Overview
This unforgettable safari takes you to three of Tanzania’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. Explore the endless plains of Serengeti National Park, where lions, cheetahs, and countless other animals roam freely across the savanna. Continue to Tarangire National Park, renowned for its towering baobab trees and large herds of elephants, before descending into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. This remarkable natural sanctuary offers one of the best opportunities to spot the iconic Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and black rhino—along with an abundance of other wildlife in a breathtaking setting.
Trip Highlights
- Mid-range tour: This mid-range tour uses lodges.
- Private tour: This tour will be organized exclusively for you. However, wildlife viewing activities are run by the lodges/camps and will be shared with others.
- Can start any day: If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
- Can be customized: You can request changes to this tour.
- Not for solo travelers: Solo travelers cannot book this private tour.
- Minimum age of 11 years: The minimum age for this tour is 11 years.
Itinerary
Greetings from Tanzania! Our amiable safari guide will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) and take you to your Arusha lodging so you can rest and recuperate from your trip.
An optional Arusha city excursion, which provides an intriguing introduction to Tanzanian culture and daily life, is offered to those who are itching to explore. You will proceed to the local market, where colorful booths brim with artisan items, spices, and fresh produce. After that, you'll visit the Maasai Market, which is the ideal location to peruse exquisite, handcrafted jewelry, beaded items, and distinctive mementos manufactured by regional craftspeople. Last but not least, you'll take in Tanzania's rich cultural legacy at the Cultural Heritage Center, which houses an amazing collection of historical artifacts, African sculptures, and artwork.
You'll return to your lodge for dinner and a night's sleep after a day of exploration to be ready for the safari tomorrow.
Main Destination:
Arusha (City)
Accommodation:
Arusha Planet Lodge
Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City)
Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
You'll take a full-day game drive with picnic lunches at Tarangire National Park following an early breakfast. Your lovely hotel in Karatu City is where you will spend the night and have dinner.
Although nomadic wildebeest, zebras, buffalo, impalas, gazelles, hartebeest, and elands, mass reduce ponds, herds of up to 300 elephants sift across the dry riverbed in search of alternate streams. A haven for predators, it has the highest concentration of animals outside of the Serengeti habitat. It is also the only location in Tanzania where dry-country antelopes, like the stately fringe-eared oryx and the unusual long-necked gerenuk, are frequently sighted. It is the only national park that welcomes a variety of animal species and houses migrants during the dry season.
Main Destination:
Tarangire National Park
Accommodation:
Farm of Dreams Lodge
Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
After an early breakfast, you will depart from your lodge and begin your scenic drive towards the legendary Serengeti National Park. Along the way, you will pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you will have the opportunity to stop at the Ngorongoro Crater viewpoint. From here, take in the breathtaking panorama of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." The crater, formed by a collapsed volcano millions of years ago, is home to an incredible concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five and the endangered black rhino.
Continuing your journey, you will enter the vast Serengeti National Park, a name that means "Endless Plains" in the Maasai language. As you venture deeper into the park, the landscape transforms into open grasslands teeming with wildlife. Proceed with the game drive.
As the sun begins to set, painting the savannah in golden hues, you will make your way to your lodge/tented camp for a relaxing evening.
Main Destination:
Serengeti National Park
Accommodation:
Sightseeing Luxury Tented Lodge
Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
The focus today is on the renowned Serengeti National Park, which is home to the Great Migration and some of Africa's most recognizable wildlife. The Serengeti, which spans around 15,000 km2, is well-known for its vast plains, varied habitats, and profusion of predators.
Set out on a full-day game drive, exploring the park's interior following an early breakfast. While lions, cheetahs, and leopards skulk nearby, observe enormous herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles graze. Keep an eye out for lively hippos in the rivers, beautiful elephants, and tall giraffes.
Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through several locations, making the most of your chances to see wildlife and beautiful landscapes. Before starting the journey, you'll have a picnic lunch in the wilderness. You'll return to your lodge as the sun sets to have a well-earned nap while listening to the sounds of the African bush.
Main Destination:
Serengeti National Park
Accommodation:
Sightseeing Luxury Tented Lodge
Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
At your Serengeti lodge, you'll begin your day with an early breakfast before starting a transfer game drive in the direction of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. With a total area of 260 km2, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the biggest intact volcanic caldera in the world and is home to an amazing diversity of animals, including the Big Five.
After you get there, you'll go on an exhilarating game drive 600 meters down into the crater. You'll see buffalo, hippos, lions, rhinos, elephants, and flamingos in great numbers on Lake Magadi. Before climbing the rim of the crater, you'll have a picnic lunch in this unusual ecosystem.
In the late afternoon, you'll begin your journey to Karatu, a charming town on the outskirts of Ngorongoro. You'll check into your lodge, enjoy a warm dinner, and relax after an exciting day of wildlife encounters.
Main Destination:
Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation:
Farm of Dreams Lodge
Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
This morning, you'll enjoy a guided walking tour in the vibrant town of Mto wa Mbu, known for its rich cultural diversity and bustling markets. You'll stroll through banana plantations, interact with local artisans, and experience the daily life of different Tanzanian communities.
After the tour, we will transfer you to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure, marking the end of your incredible safari adventure. Safe travels, and we hope to welcome you back to Tanzania again!
Main Destination:
Kilimanjaro Airport
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
Non-alcoholic drinks
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Cost Excludes
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
FAQs
The 6-Day Big 5 Safari to Tarangire Serengeti and Ngorongoro takes you to Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater, offering diverse landscapes and some of the best wildlife viewing experiences in Tanzania.
During the 6-Day Big 5 Safari to Tarangire Serengeti and Ngorongoro, you have an excellent chance of spotting the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and black rhino—along with giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
The 6-Day Big 5 Safari to Tarangire Serengeti and Ngorongoro typically includes park entrance fees, transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, a professional driver-guide, accommodation, meals during the safari, and bottled drinking water.
Yes, the 6-Day Big 5 Safari to Tarangire Serengeti and Ngorongoro is an excellent choice for first-time visitors because it combines Tanzania’s most iconic parks with outstanding opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitats.
The 6-Day Big 5 Safari to Tarangire Serengeti and Ngorongoro is available year-round. The dry season from June to October is ideal for wildlife viewing, while the green season offers lush scenery, fewer crowds, and excellent birdwatching.
For the 6-Day Big 5 Safari to Tarangire Serengeti and Ngorongoro, bring lightweight clothing in neutral colors, comfortable walking shoes, a warm jacket for cool mornings, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera, and any personal medications you may need.
