5-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari with Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Spot the 'big 5' in the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater
• 02 Experience thrilling game drives in Tarangire National Park
• 03 Enjoy Lake Manyara National Park, a birding paradise with more than 350 species
• 04 Picnic in the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater, the '8th Wonder of the World'
• 05 Spend free time in Arusha to relax or visit the Maasai Market

Embark on a fun-filled 5-day wildlife safari in Tanzania, with arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and a private transfer to Arusha. Explore Tarangire National Park, the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park, enjoying diverse wildlife, birdlife, and scenic picnic lunches along the way. This safari combines classic game drives with comfortable lodge and tented camp stays, plus free time in Arusha before your included return transfer to the airport.

Lake Manyara National Park is a birding paradise that has more than 350 species of birds.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Tanzania and Transfer to Arusha

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Tanzania, at any time.
• You will be met by our team and transferred privately to Outpost Lodge in Arusha. In the evening, we will hold a pre-safari briefing and confirm your mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
• Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Outpost Lodge on a half-board basis.

2

Day 02

Tarangire National Park Game Drive

• After breakfast at an East African hotel in Arusha and a safari briefing, depart for Tarangire National Park.
• Enjoy a thrilling game drive through the park's vastness, followed by lunch.
• In the afternoon, continue game driving through the park before dinner and an overnight stay at Migunga Forest Tented Lodge on a full-board basis.

3

Day 03

Ngorongoro Crater Wildlife Experience

• Today, visit the largest intact volcanic crater in the world, the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater.
• With over 2,000 feet of depth and 12 miles in diameter, the crater is home to one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, including the 'big 5' - lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard.
• Enjoy a picnic lunch in this world-class attraction, the '8th Wonder of the World.' Overnight at Migunga Forest Tented Lodge on a full-board basis.

4

Day 04

Lake Manyara National Park Safari

• Depart from the lodge and proceed to Lake Manyara National Park.
• Although small, the park is one of the most diverse reserves in the country, covering two-thirds of the park.
• At the backdrop is the wall of the Great Rift Valley, before which lies the groundwater forest, areas of open grassland near the lake foreshore, and Soda Lake.
• Enjoy a picnic lunch in this area, which consists of open grassy areas, hot springs, dense woodlands, and steep mountainsides.
• Lake Manyara National Park is a birding paradise that has more than 350 species of birds.
• We will leave Lake Manyara National Park in the afternoon and depart to Arusha for dinner and an overnight stay at Outpost Lodge on a half-board basis.

5

Day 05

Free Morning in Arusha and Departure

• After breakfast, enjoy a free morning to relax at the hotel or visit the Maasai Market.
• After lunch in Arusha town, depart for Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). The return transfer to the airport is included.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Full-board accommodation whilst on safari in the above-mentioned en suite tented camps and lodges
• Private safari guide
• Private 4 x 4 safari jeep with pop-up roof for game viewing
• Transfers in both directions between the International Airport
• Park fees
• Crater fees
• Airport arrival/departure meet and greets at the airport
• On safari - vehicles equipped with an ice chest with mineral water, a wildlife guidebook, and a Karibuni welcome packet with useful information for all guests
• Government taxes, VAT, and service charges relating to accommodation and included meals

What's Not Included

• Tanzania visa: $50 per person on arrival; USA and Canada passport holders, USD 100
• Personal expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
• Meals not listed above
• Optional tours (balloon rides USD 500 per person, etc.)
• Tips and any items of a personal nature

What to bring

• A backpack
• While there is plenty of room in our safari vehicles for your giant suitcase, it's always handy to have a more manageable bag that you can keep with you in the vehicle.
• A warm sweater or light fleece
• Nights and mornings in East Africa can be cold, so it's always good to have something a little warmer to throw on until the sun warms the plains up.
• You can check below for a better idea of what to wear on safari.
• A windbreaker or waterproof jacket
• You never know when there will be a sudden storm or downpour, so packing a lightweight rain jacket is a good idea.
• While you'll be safe and dry inside your safari vehicle, a rain jacket is a good option for when you're getting about camp.
• Walking shoes or boots
• Much of your safari takes place within your safari vehicle. Still, you'll need a comfortable pair of shoes or hiking boots for walking to your lodges, snapping photos from the picnic spot, or if you've added any walking safaris to your itinerary.
• Even in the car, you'll want a pair of comfortable shoes that cover your skin to prevent sunburn and insect bites.
• A long-sleeve dress shirt and trousers
• Perfect for sun protection and to ward off hungry mosquitoes, a long-sleeve shirt and trousers are also a good option for a cold morning or evening.
• If you're staying in more excellent lodges, you'll also want these handy for dinner and drinks at the end of a long day.
• Sunglasses
• The sun in East Africa can be pretty intense, so sunglasses are an excellent protective measure and have the benefit of reducing glare while you're game-viewing.
• Hat
• Sun protection should be a priority while you're on safari. While your vehicle provides shade, having the top up for game-viewing means you'll be exposed to the elements.
• A good hat is a great way to avoid nasty burns or heatstroke.
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Another valuable precaution against the often harsh equatorial sun, sunscreen and lip balm will protect you where your clothes don't.
• Insect repellent
• Mosquitoes and tsetse flies can carry diseases, and their bites can be pretty irritating or painful, and tsetse flies can deliver a particularly nasty sting.
• A good insect repellent is an excellent way to ward off these blood-thirsty little guys.
• Camera
• You're going to want a camera for your safari adventure. While your smartphone will sometimes be enough to snap a shot, a camera with a good zoom lens is the perfect companion.
• Binoculars
• Tanzania On Foot vehicles come standard with a single pair of binoculars that you can share with your driver, but having your own pair is an excellent way to ensure you don't miss a second of the action.
• You don't need an expensive pair. Even a travel-sized pair of binoculars is sufficient for game-viewing.
• Batteries and charger for your camera
• You don't want to be midway through a day on safari and suddenly run out of battery for your camera.
• Shadows of Africa vehicles come standard with in-car charging stations, but travelling with an additional battery is always a good idea.
• Additional SD cards are also a good idea to ensure you don't need to stop to delete photos.
• A flashlight or headlamp
• The wilderness can be pretty dark, so a headlamp or flashlight can be essential when moving about camp after dark. Many lodges provide these, but those staying in budget camps will want to bring their own.
• Guide books
• You don't need a hefty Lonely Planet for your safari, but having a wilderness guidebook is an excellent way to build a 'to-do list' for your trip.
• Your Shadows of Africa driver is a font of knowledge regarding animal, bird, and plant life. Don't hesitate to ask questions!
• Phone and charger
• Whether it's to stay in touch, to share your photos, or just so you can snap pictures on the fly - bringing along your smartphone is a good idea.
• Savvy travellers may wish to purchase a local SIM card, but many hotels have WiFi.
• While on safari in Tanzania, our vehicles also come with WiFi, although this depends on location.
• A good book
• You'll rarely find yourself without something to see while on safari, but there will be some downtime.
• Whether it's the drive to or from the airport or just a lazy night at your lodge, having a good book (or a Kindle) on hand is a great way to pass the time.
• Tissues and wet wipes
• While all national parks and lodges have toilet facilities available, there's no telling when nature might call, and you'll need to use the famous 'bush toilet'.
• A packet of tissues or wet wipes in your pack is always a good idea.

Know before you go

• Visa and entry requirements
• Visas are required by most visitors to Tanzania. Visas are available at your local Tanzanian Embassy. Costs vary from country to country. Visas are valid for three months. It is possible, however, to obtain a tourist's visa for a single entry at any one of the four main entries into Tanzania, subject to the fulfilment of all immigration and health requirements for those who could not apply for a visa from a Tanzania Mission abroad. These are:
  • Dar-es-Salaam International Airport
  • Zanzibar International Airport
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya border point)
• At all these points, payment is in US Dollars or its equivalent in Sterling. For all other entry points in Tanzania, visitors must hold valid visas before approaching those entry points in Tanzania. However, to avoid unnecessary delays, those who proceed to Tanzania from a country with a Tanzania Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office are strongly advised to obtain their entry visa before departure to Tanzania.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Tanzania

Tour start

Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.