What is the best time for a 5-day Tanzania safari?

The best time is June to October (dry season) for optimal wildlife viewing, especially during the Great Migration in Serengeti. January to February is also great for calving season.

What animals can I expect to see on this Tanzania safari?

You’ll likely see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) plus cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and more in Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire.

What is included in the 5-day safari package price?

The package includes luxury accommodations, all meals, game drives, park fees, transfers, and expert guides. Exclusions include flights, visas, and personal expenses.

How many nights are spent in Serengeti National Park?

This 5-day safari includes 2 nights in Serengeti National Park, allowing ample time for game drives and wildlife sightings.

Is this safari suitable for families or first-time visitors?

Yes, this safari is ideal for families and first-timers, with comfortable lodges, expert guides, and a well-paced itinerary covering Tanzania’s top parks.

5-Day Private Tanzania Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire

5-Day Tanzania Safari with 2 Nights in Serengeti

Price Starting from$2,800 / per person

5D/4N
pax: 2-12
Category: Wildlife Safari
Arusha, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park during a Tanzania safari

Quick Facts

Duration5 Days / 4 Nights

ParksSerengeti · Ngorongoro · Tarangire

TypePrivate

Start Price$1,650 / person

Best SeasonJun–Oct · Jan–Feb

VehiclePrivate 4x4 Land Cruiser

Overview: 5-Day Tanzania Safari — Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire

Private five-day safari through Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire — three parks, your own vehicle, no schedule compromise, from $1,650 per person.

Unlike the group joining version, this is a fully private safari — your vehicle and guide work exclusively for your party. You set the pace and decide where to spend more time.

Four nights across the three parks gives you enough days to genuinely explore each — not just tick them off a list. This is the itinerary we recommend most frequently for first-time northern Tanzania visitors.

Why This Is Our Most Recommended Safari

Three iconic parks in five days — Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire

Private vehicle and guide — complete flexibility

Two full Serengeti game drive days

Full Ngorongoro Crater descent

Tarangire elephant herds and ancient baobab landscape

All park fees, meals, and accommodation included

This Safari Is Well Suited For

First-time Tanzania safari visitors wanting to see the main highlights
Couples and small groups who want private flexibility
Wildlife enthusiasts wanting solid Big Five opportunities across different habitats
Those combining with Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar for a complete Tanzania trip

This Safari May Not Suit

Budget travelers — private vehicle costs more than group joining
Those who want luxury lodge accommodation throughout (available at higher price)
Travelers with only 3–4 days available — this itinerary needs 5 full days
Anyone who has already done this circuit and wants something more remote

5-Day Safari Itinerary: Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire

Start and end in Arusha or Moshi. Private vehicle throughout.

Day1

Arusha/Moshi → Tarangire National Park

2–3 hours Afternoon game drive

Drive to Tarangire — the closest major park to Arusha. Afternoon game drive in the riverine woodland. Elephants in large numbers during dry season.

Day2

Tarangire → Serengeti

Morning Tarangire Transfer via Ngorongoro Highlands

Morning game drive in Tarangire. Drive through Karatu and up through the Ngorongoro Highlands — magnificent views over the crater rim on the way. Enter Serengeti through Naabi Hill Gate.

Day3

Full Day — Serengeti Central

Dawn to dusk game drives

Full day in the Serengeti plains. Lion prides in the kopjes, cheetah in open grassland, leopard in riverine acacia. Your guide knows where the action is.

Day4

Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater Rim

Morning game drive Transfer to rim

Morning game drive in the Serengeti. Exit and drive to Ngorongoro Crater rim for overnight.

Day5

Ngorongoro Crater → Return

Full crater descent Return journey

Full crater floor game drive — 7 hours inside the caldera. All five Big Five present year-round. Return to Arusha or Moshi by late afternoon.

Price & What Is Included

Included

Return airport transfers (Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport)
All Tanzania National Parks entry and conservation fees
4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and experienced guide-driver
All accommodation as specified in the itinerary
All meals (breakfast, packed lunch, dinner) throughout the safari
Bottled water throughout each game drive day
All gate and park fees

Not Included

International flights to/from Tanzania
Tanzania visa fees (~$50 USD on arrival)
Personal travel insurance (required)
Gratuities for guide-driver and lodge/camp staff
Alcoholic beverages
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Personal medication and health supplies

What to Know Before You Go

Best Time to Visit

Tanzania's dry seasons — late June to October and January to February — provide the best overall conditions. Vegetation is thinner, animals concentrate around water, and the Great Wildebeest Migration river crossings peak July to September. The wet seasons bring lower prices and fewer visitors but more challenging roads.

Health Requirements

Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from an endemic country and recommended regardless. Malaria prophylaxis is advisable for all mainland Tanzania. Consult a travel health clinic at least four to six weeks before departure.

What to Bring

Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, tan) is standard on safari. Bright colours attract insects. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent with DEET, and binoculars (8x magnification minimum). A headlamp is useful for early morning departures.

Frequently Asked Questions

On a 5-day safari through Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, you can expect excellent Big Five sightings. The Serengeti has the highest lion density in Africa and strong leopard populations in riverine areas. Ngorongoro Crater has one of the highest wildlife concentrations per square kilometre anywhere on earth. Tarangire is exceptional for elephants. Wildebeest migration crossings peak July-September.

From $1,650 per person: return airport transfers, all park and conservation fees, 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, experienced guide-driver, all accommodation as specified, all meals during the safari, and bottled water. Not included: international flights, Tanzania visa fees (~$50), travel insurance, gratuities, and personal expenses.

Late June to October is the main dry season — best overall for Big Five sightings and the Great Migration river crossings (July-September). January-February is excellent for predator activity. April-May (main rains) and November-December (short rains) are lower-season with lower prices.

We use purpose-built 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs. Private safaris have the vehicle exclusively for your group. Group joining shares with up to 5 other travelers.

Michael Mwampegete

Founder & CEO — Travel Luxuries Adventure

Michael has guided and managed Tanzania tours since 2012. The information on this page reflects direct operational experience across thousands of trips.

Package Pricing

All prices per person. Every quote is built individually — these are starting points based on standard-tier accommodation. Contact us for a precise quote.

Group Size	Price Per Person	Notes
Solo Traveler	$2,200 / person	Single supplement applies to vehicle cost
2 Travelers	$1,850 / person	Most popular group size
4–6 Travelers	$1,650 / person	Best per-person value

Private vehicle throughout. Standard-tier tented camps included; comfort upgrade available.

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What Travelers Say

“Private vehicle made all the difference at Ngorongoro — we stayed at the rhino sighting for 90 minutes because no one was in a hurry to move.”

Tom & Gemma L.

UK · October 2024

“Three parks in five days sounds rushed — it is not. The guide manages the pacing, and each park is sufficiently different that it never feels repetitive.”

Jean-Pierre D.

France · August 2024

“I had quotes from four operators. TLA was clear about what was included, responded within two hours, and the price was exactly as quoted.”

Sarah O.

Canada · February 2025

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5-Day Tanzania Safari: 2 Nights Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire