Tanzania Big Five Safari
Overview
Tanzania Big Five will Embark you on an unforgettable 7-day journey through Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife destinations. This safari takes you from the elephant-rich plains of Tarangire National Park to the scenic beauty of Lake Manyara National Park, into the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, and across the endless plains of Serengeti National Park. Concluding in Arusha, this safari offers a perfect blend of wildlife, landscapes, and authentic African experiences.
Highlights
- Elephant Encounters in Tarangire National Park
- Scenic Beauty of Lake Manyara National Park
- Wildlife Haven of Ngorongoro Crater
- Endless Plains of Serengeti National Park
- The Great Wildebeest Migration
Itinerary
This carefully crafted itinerary showcases the best of Tanzania’s northern circuit. Expect close encounters with elephants, lions, and vast herds of wildlife, dramatic landscapes ranging from baobab-dotted plains to lush forests, and world-famous ecosystems teeming with life. Each destination offers a unique experience, making this safari ideal for first-time visitors and seasoned travelers alike.
pon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. After check-in, enjoy some time to relax after your journey. Later in the evening, you will have a short safari briefing where your guide will walk you through the itinerary, expectations, and essential travel tips.
- Meals: Dinner (depending on arrival time)
- Overnight: Hotel in Arusha
fter an early breakfast, depart Arusha and drive towards Tarangire National Park, a journey that offers scenic views of rural Tanzania and Maasai villages. Upon arrival, begin your first game drive in a park famous for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees.
You will explore the Tarangire River area, a vital water source that attracts a variety of wildlife including lions, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes. Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park before continuing with an afternoon game drive.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in/near Tarangire
After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park, a relatively small but incredibly diverse park nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
Enjoy a full-day game drive through its varied ecosystems, including groundwater forests, open grasslands, and the lake shoreline. Keep an eye out for tree-climbing lions, large troops of baboons, elephants, and flocks of flamingos along the lake.
You’ll have a picnic lunch within the park before continuing your exploration. In the late afternoon, head to your lodge for relaxation and dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Overnight: Lodge near Lake Manyara or Karatu
After an early breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. This natural wonder is home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
Enjoy a half-day game drive on the crater floor, where you may spot the Big Five, including the rare black rhino. The crater’s diverse habitats—grasslands, swamps, and forests—support a wide range of animals.
After a picnic lunch near the hippo pool, ascend the crater and head to your lodge located on the rim or in the nearby Karatu area.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Overnight: Lodge on the crater rim or Karatu
After breakfast, depart for the Serengeti, passing through the Ngorongoro highlands. Along the way, enjoy scenic views and optional stops such as Olduvai Gorge (optional visit), known as the “Cradle of Mankind.”
As you enter Serengeti National Park, the landscape opens into vast endless plains. Enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge or camp, spotting wildlife such as lions, cheetahs, elephants, and large herds of wildebeest and zebras.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in Serengeti
Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti, one of the most famous wildlife reserves in the world. You can opt for morning and afternoon game drives or a full-day safari with a picnic lunch.
Track predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs, and witness the incredible diversity of wildlife that roams these plains. Depending on the season, you may also experience part of the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of nature’s most spectacular events.
Optional activity: Hot air balloon safari at sunrise, followed by a bush breakfast.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Overnight: Lodge or camp in Serengeti
Begin the day with an optional early morning game drive to catch predators in action one last time. After breakfast, start your journey back to Arusha with a packed lunch.
Alternatively, you may opt for a domestic flight from Serengeti to Arusha for a quicker and more comfortable return. Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be transferred to the airport or your hotel, marking the end of your unforgettable safari.
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch