Rift Valley Safari: 5-Day Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Adventure
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
5 days
Fitness Level
Moderate — able to handle long vehicle days and short walks on varied terrain
Overview
Crossing the Rift Valley in five days means trading landscapes as the road unfolds — from lake-edge forest and tree-climbing lions to Serengeti plains and the volcanic bowl of Ngorongoro. This safari pairs intense wildlife viewing with geological and cultural context.
Rift Valley Safari: 5-Day Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Adventure
Select participants and date
The engine hums as the road drops away from Arusha and the Rift Valley opens like a living map. Acacia silhouettes sharpen against a sky that seems to stretch forever; a distant plume of mist marks the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Over five days you’ll move from the dense, reflective hush of Lake Manyara’s floodplain through the sweeping savannah of the Serengeti and into the volcanic bowl of Ngorongoro — each landscape offering a different rhythm of wildlife and light.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Hydrate and carry spare water
Stations are intermittent between parks — carry at least 2–3 liters per person for game-drive days.
Dress in layers for crater mornings
Ngorongoro rim sits over 2,000 m and can be cold at dawn; add a warm fleece and wind layer.
Bring binoculars and a telephoto lens
Wildlife often appears at a distance across plains and craters — optics improve sightings and photos.
Follow your guide’s safety rules
Always stay inside the vehicle during drives and keep voices low to avoid disturbing animals.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- lion
- elephant
History
The East African Rift shaped this landscape and Olduvai Gorge on the route provided key fossil evidence that reshaped ideas about human evolution.
Conservation
Ngorongoro is managed as a conservation area with strict controls to protect species like the black rhino; support community-based tourism that contributes to local stewardship.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Arusha
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Binoculars (8x–10x)
Brings distant wildlife and subtle behaviors into view across the plains.
Light waterproof jacket
Protects against brief showers during the short rain season and morning wind on the crater rim.
spring specific
Wide-brim sun hat and SPF 30+
Essential for prolonged exposure on the open Serengeti and Tarangire.
summer specific
Comfortable walking shoes
Useful for short crater descents and viewpoint walks; avoid new shoes that can blister.