5-Day Tarangire Serengeti Ngorongoro Crater Safari

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha or Moshi to Tarangire

We meet you early at your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi. After greeting you with cold towels and bottled water we begin the journey south to Tarangire National Park. The first glimpse of baobabs and wide savannah signals the start of adventure.

An afternoon game drive begins with elephant herds assembled by the Tarangire River. You may spot calves playing in the dust and large bulls grazing under spreading branches. We also look for buffalo, giraffe, and a wide array of birdlife including lilac-breasted rollers and saddle-billed storks.

In the evening, we arrive at camp or lodge. Dinner is served under a canvas canopy or beside an open fire as you view incredible stars above the savannah with the sounds of the bush dull you into the rhythm of wild Africa.

Overnight:

• Budget – Tarangire Sopa Lodge
• Standard – Tarangire River Camp
• Luxury – Tarangire Treetops

Day 2: Tarangire to Serengeti

After sunrise coffee you embark on a morning game drive, pausing to watch elephants bathe in the river and birds nesting in tree hollows. You might glimpse predators such as lions or leopards resting beneath trees.

Following lunch and photo breaks among ancient baobabs, we travel toward the Serengeti. The landscape transitions from wooded plains to sweeping grassland adorned with zebra and herds of antelope.

We arrive in early evening at your lodge or tented camp. After a welcome drink we set out for a twilight drive. Dusk is a prime time for predators to stir. You may witness lion roars, hyena patrols, or communities of baboons preparing for nightfall.

Overnight:

• Budget – Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp
• Standard – Serengeti Sopa Lodge
• Luxury – Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

Day 3: Full Day in the Serengeti

Today is dedicated to exploring one of the most iconic ecosystems on Earth. We leave just before dawn, following a route that aligns with scent trails of big cats, elephant paths, and possibly migrating herds if timing allows.

You may witness the sight of a lion pride lounging on a termite mound or a cheetah scanning for prey from a kopje. Lunch is served in the bush under an acacia tree and offers a chance to digest both food and wildlife moments.

The afternoon brings further wildlife exploration. You might see wildebeest herds moving across open plains, accompanied by vultures. In the late evening you return to camp for a relaxing dinner recounting the day’s sightings under lantern light.

Overnight:

• Budget – Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp
• Standard – Serengeti Sopa Lodge
• Luxury – Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro (overnight near Karatu)

An early safari session helps you catch the last moments of animal activity before breakfast. Perhaps a male lion yawning on a ridge or a herd of buffalo stirring at first light.

After brunch we depart the Serengeti via scenic highland roads toward Ngorongoro. We pause at viewpoints along the way, drinking in the vastness of the wildlife landscapes.

We arrive at your lodge near Karatu on the crater rim. As the sun drops, you can sip sundowner drinks while gazing across the crater’s lush basin before a highland-style dinner under cool skies.

Overnight:

• Budget – Gate of the Crater Lodge
• Standard – Arcadia Cottages
• Luxury – Ngorongoro Farm House

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Return

We begin early and drive down into Ngorongoro Crater, a natural amphitheater home to an astonishing variety of wildlife. Within minutes you may encounter herds of zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo alongside black rhinos and lion coalitions.

A picnic lunch by the soda lake gives you a moment to reflect while watching flamingos and hippos. Afternoon brings more viewing – perhaps a bull elephant on a dusty road or a lone cheetah resting in tall grass.

We leave the crater late afternoon and return to your lodge for a quick refresh. We continue back to Arusha or Moshi, arriving in the early evening. Your driver can drop you at your hotel or at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airports for onward travel.