5-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari

$1,500 – $2,900 per person USD
Price varies by accommodation tier (camping to luxury lodge), group size, and season — peak months (June–October, December–February) sit at the higher end.
5 Days / 4 NightsPrivate TourArusha Start & EndBig Five Chance

Overview

At a Glance

  • 5 days / 4 nights covering Tarangire, 2 nights in central Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater
  • The most popular length for a first Northern Circuit safari — enough time without long transfers
  • Includes a full-day crater floor game drive with a realistic Big Five chance, including black rhino
  • Private 4x4 vehicle throughout, no shared group departures on this package

This 5-day safari links Tarangire, two nights in central Serengeti, and a full-day Ngorongoro Crater game drive — the classic Northern Circuit combination that balances cost, coverage, and manageable drive times.

Tarangire opens the trip with strong elephant sightings around its baobab-lined river, before the route continues into Serengeti's Seronera area for resident predators and open-plains scenery.

Ngorongoro Crater closes the loop with a single-day descent onto the caldera floor, where black rhino, hippo pools, and flamingo-lined soda lakes sit within one compact, wildlife-dense game drive

Highlights

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Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a single-day Big Five drive, including black rhino sightings.

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Watch elephant herds gather among Tarangire's baobab trees along the Tarangire River.

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Spend two full nights in central Serengeti for genuine time in predator territory, not just a drive-through.

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Photograph flamingo flocks lining the crater's soda lake shoreline.

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Cover three of the Northern Circuit's core parks without long, fatiguing transfer days.

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Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof hatch throughout.

What is the daily itinerary?

  • Day 1: Rongai Gate to Simba Camp
  • Day 2: Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp
  • Day 3: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp
  • Day 4: Acclimatization Day at Mawenzi Tarn
  • Day 5: Cross the Saddle to Kibo Hut
  • Day 6: Summit Night: Uhuru Peak, then Descend to Horombo Hut
  • Day 7: Descend to Marangu Gate and Certificate Presentation

What happens each day of the tour?

Day 1

Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Meals: L, DStart: ArushaFinish: Tarangire National ParkDistance: ~120 kmDrive Time: ~2h

Depart Arusha after breakfast for the short drive to Tarangire, known for one of Tanzania's highest elephant densities. An afternoon game drive along the Tarangire River often turns up elephant families bathing at the water's edge, plus giraffe and impala.

🔥 EXCITING WILDLIFE SPOTLIGHT GAME DRIVE
Day 2

Tarangire to Central Serengeti

Meals: B, L, DStart: Tarangire National ParkFinish: Central Serengeti (Seronera)Distance: ~280 kmDrive Time: 5–6h with game viewing en route
Drive north through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area toward central Serengeti, with a picnic lunch overlooking the highlands. The descent onto the plains brings open grassland views and a good chance of giraffe, topi, and zebra before a late-afternoon game drive near camp.
Day 3

Full Day in Central Serengeti

Meals: B, L, DStart: Seronera LodgeFinish: Seronera LodgeGame Drive Time: Full day, morning and afternoon sessions
A full day in the Seronera area, the region with the highest year-round predator density in the park. Morning and afternoon drives target lion prides in kopjes and resident cheetah, with a packed lunch at a shaded picnic site.
Day 4

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim

Meals: B, L, DStart: Seronera LodgeFinish: Ngorongoro Crater RimDistance: ~150 kmDrive Time: 3–4h
Drive back through the Ngorongoro highlands, arriving at your crater-rim lodge in the early afternoon with time to take in views over the caldera before dinner.
Day 5

Ngorongoro Crater Floor to Arusha

Meals: B, L, DStart: Ngorongoro Crater RimFinish: ArushaDistance: ~180 kmDrive Time: 3–4h after the crater descent
Descend onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a half-day game drive, one of the few places in Tanzania where black rhino sightings are realistic alongside lion, hippo, and flamingo-lined soda lakes, before the drive back to Arusha.

What accommodation is included?

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Basic Camping

Sharing style
Dome tents, shared bathrooms
Budget Choice
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Serengeti & Crater Rim Lodges

Serengeti & Crater Rim Lodges
Spacious rooms with buffet dining and pools, positioned within easy reach of each park's game-viewing circuit.
Mid-Range
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Ngorongoro Crater-Rim Suites

Ngorongoro Crater-Rim Suites
Private suites with crater views and flexible in-room dining, positioned on the rim above the caldera.
Luxury Lodge

What is included and excluded?

What's Included?

All park entrance and conservation fees (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro)
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof hatch and English-speaking driver-guide
All meals as specified throughout the itinerary
4 nights accommodation in lodges/tented camps, per selected tier
Bottled water during game drives
Airport transfers to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport
Government taxes and park levies

What\'s Not Included?

International and domestic flights
Tanzania visa fees
Travel and medical insurance
Tips for driver-guide and camp staff
Alcoholic drinks and beverages outside meal times
Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, wifi/phone charges)

Why Book with Generous African Tours?

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KPAP & Local Experts
Our guides have 10+ years of tracking experience, knowing exactly where the wildlife migrates and how to escape the crowds.
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Custom 4x4 Vehicles
Travel in safety with custom-modified Toyota Land Cruisers featuring charging ports, large windows, and a pop-up roof.
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Tailored Hospitality
We handpick clean, high-service safari lodges and luxury camps, ensuring delicious meals and excellent comfort after game drives.

Best Time to Visit Tanzania Safari

The best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is during the dry months of January-March and June-October, when the weather is stable with less rain.

Jan
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Dry Season
Clear
Feb
🌤
Dry Season
Clear
Mar
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Short Rains
Wet
Apr
🌧
Long Rains
Wet
May
🌧
Long Rains
Wet
Jun
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Peak Dry
Excellent
Jul
⭐
Peak Dry
Excellent
Aug
⭐
Peak Dry
Excellent
Sep
⭐
Peak Dry
Excellent
Oct
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Dry End
Good
Nov
🌧
Short Rains
Quiet
Dec
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Good Season
Festive
Peak season
Good season
Low / rainy season

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Is 5 days enough to see Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro properly?

Yes — 5 days is the most popular length for this exact combination, giving two full nights in Serengeti and a full-day crater descent without the itinerary feeling rushed or the drive days becoming exhausting.
FAQ

What are the chances of seeing the Big Five on this itinerary?

Ngorongoro Crater gives the single best chance in Tanzania to see lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino within one day, though leopard and rhino sightings are never guaranteed on any safari.
FAQ

Do I need to time this trip around the wildebeest migration?

No — this itinerary is built around Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro's year-round resident wildlife, so it delivers strong sightings regardless of migration timing.
FAQ

Can this itinerary be adjusted for a family with young children?

Yes — drive times can be shortened and paced around younger travelers on request; see our dedicated Family Safari package for a version built specifically around kids
FAQ

What is the maximum group size in the vehicle?

This is a private tour, so your vehicle only carries your own party, typically up to six people per Land Cruiser.
FAQ

Can I extend this trip to include Lake Manyara or Zanzibar?

Yes — Lake Manyara can be added as an extra day, and a Zanzibar beach extension is a common add-on after the safari ends in Arusha.

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