5-Day Tanzania Safari through Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro

Once you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and unwind. Later in the evening, you'll participate in a tour briefing to prepare for the safari ahead. Your accommodation includes bed and breakfast amenities.

Distance: 139 km
Non-game viewing time: 2 - 3 hrs.

After breakfast at your hotel or lodge in Arusha, meet our safari manager and your driver-guide for a short safari briefing before departing for Tarangire National Park. En route, we'll stop in Arusha town for any last-minute purchases. The drive takes you along the Maasai steppe and through several villages, all the way to the Tarangire gate. Tarangire is the fifth-largest national park in Tanzania, located at the base of the Great East African Rift Valley. The park is characterized by its high hills, lowlands, acacia woodlands, and massive baobab trees that dwarf the animals beneath them.

The Tarangire River, which flows from north to south, and a swamp in the southern corner are the park's permanent water sources, acting as a refuge for many animals during the dry season. A major highlight of this park is its large elephant population and the presence of three rare species: the Great Kudu, Fringed-Eared Oryx, and Ash Stalling. You may also spot herds of buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, hippos, giraffes, and many baboons and monkeys.

Distance: 145 km
Non-game viewing time: 3 - 4 hours

After breakfast, you will depart for Serengeti National Park, journeying through the picturesque highland farmland of Karatu en route to the Ngorongoro Gate for check-in. From there, drive up to the Crater Viewpoint where you can capture stunning photographs of the Crater floor from the rim. Following this, descend via Malanja Depression to the vast Serengeti Plains.

On the way, you will visit a Maasai village for a cultural encounter. Here, a group of Maasai warriors will welcome you into their homes, sharing stories of their traditional way of life. You will have the opportunity to meet their families, engage with the children, and take photographs. The visit will conclude with a vibrant performance of their famous jumping dance, where you are welcome to join in the fun.

Next, continue to the wild and diverse Serengeti National Park, known for its endless rolling plains. Arrive at the Naabi Hills Gate for registration, where you can enjoy your packed lunch or choose to have it further ahead at Kopjes (rocky outcroppings).

Then embark on an afternoon game drive across the Serengeti Plains, searching for big cats and, depending on the season, witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration. As the day winds down, make your way to the camp for a delicious dinner and an overnight stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Distance: 85 km

Non-game viewing time: 3-4 hours.

At 06:30 hours, begin your day with a breakfast box and lunch box as you set out for an early morning game drive across the vast Serengeti plains. This is a prime time to spot a family of big cats on the road, as they often use this period to avoid the morning mist. You might also catch a glimpse of nocturnal predators returning from a night of hunting or witness a group of lionesses orchestrating a morning ambush.

After a bush breakfast, continue your drive to where the Wildebeest Migration is gathered, spending time observing these magnificent herds. The exact location of the herds will depend on the time of year and whether they are at Central Serengeti, but regardless of the migration's presence, Serengeti remains a spectacular destination. In the afternoon, begin your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with an en-route game drive. Arrive at Rhino Lodge for a sunset view, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

As early as 6:30 am, descend 600 meters into the crater floor for spectacular game viewing. The Ngorongoro Crater is often called the 8th Natural Wonder of the World. Supported by a consistent water supply and abundant fodder, this remarkable crater sustains a diverse range of wildlife, including herds of wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, eland, topi, warthog, hippos, African elephants, and the rare black rhino.

Another highlight of this picturesque crater is its dense population of predators, which include lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals, as well as the elusive leopard that can sometimes be spotted with binoculars. You will also visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake on the crater's southwest corner, where you might see hippos, flocks of flamingos, and other aquatic birds. With a bit of luck, you could encounter the 'Big Five' all in one day during your game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater. (A picnic lunch will be served on the crater floor.)

In the afternoon, you will drive out of the crater and return to Arusha. If you are flying on the same day, we will drop you off at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight home (the late KLM flight at 21:30 is a great option). If you prefer to stay in Arusha, accommodation can be arranged upon request at an extra cost.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch