5-Day Budget Safari in Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara

5 Days Round trip from Kilimanjaro Airport Rd Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Discover Tarangire National Park's ancient baobab trees and large elephant population
02 Descend 610 meters into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
03 Spot endangered black rhinos, big cats, giant tusked elephants, and over 500 bird species
04 Explore Lake Manyara's breathtaking scenery, tree-climbing lions, and pink-hued flamingos

Enjoy a 5-day Tanzanian safari through three of northern Tanzania's most rewarding wildlife destinations. Travel from Arusha to Tarangire National Park for its ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds, descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater for exceptional game viewing, and explore Lake Manyara National Park with its breathtaking scenery, tree-climbing lions, and rich birdlife. With shared group travel, budget lodges, and airport transfers included, this safari combines iconic parks with scenic variety and memorable wildlife encounters.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

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

Languages English, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Tanzania and Transfer to Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you will be met by a Serengeti Wildlife Safaris transfer driver and transferred to your lodge, where the rest of the day will be at leisure.
Rest in your room, relax in the manicured gardens, enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool, or explore Arusha and the surrounding areas.

Day 02

Full-Day Safari in Tarangire National Park

Today, you will drive to Tarangire for a full-day game drive. One of Africa's little-known gems, it should be on the itinerary of all lovers of wilderness and solitude. The landscape is incredibly diverse, with a mix not found anywhere else on the northern safari circuit. It is dotted with ancient baobab trees and large termite mounds. The Tarangire River is the only source of water during the dry season, when the harsh sun draws the moisture from the landscape, baking the earth a dusty red.
During the wet season, you will experience dense bush and lush high grasses. Famous for its large elephant population, the park is also home to zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, waterbucks, baboons, and impalas. Predators include lions, cheetahs, and leopards. Flocks of birds share the swamps, including green wood hoopoes, lovebirds, tall herons, white-bellied go-away birds, and giant kingfishers. On drier ground, you will find the ostrich.

Day 03

Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Maasai Culture

Today, you will be rewarded with a full-day game drive in the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and one of the only places on earth where mankind and wild animals coexist in harmony.
Visit a Maasai Village in the Ngorongoro Highlands (optional), where you will meet the elders, warriors, women, and children and learn about the culture, beliefs, and traditions of Tanzania's last nomadic community. The Crater is famous for Africa's best game viewing, as there is an ever-present abundance of wildlife due to the permanent water supply on the crater floor.
Descend 610 meters into the Crater, where your safari begins. Spot the endangered black rhino, wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, eland, Grant's and Thomson's gazelle, and giant tusked elephants, as well as lions, leopards, cheetahs, and scavengers such as spotted hyenas, jackals, and wild dogs. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Day 04

Lake Manyara National Park Game Drive

You will visit Lake Manyara National Park for a full-day game drive today. Stretching along the base of the Rift Valley escarpment, it is home to giant fig trees, acacia woodlands, mahogany trees, and grassy floodplains. The contrast is breathtaking, with open plains, a huge escarpment, a soda lake, dense woodlands, and distant volcanic peaks coming together in an area best described by Ernest Hemingway as "the loveliest I had seen in Africa". Animals such as buffaloes, wildebeests, giraffes, mongooses, dik-dik, and zebras gather on the grassy plains, while the acacia woodland is home to legendary tree-climbing lions and tusked elephants. Lake Manyara provides the perfect introduction to Tanzania's birdlife, with more than 400 species recorded. Highlights include thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large waterbirds such as pelicans and storks.
In the late afternoon, return to Arusha for your final evening.

Day 05

Departure Transfer

Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

This tour offers mid-range accommodation, and upgrades to other mid-range or luxury properties are available.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Kilimanjaro Airport Rd 5 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

All accommodations
All activities, unless indicated as optional
All transportation, unless labelled as optional
Meals, as specified in the day-by-day section
Taxes / VAT
All transport by road
Park fees
Professional guide
Drinking water on all days
Government-imposed increases of taxes and/or park fees
Budget lodges
All meals on safaris
Quality safari jeep
Guide wages
Airport pickup
Air-conditioned car
Beer

What's Not Included

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
International flights
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 pp per day)

What to bring

Luggage
Clothes
Shoes
Sunglasses and sun cream
First aid
Photography and electrical equipment
A strong bag/carry case to protect the camera
Zip lock/plastic bags are useful for dusty/sandy conditions
Spare/extra batteries
Memory/storage media (2 x memory cards in case one gets corrupted)
Binoculars
Photography etiquette
Electrical charging and power supply
Phones / Wi-Fi

Know before you go

Your safety on safari: Our 4x4 Land Cruisers are checked and serviced before every trip, every vehicle carries a first aid kit, and our guides are first-aid trained.
We are happy to book accommodation before and after your safari if needed.
Flying into Arusha / Kilimanjaro Airports is quite straightforward. English is widely spoken and used for signs and directions.
Arusha Airport is a 30-minute drive from Arusha.
Kilimanjaro Airport is roughly a one-hour drive from Arusha. If you arrive on an international flight, clearing immigration can be lengthy.
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling. US dollars and euros are widely accepted. Most places will not accept older US dollar bills (printed before 2006).
If you intend to use your credit or debit card to withdraw funds, we suggest taking more than one card with you, as you may find that your card is not accepted at the first ATM. Visa and Maestro cards are best.
We recommend informing your bank that you will use your card abroad to avoid it being blocked. ATMs are available in Arusha and allow you to withdraw local currency.
We advise you to arrive in Arusha at least one day before your trip begins. Return flights can be booked for the late afternoon/evening of the final day of your safari, but please ensure your guide is aware of this so that you can arrive at the airport in plenty of time for your flight.
Please check with the relevant embassy in your country for up-to-date visa and passport information. Ensure your passport will not expire within six months of your trip (i.e., if your trip is in September, make sure it is valid until at least March of the following year) and that it has at least three clear pages.
You will probably need a visa to enter Tanzania. Check with your country's government travel website to find out how to get your visa. Most visas can be bought on arrival into the country.
You will require vaccinations for your trip. As we are not medically trained, we cannot give detailed advice on vaccination requirements. However, the following vaccinations are generally recommended for Tanzania: Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Rabies, Yellow Fever, and Malaria. (Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory when you enter Tanzania from a country with yellow fever).
Vaccination certificates are often checked at immigration. If you are entering Tanzania from a country that does not have Yellow Fever, vaccination is not needed. Please visit the World Health Organization website for an up-to-date list.
In some areas we visit, there is a risk of contracting Malaria. You must know that whatever malaria tablets you take only offer partial protection. They must be coupled with your physical efforts against being bitten - the best prevention. Malaria-carrying mosquitoes come out at sunset, so you should wear long sleeves and trousers from this time. Exposed skin, especially ankles, should have insect repellent containing 'Deet' applied to it.
We strongly recommend that you have extensive travel insurance to cover you for your trip. It is also wise to leave a copy of your insurance policy with a friend or relative for safekeeping. Your policy should include adequate Medical Emergency and Repatriation coverage.
Tanzania has a well-established tipping culture.
Guides: If you feel you have received good service, a typical tip is USD 10-15 per person daily.
In Tanzania, the year is loosely divided into the "short" rains (November) and the "long" rains (March to May). The "rains" usually last one or two hours daily and are followed by hot, sunny weather. Nights can be surprisingly cold at higher altitudes, e.g., Ngorongoro Crater.
All towns and cities have their share of petty crime, and sensible precautions need to be taken. Wearing expensive-looking jewellery or watches and carrying cameras will draw unnecessary attention. You may find a simple money belt more discreet than a bag.
Always be aware of your surroundings, and when approached by people you do not know, be very careful. At night in towns, it is best to use a taxi rather than walk around the streets. Single women, in particular, need to be careful, and we suggest that it is safer to be in a group.
Accommodation upgrades to other mid-range or luxury properties are available.