5-Day Classic Serengeti Safari

5 days

Overview

Discover the timeless beauty of Tanzania's northern circuit on this classic 5-day safari. Explore the elephant-rich plains of Tarangire, descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, and witness the vast plains of the Serengeti teeming with wildlife. This itinerary offers the perfect introduction to Tanzania's most iconic safari destinations, balancing exceptional wildlife viewing with comfortable mid-range lodges.

Highlights

Game drive in Tarangire National Park, renowned for its massive elephant herds

Full-day game drive on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Two full days exploring the endless plains of Serengeti National Park

Spot the Big Five in some of Africa's most celebrated wildlife areas

Stay at Serengeti Sopa Lodge with sweeping views of the plains

Opportunity to visit Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind

Gallery

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Arusha

On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to Arusha Planet Lodge. Settle into your room and receive a full safari briefing from your driver-guide. Enjoy dinner at the lodge and rest up for the adventure ahead.

Accommodation

Four Points by Sheraton Arusha

Mid-Range

Dinner

Day 2 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park

After an early breakfast, depart Arusha and drive approximately two hours to Tarangire National Park, famed for its large elephant population and majestic baobab trees. Enjoy a full afternoon game drive along the Tarangire River, where wildlife congregates during the dry season. Spot elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, and an array of birdlife. Overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge with stunning views over the river valley.

Accommodation

Farm of Dreams Lodge

Mid-Range

Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 — Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti National Park

Depart Tarangire after breakfast and drive through the scenic highlands towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend 600 meters to the crater floor for a half-day game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater hosts an extraordinary concentration of wildlife including black rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo, and hippo. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the hippo pool before ascending the crater rim and continuing through the conservation area toward the Serengeti. Optionally visit Olduvai Gorge, the archaeological site where early hominid fossils were discovered by the Leakey family. Enter the Serengeti through Naabi Hill Gate with an en-route game drive to your lodge, arriving as the sun sets over the vast plains.

Accommodation

Into Wild Africa

Mid-Range

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 — Full Day Serengeti Game Drive

Rise early for a full day exploring the Serengeti's diverse landscapes — from open grasslands and acacia-dotted savannah to the rocky kopjes that are prime territory for predators. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Migration, dramatic predator-prey interactions, and vast congregations of plains game. Stop for a picnic lunch in the bush, then continue the afternoon game drive before returning to Serengeti Sopa Lodge at sunset.

Accommodation

Into Wild Africa

Mid-Range

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 — Serengeti to Arusha

Enjoy one last morning game drive in the Serengeti, soaking in the golden light and the sounds of the bush awakening. After a relaxed brunch, begin the journey back to Arusha with game viewing en route through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive in Arusha by late afternoon for your onward flight or an extension to Zanzibar.

Breakfast, Lunch