5 Days Tanzania Safari Adventure: From Arusha to Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater

Begin your Tanzania safari adventure with an early pick-up from your hotel, residence, or airport in Arusha by your professional safari guide. Take a moment to meet your guide and discuss your safari expectations and what wildlife you’re most excited to see. From there, embark on a scenic drive west, journeying through Tanzania’s countryside to the renowned Lake Manyara National Park.

Upon arrival, check in to your camp or lodge for a delicious lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive in the park. Lake Manyara is famous for its rich birdlife, especially the thousands of flamingos that flock here during the rainy season, as well as the year-round bird species. As you explore, keep an eye out for other wildlife such as elephants, lions, and the park’s diverse fauna. After your game viewing, return to your accommodation for a relaxing dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart from Lake Manyara and journey across the stunning landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where traditional Maasai villages dot the horizon and wildlife like zebras and gazelles roam freely. Pause along the way for a packed lunch, then continue toward the legendary Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti, one of the largest and most iconic wilderness areas in Africa, is a vast expanse of 14,763 square kilometers of open plains that stretch out as far as the eye can see.

Upon arrival, check in to your safari lodge or tented camp in the Seronera Valley, a prime location for viewing abundant wildlife, including large prides of lions and other big cats. Enjoy dinner and prepare for another thrilling day of game viewing.

Today is dedicated to a full day of game drives in the Serengeti. You can choose between a full-day drive with a packed picnic lunch or opt for morning and afternoon game drives with some downtime back at the lodge. The Serengeti is famous for its annual wildebeest migration, but no matter the season, you’ll have the opportunity to see the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and cheetah—as well as a wealth of other wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and the elusive wild dogs. For an unforgettable experience, you may choose to take an optional hot air balloon safari (US$599 per person), floating peacefully over the plains at sunrise to witness the wildlife below.

After an early breakfast, head out for another game drive in the Serengeti, where you may encounter predators like jackals and hyenas as dawn breaks over the plains. Later, return to your camp or lodge for breakfast before continuing your journey back to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This area is home to the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crater, formed by a collapsed volcano millions of years ago, is a sanctuary for wildlife, providing lush grazing grounds for herds of animals.

You may choose to stop at Olduvai Gorge for a visit to the archaeological site, which has contributed to the study of human evolution. In the evening, enjoy a peaceful sunset over the crater before heading to your accommodation for the night.

On your final day, take an early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, where your guide will help you explore this incredible natural wonder. The crater floor is home to around 20,000 large mammals, including rhinos, lions, leopards, and elephants. The area also teems with a variety of birds, such as flamingos, geese, and storks, especially around Lake Magadi. After a relaxing lunch at Ngoitoktok Springs, enjoy your final game drive before returning to Arusha. From there, your guide will transfer you to your hotel or the airport for your onward journey.