IV
The Days
Detailed 6-Day Tanzania Family Safari Day-by-Day Itinerary
6 days, 4 parks and reserves — every day private, with your own guide and 4×4.
Home / Safari Packages / 6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari
6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Materuni Waterfalls Tour
Private 6-day safari · Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro Crater · Materuni Waterfalls
JRO 03°26′S 37°04′ETARANGIRE 03°50′S 36°00′E
★★★★★5.0(based on 9 reviews)
IOverview
6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari Overview & Highlights
This 6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari brings together gentle elephant herds in Tarangire, big cats in the Serengeti, a full day inside the Ngorongoro caldera, and hands-on coffee making with a refreshing plunge at Materuni Waterfalls.
Every day is private — your own safari guide and 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof. The route starts in Arusha and ends in Arusha, and you choose budget, mid-range or luxury accommodation.
Trip Highlights & Details
Tour Length
6 Days / 5 Nights
Country
Tanzania
Start / End
Arusha → Arusha / JRO
Accommodation
Budget, Mid-range or Luxury
Tour Type
Private Family Safari
Group Size
1–6 Guests
Meal Plan
Full board on safari
Best Travel Period
July – August & December – January
Activity Level
Easy
Major Attractions — 4
- Tarangire National Park
- Serengeti National Park
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Materuni Waterfalls
IIThe Map
6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari Itinerary Highlights
Day 1Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Day 2Karatu Highlands – Central Serengeti
Day 3Full Day Family Safari in Serengeti
Day 4Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area / Karatu Highlands
Day 5Full Day Ngorongoro Crater Floor Safari (Big Five Tour)
Day 6Karatu – Materuni Waterfalls & Chagga Coffee Tour
Safari Route Map – 6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari
IIIRates
6-Day Balanced Family Safari Cost & Price Breakdown (2026 / 2027)
Includes game drives, park fees, accommodation, transport and professional guiding. Per person, no booking fees.
Mid-rangeGreat comfort and value
LuxuryPremium experience with top-tier lodges and service
Important information
All prices are per person and do not include international flights. Final rates may vary based on travel dates, seasonal park fee adjustments, and lodge availability.
Budget 6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Materuni Waterfalls Tour Prices
Single Supplement $180 per person| Group size | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prices From 2026 | $2,070 | $1,430 | $1,330 | $1,230 | $1,190 | $1,130 | $1,090 |
| Rooms | 1 Room | 1 Room | 2 Rooms | 2 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 4 Rooms |
Mid-range 6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Materuni Waterfalls Tour Prices
Single Supplement $350 per person| Group size | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prices From 2026 | $3,050 | $2,100 | $1,950 | $1,810 | $1,740 | $1,660 | $1,600 |
| Rooms | 1 Room | 1 Room | 2 Rooms | 2 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 4 Rooms |
Luxury 6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Materuni Waterfalls Tour Prices
Single Supplement $800 per person| Group size | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prices From 2026 | $5,630 | $3,890 | $3,610 | $3,340 | $3,220 | $3,070 | $2,950 |
| Rooms | 1 Room | 1 Room | 2 Rooms | 2 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 4 Rooms |
High-end 6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Materuni Waterfalls Tour Prices
Single Supplement $1,250 per person| Group size | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prices From 2026 | $9,140 | $6,300 | $5,860 | $5,420 | $5,230 | $4,980 | $4,790 |
| Rooms | 1 Room | 1 Room | 2 Rooms | 2 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 4 Rooms |
Child Policy
Children are very welcome. Children aged 3–15 receive discounts of 30% to 50% on park fees and on lodge rates when sharing a room with adults. Tell us your children’s ages and we’ll price the exact room configuration.
Not sure which option suits you best? Contact us and we’ll help you choose the perfect safari based on your budget and travel style.
Ready to plan your safari? Send us your request and get a customized quote within 24 hours.
Start of Tour
Pre-safari accommodation can be arranged upon request for an additional fee. Please note that it is not included in the package.
Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel prior to the start of the tour. This airport transfer is included in your package.
01
03°50′S 36°00′E
Day 1
Arusha → Tarangire
Your balanced family safari begins with a relaxed morning pickup from your hotel in Arusha. Enjoy a comfortable 2-hour drive on smooth paved tarmac roads through Maasai rural towns to Tarangire National Park.
Celebrated for East Africa’s largest elephant population and giant baobab trees, Tarangire offers immediate wildlife excitement for children without exhausting road transit. Watch elephant families splashing along the riverbanks, tall giraffes browsing acacias, and playful baboons.
Enjoy a safe bush picnic lunch at an elevated river viewpoint. In the late afternoon, drive up the scenic Great Rift Valley escarpment to Karatu, where kids can swim in the lodge pool before an early child-friendly dinner.
Highlights: Gentle elephant nursery herds, warthogs (‘Pumbaa’), swimming pool relaxation
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Child-Friendly Lunch & Dinner.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
2 hrs
Route
120 km
Meals
L · D
Night
Karatu Highlands
02
02°20′S 34°50′E
Day 2
Karatu Highlands → Central Serengeti
After a hearty family breakfast in Karatu, enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and drive along the lush volcanic crater rim before descending across the rolling savannas into Central Serengeti via Naabi Hill Gate. Pass traditional Maasai pastoralists tending cattle alongside wild zebras and gazelles.
Enter the world-famous Seronera Valley and embark on an exciting afternoon game drive in big cat country. Children will be thrilled to spot prides of lions lounging atop granite boulders (just like Pride Rock), cheetahs scanning the open plains, and giraffes browsing acacia trees.
Check into your family wilderness camp at sunset for sundowners and storytelling around the campfire.
Highlights: Real-life ‘Pride Rock’ lion sightings, vast herds of wildebeests and zebras, evening campfire
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic Bush Lunch & Dinner.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
4 to 5 hrs
Route
Serengeti
Meals
B · L · D
Night
Central Serengeti / Seronera
03
02°20′S 34°50′E
Day 3
Full Day Family Safari in Serengeti
Dedicate a full day to exploring the legendary Serengeti National Park at a pace customized for your family. Your private naturalist driver-guide adjusts game drive hours with bathroom breaks, animal trivia, and wildlife spotting games for the kids.
Search for hunting cheetahs, leopards resting in yellow fever trees, and breeding herds of elephants. Visit the Seronera River hippo pools to watch giant hippos honking and splashing in the water.
Midday can be spent enjoying an acacia-shaded bush picnic or returning to camp for lunch and hot-afternoon rest. In the late afternoon, enjoy a golden-hour game drive before returning to camp for dinner under the starry African skies.
Highlights: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, topis, diverse bird species
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Breakfast, Bush Picnic / Camp Lunch & Dinner.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
Full day in park
Route
Game drives
Meals
B · L · D
Night
Central Serengeti / Seronera
04
03°10′S 35°35′E
Day 4
Central Serengeti → Ngorongoro / Karatu Highlands
Greet the morning with a sunrise game drive in the Serengeti to watch predators active in the cool dawn air. After breakfast back at camp, begin an extended game drive heading southeast across the boundless grasslands toward Naabi Hill.
Exit the Serengeti and ascend into the cool volcanic highlands of Ngorongoro. En route, families can enjoy an optional stop at an authentic Maasai Boma to learn traditional fire-making and join local children in the famous Adumu jumping dance.
Arrive in the late afternoon at your Karatu lodge, giving children time to swim in the pool, relax in expansive gardens, and enjoy dinner before tomorrow’s early crater descent.
Highlights: Morning predator search, rolling volcanic landscapes, optional Maasai cultural interaction, lodge pool
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
3 to 4 hrs
Route
Ngorongoro Crater
Meals
B · L · D
Night
Karatu Highlands or Ngorongoro Crater Rim
05
03°10′S 35°35′E
Day 5
Full Day Ngorongoro Crater Floor Safari (Big Five Tour)
Descend 600 meters (2,000 feet) down forested caldera walls early in the morning onto the floor of the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. This unbroken volcanic bowl functions like a natural wildlife sanctuary sheltering over 25,000 large animals, meaning animal sightings are constant and exciting for children without long drives between encounters.
Spot pride lions resting by the tracks, huge bull elephants, hyenas, and search for the rare black rhino. Enjoy a fun family picnic lunch beside the hippo pool at Ngoitoktok Springs.
In the afternoon, ascend the crater rim and take a short 1-hour drive back to your Karatu lodge. Enjoy a full afternoon of swimming, family relaxation, and a peaceful dinner without rushed travel.
Highlights: Guaranteed Big Five encounters, black rhino search, hippo pool picnic, evening pool relaxation
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Breakfast, Bush Picnic Lunch & Dinner.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
45 min
Route
Game drives
Meals
B · L · D
Night
Karatu Highlands
06
03°17′S 37°25′E
Day 6
Karatu → Materuni Waterfalls & Chagga Coffee Tour
After breakfast, depart Karatu and drive east past Arusha to the lush green foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in the village of Materuni. Embark on a fun, guided nature walk suitable for kids through banana and avocado groves to the 80-meter-high Materuni Waterfalls.
Children and parents can take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear natural mountain pool beneath the cascade. Afterwards, join a local Chagga family for an interactive, musical coffee-making tour: kids help grind roasted beans, sing traditional songs, and brew organic coffee from scratch.
Enjoy a traditional hot Chagga lunch before transferring directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight home, or take a short flight to Zanzibar.
Highlights: Guided scenic waterfall walk, swimming in natural mountain plunge pool, hands-on Chagga coffee roasting
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Breakfast & Traditional Chagga Hot Lunch.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
3 hrs
Route
Materuni Waterfalls
Meals
B · L
Night
End of tour — Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Hotel
VThe Fine Print
What’s in the price — and what isn’t.
What is Included
- Private 4x4 customized Land Cruiser
- Professional family-certified guide
- Park and crater fees
- Materuni waterfall entrance & local Chagga guide fees
- Coffee experience
- Family suites/interconnecting rooms
- All meals
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Airport transfers
What is Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa charges
- Tips/gratuities
- Optional balloon rides
Interested in This Tour?
VI
Camps
Family-Friendly Accommodation Options (Interconnecting Rooms & Pools)
This itinerary is available with budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation. The camps and lodges for your chosen tier are listed below.
Typical choices — Budget: Kizumba Campsite Karatu, Fig Tree Lodge, Seronera Public Campsite · Mid-range: Farm of Dreams Lodge Karatu, Country Lodge, Serengeti Heritage Luxury Tented Camp · Luxury: Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti with Discovery Centre.
Mid-range Accommodations During Safari
Luxury Accommodations During Safari
VIIAdd-Ons
Optional Safari Add-Ons – 6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari
Not included in the standard price — arranged on request.
Serengeti · at dawn
Hot Air Balloon Safari
A sunrise balloon flight over the Serengeti plains, followed by a champagne bush breakfast before you rejoin your guide.
USD 450–590 per person
On the route
Maasai Village Cultural Visit
Visit a traditional Maasai community to learn about local culture, traditions and daily life.
USD 30–50 per person
After the safari (3 days)
Zanzibar Beach Extension
Fly from Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar and add a beach stay. Mid-range USD 700–1,200 pp; luxury USD 1,500+ pp.
Budget USD 450–700 pp
Before or after the safari
Extra Night in Arusha
Arrive a day early to rest after your international flight, or add a night before flying home.
Rates on request
Tip: The most requested add-ons on this route are the Hot Air Balloon Safari and the Maasai Village Cultural Visit. Ask us to build them into your dates.
VIIIThe Ground
Where the 6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari Takes You
4 destinations, one private route.
01
Tarangire National Park
Ancient baobabs and some of the largest elephant herds on Earth, gathering along the Tarangire River in the dry season.
02
Serengeti National Park
Endless plains, granite kopjes and the Great Migration — a year-round cycle of more than 1.5 million wildebeest, with Seronera as the predator capital.
03
Ngorongoro Crater
A UNESCO World Heritage Site: the world’s largest intact caldera, with lions, elephants, hippos and one of East Africa’s most reliable chances of seeing black rhino.
04
Materuni Waterfalls
An 80-metre waterfall and a hands-on Chagga coffee roast on the green foothills of Kilimanjaro.
02°S · 34°E — Central SerengetiThe big question
Will You See the Great Migration on the 6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari?
The migration is a year-round loop, not a single event: calving on the southern plains from December to March, the trek north and west from April to June, and the Mara River from July to October.
This route is based in Central Serengeti (Seronera), the park’s predator capital, where lions, leopards and cheetahs live all year. Depending on the month the herds may be close by or further away — tell us your dates and we’ll position the route.
1.5M+Wildebeest on the annual loop
4Migration phases through the year
4Parks & reserves in 6 days
IXSeason
Best Time of Year for a Family Safari in Tanzania
A year-round route — but the season changes everything.
July – August (Summer School Holidays)
Dry season: cool mornings, short grass and wildlife gathered near water — the easiest time for children to spot animals.
December – January (Christmas Holidays)
Warm weather and green plains, with the calving season beginning in the southern Serengeti.
April – May (Long Rains)
April and May bring the long rains. Some roads become muddy and slow and a few remote camps close, but the landscapes are green and quieter.
XFlights
Flight Recommendation – 6-Day Balanced Tanzania Family Safari
Recommended Arrival Flight
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Arrive the day before the safari and spend the night in Arusha, about an hour from Kilimanjaro International (JRO). Regional flights use Arusha Airport (ARK).
Recommended Departure Flight
Kilimanjaro International Airport
The safari finishes in Arusha, about an hour from Kilimanjaro International (JRO). Book international departures after 6:00 PM.
XIExtras
Supplementary (not included) costs
Below are the optional or personal expenses not included in your safari package. They are arranged in order of importance and impact on your trip.
Travellers need a Tanzania tourist visa.
- USD 50 per person for most nationalities
- USD 100 for U.S. citizens (multiple entry)
- Apply online (eVisa) or on arrival
- Passports should be valid for at least six months
A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk.
Highly recommended. Choose cover that includes medical evacuation from remote parks.
Safari packages exclude international airfare. Book your arrival and departure around the start and end points shown in the Flights section.
Tipping is customary but always your choice. Our recommended guidelines:
- $15–$25/day for private driver-guide
- $10–$15 for Materuni local community guide
Guide tips are per vehicle per day, not per person or per child.
- Soft drinks: USD $3 – $5
- Local beer: USD $4 – $6
- Wine/spirits: USD $7 – $20
Drinking water is provided in the vehicle during your safari; sodas, alcoholic beverages and specialty coffees are charged separately at the lodges.
Souvenirs, snacks, toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent and other personal items are not included. Costs depend on your own needs and shopping choices.
XIIWhy Us
Why Book With Us
True local ownership and operation
As a safari company rooted in local ownership, we eliminate unnecessary costs associated with intermediary sales agents, providing you with direct savings.
Best Price Guaranteed
Crafting a safari that delivers unparalleled experiences, from exceptional wildlife viewing to luxurious lodgings and unforgettable moments. We strive to minimize your expenses, eliminating unnecessary costs.
24/7 Customer Service
We excel in providing personalized customer concierge services, ensuring your safari needs are taken care of from the moment you plan your trip until you board your homeward flight.
Expert Safari Guides
Our guides are very knowledgeable and experts in the field. They will be your moving encyclopedias for all the information that you may want while on safari.
5.0 from 9 reviews
Customer Reviews
★★★★★
Amazing Trip around Kenya and Tanzania
My wife and I did a 7-day safari with Active Wonders last August, visiting both Kenya and Tanzania, and honestly, we couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out. We got super lucky with our drivers and guides — Patrick in Kenya and Six in Tanzania were awesome. They really know their stuff, driving like pros without even needing GPS, and they were amazing at spotting animals and finding the best views.
D
Daniel BravoSpain 🇪🇸
★★★★★
Great 8-day safari in northern Tanzania
Overall, I had a great 8-day safari experience with Active Wonders Safari. Communication before and after the booking was always prompt and effective. The lodges during our trip ranged from decent to good, and the food was mostly good — sometimes even excellent.
M
Martin WGermany 🇩🇪
★★★★★
Fantastic Safari Experience in Tanzania
We booked our East Africa trip through Imara Africa Safaris, and the Tanzania portion was organized by their partner, Active Wonders Safaris. It was an unforgettable experience filled with adventure, incredible wildlife, and genuine hospitality. Our guide, Amiri (goes by the name Cheena), was absolutely exceptional — knowledgeable, patient, and passionate.
J
Jay TrivediUnited States 🇺🇸
★★★★★
An adventure beyond my expectations. Brilliant
This was such an amazing trip that covered the Ngorongoro crater area with all its wildlife roaming freely, the Serengeti and the migration of the wildebeest crossing over into Kenya. Wonderful varied accommodation from well equipped tents with all amenities to hotels and lodges. Zebras, lions with cubs, bathing hippos, leopards during the night safari and numerous birds. Elephants and giraffes were everywhere — all in all a fabulous tour.
C
ColleenAustralia 🇦🇺
★★★★★
Who could ask for more?
Being river crossing time of year our anticipation of this safari to begin our visit to Tanzania was high and was realised. We departed Arusha and headed for Tarangire National Park. As expected the elephants were prolific and backed up with many other wildlife to keep us happy as well. We stayed at Elephant Lodge which is constructed from old shipping containers. It was terrific — nice accommodation, food and lovely staff.
T
Truddy WaltonAustralia 🇦🇺
★★★★★
Allano was fun, prepared, and accommodating
If you’re looking for the ultimate safari experience, look no further than Active Wonders Safari! Our adventure in Tanzania and Kenya was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the impeccable planning and guidance from Allano himself. From the moment we arrived, Allano took care of every detail, ensuring that our safaris, travel, lodging, and meals were perfectly coordinated.
L
Lindsey RobertsonGermany 🇩🇪
★★★★★
A dream come true for us, amazing safari trip!
We booked direct with Active Wonders (Allano) and from the very beginning, the communication has been great and he has been very transparent as well. We booked 5-nights Luxury Safari covering all parts of Serengeti all the way to the north. Thank you so much for accommodating our group since we kept adding people — we ended up with a group of 9! During the trip we got 2 cars and 2 drivers (Amini and Mariki), and Allano also came along.
J
JohannesIndonesia 🇮🇩
★★★★★
Safari with Wonderful Team
We had an amazing 10-day safari in Tanzania with our wonderful guide, Baraka. We learned so much from him about the country, its people, and the incredible wildlife. He was also a pleasure to be around! A special thanks to Active Wonders Safaris for organizing such a memorable trip. Everything was perfectly arranged.
B
Benoit RSpain 🇪🇸
★★★★★
We are definitely going back with them
If you’re looking for the ultimate safari experience, look no further than Active Wonders Safari! Our adventure in Tanzania and Kenya was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the impeccable planning and guidance from Allano himself. His knowledge and passion for wildlife were evident throughout the journey.
W
Repeat guestUnited States 🇺🇸
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions – 6-Day Tanzania Family Safari
Everything travellers ask us about this route. Can’t find it here? We reply within hours.
The price depends on your group size, accommodation tier and travel dates. The rates table above shows the per-person price for every group size; send us your dates for an exact, all-inclusive quote with no booking fees.
Yes. The trail is gentle with gradual inclines, local walking sticks are available, and children as young as 4 complete it with their family.
Children can swim in the pool at the foot of the falls under adult supervision. The water is cold, and your local guide will show you where it is safe to go in.
Safari lodges and camp cooks prepare kid-friendly favorites (pasta, french fries, fresh fruit, grilled chicken) and easily cater to gluten-free or dairy-free requests.
Car seats and booster seats can be installed in your private Land Cruiser upon advance request.
Materuni is only 45 minutes to an hour from Kilimanjaro International Airport, so evening international departures after 6:00 PM suit this day comfortably.
XIIIYour Trip
Request Your Personalized Safari Proposal
Tell us how you like to travel and we will put together a personalised proposal for this route – dates, camps and a firm price per person. No payment is required at this stage.
No payment is required at this stage. We reply by email and WhatsApp, usually within a few hours.
