5-Day Budget Tanzania Safari | Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
5 Days / 4 Nights Days
Arusha, Tanzani → Arusha, Tanzani
Wildlife
Easy
From
USD 1582
per person
Why Choose This Safari?
Five days is the sweet spot for seeing all four of the Northern Circuit's headline parks without either rushing through them or paying for a much longer trip—Tarangire and Lake Manyara from Figi Tree Lodge, then two nights inside the Serengeti at Elwai Camp before a half-day on the Ngorongoro Crater floor. It's built for first-time safari travelers who want real variety—baobab woodland, a soda lake with tree-climbing lions, an open savannah, and a volcanic caldera—rather than five days that all start to look the same. The pace stays balanced throughout: no single leg is so long it eats into your time in the parks themselves.
Destinations to Travel
Tarangire National Park · Mto wa Mbu · Lake Manyara National Park · Ngorongoro Conservation Area · Serengeti National Park · Ngorongoro Crater
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park, then Mto wa Mbu
You leave Arusha in the morning for Tarangire National Park, renowned for its massive elephant herds, ancient baobabs and rich birdlife. A full day of game driving covers the park before you continue on to Mto wa Mbu for dinner and the night at Figi Tree Lodge.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Figi Tree Lodge
Transport: Road transfer; full-day game drive
Day 2 — Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, you head into Lake Manyara National Park—famous for its tree-climbing lions, a soda lake often edged with flamingos, and a lush groundwater forest that stays green even in the dry months. A game drive through the park's varied habitats fills the day, then it's back to Figi Tree Lodge for a relaxed evening.
Day 3 — Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park via Ngorongoro
You travel through the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands, passing Maasai villages and volcanic landscapes before descending into the endless plains of the Serengeti. Game viewing along the way picks up noticeably as you approach central Serengeti. Dinner and the night are at Elwai Camp, located inside the park itself.
Day 4 — Full-Day Safari in Serengeti National Park
A full day in the legendary Serengeti, home to lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and hyenas, with a seasonal chance at the Great Wildebeest Migration. Extensive game drives cover as much of the savannah as possible before you return to camp for the evening.
Day 5 — Ngorongoro Crater, then Return to Arusha
After breakfast, you leave the Serengeti and head to Ngorongoro Crater, descending more than 600 meters into one of Africa's most wildlife-dense natural sanctuaries. A half-day game drive gives good odds on black rhino alongside lion, elephant, hippo and large herds of plains game. In the afternoon, you drive back to Arusha, closing out the trip
What's Included
Rate Includes
- All national park & conservation fees (Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro)
- Ngorongoro Crater descent fees
- Government taxes and conservation levies
- Safari accommodation (Figi Tree Lodge & Elwai Camp)
- Full-board meals during safari (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
- Private or shared 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- All scheduled game drives
- Unlimited game drive mileage
- Drinking water during the safari
- Pick-up and drop-off in Arusha All national park & conservation fees (Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro)
- Ngorongoro Crater descent fees
- Government taxes and conservation levies
- Safari accommodation (Figi Tree Lodge & Elwai Camp)
- Full-board meals during safari (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
- Private or shared 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- All scheduled game drives
- Unlimited game drive mileage
- Drinking water during the safari
- Pick-up and drop-off in Arusha
Rate Excludes
- International & domestic flights
- Pre- or post-safari accommodation in Arusha (available on request)
- Travel & medical insurance
- Tips for driver-guide and camp/lodge staff
- Alcoholic & soft drinks
- Optional activities (balloon safari, Maasai village visit, walking safari)
- Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, phone charging)
- Visa fees
- Any item not mentioned as included
Best Time to Go
All year around
Pricing
From USD 1582 per person
| 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,965 | 1,719 | 1,563 | 1,478 | 1,439 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do a 5-day safari from Arusha covering Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater?
Yes — this itinerary starts and ends in Arusha, with two nights at Figi Tree Lodge covering Tarangire and Lake Manyara, two nights at Elwai Camp inside the Serengeti, and a half-day Ngorongoro Crater tour on the final day.
How is this different from your 4-day Northern Circuit safari?
This 5-day version adds a dedicated day in Lake Manyara National Park, which the 4-day itinerary skips in favor of a more compact Tarangire–Serengeti–Ngorongoro route.
How many nights are spent in the Serengeti?
Two nights, at Elwai Camp inside the park, with a full day of game drives in between arrival and departure.
Will I see the Great Wildebeest Migration on this trip?
It's possible during your time in the Serengeti, but it depends on where the herds are when you travel — a seasonal bonus rather than a guarantee.
Is this safari suitable for first-time visitors to Tanzania?
Yes — it's built specifically for that, covering four of the Northern Circuit's best-known parks at a balanced pace without a long time commitment.
What kind of accommodation is used on this safari?
Figi Tree Lodge for the first two nights near Tarangire and Lake Manyara, then Elwai Camp inside Serengeti National Park for the final two nights — both comfortable, budget-friendly properties.