Tanzania · Camping Safari

5-Day Big Five Camping Safari in Tanzania with Serengeti and Ngorongoro

5 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the vast plains of the Serengeti National Park, witnessing the iconic migration of wildebeest and zebras
02 Embark on a thrilling safari adventure through the Ngorongoro Crater, marvelling at its diverse wildlife and stunning landscape
03 Witness the breathtaking beauty of Lake Manyara National Park, where flamingos paint the shores pink against the backdrop of lush greenery
04 Roam the ancient baobab-studded landscapes of Tarangire National Park, encountering majestic elephants and elusive big cats
05 Embark on a birdwatching expedition in Manyara National Park, where over 400 avian species thrive in diverse habitats, from woodlands to wetlands

The 5 Days Big Five Camping Safari is a game drive-based safari through Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Lake Manyara National Park. Each destination offers unique and interesting wildlife experiences, from Tarangire's giant elephants and baobab trees to the endless plains of the Serengeti, the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara's birdlife and walking safari opportunities. It is an enjoyable jungle trip with camping accommodation throughout the safari.

In the crater, there is no struggle to see the animals, as most of them remain within the crater, where you can find the Big Five with ease.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

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

Languages English, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Tarangire Game Drive Among Elephants and Baobabs

The day starts with breakfast at your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Your safari driver will then pick you up from the hotel with your packed lunch boxes, give you a few minutes to shop in Arusha town, and begin the drive to Tarangire National Park. In Tarangire National Park, you will enjoy a game viewing safari in an open-roof safari vehicle, where you will see big herds of giant elephants and big baobab trees. You may also spot other animals such as giraffes, lions, warthogs, antelopes, and birds. As this is a full-day game drive, you will have a picnic lunch in the park, continue with your afternoon game drive, and then exit the park and head to Mto wa Mbu for dinner and your overnight stay.

Day 02

Drive to Serengeti via Ngorongoro Conservation Area

On this day of your safari, the day begins early in the morning with breakfast at your hotel in Mto wa Mbu, followed by the drive to Serengeti National Park. The journey takes you through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and along its rim, where you may spot some animals as well as the Masai, who also live in Ngorongoro. You will then continue to Naabi Hill Gate, where you can have your lunch and walk up the hill to appreciate the true meaning of Serengeti, which is an endless plain. After lunch, you will continue with an afternoon to evening game drive before heading to your lodging place according to your itinerary.

Day 03

Morning Serengeti Safari and Transfer to Ngorongoro

The day includes a game drive in Serengeti National Park followed by a drive to Ngorongoro. Your day starts with a morning game drive and then breakfast. After that, you will continue with the game drive, heading toward Naabi Hill for your picnic lunch before driving on to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. During the drive, you may see the flying balloons early in the morning and a good number of wild animals such as lions, elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, zebra, leopard, cheetah, warthogs, hyena, and several bird species, both migratory and non-migratory. In Ngorongoro, you will stay overnight at accommodation outside the crater.

Day 04

Ngorongoro Crater Safari in Search of the Big Five

This is your last main safari day, and you will descend into and ascend out of the crater for fabulous game viewing, with your picnic lunch taken inside the crater. The day starts with breakfast at your accommodation, followed by the drive up to the crater and the descent of 600 m down to the crater floor. In the crater, there is no struggle to see the animals, as most of them remain within the crater, where you can find the Big Five with ease. The caldera is also home to zebra, hyenas, wildebeest, hippos, and water birds. After your picnic lunch in the crater, you will ascend and drive to Mto wa Mbu for dinner and your overnight stay.

Day 05

Lake Manyara Wildlife and Flamingo Viewing

The day will be spent visiting Lake Manyara National Park, nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, an area known for its picturesque and varied scenery. You will enjoy a game drive in Lake Manyara and have your picnic lunch in the park. The habitats of Lake Manyara National Park support a wide variety of animals and birdlife, and during the game drive, you may see the tree-climbing lion and other wild animals. Moreover, you will have a walk along Lake Manyara and see the paradise of beautiful flamingos along the lake, as well as other birds. After your picnic lunch, you will continue with your afternoon game drive and then exit the park, heading to Arusha or Moshi town for your next schedule.

Where this trip takes you

Tarangire National Park baobab-studded plains, Serengeti National Park endless plains, Ngorongoro Crater wildlife-rich caldera, Lake Manyara National Park flamingo-lined shores

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 7 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Pick up and drop off from Kilimanjaro International Airport
Two nights of hotel accommodation before and after the safari (breakfast included)
Transportation in a 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof
Professional and experienced English-speaking safari guide
All national park fees
Overnight stays in tents
Sleeping tents
Sleeping mattresses
Camping equipment such as tables and chairs
Sleeping bag
Three meals per day on safari
Bottled drinking water throughout the tour
Medical kit
Binocular
All mentioned activities as per itinerary

What's Not Included

International flights
Personal spending money for souvenirs, etc.
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Travel insurance
Visa fees
Optional activities
Tips and gratuities to the driver/safari guide (20 USD/day recommended)

What to bring

Head torch
A good book
Footwear
Camera
Wind jacket/raincoat
Sweater/fleece jacket
Comfortable safari clothes
Binoculars
Sunscreen, sun hat & sunglasses, sun cream
Insect repellent and antihistamine
A solid, soft bag
Remember the maximum 15 kg limit for domestic flights.
Reusable water bottle
It is very important to stay hydrated while on safari. To minimize the use of plastic bottles and protect the environment, use a reusable water bottle.
Passport
Plane tickets
Travel insurance policy and emergency contact numbers
Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (if applicable)
Safari itinerary
Credit cards and ATM bank cards
Sunglasses
Sunscreen and lip balm
Small flashlight or headlamp
Insect/mosquito repellent
Eye drops and extra contact lenses or spare glasses (if applicable)
Anti-bacterial hand sanitiser
Tissue paper and a small travel towel (washrooms in Tanzania often do not have toilet paper or paper towels)
Camera, extra memory cards, batteries, and charger, if applicable
Ziplock bags for toiletries, camera equipment, snacks, etc.
Personal toiletries
Small first aid medical kit including Tylenol or ibuprofen, antimalarial pills, cold and allergy medicine, itch medication, band-aids, stomach ache remedy, antibiotic cream, diarrhea medicine, prescription antibiotic for traveler's diarrhea (Ciprofloxacin), and any prescription medications.

Know before you go

Travel documents, visa, and entry to Tanzania

You should make sure that all your travel documents are in place.
Among other things, the validity of your passport for international travel should not expire within six months after the date of entering Tanzania. There should also be at least two blank pages for the visa and stamps. You should also obtain a visa for entering Tanzania. An online application through the website of the Tanzania Immigration Department is the most convenient and fastest way to do that.
Though we will share some visa-related tips, please do not consider our recommendations to be ultimate or comprehensive advice. The information about visas and other entry requirements for visiting Tanzania published on our website is for general knowledge only, and though we try to keep it accurate and up to date, we recommend contacting the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania for the latest updates. No information published on our website about visas, vaccinations, or other entry requirements should be viewed as a warranty or representation.
You are also responsible for bearing all visa and other entry-related costs.
We shall not be liable if, in the highly unlikely event, you are denied entry to Tanzania or any other country on the way to Tanzania for whatever reason. You also agree that if you fail to enter the country for whatever reason, no refunds will be made, and it will not be possible to reschedule your tour because we will have all the park fees prepaid and other expenses incurred by the time of your arrival.

Logistics