5-Day Northern Tanzania Luxury Safari with Ngorongoro and Serengeti

5 Days Round trip from Arusha Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 See the African Big Five in northern Tanzania
02 Explore the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater
03 Experience the endless savannah plains of the Serengeti
04 Look out for big cats, including lions, leopards, and cheetah
05 Enjoy rewarding bird life experiences across Ngorongoro and Serengeti

Enjoy an upscale lodge safari as you explore the scenic, wildlife-rich landscapes of northern Tanzania with Light on Africa Safaris. This safari begins and ends in Arusha and visits some of northern Tanzania’s premier national parks, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the renowned Serengeti National Park. Watch for the African Big Five - lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinoceros - along with abundant wildlife and more than 500 bird species. The itinerary can be tailored to your preferences, with adjustments available to accommodations and destinations upon request.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Luxury

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and Transfer to Arusha

After arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will meet and greet a Lights on Africa member and be transferred to your luxury hotel in Arusha for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel Gran Melia Arusha or similar
Meals plan: Bed and breakfast included
Themes: Game Drives

Day 02

Ngorongoro Crater Full-Day Game Drive

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel, then you will be picked up by your safari guide and drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a day of game viewing.
You will descend into the crater for a full day of game driving.
The crater is filled with zebras, buffaloes, lions, wildebeest, baboons, elephants, flamingos, ostriches, hippos, and also the rare black rhinos.
The beautiful colors and dancing clouds make the crater almost surreal.
Because of its natural beauty, the Ngorongoro Crater has been chosen as one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders.
Big Five animals are easily seen in this area.
The area offers a high density of wildlife in every square mile.
You will enjoy your picnic lunch near the hippo pool.
Continue with game driving until evening, then return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Lodge member of Melia or similar
Meals plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Hotspots: Ngorongoro Crater
Themes: Game Drives

Day 03

Drive to Serengeti and Explore Seronera Valley

After breakfast, depart the lodge and drive to Serengeti National Park for a game drive.
The central Serengeti offers superb game viewing all year due to its abundance of resident animals.
The Seronera River Valley in particular is a "must see" on every safari, regardless of the specific month of travel.
That said, game viewing in this area of the park is at its best during the dry season (June-November), as resident animals are more concentrated in the immediate area due to the lack of water on the plains.
Resident herbivores include impala, buffalo, hippo, warthog, topi, hartebeest, and giraffe.
Resident carnivores include lion and leopard.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at a picnic site, then continue exploring the great savannah plains.
Drive back to your lodge for evening leisure and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Melia Serengeti Lodge member of Melia or similar
Meals plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Hotspots: Serengeti National Park, Game Drive
Themes: Game Drives

Day 04

Full-Day Game Drive in Central Serengeti

After breakfast, we depart for a full-day game drive in Central Serengeti.
Serengeti occupies an area of almost 15,000 square km. It hosts abundant wildlife, and around 500 bird species have been recorded, ranging from the large ostriches and bizarre secretary bird of the open grassland to the black eagles.
Stop for a picnic lunch, then proceed with exploring the beautiful scenic savannah landscapes of the endless plains.
Later in the evening, drive to the lodge for evening leisure and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Melia Serengeti Lodge member of Melia Collection or similar
Meals plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Hotspots: Game Drive
Themes: Game Drives

Day 05

Return to Arusha with En-Route Game Viewing

After breakfast, drive to Arusha while enjoying game viewing en route for the animals and birds you did not spot earlier.
Enjoy a picnic lunch en route to Arusha.
You will be dropped at Kilimanjaro International Airport to fly back home, or at your hotel in case you extend your stay.
Themes: Game Drives