Tanzania · Safari

5-Day Tanzania Safari to Ndutu, Ngorongoro and Tarangire

5 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Observe the wildebeest migration on the short-grass plains of Southern Serengeti and Ndutu
  • 02 Look out for cheetahs, lions, hyenas, and leopards during the calving season
  • 03 Enjoy game viewing in Ngorongoro Crater with a chance to spot the Big Five in one day
  • 04 Explore Tarangire's scenic landscape of ancient baobab trees and deserted termite mounds
  • 05 Discover Lake Manyara's diverse habitats and its legendary tree-climbing lions

This 5-day budget safari is designed to maximize your chances of witnessing the magnificent wildebeest migration during the Ndutu calving season in Tanzania's Southern Serengeti and Ndutu regions. From January to March, thousands of wildebeest graze on the rich short-grass plains, while predator action peaks with excellent chances to spot cheetahs, lions, hyenas, and leopards. The journey also includes Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park, each offering its own unique landscapes and wildlife experiences.

This 5-day budget safari is designed to maximize your chances of witnessing the magnificent wildebeest migration during the Ndutu calving season in Tanzania's Southern Serengeti and Ndutu regions.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Budget
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Arusha, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park
Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arusha to Tarangire National Park and Karatu

  • You will depart from Arusha in the morning and drive to Tarangire National Park, where you will discover the true enormity of the deserted termite mounds and ancient baobab trees. The wildlife roaming the scenic landscape of Tarangire includes lions, giraffes, warthogs, ostriches, impalas, cheetahs, mongoose, buffaloes, and baboons.
  • You will spend your first night at Karatu Tented Lodge, where a tantalizing dinner will be served in the evening.
2
Day 02

Karatu to Southern Serengeti and Ndutu

  • We will depart for Serengeti National Park after you have finished your appetizing breakfast. If you are lucky, you may encounter the odd animal en route, as we pass via the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. At lunchtime, your driver will set and prepare the table for a full meal lunch. After lunch, proceed with an evening game drive before continuing to Ndutu Katikati Camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
  • The southern Serengeti ecosystem includes the Lake Ndutu area, which is located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Like most of the other Rift lakes, Lake Ndutu is alkaline, but despite this, a variety of local wildlife uses the water, making it safe to drink. The short-grass plains are typically home to the majority of the wildebeest migration, which occurs from December to April. The area is also densely inhabited by resident game, birds, and elephants.
3
Day 03

Full Game Drive in Southern Serengeti

  • After breakfast this morning, you will enjoy a full game drive in Southern Serengeti.

The Serengeti, Tanzania's oldest and most well-known national park, is recognized for its yearly migration, during which over 300,000 Thomson's gazelles and more than 200,000 zebras swarm the open plains in search of new grazing. It is also recognized as a World Heritage Site and was recently named the seventh wonder of the world. Nonetheless, the Serengeti provides some of the most breathtaking game viewing in Africa, even during quieter migration periods. Large herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephants and giraffes, and countless numbers of eland, topi, kongoni, impala, and Grant's gazelles can all be seen here.

  • In the evening, you will transfer to Ndutu Katikati Camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
4
Day 04

Sunrise Game Drive to Ngorongoro Crater

  • Today, we wake up early and start the day with a beautiful sunrise game drive heading to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The journey to the park is an adventure in itself, as you traverse winding roads through breathtaking scenery.

Few safari destinations produce the same experience as the Ngorongoro Crater - the game viewing is simply effortless. Most animals remain within the crater because of its high walls, making this the perfect location to view every member of the Big Five in one day. We will have a wonderful picnic lunch inside the crater. The unfilled caldera is also home to hyenas, hippos, zebra, wildebeest, and an impressive variety of water birds. Your guide will enlighten you by sharing facts about the animals and vegetation, while also locating hidden animals.

  • In the evening, you will proceed to Karatu Tented Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
5
Day 05

Lake Manyara National Park and Return to Arusha

  • Today in the morning after breakfast, nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park provides picturesque and varied scenery. We will have a picnic lunch in the beautiful park. Its assorted habitats, including rainforest, Soda Lake, and savannah, support a highly diverse ecosystem. With over four hundred bird species, some of which are migratory, the reserve is a birdwatcher's delight. Lake Manyara is home to the legendary tree-climbing lions as well as buffalo, elephants, giraffes, impalas, and hippos.
  • Your trip will come to an end, and you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
  • Alternatively, continue to your booked hotel for an overnight stay in Arusha.

End of tour.

Southern Serengeti short-grass plains, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara rainforest, Tarangire National Park baobabs

Where this trip takes you

Southern Serengeti short-grass plains, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara rainforest, Tarangire National Park baobabs

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Arusha 5 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All applicable park entry fees as per the program
  • Government taxes and local levies
  • Unlimited game drives and all activities, unless labeled as optional
  • Services of an English-speaking professional driver-guide
  • All taxes/VAT
  • Pick-up and drop-off at the airport
  • Picnic lunch or hot lunch on safari, depending on the onward program
  • Meals on a full-board basis and accommodation on safari as indicated in the shared program, unless listed as an upgrade
  • Unlimited drinking water
  • Refreshments during the safari in the safari vehicle
  • Private transport in a customized pop-up-top 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with plugs to charge mobiles and cameras, an intercooler to keep drinks cold, and a full AC system

What's Not Included

  • International flights (from/to home)
  • Domestic flight (from Arusha to Zanzibar)
  • Medical/luggage insurance
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 per person per day)
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa entry fees upon arrival at the airport, etc.)
  • Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees
  • Any extra orders at meals are not included. Set menu meals are part of the package.

What to bring

  • Camera and memory cards
  • Sweater or fleece pullover to keep warm
  • Sturdy boots or sandals
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • T-shirts or polo shirts (2-5, depending on how often you want to change)
  • Lightweight long-sleeve shirts
  • Shorts
  • Long trousers
  • Socks
  • Sleepwear
  • Travel towel
  • Thermal underwear, gloves, and a warm hat (during May-Sept)
  • Raincoat and rain trousers (during the rainy season, Mar-May and Oct-Dec)
  • Binoculars
  • Sunscreen
  • Wet wipes
  • Insect repellent
  • Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, eye drops, etc.)
  • Malaria tablets
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Chargers and extra batteries for your camera, phone, etc.
  • Power adapter for the UK-style electrical socket

Know before you go

  • This tour starts and ends in Arusha.
  • The operator can help select your international or domestic flights, but you must book them yourself.
  • Fly to/from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO - check price) near Arusha. Or fly to/from Arusha Airport (ARK - check price) via Dar es Salaam or Nairobi (Kenya).
  • A transfer from and back to the airport is included.
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Arusha, Tanzania
Tour start
Arusha, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 5 days finish where they began, in Arusha.

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Starting from

USD 1,750 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,750.00 — $4,145.00
Double Sharing $1,750.00 — $2,470.00

When

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