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

Arusha, Ngorongoro & Central Serengeti

Gran Melia, crater-rim luxury, and three nights in the Serengeti

7 Days / 6 Nights

Safari Overview

This private lodge safari blends a softer arrival in Arusha with high-end stays in Ngorongoro and the Central Serengeti. It is built for travelers who want strong game viewing without giving up comfort: a night at Gran Melia Arusha, crater-rim luxury after Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro, then three nights at Melia Serengeti Lodge before flying back 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

Vehicle

Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and English-speaking 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 Mount Meru setting
  • Lake Manyara game drive en route to the crater highlands
  • Two nights at Melia Collection Ngorongoro Lodge
  • Full day Ngorongoro Crater descent with packed lunch
  • Three nights in Central Serengeti at Melia Serengeti Lodge
  • Flexible hot lunch or packed lunch on full-day Serengeti safaris
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with guide and a flight connection out of Serengeti

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: airport pickup, a smooth hotel transfer, dinner, and rest before the circuit begins.

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 sits between the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro National Parks and is wrapped in Tanzania's natural beauty. The hotel combines polished city comfort with a safari gateway atmosphere.

City- and mountain-facing rooms include air-conditioning, TV, and a balcony. On-site facilities include Saba Saba restaurant, Yellow Chilli, the rooftop dining area, Ava Cafe, a spa, a heated pool, and a 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 a luxury lodge stay above one of 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, major 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 Manyara National Park.
  • Continue to the lodge for dinner and overnight in the Ngorongoro area.

Overnight

Melia Collection Ngorongoro Lodge

Lodge preview

Melia Collection Ngorongoro Lodge

Selected overnight stay

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

This is a full crater day. After breakfast, descend into Ngorongoro for extended game viewing with a packed lunch, then return to the lodge for a second night on the crater rim.

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 comfortable and 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 the Serengeti. The drive becomes part of the experience as the landscape opens out into the central plains, followed by lunch and an afternoon game drive before checking in for a three-night stay.

Central Serengeti

Situated in the heart of Tanzania, the Central Serengeti encompasses the world-famous Seronera Valley, known for prime wildlife viewing. 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, Melia Serengeti Lodge is designed for a premium safari stay with sweeping views across the surrounding plains 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 a classic long safari day with room to follow wildlife movement, adjust to sightings, and stop for either a packed lunch or a hot lunch depending on pace and preference.

Flow of the day

  • Full day game drive in Serengeti National Park.
  • Choose packed lunch or hot lunch depending on the day's pace.
  • Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight

Melia Serengeti Lodge Melia Collection

Lodge preview

Melia Serengeti Lodge Melia Collection

Selected overnight stay

A full lodge day in the Serengeti gives the trip more breathing room, letting you combine serious game viewing with proper rest and comfort each evening.

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

Another full Serengeti safari day

Central Serengeti

A second full day in Central Serengeti keeps the pace intentionally generous. You have time to revisit productive areas, spend longer with sightings, and shape the day around current wildlife conditions rather than rushing the route.

Flow of the day

  • Full day game drive in Serengeti National Park.
  • Take packed lunch or hot lunch according to your preference.
  • Return for dinner and a final overnight in the Serengeti.

Overnight

Melia Serengeti Lodge Melia Collection

Lodge preview

Melia Serengeti Lodge Melia Collection

Selected overnight stay

This final night in the park makes the Serengeti portion feel substantial rather than fleeting, with time to enjoy both the game drives and the lodge itself.

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.
Day07

Day 07

Morning game drive and flight connection

Serengeti to Arusha

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

Flow of the day

  • AM game drive in Serengeti National Park.
  • Transfer to the airstrip for the flight to Arusha with picnic lunch.
  • 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
  • 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 kit, wildlife books, cool box, and fire extinguisher
  • VAT and concession fee

Not Included

  • Items of a personal nature such as telephone, fax, email, and incidental bills
  • Gratuities and tips for hotel, lodge, camp, and driver-guide staff
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
  • Local or international flights, departure taxes, and other flight-related taxes unless specifically added to the quote
  • Laundry services
  • Any newly introduced concession or park fees not known at the time of quoting
  • Any item not specifically listed under inclusions
  • 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 an Arusha flight connection, but the cost section provided for this trip lists local and international flights separately. We quote the flight based on your exact dates and routing.

Day 1 is half board at Gran Melia Arusha with dinner and breakfast. Days 2 to 6 are full board with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Day 7 includes breakfast and lunch before departure.

Three nights gives the Serengeti portion enough depth to feel rewarding rather than rushed. It creates room for two full safari days plus arrival and departure game viewing, which improves wildlife opportunities and keeps the overall journey more comfortable.

Yes. The route is especially strong for couples, honeymooners, and guests who want premium lodge standards without losing the classic Northern Circuit experience. The combination of Gran Melia, Ngorongoro Lodge, and Melia Serengeti keeps the stay style consistent throughout.

Not necessarily. The itinerary is written to allow either packed lunch or hot lunch on the full Serengeti days, so the final choice can follow your preferred rhythm, the lodge setup, and how far you want to range during game viewing.