6-Day Budget Safari in Tanzania 2025/2026 – Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Get ready to embark on a thrilling 6-day budget safari in Tanzania—designed for travelers seeking unforgettable wildlife experiences without breaking the bank. This expertly curated Tanzania budget safari package for 2025/2026 takes you through three of Northern Tanzania’s top destinations: Tarangire National Park, the iconic Serengeti, and the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater.
Your journey begins in Tarangire, a hidden gem famed for its vast elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and vibrant birdlife. The park’s open landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for game drives that reveal lions, leopards, giraffes, and more. Next, venture into the world-renowned Serengeti National Park—home to the Great Migration, expansive savannahs, and some of the best predator sightings in Africa. Whether you're visiting during the migration or in quieter months, the Serengeti guarantees raw, untamed wildlife encounters.
Conclude your adventure with a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Here, you'll descend into a natural amphitheater bustling with wildlife, including rhinos, lions, and hippos. The lush, enclosed environment offers some of the best chances to spot the Big Five in a single day.
This 6-day Tanzania safari combines comfort with affordability. Expect immersive bush experiences, budget-friendly lodges or campsites, and professionally guided game drives. Whether you're a first-time safari-goer or a seasoned explorer looking for value, this tour strikes the perfect balance between quality and cost.
Ready to witness Africa’s wild side on a budget? Scroll down for the full day-by-day itinerary, inclusions, packing tips, and answers to your top questions. Let’s start planning your ultimate Tanzania wildlife safari adventure.
6-Day Budget Safari in Tanzania – Itinerary Overview
Destinations Covered:
Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
-
Drive Time: ~2 hours (120 km)
-
Activities: Morning departure from Arusha to Tarangire. Full-day game drive.
-
Highlights: Giant baobab trees, elephant herds, lions, leopards, and the Tarangire River ecosystem.
-
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
-
Accommodation: Budget tented lodge or public campsite near Tarangire
Day 2: Tarangire – Central Serengeti
-
Drive Time: ~6 hours (325 km)
-
Activities: Scenic drive via the Rift Valley escarpment into Serengeti with en-route game viewing.
-
Highlights: Changing landscapes, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, and the first glimpse of Serengeti’s vast plains.
-
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Accommodation: Budget campsite inside Serengeti National Park
Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti
-
Activities: Sunrise to sunset wildlife safari across Serengeti’s heart.
-
Highlights: Big Five sightings, predator action, hippo pools, and wildebeest herds (seasonal).
-
Optional: Hot air balloon safari at dawn (extra cost)
-
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Accommodation: Budget campsite inside Serengeti
Day 4: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
-
Drive Time: ~3–4 hours (150 km)
-
Activities: Morning game drive in Serengeti en route to Ngorongoro.
-
Highlights: Final views of Serengeti, possible cheetah or rhino sightings, visit to Maasai boma (optional).
-
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Accommodation: Simba Campsite on the Ngorongoro crater rim
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Karatu
-
Activities: Descend 600m into the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera for a half-day safari.
-
Highlights: Rhinos, lions, hyenas, flamingos, and hippos in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
-
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Accommodation: Budget lodge in Karatu
Day 6: Karatu – Arusha (Departure)
-
Drive Time: ~3 hours (155 km)
-
Activities: Leisurely return to Arusha with cultural shopping stop or local market visit (optional).
-
Meals: Breakfast
✅ Tour Inclusions
Your 6-Day Tanzania Budget Safari Package includes:
-
✅ All park entrance fees (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro)
-
✅ Government taxes and conservation fees
-
✅ Accommodation in budget lodges or public campsites (as per itinerary)
-
✅ Daily meals as specified: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
-
✅ Drinking water throughout the safari
-
✅ Professional English-speaking safari driver/guide
-
✅ 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
-
✅ Unlimited game drives as per itinerary
-
✅ Crater service fee for Ngorongoro descent
-
✅ Pick-up and drop-off in Arusha
-
✅ All transportation during the safari
-
✅ Rescue insurance (AMREF Flying Doctors – emergency evacuation)
❌ Tour Exclusions
Please note the following are not included in the price:
-
❌ International and domestic flights
-
❌ Visa fees and travel insurance
-
❌ Optional activities (e.g., hot air balloon safari, Maasai village visit)
-
❌ Tips and gratuities for driver/guide and lodge staff
-
❌ Alcoholic and soft drinks at lodges/camps
-
❌ Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
Related Safaris You Might Like
- Budget-friendly Tanzania safaris
- Tanzania camping safaris
- Luxury Tanzania safaris
- 9-Day Tanzania Safari Tour 2025/2026
Explore Popular Safari Parks
Plan Your Safari Adventure
- Tanzania Safari Travel Guide 2025/2026
- How to plan a Tanzania safari with kids
- What to pack for a Tanzania safari
Trust & Reviews
Ready for an Affordable African Adventure?
Book Your 6-Day Budget Safari in Tanzania Today!
Experience Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater with expert guides, thrilling game drives, and unforgettable memories — all at a price that fits your budget.
Customize Your Safari Now or Speak to a Safari Expert!
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | ☎️ +254-728 567 308