5 Days Tanzania Safari - 5 Days

Day 0: Arrival in Arusha
Afternoon/Evening – Arrival in Arusha

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), where your safari representative will meet you. Arusha is a vibrant city nestled at the base of Mount Meru, serving as a gateway to the northern safari circuit.
Transfer to Your Hotel

You’ll be transferred to your hotel in Arusha. This is a great time to relax, get acclimated, and go over your itinerary with the safari guide. You may have time to explore the local area or enjoy a peaceful afternoon at the hotel.
Dinner and Rest

Enjoy a leisurely dinner at the hotel, savoring some local Tanzanian cuisine or international options, depending on your preference. It’s a great time to rest and recharge for the journey ahead.
Overnight: Hotel or lodge in Arusha

Day 1: Transfer to Tarangire National Park
7:00 AM – Breakfast at Hotel in Arusha

Start with a hearty breakfast, ensuring you’re ready for your first day on safari.
8:00 AM – Drive to Tarangire National Park

Depart Arusha and begin the scenic two-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. This park is known for its vast baobab-studded landscapes and large elephant herds. As you enter the park, the sight of its diverse wildlife and ancient trees sets the tone for your safari.
10:30 AM – Game Drive in Tarangire

Head out on your first game drive, exploring the park’s savannas and riverine areas. Tarangire’s Tarangire River, especially in the dry season, attracts diverse wildlife, including elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and predators like lions and leopards.
1:00 PM – Picnic Lunch

Stop at one of the designated picnic areas within the park. Enjoy your meal in the scenic surroundings, with opportunities for wildlife viewing right from your picnic spot.
2:00 PM – Afternoon Game Drive

Continue your game drive, focusing on different areas of the park for varied wildlife encounters. You may spot giraffes browsing on acacia trees, antelope herds, and perhaps even a rare sighting of cheetahs or African wild dogs.
5:30 PM – Check-In at Lodge/Camp

Head to your chosen lodge or camp, freshen up, and relax. In the evening, unwind with dinner and get some rest, preparing for the exciting days ahead.
Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in or near Tarangire National Park.

Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park
7:00 AM – Breakfast at Lodge

Enjoy an early breakfast to make the most of the day.
8:00 AM – Drive to Lake Manyara National Park

Depart for Lake Manyara National Park, a beautiful drive that takes about 1.5 hours. Along the way, take in views of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and traditional Maasai homesteads.
10:00 AM – Game Drive in Lake Manyara

Begin your game drive in the park. Known for its unique tree-climbing lions, Lake Manyara also hosts a large population of baboons and other primates, as well as over 400 bird species, including flamingos and pelicans that gather along the lake’s shores.
12:30 PM – Picnic Lunch

Pause for lunch in a scenic spot within the park, possibly near the lake’s edge with stunning views of the water and the rift valley cliffs.
2:00 PM – Continue Afternoon Game Drive

Resume the game drive, exploring different areas of the park’s forests, open savannahs, and lake shores. Elephants and giraffes are commonly seen in this park, and the forested area near the entrance often reveals blue monkeys and other primates.
4:30 PM – Head to Karatu

After the game drive, depart for Karatu, a small town near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The 30-minute drive allows you time to enjoy the scenery and reflect on the day.
6:00 PM – Check-In and Dinner at Lodge

Arrive at your lodge or camp, enjoy dinner, and relax for the evening.
Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in Karatu or near Lake Manyara.

Day 3: Serengeti National Park (Central Serengeti)
6:00 AM – Breakfast and Departure

Have an early breakfast before setting off for Serengeti National Park. The drive takes approximately 3-4 hours, with a beautiful route through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy scenic stops along the way.
10:00 AM – Game Drive in Serengeti

Enter the Serengeti and begin your game drive en route to your accommodations in Central Serengeti. The Serengeti is world-famous for its endless plains and abundant wildlife, including large herds of wildebeests and zebras.
12:30 PM – Lunch at Camp

Arrive at your camp or lodge, check in, and enjoy a relaxing lunch.
2:00 PM – Afternoon Game Drive in Central Serengeti

Venture out on an afternoon game drive, focusing on the Seronera area, which is well known for predator sightings. Lions, leopards, and cheetahs are frequently spotted here, along with elephants, buffalo, and a variety of bird species.
6:00 PM – Return to Camp for Dinner

Head back to your camp or lodge for a delicious dinner. Share stories of the day’s sightings around the campfire and enjoy the sounds of the Serengeti’s nighttime ambiance.
Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in Central Serengeti.

Day 4: Serengeti National Park & Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
6:00 AM – Early Morning Game Drive

Start the day with an early game drive to catch predators in action. You might spot hyenas on a morning hunt or lions lounging after a night of activity.
8:30 AM – Breakfast and Check Out

Return to camp for breakfast, then prepare for the journey to Ngorongoro.
10:00 AM – Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Enjoy a leisurely drive through the Serengeti and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with scenic stops and chances to learn about Maasai culture along the way.
1:00 PM – Lunch En Route

Stop for lunch at a designated spot with panoramic views of the plains.
3:00 PM – Arrival and Optional Activity

Arrive at your lodge or camp near the Ngorongoro Crater. Relax and take in the views, or opt for a cultural visit to a local Maasai village to gain insight into their customs and lifestyle.
6:30 PM – Dinner at Lodge

Unwind with a delicious dinner and relax, preparing for a spectacular day in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Overnight: Lodge or tented camp on the Ngorongoro Crater rim or nearby.

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater & Return to Arusha
5:30 AM – Breakfast and Early Start

After an early breakfast, prepare for a magical morning in Ngorongoro Crater.
6:00 AM – Descend into the Crater

Begin the descent into the crater for an early morning game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its densely packed wildlife population, including endangered black rhinos, lions, elephants, buffalo, and hippos.
6:30 AM – Morning Game Drive in the Crater

Explore the crater floor, where you may spot nearly every major African wildlife species in one of the world’s most scenic settings. The variety and abundance of animals make Ngorongoro a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife spectacle.
12:00 PM – Picnic Lunch in the Crater

Take a break for a picnic lunch near a hippo pool, where you can observe hippos wallowing as you enjoy your meal.
1:00 PM – Final Game Drive and Ascent

Continue your game drive, looking for any animals you may have missed, before ascending back to the crater rim.
4:00 PM – Return to Arusha

Begin the drive back to Arusha. Arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon, allowing time for shopping, relaxation, or preparation for your departure.
Evening Departure (Optional)

Depending on your flight time, head to the airport for your evening flight, marking the end of your Tanzanian safari adventure.