5 Days Serengeti & Ngorongoro Big 5

Experience a five-day private safari through the endless plains of the Serengeti and the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, tracking the African Big Five with expert local guides and immersive game drives.

Price per person
$2,300
Duration
5 Days
Overnight stays
4 Nights

Safari Overview & Highlights

Set out on a 5-day private safari designed for unforgettable Big Five encounters across Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife landscapes. Begin in the vast, golden plains of the Serengeti, where lion prides, elephants, buffalo, and wildebeest dominate the horizon, then continue to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater for one of the best game-viewing experiences on earth.

Your safari is led by a professional, English-speaking naturalist guide and driven in a custom 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for unobstructed photography and panoramic wildlife viewing. Every day is crafted to maximize sightings of the Big Five while balancing comfort, culture, and authentic bush experiences.

Accommodation options: These are suggestions, not guaranteed package inclusions. Images show the destination region; confirm the selected property, rates, and availability with the safari operator.

Day 01: Arusha to Serengeti National Park

Depart Arusha and drive into the northern plains of the Serengeti, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive across the open savannah. This first day focuses on spotting elephants, lions, buffalo, and the dramatic landscapes that define the Great Plains.

Accommodation options

Meliá Serengeti Meliá SerengetiView property site Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti Four Seasons Safari Lodge SerengetiView property site Maboresho Tented Camp Maboresho Tented CampView property site

Day 02: Full Day in Serengeti National Park

Spend a full day exploring the heart of the Serengeti in search of the Big Five. Track lion prides, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, and rhino while enjoying sunrise and sunset game drives across the golden grasslands.

Accommodation options

Meliá Serengeti Meliá SerengetiView property site Maboresho Tented Camp Maboresho Tented CampView property site Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti Four Seasons Safari Lodge SerengetiView property site

Day 03: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Continue your wildlife journey from the Serengeti into the Ngorongoro highlands, stopping for scenic viewpoints along the route. Enjoy an afternoon of game viewing as you make your way toward your lodge overlooking the crater rim.

Accommodation options

Ngorongoro Meliá Ngorongoro MeliáView property site Lion's Paw Lion's PawView property site Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge Ngorongoro Serena Safari LodgeView property site

Day 04: Ngorongoro Crater Tour

Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater for a thrilling day of game viewing across the crater floor. This unique ecosystem offers some of the best chances to spot black rhinos, lions, elephants, buffalo, and hippos in one compact area.

Accommodation options

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge Ngorongoro Serena Safari LodgeView property site Lion's Paw Lion's PawView property site Ngorongoro Meliá Ngorongoro MeliáView property site

Day 05: Return to Arusha

After breakfast, begin the scenic drive back to Arusha with time to reflect on the unforgettable wildlife, landscapes, and dramatic encounters of the past four days. The safari ends with a comfortable transfer to the airport or your hotel.

Accommodation: No overnight stay; the safari concludes in Arusha.

Frequently Asked Questions

Essential details covering tour inclusions, accommodations, dietary arrangements, and safari preparation

Included: Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, certified professional English-speaking naturalist guide, all national park entry & concession fees, Ngorongoro Crater descent fees, full-board accommodation, bottled water on game drives, and airport transfers. Excluded: International flights, Tanzania entry visa ($50–$100), travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, laundry, and tips.
We offer three tailored tiers: Mid-Range: comfortable safari lodges and permanent tented camps with en-suite private bathrooms and hot water showers; Luxury: high-end boutique lodges and luxury glamping tented suites; Budget Camping: spacious canvas dome tents with private safari chef.
Yes! All safari lodges and our mobile bush safari chefs cater seamlessly to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, halal, or allergy-sensitive diets. Simply let us know your requirements when confirming your itinerary.
Tipping in Tanzania is customary and greatly appreciated for dedicated service. As a general recommendation: $15 to $25 USD per day total per vehicle for your private safari driver-guide, and $5 to $10 USD per room per night placed in the communal lodge staff tip box.
Please pack soft-sided duffel bags rather than rigid hard-shell suitcases, which fit easily into 4x4 safari luggage compartments. If your safari includes domestic bush flights, a strict 15 kg (33 lbs) weight limit per traveler (including hand luggage) applies.
The itinerary includes four nights: one in the Tarangire area, two in the Serengeti, and one on the Ngorongoro Crater Rim. Day 5 returns to Arusha, with no overnight stay included that night.
No. The migration moves with the seasons and wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. This itinerary visits Central Serengeti; contact the safari team to discuss seasonal routing and current migration locations.
You can discuss route adjustments and accommodation preferences with the safari team. Changes depend on travel dates and property availability, and may affect the final price.
Bring comfortable neutral-colored clothing, layers for cool mornings and evenings, sun protection, and any personal medication. Use soft-sided luggage; if your trip includes a domestic bush flight, confirm its baggage allowance before departure.
Airport transfers are listed as included. The itinerary starts and finishes in Arusha; share your flight details with the safari team to coordinate pickup and drop-off times.