safari offers a vehicle and guide exclusively for your party, allowing for a customized itinerary and flexible daily schedules. A group-joining safari involves sharing the vehicle with strangers, which is more budget-friendly but requires following a fixed schedule and compromising on daily activities and sightings.
Are the park fees included in the USD 1920 price?
Yes, our standard private safari packages include all mandatory national park entrance fees, Ngorongoro Crater fees, and the transit fees for all parks mentioned in the itinerary. We handle all the permits and paperwork so you can focus entirely on the experience.
Will I be able to charge my electronics during the safari?
Our safari vehicles are equipped with charging ports and inverters, allowing you to charge camera batteries and phones while on the move. Most lodges and camps also provide charging stations in the rooms or the main lounge area, though power may be limited to certain hours in remote bush camps.
Secure your 6-day Tanzania private safari today and experience the raw beauty of the African wilderness with the experts who know it best. Our team is ready to help you customize every detail of your journey to ensure it exceeds your expectations and provides a profound connection to the heart of Tanzania.