6 Days – Tanzania Big Five Safari
6 Days / 5 Nights Days
Arusha, Tanzania → Arusha, Tanzania
From
USD $3,274
per person
Why Choose This Safari?
This six-day itinerary is built for travellers who want depth in the Serengeti as well as the classic highlights around it. You start with two easy days based in Karatu, visiting Tarangire National Park, known for its towering baobabs and large elephant herds, and Lake Manyara National Park, a gem of lake, flamingos and lush groundwater forest. You then spend three nights in the Serengeti, with an arrival evening game drive and two more full days to explore its endless plains, home to the great migration and some of Africa’s most impressive predator populations. The safari ends with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often described as Africa’s Garden of Eden, and a drive back to Arusha. Together, these parks give you a good chance of looking for the Big Five, although sightings can’t be guaranteed.
Safari Highlights
- Explore four of Tanzania’s top wildlife destinations
- Witness the Big Five and countless other species
- Visit the world-famous Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
- Experience diverse landscapes and cultures
- Enjoy comfortable lodges and tented camps throughout your journey
Destinations to Travel
Arusha · Tarangire National Park · Karatu · Lake Manyara National Park · Serengeti National Park · Ngorongoro Crater
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park to Karatu
After breakfast you leave Arusha for Tarangire National Park, known for its towering baobab trees and large elephant herds. You enjoy a game drive in the morning and afternoon, with a picnic lunch at one of the park’s scenic sites. Later you continue to Karatu for dinner and an overnight stay at Farm of Dreams Lodge or similar.
Day 2 — Karatu to Lake Manyara National Park and Back
After breakfast you drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a gem known for its tree-climbing lions, flamingos and lush groundwater forest. Sightings can’t be guaranteed on any given day, but a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch gives you plenty of time to look. More than 390 bird species have been recorded, and you may also see hippos and baboons. You return to Karatu in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay at Farm of Dreams Lodge or similar.
Day 3 — Karatu to Serengeti National Park via Ngorongoro
After breakfast you travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on your way to the legendary Serengeti National Park. Along the way you enjoy wildlife viewing, spotting giraffes, zebras and perhaps a pride of lions basking under the acacia trees. You arrive in the Serengeti in time for an evening game drive before dinner at camp, where you spend the night at Into Wild Serengeti Tented Camp or similar.
Day 4 — Full-Day Game Drive in the Serengeti
You spend the day exploring the endless plains of the Serengeti, home to the great migration and some of Africa’s most impressive predator populations. You enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush before continuing with an afternoon game drive, and return to camp at sunset for dinner and relaxation under the stars.
Day 5 — Another Full-Day Game Drive in the Serengeti
Today you explore deeper into the Serengeti ecosystem. You can search for elusive leopards in the acacia woodlands, spot herds of elephants and wildebeest and watch cheetahs on the open plains. A picnic lunch is served in the park, and you return to camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 6 — Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
After an early breakfast you leave the Serengeti with your packed lunch and head towards the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often described as Africa’s Garden of Eden. You descend into the crater for an incredible game-viewing experience, surrounded by spectacular scenery, and enjoy your picnic lunch at a picnic site in the crater. You then climb out and drive back to Arusha for drop-off. Accommodation after the safari is not included but is available on request.
What's Included
Rate Includes
- Transport on 4WD vehicle with the pop-up roof, which enable you to spot wildlife easier
- Three meals a day on Safari
- Park entrance fees
- Driver’s allowances
- Service of an English speaking professional guide/Driver
- Camping fees, Mattresses (If Camping)
- Lodge fee
- Crater fees
- Food, cook and all kitchen utensils (If Camping)
- Mineral water 1.5lt per person per day
- Activities as per itinerary above
Rate Excludes
- International flights to/from your home
- Tips & gratitude’s
- The first night on your arrival and last night after safari (book with us)
- Airport transfers (book with us)
- Personal insurance
- Sleeping bag (if Camping)
- Olduvai Gorge fees
- Alcoholic drinks
- Serengeti Balloon (can book with us)
- Flying doctor’s insurance, we can arrange for requests.
- Tips to the driver/guide and all items of personal nature/use
- Easter, Christmas & New Year’s supplements may apply
Best Time to Go
No travel window was given for this itinerary, so the advice below comes from the route and general seasonality. The dry months, roughly June to October, are usually the easiest for game viewing, and from June to November large herds of zebra, wildebeest and buffalo gather in Tarangire National Park. The wildebeest in the Serengeti follow the rains, so ask our team where the herds are likely to be on your dates, and flamingos at Lake Manyara are most plentiful in the wet season. The green months bring lush landscapes, young animals and fewer visitors, though roads can be muddier. For the best overall balance of game viewing and travel comfort, aim for June to October. You can find more on the Tanzania National Parks Authority and Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority sites.
Pricing
From USD $3,274 per person
| Option | Price | Pax |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-Range Accommodation Safari | US$3,274 per person sharing | Minimum 2 Pax |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this safari start and end, and how long does it take?
It starts in Arusha with a drive to Tarangire and ends back in Arusha on the evening of Day 6. It runs for 6 days and 5 nights, with two nights in Karatu and three nights in the Serengeti.
How many days do we spend in the Serengeti?
You spend three nights in Serengeti National Park, arriving on Day 3 for an evening game drive and enjoying two full days of game drives on Days 4 and 5. The great migration follows the rains, so our team can advise where the herds are likely to be on your dates.
Can we see the Big Five on this safari?
This safari gives you a good chance of looking for lions, elephants and buffalo, and leopards are present in the Serengeti but harder to spot. Rhinos are very rare in the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater has a small black rhino population, so the full Big Five can’t be guaranteed on any safari.
Will we see tree-climbing lions at Lake Manyara?
Lake Manyara is known for its tree-climbing lions, and your guide will look for them during your full-day game drive on Day 2. Sightings can’t be guaranteed, but the park also offers flamingos in the wet season, hippos, baboons and more than 390 bird species.
Where will we stay?
You stay at Farm of Dreams Lodge or similar in Karatu for two nights and at Into Wild Serengeti Tented Camp or similar in the Serengeti for three nights, with dinner included each night. Our team will confirm the names when your booking is confirmed.
What happens after the safari ends in Arusha?
You’re driven back to Arusha on the evening of Day 6 for drop-off. Accommodation after the safari is not included but is available on request, so tell our team what you need.