5 Days Safari
Overview
A private 5-day safari designed around the season — your guide tracks the migration herds in real time so you're always in the right place at the right time. Sleep under canvas inside the parks.
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1Day 1
Arusha → Tarangire National Park
Your guide collects you from your Arusha hotel at around 08:00 for a briefing before the two-and-a-half hour drive to Tarangire Gate. The rest of the day is spent on game drives along the Tarangire River, where dry-season herds of elephant, zebra, wildebeest and buffalo concentrate under giant baobabs. Tarangire is also excellent for less common species — fringe-eared oryx, lesser kudu and gerenuk — and for birding, with over 500 species recorded. Picnic lunch in the park, then sundowners and dinner at camp.
Trip Essentials- Accommodation
- Tarangire Pure Tented Camp
- Accommodation type
- Tented Lodge
- Meal plan
- Picnic Lunch – Dinner in Lodge
- Mode of transport
- Private 4×4 SUV Vehicle
- Transfer duration
- Approximately 2.5 hours (Arusha → Tarangire)
- Game drive duration
- 5 – 6 hours
- Activity
- Game Drive Safari (Tarangire National Park)
- 2Day 2
Tarangire → Lake Manyara → Serengeti National Park
After breakfast you drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a morning game drive through groundwater forest, acacia woodland and the soda-lake shoreline — baboon troops, blue monkey, hippo, giraffe, flamingos and the park's famous tree-climbing lions. You then climb the Rift Valley escarpment through Karatu and cross the Ngorongoro highlands, stopping at the crater viewpoint before descending onto the open plains. Entering the Serengeti at Naabi Hill Gate, you game drive towards camp in the Seronera area as the light softens.
Trip Essentials- Accommodation
- Serengeti Pure Tented Camp
- Accommodation type
- Tented Lodge
- Meal plan
- Breakfast in Lodge – Picnic Lunch – Dinner in Lodge
- Mode of transport
- Private 4×4 SUV Vehicle
- Transfer duration
- Approximately 1.5 hours to Lake Manyara, then 5 hours to the Serengeti
- Game drive duration
- 5 – 6 hours
- Activity
- Game Drive Safari (Lake Manyara National Park and Serengeti National Park)
- 3Day 3
Serengeti National Park — full day
A full day in the Serengeti with an early start and a picnic lunch in the bush so you can stay out where the action is. Depending on the season your guide will track the migration herds — calving on the southern short-grass plains from December to March, moving north through the western corridor from May onwards — and the predators that shadow them. The Seronera valley and its granite kopjes are among the best places in Africa for lion and leopard, with cheetah on the open grassland. An optional sunrise balloon safari can be booked in advance.
Trip Essentials- Accommodation
- Serengeti Pure Tented Camp
- Accommodation type
- Tented Lodge
- Meal plan
- Breakfast in Lodge – Picnic Lunch – Dinner in Lodge
- Mode of transport
- Private 4×4 SUV Vehicle
- Transfer duration
- In-park driving only
- Game drive duration
- 8 – 9 hours
- Activity
- Full-day Game Drive Safari (Serengeti National Park)
- 4Day 4
Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater rim
One last sunrise game drive through the plains while the cats are still active, then breakfast at camp. You leave the Serengeti mid-morning and drive back east across the Maasai grazing lands, with a stop at the Olduvai Gorge museum available on request — the site where the Leakeys uncovered some of the earliest hominin remains. You reach the Ngorongoro Crater rim in the late afternoon for sunset over the caldera, followed by dinner and overnight on the highlands.
Trip Essentials- Accommodation
- Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp
- Accommodation type
- Tented Lodge
- Meal plan
- Breakfast in Lodge – Picnic Lunch – Dinner in Lodge
- Mode of transport
- Private 4×4 SUV Vehicle
- Transfer duration
- Approximately 5 hours (Serengeti → Ngorongoro rim)
- Game drive duration
- 3 – 4 hours
- Activity
- Sunrise Game Drive Safari (Serengeti) and transfer to the Ngorongoro Highlands
- 5Day 5
Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha
An early breakfast and a dawn descent 600 m onto the crater floor, where roughly 25,000 large animals live year-round in one enclosed ecosystem. A full morning of game viewing gives you a strong chance of completing the Big Five — black rhino, big-maned lion, elephant bulls, buffalo and leopard along the Lerai forest edge — plus hyena, serval and flamingos on Lake Magadi. Picnic lunch by the hippo pool, then the drive back to Arusha via Karatu, arriving late afternoon.
Trip Essentials- Meal plan
- Breakfast in Lodge – Picnic Lunch
- Mode of transport
- Private 4×4 SUV Vehicle
- Transfer duration
- Approximately 4 hours (Ngorongoro → Arusha)
- Game drive duration
- 7 – 8 hours
- Activity
- Game Drive Safari (Ngorongoro Crater)
Pricing per person
All-inclusive on the ground. Price per person decreases with group size.
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $4,040 |
| 2 people | $2,570 |
| 3 people | $2,490 |
| 4 people | $2,380 |
| 5 people | $2,220 |
| 6 people | $2,100 |
| Prices valid for current season bookings | |
What's included
Everything covered on the ground, and what's not.
The Trip Cost Includes
- Transfers to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
- New SUV (2016–2023) Land Cruiser 4×4 with pop-up roof
- Experienced English-speaking safari guide
- 24/7 phone support
The Trip Cost Excludes
- International air tickets
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Any private expenses
Safari FAQs
The questions travellers ask most.
Do I need to arrange my own airport transfer?+
No. Airport pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport are included in every safari package — we meet you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel. Group transfers can be arranged on request.
How much does a safari cost?+
Prices depend on group size, number of days and accommodation level (budget, mid-range or luxury). Our packages include a professional English-speaking driver-guide, all park and conservation fees, a 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, meals as per the itinerary, bottled water, government taxes and hotel transfers.
What does a typical safari day look like?+
An early morning game drive when animals are most active, brunch or lunch, some rest, then an afternoon or sunset game drive. Each park is different — the Serengeti gives you vast plains and big cats, while Tarangire is elephants and baobabs.
Can I walk around inside the national parks?+
Generally no — for your safety you stay in the vehicle unless your guide says otherwise. Guided walking safaris are possible in selected areas such as Tarangire, Lake Manyara and parts of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
What are the roads like, and will it be dusty?+
Park tracks can be rough, bumpy and dusty, especially in the dry season. Bring sunglasses, a hat and a light scarf, and keep cameras in a sealed bag. If you have back problems, a small cushion or back brace makes a big difference.
What about bathroom facilities in the bush?+
Most parks have designated public restrooms at gates and picnic sites. If you're far from one, your guide will find a safe, private spot — our guides handle this discreetly and without fuss.
What if I have special dietary requirements?+
No problem. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and halal diets as well as allergies — just tell us in advance so the camps and our cooks can prepare for you.
What happens if I get sick or injured on safari?+
Our guides carry a first-aid kit and are in constant radio and phone contact with the office. In an emergency we arrange immediate assistance or evacuation to the nearest medical facility — we are an AMREF Flying Doctors partner. Valid travel and medical insurance is strongly recommended.
Are drinks provided in the safari vehicle?+
Yes — bottled drinking water is unlimited and included. Our vehicles have a cool box or fridge, so you're welcome to bring soft drinks or beer to keep chilled for sundowners.
How far in advance should I book?+
We recommend booking at least 6 months ahead. For the peak migration months of June to October, 10–12 months ahead gives you the best choice of camps and lodges.
What travel documents do I need?+
A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates, a Tanzanian tourist visa (available online via the eVisa portal or on arrival for most nationalities), and travel and health insurance.
What should I pack for a safari?+
Light neutral-coloured clothing, a warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and crater rim evenings, comfortable closed shoes, sun hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, binoculars, camera with spare batteries or a power bank, insect repellent and personal medication.
Have a question about 5 Days Safari?
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