5 Days Tanzania Safari – Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Tarangire Tour
Embark on an unforgettable 5 Days Tanzania Safari through the world-famous Northern Circuit, featuring Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. This carefully crafted 5 Day Tanzania Safari Itinerary offers incredible wildlife viewing, Big Five encounters, breathtaking savannah landscapes, and expert-guided game drives from start to finish.
Whether you're looking for an affordable 5-day safari in Tanzania, a mid-range adventure, or a luxury lodge experience, this safari package delivers the perfect blend of comfort, adventure, and authentic African wilderness.
Ideal for couples, families, groups, or travellers starting their Tanzania safari from Zanzibar, this tour is one of the most popular and rewarding ways to explore Tanzania in just five days.
What to Expect Each Day on Your 5-Day Tanzania Safari Adventure
Day 1 – Tarangire National Park
Begin your Tanzania safari adventure in Tarangire National Park, renowned for its iconic baobab trees and some of the largest elephant herds in Northern Tanzania. Enjoy your first guided game drive through classic savannah landscapes, spotting elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, and diverse birdlife along the Tarangire River ecosystem.
Day 2 – Serengeti National Park (Central Serengeti)
Travel into the legendary Serengeti, the heart of every authentic Tanzania safari tour. As the plains open endlessly before you, encounter resident predators including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, alongside vast herds of plains game. An afternoon game drive introduces you to Central Serengeti’s wildlife-rich corridors before overnight at your lodge or luxury tented camp.
Day 3 – Serengeti National Park (Full-Day Game Drives)
Dedicate a full day to exploring the most productive wildlife areas of the Serengeti. Track big cats during peak activity hours and, during the Great Migration season, witness thousands of wildebeest and zebra moving across the plains. This immersive safari day delivers some of Tanzania’s most iconic photographic moments.
Day 4 – Ngorongoro Crater
Descend over 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, often referred to as Africa’s “Garden of Eden.” This UNESCO-listed natural amphitheater offers one of the highest wildlife densities in Africa, with excellent chances to see the Big Five in a single game drive. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch near the hippo pool surrounded by breathtaking crater walls.
Day 5 – Lake Manyara National Park / Return to Arusha
Conclude your 5 days Tanzania safari with an optional visit to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its Rift Valley escarpment, groundwater forest, and flamingo-lined shores. Alternatively, return directly to Arusha, passing through
Maasai villages and dramatic landscapes, marking the end of an unforgettable Northern Circuit safari experience.
This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking a well-balanced Tanzania safari combining classic wildlife parks, Big Five encounters, and diverse landscapes, with flexible starting points from Arusha, Zanzibar, or Dar es Salaam.
Accommodation Options for Your 5 Days Tanzania Safari – Lodges & Camps in Serengeti, Tarangire & Ngorongoro
We offer flexible accommodation options for your 5-Day Tanzania Safari, allowing you to choose the level of comfort that best suits your travel style and budget. From cozy budget camps to stylish mid-range lodges and luxury tented camps, every property is carefully selected for quality, safety, and proximity to key wildlife areas.
Budget Camping (Affordable & Adventurous)
Ideal for travelers seeking an authentic and affordable Tanzania safari experience. You’ll sleep in quality dome tents at public or private campsites, with a professional safari chef preparing fresh meals each day. This option is perfect for backpackers, groups, and adventurous travelers.
Best Time to Visit for a 5-Day Safari in Tanzania
A 5-day safari in Tanzania is magical year-round, but the experience shifts with the seasons, each offering its own unique rewards.
Dry Season (June – October)
This is the classic safari window and ideal for first-time visitors. Skies are clear, daytime temperatures are comfortable, and wildlife congregates around shrinking water sources, making game viewing effortless. It’s also the peak period for the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti’s northern reaches, where dramatic river crossings draw predators and photographers alike.
Green Season (November – March)
The short rains bring fresh grass and a burst of life to the plains. Fewer crowds and softer light create a serene atmosphere perfect for photography. From January to March, the southern Serengeti hosts the calving season, when thousands of wildebeest give birth and predators are close at hand—an unforgettable spectacle for wildlife lovers.
Shoulder Months (April – May)
These months mark the long rains. While some remote camps close, prices drop, and landscapes turn an intense, photogenic green. Birdwatching is exceptional, and with fewer vehicles in the parks, you can enjoy a sense of wilderness all to yourself.
No matter when you travel, our expert guides tailor the itinerary—Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire—to match seasonal wildlife movements. Whether you crave dramatic predator action or tranquil, emerald vistas, Tanzania’s natural rhythm ensures your 5-day safari will be extraordinary in every season.
Flights & Transfers from Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Kilimanjaro
Your 5-day Tanzania safari is easy to begin no matter where you’re coming from. We arrange seamless domestic flights and private transfers so you can start your adventure from Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), or even Nairobi.
From Zanzibar
Daily morning flights operated by Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, and Flightlink connect Stone Town or beach resorts to Arusha in about 1 hour 15 minutes. You’ll land in Arusha ready to head directly to Tarangire National Park or continue to the Serengeti.
From Dar es Salaam
Frequent flights to Arusha and Kilimanjaro make it simple to combine a city stay with a Northern Circuit safari. Connections to the Serengeti are also available for guests who want to skip extra driving.
From Arusha & Kilimanjaro
If you’re already on the mainland, our driver-guides will greet you at your hotel or at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for a smooth transfer to the first park on your itinerary—Tarangire, Serengeti, or Ngorongoro.
Private Road Transfers
For guests who prefer an overland journey, we provide comfortable 4×4 Land Cruisers with experienced drivers for transfers between airports, lodges, and national parks.
Including these flexible options ensures you can tailor your 5-day Tanzania safari to match your travel plans, whether you’re flying in from a Zanzibar beach holiday, an international gateway like Nairobi, or a mainland Tanzanian city.
Pricing & What’s Included in Our 5-Day Tanzania Safari
Our 5-Day Tanzania Safari offers transparent, all-inclusive pricing so you know exactly what’s covered before you travel. Rates vary depending on your preferred level of comfort—mid-range or luxury—and the season of travel.
Typical Per-Person Pricing
-
Mid-Range Package: from USD 2,450 per person (based on 2–6 guests sharing).
-
Luxury Package: from USD 3,800 per person (based on 2–6 guests sharing).
Exact quotes depend on group size, lodge choices, and seasonal park fees.
Included in Every Package
-
All domestic flights or private transfers from Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Arusha, or Kilimanjaro to the Northern Circuit.
-
Exclusive use of a custom 4×4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for unlimited game drives.
-
Professional, English-speaking driver-guide (French and German available on request).
-
Four nights’ accommodation in hand-picked lodges or tented camps with full-board meals.
-
All national park and Ngorongoro Crater entrance fees.
-
Bottled drinking water throughout the safari.
Not Included
-
International flights to Tanzania.
-
Visa fees, travel insurance, and personal expenses such as tips, souvenirs, and optional activities (e.g., Maasai village visit or hot-air balloon ride).
With upfront pricing and no hidden costs, you can book your 5-day Tanzania safari confidently, knowing that every transfer, park fee, and game drive is already arranged for a seamless adventure.
Questions About 5-Day Tanzania Safaris
How many national parks are covered in a 5 day Tanzania safari?
A standard 5-day Tanzania safari typically covers three to four major national parks, including Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, and, optionally, Lake Manyara. This makes it one of the most comprehensive short safari itineraries in Tanzania.
Is 5 days enough for a Tanzania safari?
Yes. Five days is an ideal duration for travellers who want to experience Tanzania’s top wildlife destinations without rushing. It allows multiple game drives in the Serengeti, a full crater tour in Ngorongoro, and exposure to diverse ecosystems across the Northern Circuit.
Can a 5 day Tanzania safari start from Zanzibar?
Yes. A 5 day Tanzania safari can start from Zanzibar, with a short domestic flight to Arusha or directly to the Serengeti. This option is popular for travelers combining a Zanzibar beach holiday with a mainland safari.
Can this safari start from Arusha or Dar es Salaam?
Absolutely. Most 5 day Tanzania safaris start from Arusha, the main safari hub in Northern Tanzania. Starting from Dar es Salaam is also possible, usually involving a domestic flight to Arusha or the Serengeti.
What animals will I see on a 5 day Tanzania safari?
You can expect to see elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species. The Ngorongoro Crater offers one of the best chances to spot the endangered black rhino.
Does a 5 day Tanzania safari include the Big Five?
Yes. A 5 day Tanzania safari offers excellent chances to see all members of the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—especially during the Ngorongoro Crater game drive.
Is the Great Migration included in a 5 day safari?
The Great Migration is seasonal. If you travel at the right time of year and your itinerary includes the Serengeti regions where the herds are located, your 5 day safari can be adjusted to maximize migration sightings.
What is the best time to book a 5 day Tanzania safari?
It is recommended to book 3–6 months in advance, especially during peak seasons (June–October and December–February). Migration-focused travel may require earlier booking due to limited lodge availability.
Is a 5 day safari suitable for first-time safari travelers?
Yes. This itinerary is ideal for first-time visitors because it combines high wildlife density, varied landscapes, and well-developed safari infrastructure with comfortable driving distances.
Is a 5 day Tanzania safari suitable for families?
Yes. Family-friendly lodges, private vehicles, flexible pacing, and child-aware guides make this safari suitable for families. Some lodges have minimum age policies, which can be planned accordingly.
Is a 5 day Tanzania safari suitable for families?
Yes. Most 5 day Tanzania safaris are operated as private safaris, offering a dedicated vehicle, personal guide, flexible schedules, and customized game drives.
What is included in a 5 day Tanzania safari package?
Typically included:
-
Private safari vehicle with pop-up roof
-
Professional English-speaking safari guide
-
Park entrance fees and conservation fees
-
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
-
Game drives and crater service fees
What should I pack for a 5 day Tanzania safari?
Essentials include neutral-colored clothing, a light jacket, sun protection, comfortable shoes, binoculars, camera gear, personal medications, and soft luggage suitable for safari vehicles.