The full northern-circuit route — Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater — done camping rather than in lodges, which keeps the cost down without changing the game viewing. Nights are spent in the parks' public campsites and a mobile camp, with a crew who pitch and strike camp and cook hot meals.
The five days take in Manyara's groundwater forest and lake, three sections of the Serengeti, and a full descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, with the drive back to Arusha past Olduvai Gorge.
Leave Arusha in the morning and drive to Lake Manyara. Lunch at the campsite, then an afternoon game drive in the park — groundwater forest, elephant, flamingos on the lake and the chance of a tree-climbing lion. Dinner and overnight at camp.
After breakfast, drive up the Rift Valley escarpment and across the Ngorongoro highlands into the Serengeti, game viewing with a picnic lunch on the way. Dinner and overnight at camp in the park.
A full day exploring the plains of the Serengeti, with game drives around the Seronera and Ndutu areas and a sunset drive before dinner. Overnight at camp in the park.
Morning game drive as you leave the Serengeti, then the drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area via Olduvai Gorge. Dinner and overnight at a campsite on the crater rim.
An early descent to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive — the best chance on the trip of black rhino, alongside lion, elephant, buffalo and flamingo. Picnic lunch in the crater, then the drive back to Arusha in the afternoon.