5 Days · Tanzania Safari

5-Day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari

Tour Overview

This five-day journey follows the classic northern Tanzania safari route at a more relaxed and rewarding pace, allowing deeper time in the wildlife-rich plains of the central Serengeti while still including the elephant landscapes of Tarangire and the remarkable ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Crater. By adding an extra night in the Serengeti, the itinerary creates space for extended game drives, better wildlife tracking, and quieter moments in the bush, rather than simply moving between parks.

The route progresses naturally from Arusha through the savannah, volcanic highlands, and open grasslands before returning via Ngorongoro for an unhurried crater exploration on the final day. Wildlife viewing focuses on resident predators and grazing herds present throughout the year, making this safari reliable in any season rather than dependent on short migration windows.

Designed for travelers who want a true classic safari experience without rushing, the journey ends conveniently in Arusha or with a transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, depending on travel plans.

Route Summary

Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro

Day 1: Arusha → Tarangire National Park
Day 2: Karatu / Ngorongoro highlands → Central Serengeti
Day 3: Central Serengeti → Central Serengeti
Day 4: Serengeti → Ngorongoro highlands
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha

Highlights

Safari Itinerary

1 DAY

Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Destination

Tarangire is known for its quiet atmosphere and especially for its large elephant herds that gather along the permanent Tarangire River. Baobab-dotted woodland supports giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and, with luck, lions resting in the shade during the warmer hours.

Day Activity

You spend the late morning on a slow, unhurried game drive, stopping whenever something draws attention—a track in the dust, distant movement in the grass, or birds gathering near water.
Lunch is taken at a designated picnic site inside the park, allowing time to stretch, breathe, and take in the surroundings.

In the afternoon, wildlife activity gradually builds again as the light softens.
Later, you leave the park and climb toward the cool green highlands of Karatu, where farms and coffee trees replace the dry savannah.

Accommodation: Eileen's Tree Inn

Meals: FB

2 DAY

Day 2 — Karatu to Serengeti National Park

Destination

Beyond the highlands, the landscape opens gradually into the vast plains of the Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most important wildlife ecosystems.
These open grasslands support large populations of grazing animals and the predators that follow them, creating the classic East African safari environment.

Day Activity

After formalities at the park gate, the drive continues deeper into the Serengeti with game viewing beginning along the way. Wildlife sightings often start soon after entering the plains, and the journey itself becomes part of the safari experience.

A picnic lunch is taken at a safe location inside the park before continuing with an afternoon game drive toward the central Serengeti, an area known for year-round wildlife presence and good chances of seeing big cats.
The pace remains unhurried, allowing time to follow sightings and adapt to the movement of animals across the plains.

Accommodation: Embalakai Tented Camp

Meals: FB

3 DAY

Day 3 — Full Day in Central Serengeti

Destination

Central Serengeti is defined by open grasslands, scattered kopjes, and permanent water sources that support wildlife throughout the year.
Because animals remain here in all seasons, this region offers some of the most consistent predator sightings in Tanzania, including lion, leopard, and cheetah.

Day 3 — Full Day in Central Serengeti

Day Activity

Morning and afternoon game drives explore different sectors of the plains, following fresh tracks and adapting to wildlife movement as the day unfolds.
Without the pressure of transit driving, there is time to remain longer at sightings, observe natural behavior, and simply experience the quiet rhythm of the Serengeti.

A picnic lunch inside the park allows the day to flow naturally between drives, with rest taken in a safe scenic location.
As the light softens in late afternoon, wildlife activity often increases again before returning to camp.

Accommodation: Embalakai Tented Camp

Meals: FB

4 DAY

Day 4 — Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands

Destination

Leaving the open plains behind, the landscape slowly changes from endless grassland to rising volcanic highlands, marking the ecological transition toward Ngorongoro.
This shift in scenery is one of the most striking natural contrasts in northern Tanzania.

Day 4 — Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands

Day Activity

Game viewing continues through the morning as you move west to east across the Serengeti, often providing last sightings of resident predators or grazing herds before departure.
After a picnic lunch en route, the drive ascends steadily into cooler air and greener surroundings.

Arrival near the crater rim comes in the late afternoon, positioning you perfectly for an early descent into the crater the following morning.

Accommodation: Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp

Meals: FB

5 DAY

Day 5 — Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha / Departure

Destination

The crater floor forms a self-contained wildlife sanctuary with one of the highest animal concentrations in Africa.
Open grasslands, freshwater springs, and forest patches support lion, elephant, buffalo, hyena, and—on fortunate days—the rare black rhino.

Day 5 — Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha / Departure

Day Activity

The morning is spent exploring multiple habitats across the crater floor, allowing time for steady observation, photography, and quiet moments in nature rather than rushing between sightings.
After the game drive, you ascend the crater wall and continue back across the Ngorongoro highlands toward Arusha.

Arrival is timed according to your flight schedule or overnight hotel plan, ensuring a smooth and comfortable end to the safari.

Meals: FB

Safari Itinerary

1 DAY

Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Destination

Tarangire is known for its quiet atmosphere and especially for its large elephant herds that gather along the permanent Tarangire River. Baobab-dotted woodland supports giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and, with luck, lions resting in the shade during the warmer hours.

Day Activity

You spend the late morning on a slow, unhurried game drive, stopping whenever something draws attention—a track in the dust, distant movement in the grass, or birds gathering near water.
Lunch is taken at a designated picnic site inside the park, allowing time to stretch, breathe, and take in the surroundings.

In the afternoon, wildlife activity gradually builds again as the light softens.
Later, you leave the park and climb toward the cool green highlands of Karatu, where farms and coffee trees replace the dry savannah.

Accommodation: Eileen's Tree Inn
Meals: FB
2 DAY

Day 2 — Karatu to Serengeti National Park

Destination

Beyond the highlands, the landscape opens gradually into the vast plains of the Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most important wildlife ecosystems.
These open grasslands support large populations of grazing animals and the predators that follow them, creating the classic East African safari environment.

Day Activity

After formalities at the park gate, the drive continues deeper into the Serengeti with game viewing beginning along the way. Wildlife sightings often start soon after entering the plains, and the journey itself becomes part of the safari experience.

A picnic lunch is taken at a safe location inside the park before continuing with an afternoon game drive toward the central Serengeti, an area known for year-round wildlife presence and good chances of seeing big cats.
The pace remains unhurried, allowing time to follow sightings and adapt to the movement of animals across the plains.

Accommodation: Embalakai Tented Camp
Meals: FB
3 DAY

Day 3 — Full Day in Central Serengeti

Destination

Central Serengeti is defined by open grasslands, scattered kopjes, and permanent water sources that support wildlife throughout the year.
Because animals remain here in all seasons, this region offers some of the most consistent predator sightings in Tanzania, including lion, leopard, and cheetah.

Day 3 — Full Day in Central Serengeti

Day Activity

Morning and afternoon game drives explore different sectors of the plains, following fresh tracks and adapting to wildlife movement as the day unfolds.
Without the pressure of transit driving, there is time to remain longer at sightings, observe natural behavior, and simply experience the quiet rhythm of the Serengeti.

A picnic lunch inside the park allows the day to flow naturally between drives, with rest taken in a safe scenic location.
As the light softens in late afternoon, wildlife activity often increases again before returning to camp.

Accommodation: Embalakai Tented Camp
Meals: FB
4 DAY

Day 4 — Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands

Destination

Leaving the open plains behind, the landscape slowly changes from endless grassland to rising volcanic highlands, marking the ecological transition toward Ngorongoro.
This shift in scenery is one of the most striking natural contrasts in northern Tanzania.

Day 4 — Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands

Day Activity

Game viewing continues through the morning as you move west to east across the Serengeti, often providing last sightings of resident predators or grazing herds before departure.
After a picnic lunch en route, the drive ascends steadily into cooler air and greener surroundings.

Arrival near the crater rim comes in the late afternoon, positioning you perfectly for an early descent into the crater the following morning.

Accommodation: Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp
Meals: FB
5 DAY

Day 5 — Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha / Departure

Destination

The crater floor forms a self-contained wildlife sanctuary with one of the highest animal concentrations in Africa.
Open grasslands, freshwater springs, and forest patches support lion, elephant, buffalo, hyena, and—on fortunate days—the rare black rhino.

Day 5 — Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha / Departure

Day Activity

The morning is spent exploring multiple habitats across the crater floor, allowing time for steady observation, photography, and quiet moments in nature rather than rushing between sightings.
After the game drive, you ascend the crater wall and continue back across the Ngorongoro highlands toward Arusha.

Arrival is timed according to your flight schedule or overnight hotel plan, ensuring a smooth and comfortable end to the safari.

Meals: FB

Tour Cost

The prices below are shown per person and vary depending on the number of travellers and accommodation category selected. Each range reflects real operating costs, including park and conservation fees (with VAT and other applicable taxes), vehicle use, crater service fees, and accommodation in the chosen category.

 

Because lodge rates and availability can vary seasonally, we present a minimum–maximum range rather than a fixed number. As group size increases, shared costs are reduced, which lowers the overall price per traveller. Final quotations are confirmed based on exact travel dates and selected lodges.

Tour Cost Includes

Tour Cost Includes

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