5-Day Tanzania Safari Itinerary: Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Adventure
🐘 Day 1: Tarangire National Park – Baobabs, Giants & Golden Light
After an early morning pick-up in Arusha, your adventure kicks off with a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, a place where elephants rule and ancient baobab trees rise like giants from the savannah. Fewer crowds make this park a favourite among seasoned travellers.
Spend your afternoon on a guided game drive along the Tarangire River—a lifeline for wildlife in the dry season. You’ll spot everything from towering giraffes to stealthy leopards and even tree-climbing pythons.
-
🛏️ Overnight: Safari lodge or luxury tented camp just outside the park
-
🔑 Tip: Bring binoculars—Tarangire is also a birding paradise with 500+ species.
Accommodations Options - Camping | Mid-range | Luxury
Migombani Campsite | JUA Manyara Campsite
Migombani Campsite is a scenic hilltop retreat near Lake Manyara National Park, offering stunning views of the Rift Valley. It features an infinity pool, hot showers, and a mix of tented and camping options. Perfect for travelers seeking comfort, nature, and adventure in one place.
🦁 Day 2 -3: Serengeti Bound – The Road to the Wild Heart of Africa
The next two days take you deep into the Serengeti, a name that stirs the soul of every safari dreamer. After leaving Tarangire, you'll journey through the lush highlands of Ngorongoro, where misty hills and Maasai herders mark the transition from civilization to wilderness.
By afternoon, the road opens up to infinite golden plains, dotted with acacia trees and teeming with wildlife. This is Big Cat country, where lions lounge on rocky outcrops, cheetahs stalk the grasslands, and hyenas patrol the edges. The air here is alive with the raw rhythm of survival.
Over two full days, you’ll explore different regions of the central Serengeti, each offering its own wildlife density and drama. Depending on the season, you may follow the trail of the Great Migration, watching thousands of wildebeest and zebras thunder across the land—or you might spend time tracking elusive leopards and marveling at elephant herds crossing the plains.
Expect early mornings, long game drives, and unforgettable moments as the sun sets over one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes.
-
🛏️ Overnight (2 nights): Tented camp or lodge in central Serengeti
-
📸 Top sightings: Lions, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, and possibly the Great Migration
-
🔭 Tip: The central Serengeti is active year-round—perfect for predators and plains game
Accommodations Options - Camping | Mid-range | Luxury
Nyani Campsite
Nyani Campsite is a basic public campsite located in the Seronera area of the Serengeti. Ideal for budget travelers, it offers a true wilderness experience with tents, shared bathrooms, cold showers, and simple dining shelters. Expect no Wi-Fi or hot water—just the sounds of nature and wildlife nearby. A perfect choice for those seeking an authentic, no-frills safari under the stars.
🌋 Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro – From Plains to Crater Rim
After a morning game drive through the eastern Serengeti, you'll begin the journey toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area, one of Africa’s most dramatic landscapes. Watch the terrain shift from open savannah to dense montane forest as you ascend the crater rim.
Stop for panoramic views of the crater floor—a prehistoric bowl teeming with life. Arrive at your lodge in time for sunset and a warm meal with a view.
-
🛏️ Overnight: Lodge perched on the crater rim or nearby in Karatu
-
🌄 Don’t miss: The starlit skies here are phenomenal on clear nights.
Accommodations Options - Camping | Mid-range | Luxury
Simba Campsite
Simba Campsite is a public campsite located on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, offering stunning views and close wildlife encounters. Facilities include basic toilets, hot showers, and shared dining areas. Elephants, buffaloes, and zebras often roam nearby. It’s a great budget-friendly option for those seeking an authentic camping experience in a prime safari location.
🦏 Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Safari & Return to Arusha
At sunrise, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater—a collapsed volcano that's become one of the richest wildlife habitats on Earth. This is your best chance to spot all Big Five in a single morning.
Lions nap in the grass. Elephants cross the plains. Flamingos tint the soda lake pink. And if you're lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of the critically endangered black rhino.
After a picnic lunch near a hippo pool, begin your drive back to Arusha for your evening flight or hotel drop-off.
-
📍 End point: Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport
-
🧭 Drive time: ~4 hours
Allow us to assist you in booking this 5-day safari.
🐘 Why Book a 5-Day Tanzania Safari?
A 5-day Tanzania safari offers the perfect balance between time and adventure. It allows you to fully explore the country’s most iconic wildlife destinations—Tarangire National Park, the vast plains of the Serengeti, and the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater—without feeling rushed. This duration is ideal for both first-time visitors and seasoned travellers seeking a deeper, more immersive safari experience.
-
Diverse Wildlife Encounters
Witness the Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino—in their natural habitat, along with thousands of wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, and exotic birds.
-
Great Migration Viewing (Seasonal)
If timed right, your Serengeti visit might coincide with the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the planet’s most spectacular wildlife events.
-
More Time, More Value
With five days on safari, you enjoy multiple game drives, scenic landscapes, and varied ecosystems—without the tight timelines of shorter itineraries.
-
Cultural Connections
Visit local Maasai villages or interact with Hadzabe tribes near Lake Eyasi to experience Tanzania’s rich cultural heritage.
-
Flexible Accommodation Options
Choose from budget, mid-range, or luxury lodges to suit your travel style and comfort level.
-
Strategic Itinerary Flow
The route usually follows a logical circuit: starting in Tarangire, moving through the Serengeti, and ending in Ngorongoro before returning to Arusha, ensuring less backtracking and more adventure.
🔑 Perfect For:
-
Couples and honeymooners
-
Families seeking educational wildlife trips
-
Photographers and nature lovers
-
Travelers connecting from Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro
Questions About 5-Day Tanzania Safaris
What is included in a 5-day Tanzania safari package?
A 5-day Tanzania safari package typically includes everything needed for a worry-free wildlife adventure:
-
✅ All National Park Entry Fees – Including Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater.
-
🚙 Private 4x4 Safari Vehicle – With pop-up roof for the best wildlife viewing and photography.
-
🧭 Experienced English-Speaking Safari Guide – Knowledgeable about animal behaviour and local culture.
-
🏨 Accommodation – Choice of budget, mid-range, or luxury lodges/tented camps based on your preference.
-
🍽️ Meals – Full-board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) throughout the safari.
-
💧 Bottled Water – Provided during all game drives.
-
✈️ Airport Transfers or Arusha Pick-up/Drop-off – For a seamless start and end to your journey.
💡 Some packages may include extras like cultural visits, domestic flights (e.g. from Zanzibar), or sundowner drinks — be sure to check the inclusions!
Which national parks are visited during a 5-day Tanzania safari?
A well-planned 5-day itinerary typically covers three of the most famous parks in Northern Tanzania:
-
Tarangire National Park is known for its massive elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Ideal for big game photography.
-
Serengeti National Park – Home to the legendary Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the plains. You’ll spend 2 days here for full wildlife immersion.
-
Ngorongoro Crater – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the crater offers one of the best chances to spot the Big Five in a single day.
This route offers a diverse safari experience with varied landscapes, ecosystems, and animal encounters.
When is the best time to go on a 5-day Tanzania safari?
Tanzania is a year-round safari destination, but the best time depends on what you want to see:
-
🦁 June to October (Dry Season): Best wildlife viewing, especially around water sources. Clear skies and minimal vegetation make spotting animals easy.
-
🐾 December to March (Green Season): Beautiful landscapes, fewer tourists, and calving season in the Serengeti. Ideal for photographers.
-
🌧️ April–May: Rainy but quiet; great deals for budget safaris.
🌍 For the Great Migration, the best months are June–July (river crossings) and December–March (calving season in Ndutu/Southern Serengeti).
How much does a 5-day Tanzania safari cost?
Prices for a 5-day Tanzania safari can vary significantly depending on the group size, the type of accommodation chosen, and the season of travel. On average, a budget safari ranges between $1,200 and $1,600 per person, offering essential comfort and shared experiences. A mid-range safari typically costs between $1,600 and $2,300 per person, combining quality lodges with excellent service. For those seeking a more exclusive and high-end experience, luxury safaris start from $2,500 and can go up to $4,500 or more per person.
🔁 Discounts are often available for groups of four or more travelers, and packages can be customized for couples, honeymooners, or families to match specific needs and preferences.
Can I combine a 5-day safari with Zanzibar?
Yes! Many travelers fly from Zanzibar to Arusha to begin their safari. After the safari ends, you can return to Zanzibar for a beach holiday. Flights between Zanzibar and Arusha/Kilimanjaro Airport take about 1.5 hours.
Is a 5-day safari suitable for families or children?
Absolutely. Many lodges are family-friendly and offer triple rooms, kid-friendly menus, and flexible game drives.
🧒 Some safaris may have age restrictions for crater visits, so it’s best to confirm in advance.
What should I pack for a 5-day Tanzania safari?
Bring lightweight, neutral-colored clothes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, camera, binoculars, and a small medical kit.
🧳 Luggage space is limited, so use a soft duffel bag if flying.
Do I need a visa or vaccinations for Tanzania?
-
✅ Visa: Most travelers need a visa, available on arrival or online (e-visa).
-
💉 Vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccine may be required if arriving from certain countries. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended.
Is the safari private or group-based?
-
We provide a variety of safari experiences, including both private and group-joining options to cater to different preferences and budgets. Private tours offer the advantage of personalized itineraries, allowing you to create a schedule that suits your unique interests, along with the exclusive use of the vehicle for a more intimate experience. On the other hand, group safaris are an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers who wish to share costs while enjoying the adventure together.
How do I book a 5-day Tanzania safari?
-
Booking your adventure is a breeze through our user-friendly website or via WhatsApp. We offer a range of services to enhance your experience, including a complimentary consultation with our knowledgeable safari experts, personalized and flexible itinerary planning, as well as quick response times and secure payment options for your peace of mind