5 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Serengeti
Expedition Overview
Experience an unforgettable 5-day Tanzania Big Five safari through the Northern Safari Circuit, combining the elephant-rich landscapes of Tarangire National Park, the spectacular wildlife of the Ngorongoro Crater, and the legendary plains of the Central Serengeti. Enjoy private game drives, carefully selected accommodation and exceptional opportunities to see lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs and, with luck, the endangered black rhino
<p>Discover the incredible wildlife and landscapes of Tanzania on this <strong>5 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari</strong>, a private safari designed around three of Northern Tanzania's most remarkable wildlife destinations: <strong>Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Central Serengeti</strong>.</p>
<p>Your safari begins in Arusha before travelling to Tarangire National Park, famous for its ancient baobab trees, spectacular scenery and large elephant populations. Continue to the <strong>Ngorongoro Crater</strong>, where an extraordinary concentration of wildlife creates some of Tanzania's most memorable game-viewing experiences.</p>
<p>The journey then continues into the <strong>Central Serengeti</strong>, particularly the Seronera area, renowned for excellent year-round wildlife viewing. Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti plains, with opportunities to encounter lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and other iconic African wildlife.</p>
<p>On the final morning, enjoy one last sunrise game drive before choosing to <strong>fly from Seronera to Arusha</strong> or return to Arusha by road. The flight option is recommended for guests who want to maximise their time in the Serengeti and avoid the long road journey.</p>
<p>With private safari guiding, game drives, selected lodges and tented accommodation, this itinerary combines wildlife, scenery and comfort into an exciting <strong>Tanzania safari holiday</strong>.</p>
Destinations Explored on This Route
3 Iconic Parks & ReservesClick any destination to read our comprehensive wildlife guide, best travel seasons, and conservation details:
Tarangire National Park
Famed for ancient thousand-year-old baobabs and the highest concentration of elephant...
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, home to over 25,000 large mammals living...
Serengeti National Park
Spanning nearly 15,000 square kilometers, the Serengeti is the epicenter of the Great...
Safari Expedition Route Map
GPS Trail & PacingInteractive route map detailing the journey through Tanzania's northern circuit wilderness and travel stops:
Key Safari Highlights
- Private 5-day Tanzania safari
- Explore the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit
- Game drive in Tarangire National Park
- See large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees
- Visit the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater
- Excellent opportunity to see the Big Five
- Full-day wildlife exploration in Central Serengeti
- Explore the wildlife-rich Seronera area
- Sunrise game drives in the Serengeti
- Stay at selected safari lodges and luxury tented camps
- Professional safari guide
- Option to fly from Serengeti to Arusha
- Option to return to Arusha by road
- Optional private sundowners, meals and balloon safari at additional cost, subject to availability
Daily Itinerary
Arrival in Arusha
Transfer to Rivertrees Country Inn, located in the peaceful surroundings of northern Tanzania at the foothills of Mount Meru.
Depending on your arrival time, spend the afternoon relaxing at the property, enjoying the gardens or recovering from your journey.
In the evening, enjoy dinner and prepare for your safari adventure.
Arusha – Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, meet your professional safari guide and begin your journey towards Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire is renowned for its spectacular landscapes, ancient baobab trees and large concentrations of elephants. After entering the park, begin your first game drive.
Keep your camera ready for opportunities to see:
Elephants • Lions • Giraffes • Zebras • Wildebeest • Buffalo • Impalas • Warthogs • Monkeys • Birds
Your experienced guide will select the best wildlife-viewing areas according to the season, weather and recent animal movements.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive.
Later, leave the park and continue to Lake Burunge Baobab South Lodge, situated near Lake Burunge with views towards the lake and Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire – Ngorongoro Crater – Central Serengeti
After an early breakfast, depart towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Travel through spectacular highland scenery before reaching the Ngorongoro Crater. Descend into the crater for an unforgettable game drive.
The crater is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, offering opportunities to see:
Lions • Elephants • Buffalo • Zebras • Wildebeest • Hippos • Hyenas • Gazelles • Flamingos • Black Rhino, with luck
Enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing towards the Serengeti.
As you leave the crater highlands behind, the landscape gradually opens into the vast plains of Serengeti National Park.
Continue with game viewing as you travel towards Central Serengeti and your luxury tented camp.
Arrive at Nyota Serengeti Luxury Tented Camp, located in the Seronera area in the heart of Central Serengeti. Settle into your tent, relax and enjoy dinner beneath the Serengeti sky
Full-Day Central Serengeti
Wake early for a spectacular sunrise game drive.
The early morning is one of the best times to experience the Serengeti, when predators are active and the golden light creates excellent photographic opportunities.
Continue exploring the Central Serengeti and the wildlife-rich Seronera area, with opportunities to see:
Lions • Leopards • Cheetahs • Elephants • Giraffes
Enjoy lunch at camp or a picnic lunch in the wilderness depending on the day's safari plan.
Continue with your afternoon game drive before returning to camp.
Relax with a drink, enjoy the campfire and watch the African sunset.
Optional activities such as private meals, private sundowners and balloon safaris may be arranged at an additional cost and are subject to availability.
Central Serengeti – Arusha
Wake early for your final opportunity to experience the Serengeti.
Enjoy a final sunrise game drive across the plains before returning to camp for breakfast and preparing for your onward journey.
Option 1: Fly to Arusha
Transfer to Seronera Airstrip for a scenic flight to Arusha.
This is the recommended option for guests who want to maximise their time in the Serengeti and avoid the long road journey.
Option 2: Drive to Arusha
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Arusha. Depending on your schedule and park regulations, you may enjoy additional game viewing along the way.
Upon arrival in Arusha, your Tanzania safari adventure comes to an end.
Expedition Photo Gallery
5 Wilderness MomentsPhotographs captured on recent expeditions across this route. Click any image to view high-resolution photos:
✓ What is Included
- Private safari experience
- Professional safari guide
- Airport/Arusha arrival transfer
- Safari transportation and game drives
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Tarangire National Park game drive
- Ngorongoro Crater game drive
- Central Serengeti game drives
- Sunrise game drives as described in the itinerary
- Picnic lunch where specified
- Final transfer arrangements according to the selected return option
× What is Excluded
- International flights
- Domestic flight from Seronera to Arusha, unless specifically included in the quotation
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Drinks and beverages not specified in the itinerary
- Optional balloon safari
- Optional private sundowners
- Optional private meals
- Tips and gratuities
- Any activities or services not specifically listed under inclusions
Frequently Asked Questions
Need to Know InfoHave questions about game drives, packing, or booking this route? Here are essential answers:
Yes. This itinerary is designed as a private Tanzania safari, allowing you to enjoy the safari with your own travelling party and professional safari guide.
The itinerary includes Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and Central Serengeti
The itinerary provides opportunities to see several iconic Big Five species, including lions, elephants, buffalo and, with luck, black rhino. Leopard sightings are also possible in Central Serengeti. Wildlife sightings are naturally subject to season, location and animal movements.
Tarangire offers opportunities to see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, impalas, warthogs, monkeys and numerous bird species.
The Ngorongoro Crater is known for its high concentration of wildlife. Possible sightings include lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, gazelles, flamingos and, with luck, black rhino.
Ready to Customize This Safari?
Want to add extra days in the Serengeti, include a hot air balloon flight, or finish with relaxing beaches in Zanzibar? Let our expert naturalists customize this route for you.