Tour Overview

Experience three of northern Tanzania’s most celebrated safari destinations on a five-day journey through Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

 

The itinerary is designed around rewarding wildlife viewing, varied landscapes and opportunities to look for elephants, big cats, buffalo, giraffes, plains game and other iconic African wildlife, with the possibility of seeing the Big Five across the wider journey.

Destinations

Tarangire National Park

Elephants, baobabs, river landscapes and seasonal wildlife concentrations

Serengeti National Park

Open plains, predators, abundant wildlife and seasonal migration activity

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Spectacular crater scenery and concentrated wildlife viewing

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Your Safari Journey

Day-by-Day Safari Itinerary

Five carefully planned days connect Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, balancing scenic travel with rewarding wildlife viewing and time inside each destination.

Duration 5 Days / 4 Nights
Safari Style Private Wildlife Safari
Starts Arusha
Ends Arusha
Day 01

Depart Arusha with your private safari guide and travel toward Tarangire National Park, the first wildlife destination of your five-day safari.

Spend the day exploring landscapes shaped by ancient baobab trees, acacia woodland, seasonal wetlands and the Tarangire River. Look for elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, antelope and predators while enjoying your first game drive.

After your safari, continue to your confirmed accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Destination Tarangire National Park
Main Activity Wildlife Game Drive
Overnight Tarangire Area
Suggested Accommodation

Where You Could Stay Tonight

Tarangire
Mid-Range
Tarangire Safari Lodge

A comfortable safari lodge inside Tarangire with easy access to the park and a classic safari atmosphere.

Luxury
Nimali Tarangire

An intimate luxury tented property on a private conservancy bordering the Tarangire ecosystem.

Accommodation is suggested and remains subject to availability, season and your confirmed package.
Game Drive Elephants Baobabs Photography
Day 02

After breakfast, depart for Serengeti National Park, travelling through the changing landscapes of northern Tanzania toward one of Africa's most celebrated wildlife areas.

As you enter the Serengeti, open grasslands and varied habitats begin to dominate the scenery. Start searching for lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest and other wildlife during your afternoon game drive.

Continue to your confirmed Serengeti lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.

Destination Serengeti National Park
Main Activity Transfer & Game Drive
Overnight Central Serengeti
Suggested Accommodation

Where You Could Stay Tonight

Serengeti
Mid-Range
Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp

A comfortable tented camp in central Serengeti offering an immersive safari atmosphere close to productive wildlife areas.

Luxury
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

A luxury lodge in central Serengeti offering spacious accommodation and sweeping savannah views.

Accommodation is suggested and remains subject to availability, season and your confirmed package.
Serengeti Game Drive Predators Plains Wildlife
Day 03

Spend a full day exploring Serengeti National Park with your private safari guide. Your exact game-drive route can be adjusted according to seasonal wildlife movement, road conditions and recent wildlife activity.

Search for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest, antelope and other wildlife while experiencing the park's famous open landscapes.

Depending on the season and area of travel, you may also encounter activity associated with the Great Migration. Migration locations and river crossings remain natural and cannot be guaranteed.

Destination Serengeti National Park
Main Activity Full-Day Game Drive
Overnight Central Serengeti
Suggested Accommodation

Where You Could Stay Tonight

Serengeti
Mid-Range
Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp

Continue at the same central Serengeti camp, avoiding an unnecessary accommodation change.

Luxury
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

Continue your stay in the same luxury Serengeti lodge after your full-day game drive.

Staying at the same Serengeti accommodation on Days 2 and 3 reduces packing and gives you more usable safari time.
Full-Day Safari Big Cats Photography Migration Season
Day 04

Begin the day with another opportunity to explore the Serengeti and look for wildlife during your morning game drive.

Later, begin travelling toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The landscape gradually changes as the safari leaves the Serengeti plains and approaches the volcanic highlands of Ngorongoro.

Arrive at your confirmed accommodation for dinner and overnight, ready for the following day's crater safari.

Route Serengeti → Ngorongoro
Main Activity Game Drive & Transfer
Overnight Ngorongoro / Karatu
Suggested Accommodation

Where You Could Stay Tonight

Ngorongoro
Mid-Range
Ngorongoro Farm House

A comfortable country-style lodge near Karatu, well positioned for the following Ngorongoro Crater excursion.

Luxury
Ngorongoro Lodge Meliá Collection

A luxury option in the Ngorongoro area with premium accommodation and dramatic highland scenery.

Accommodation is suggested and remains subject to availability, season and your confirmed package.
Morning Safari Scenic Journey Ngorongoro Highlands
Day 05

After breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for the final major wildlife experience of your five-day safari.

Explore grassland, wetland and forest habitats across the crater floor while looking for lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, hyenas, zebra, antelope and other wildlife.

Ngorongoro also offers the possibility of seeing endangered black rhino, although sightings cannot be guaranteed. After the crater game drive, travel back to Arusha where your safari ends.

Destination Ngorongoro Crater
Main Activity Crater Game Drive
Safari Finish Arusha
Optional Post-Safari Stay

Staying Overnight in Arusha?

Arusha
Mid-Range
Arusha Planet Lodge

A comfortable Arusha accommodation option with gardens, spacious rooms and a swimming pool.

Luxury
Gran Meliá Arusha

A premium city stay offering contemporary rooms, gardens and high-end facilities.

Day 5 accommodation is optional because the standard five-day safari finishes in Arusha.
Crater Safari Wildlife Rhino Opportunity Return to Arusha

Safari & accommodation note: Wildlife remains completely natural and exact sightings cannot be guaranteed. Accommodation displayed represents suggested mid-range and luxury options and remains subject to availability, rates, season and your confirmed package. Equivalent properties may be used where necessary.

Know Before You Travel

What's Included in Your 5-Day Safari

Your safari can be tailored by accommodation category and travel preferences. Final inclusions are confirmed in your personalised quotation.

Included

  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with viewing roof
  • Professional English-speaking Tanzania safari guide
  • All scheduled game drives described in the itinerary
  • National park and conservation entry fees for the listed itinerary
  • Four nights of accommodation in your confirmed category
  • Meals according to your confirmed safari itinerary
  • Drinking water during safari game drives
  • Safari transfers between Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Arusha
×

Not Included

  • International and domestic flights unless specifically quoted
  • Tanzania visa and immigration costs
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Guide and lodge staff gratuities
  • Alcoholic beverages, premium drinks and personal expenses
  • Laundry unless included by your chosen accommodation
  • Optional activities such as Serengeti balloon safaris
  • Zanzibar or other extensions not specified in the itinerary

Important: Accommodation, meals, transfers and optional activities are finalised in your quotation. Park fees and government charges may also change before travel and will be reflected in the final confirmed package.

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Plan Your 5-Day Big Five Safari

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Your Journey 5 Days / 4 Nights Tarangire • Serengeti • Ngorongoro Private Safari Start & Finish: Arusha
Safari Questions

5-Day Big Five Safari FAQs

Helpful answers about wildlife, timing, accommodation and what to expect from this northern Tanzania safari.

Will I definitely see all of the Big Five?

No wildlife sighting can be guaranteed. This itinerary visits excellent wildlife areas and offers opportunities to look for lion, elephant, buffalo and other iconic species. Ngorongoro also provides a chance to see black rhino, but sightings remain entirely natural.

Is this a private safari?

The standard itinerary is designed as a private safari with your own vehicle and professional safari guide, giving you flexibility during game drives.

What is the best time for this safari?

The route can be enjoyed throughout the year. June to October is popular for drier safari conditions, while January to March can offer green landscapes and seasonal wildlife activity. Conditions differ between destinations and seasons.

Where will we stay?

Accommodation is selected according to your preferred comfort level and budget. Options may include safari lodges, tented camps and other carefully selected properties near or inside the safari areas.

Can I add a Serengeti balloon safari?

Yes. A balloon safari can be added subject to availability and the area of Serengeti included in your confirmed itinerary. It is priced separately.

Can this safari be combined with Zanzibar?

Yes. Zanzibar can be added after the safari for a bush-and-beach journey. We can also combine this itinerary with Kilimanjaro, additional safari parks or other Tanzania experiences.

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