12-Day Private Tanzania Big Five Safari with Serengeti and Ngorongoro

12 Days Round trip from Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport) Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti on one private safari
  • 02 Look for the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino
  • 03 Search for rhinos in Ngorongoro Crater, one of the best places on this route to spot them
  • 04 Stay in comfortable mid-range lodges throughout the journey
  • 05 Travel with your own private vehicle and guide for a slower-paced safari

Enjoy a private 12-day, 11-night safari through Tanzania's northern parks with your own vehicle and guide. Visit Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti as you look for the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino, with rhinos mostly seen in Ngorongoro Crater. Stay in comfortable mid-range lodges throughout the journey. This safari is best for couples, families, and small groups who want a slow, private safari, with full board included from breakfast to dinner.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 12 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, Arusha National Park

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and Transfer to Arusha

  • Arrival: You arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport, where your driver meets you.
  • Drive: You drive for about 1 hour to your hotel in Arusha.
  • Briefing: You receive a short tour briefing and then rest.
  • Dinner and overnight: Dinner and overnight in Arusha.
2
Day 02

Tarangire Game Drive Among Baobabs and Wildlife

  • Drive: After breakfast, you drive for about 2 hours to Tarangire.
  • Game drive: You spend the day on a game drive, looking for elephant herds, lions, leopards, buffalo, and giraffes.
  • Sights: You see giant baobab trees and the Tarangire River.
  • Lunch: Picnic lunch in the park.
  • Dinner and overnight: Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
3
Day 03

Lake Manyara Wildlife Viewing and Drive to Karatu

  • Drive: After breakfast, you drive to Lake Manyara National Park.
  • Game drive: You spend the morning on a game drive, looking for hippos, elephants, baboons, giraffes, flamingos, and many birds.
  • Lunch: You have a picnic lunch.
  • Drive: In the afternoon, you drive to Karatu.
  • Dinner and overnight: Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
4
Day 04

Ngorongoro Crater Rim Views and Big Five Search

  • Drive: After an early breakfast, you drive up to the crater rim for views.
  • Crater descent: You go down into the crater (about 600 m deep) for a half-day game drive.
  • Wildlife: This is the best place to look for black rhinos, along with lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and hyenas.
  • Lunch: Picnic lunch at the hippo pool.
  • Return: In the afternoon, you return to Karatu.
  • Dinner and overnight: Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
5
Day 05

Drive Through the Ngorongoro Highlands to Central Serengeti

  • Drive: After breakfast, you drive through the Ngorongoro highlands to the Serengeti.
  • Stop: On the way, you can stop at Olduvai Gorge, the "Cradle of Mankind".
  • Game drive: You start your game drive across the Serengeti plains, looking for lions, cheetahs, and large herds.
  • Lunch: Picnic lunch on the way.
  • Dinner and overnight: Dinner and overnight in Central Serengeti.
6
Day 06

Full-Day Seronera Safari with Optional Balloon Ride

  • Game drive: You spend the full day around Seronera, a good area for big cats.
  • Wildlife: You look for lions, leopards in the trees, cheetahs, and buffalo.
  • Optional: You can also add a sunrise hot air balloon safari (extra cost).
  • Lunch: Picnic lunch in the park.
  • Dinner and overnight: Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
7
Day 07

Game Drive North Through the Serengeti

  • Game drive: After breakfast, you drive north on a game drive through the Serengeti.
  • Wildlife: You look for elephants, giraffes, lions, and large herds along the way.
  • Lunch: Picnic lunch on the way.
  • Dinner and overnight: Dinner and overnight in North Serengeti.
8
Day 08

Mara River Exploration in North Serengeti

  • Exploration: You spend the full day exploring the north, near the Mara River.
  • Seasonal wildlife: In the right months, you can see wildebeest herds and river crossings.
  • Wildlife: You also look for lions, leopards, and elephants.
  • Lunch: Picnic lunch in the park.
  • Dinner and overnight: Dinner and overnight at your camp or lodge.
9
Day 09

Return South from North Serengeti to Karatu

  • Drive: After an early breakfast, you start a long drive south out of the Serengeti, with game viewing on the way.
  • Return: You return to Karatu in the late afternoon.
  • Dinner and overnight: Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
10
Day 10

Drive Back to Arusha with Time to Rest

  • Drive: After breakfast, you drive back to Arusha (3 to 4 hours).
  • Stop: You can stop for souvenirs on the way.
  • Rest: In the afternoon, you rest at your hotel.
  • Dinner and overnight: Dinner and overnight in Arusha.
11
Day 11

Arusha National Park and Cultural Market Visit

  • Visit: After breakfast, you visit Arusha National Park for a short game drive and a walk.
  • Wildlife and sights: You can see giraffes, buffalo, monkeys, and Mount Meru.
  • Visit: In the afternoon, you can visit the Arusha cultural market for souvenirs.
  • Dinner and overnight: Dinner and overnight in Arusha.
12
Day 12

Departure Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport

  • Check out: After breakfast, you check out.
  • Transfer: Your driver takes you to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home.
  • End: The tour ends.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport) 8 cities · 12 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • English-speaking professional driver-guide
  • Park entrance fees (Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Arusha)
  • Crater service fee and vehicle fees
  • Accommodation for 11 nights
  • Meals as listed
  • Drinking water during the safari
  • Government taxes and VAT

What's Not Included

  • International flights
  • Tanzania visa
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Drinks (soft and alcoholic)
  • Tips for driver and staff
  • Personal items (laundry, phone, souvenirs)
  • Hot air balloon safari (about US $550 to $600 per person)
  • Optional activities not listed

What to bring

  • Documents and money: Passport and Tanzania visa, insurance papers, flight tickets, yellow fever certificate if needed, and small US dollar notes for tips

  • Clothes: Light long-sleeve shirts and trousers in neutral colours (khaki, green, brown), a warm jacket and fleece for cold mornings and evenings, a light rain jacket, closed walking shoes, a sun hat, sunglasses, and swimwear

  • Safari gear: Binoculars, a camera with extra batteries and memory cards, a power bank, sunscreen, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, and a small day bag

  • Health: Personal medicine, anti-malaria tablets (ask your doctor), motion sickness tablets, hand sanitiser, and wet wipes

Know before you go

  • Note: The Big Five are not guaranteed. Your guide will give you the best chances.

  • Hotels (examples, please confirm): Final hotels depend on your budget, season, and availability.

  • Prices for 2026 (sample, please confirm): These are sample prices only. Serengeti fees are high, and prices go up in high season (June to October, December to February). Please confirm before booking.

  • Tips: Use soft bags, not hard suitcases. Bring a universal plug adaptor. Plastic bags are not allowed in Tanzania.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Kilimanjaro Airport
Tour start
Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport)
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 12 days finish where they began, in Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport).

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Starting from

USD 5,500 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $6,800.00 — $8,900.00
Double Sharing $5,700.00 — $7,500.00
Triple Sharing $5,500.00 — $7,300.00

When

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