Explore Tanzania: 5-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro crater Safari

Your 5-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari begins with a hotel pickup in Arusha at 08:00 AM, followed by a scenic drive to Serengeti National Park. As you pass through the lush green uplands, notice the fertile soils that support crops like wheat, corn, and coffee, painting a vivid picture of rural Tanzania.

The name “Serengeti” originates from the Maasai word “Siringitu”, meaning “endless plains.” As you approach the park, you’ll quickly understand why the Maasai gave it this name — the savannah stretches all the way to the horizon, creating a breathtaking sense of infinity.

After arriving and enjoying a hearty lunch at your lodge or camp, embark on your first afternoon game drive. Witness the Serengeti come alive with wildlife, spotting majestic lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and hippos, among many other species. Capture your first photographs of the African plains and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this iconic safari destination.

Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and overnight stay, reflecting on the incredible wildlife encounters of your first day.

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Drive Time: Approximately 6 Hours

Wake up to a beautiful Tanzanian morning and enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your lodge or camp. For early risers, you can also embark on a 6:00 AM morning game drive to experience the Serengeti’s wildlife at its most active hour. After the morning adventure, return to your accommodation to freshen up before setting off toward the Central Serengeti (Seronera region) with a packed lunch in hand.

As you drive into the Seronera area, the terrain gradually transforms from hilly and broken landscapes into vast open grasslands, creating spectacular vistas perfect for photography. Seronera is renowned for its large lion prides, offering incredible game viewing experiences throughout the year. Your guide will help you spot lions lounging in the shade, playful cubs, and other predators like cheetahs and leopards, making these two days of the safari truly unforgettable.

A picnic lunch will be enjoyed during your full-day game drives, giving you the chance to relax while surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Serengeti wilderness. As the sun sets over the endless plains, return to your lodge or camp for a delicious dinner and a well-deserved rest under the starlit African sky.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Begin your day with a morning game drive in the Central Serengeti, spotting early wildlife activity and enjoying the serene beauty of the savannah at sunrise. After this memorable start, depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a picnic lunch en route, taking in the scenic landscapes of northern Tanzania.

Arriving at the Ngorongoro Crater, you will be awe-struck by the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera, often referred to as the 8th wonder of the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve is one of Tanzania’s most diverse and fascinating areas. Its fertile slopes and steep, forested walls are home to approximately 30,000 animals, including the rare and endangered black rhino.

The crater floor spans 260 square kilometers and hosts a variety of ecosystems that sustain Cape buffalo, elephants, wildebeest, zebras, elands, gazelles, hippos, and numerous bird species. A high concentration of predators ensures incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, making your visit both educational and exhilarating.

Conclude the day with a delicious dinner at your lodge or camp and enjoy a peaceful night’s rest under the magical African sky, reflecting on the extraordinary wildlife encounters of your 5-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Time: Approximately 3 Hours

On your final day of the 5-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari, enjoy an early breakfast around 07:00 AM before heading to the Ngorongoro Crater. Upon arrival, descend into this world-renowned volcanic caldera, a true haven for wildlife, home to over 25,000 animals across its diverse ecosystems.

The Ngorongoro landscape is nothing short of breathtaking. Marvel at the sun glittering off Lake Magadi, the massive expanse of the crater floor, and the dynamic shadows of clouds dappling the landscape — a perfect scene for photography and reflection.

Spend approximately 5 hours exploring the crater, enjoying game drives that offer sightings of the Big Five — lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos — as well as giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, flamingos, hippos, cheetahs, and a wide variety of bird species. A late lunch on the crater floor provides a perfect opportunity to relax and soak in the extraordinary surroundings.

After an unforgettable day, begin your return journey to Arusha, carrying with you a head full of memories from your incredible 5-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Drive Time: Approximately 4 Hours