5-Day Tanzania Safari to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater

5 Days Round trip from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Full-day Ngorongoro Crater descent with picnic lunch near the hippo pool and chances to spot black rhino
02 Scenic drive through the Ngorongoro Highlands past traditional Maasai bomas
03 Two days in Central Serengeti (Seronera), known for year-round wildlife and excellent big-cat viewing
04 Sunrise game drive in the Serengeti when predators are most active
05 Choice of Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara for your first afternoon safari

Discover the best of Northern Tanzania on this 5-day classic safari, combining comfort with unforgettable wildlife encounters. From your airport pickup, head straight into the wild with an afternoon game drive in either Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara, then continue through the dramatic landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the endless plains of the Serengeti. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for one of Africa's richest wildlife experiences, and spend quality time in Central Serengeti (Seronera), renowned for year-round wildlife and excellent big-cat viewing. With scenic drives through the highlands and a final sunrise safari before your airport transfer, this itinerary is designed to maximize sightings while keeping the journey smooth and well paced.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

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

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Airport Pickup and Afternoon Game Drive in Tarangire or Lake Manyara

Your private safari guide will meet you upon arrival at the airport for a warm welcome and short briefing. From there, you will drive directly to your choice of Tarangire National Park - famous for its massive elephant herds and iconic baobab trees - or Lake Manyara, known for its lush groundwater forest, flamingos, and tree-climbing lions. Enjoy an afternoon game drive with a picnic lunch inside the park before heading up the Rift Valley escarpment to Karatu for dinner and relaxation.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Omega View Hotel & Resort (Karatu)

Day 02

Full-Day Ngorongoro Crater Safari from Karatu

After an early breakfast, depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend 600 meters onto the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater. Often called the "Eighth wonder of the world," this intact volcanic caldera hosts one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, offering your best chance to spot the endangered black rhino alongside lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch near the hippo pool before ascending the crater rim in the late afternoon to return to Karatu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Omega View Hotel & Resort (Karatu)

Day 03

Karatu to Central Serengeti with En Route Game Drive

Set out early after breakfast toward Serengeti National Park, driving through the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands and passing traditional Maasai bomas along the way. Enter the vast plains of the Serengeti and continue toward the Seronera Valley (Central Serengeti), enjoying an en route game drive as you search for big cats, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest. Arrive at your camp in time for sunset, dinner, and an evening under the African stars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tented Camp/Lodge in Seronera

Day 04

Full-Day Game Drive in Central Serengeti

Spend a full day exploring the heart of the Serengeti. The Seronera region is renowned for its year-round resident wildlife, particularly lions, leopards resting in acacia trees, and cheetahs scanning the open savannah. You can choose between a full-day excursion with a picnic lunch or morning and afternoon game drives with a hot lunch back at camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Tented Camp/Lodge in Seronera

Day 05

Morning Serengeti Game Drive and Transfer to the Airport

Wake up early for a final sunrise game drive in the Serengeti to catch predators while they are most active. After breakfast, begin your journey back toward Arusha, driving across the Serengeti plains and Ngorongoro Highlands with wildlife sightings along the transit corridor. You will arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) in the late afternoon or evening for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

The route