5 Days Tanzania Wildlife Safari
This 5 days Tanzania Wildlife Safari balances travel time with immersive wildlife viewing, giving you a true taste of Tanzania’s natural wonders. If you wish, this itinerary can be customized to fit your budget and travel interests regarding wildlife sightings.
Highlights for 5 Days Tanzania Wildlife Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Day 2: Transfer to Tarangire National Park for a Game Drive
Day 3: Transfer to Serengeti National Park via Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 4: Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Drive and Departure
Detailed Itinerary for 5 Days Tanzania Wildlife Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Arusha, a vibrant town nestled at the base of Mount Meru. On this day, you can explore local markets or visit the cultural heritage center for a deep dive into Tanzania’s art and traditional heritage. In the evening, meet your safari guide for a briefing on the journey ahead. Overnight in a comfortable hotel surrounded by lush gardens.
Day 2: Transfer to Tarangire National Park for a Game Drive
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park. The park is famed for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees that dot the landscape. Enjoy a game drive along the Tarangire River, which is a vital water source that attracts wildlife such as lions, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests.
Lunch is typically served picnic style inside the park, allowing you to stay immersed in nature. In the afternoon, continue exploring different habitats from swamps to savannah. As the sun sets, head to your lodge or tented camp near the park for dinner and overnight. Expect a quieter, more intimate safari experience compared to the larger parks.
Day 3: Transfer to Serengeti National Park via Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Today is a scenic and exciting travel day. Drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where the terrain transitions from rolling highlands to vast plains. You will pass through Maasai villages offering glimpses of traditional pastoral life.
As you enter the Serengeti, the landscape opens into endless grasslands which are home to one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth. Begin your first game drive en route to your lodge or camp, spotting predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, as well as large herds of herbivores.
Arrive at your tented camp or lodge in the central part of the Serengeti in the afternoon. Enjoy dinner under the stars with the sounds of the wild all around you.
Day 4: Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
Spend a full day exploring Serengeti National Park, maximizing your chances of unforgettable wildlife experiences and encounters. Early morning and late afternoon are prime times for spotting predators in action.
Depending on the season, you may witness part of the Great Migration, millions of wildebeest and zebras moving across the plains in search of fresh grazing. Your guide will tailor the day’s route based on recent sightings. Optional activities include a hot air balloon safari at sunrise, with booking required, offering breathtaking aerial views of the savannah park.
Return to camp for meals and relaxation between game drives. This is often the highlight of the safari with constant wildlife activity and dramatic landscapes.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Drive and Departure
After an early breakfast, depart the Serengeti and return to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the continent’s most unique ecosystems. The crater floor is home to an incredible concentration of wildlife, including the rare black rhino, large lion prides, buffalo, and flamingos around the soda lakes. Enjoy a half-day game drive with a picnic lunch inside the crater.
In the afternoon, ascend and drive back to Arusha, where you will be dropped off at your hotel, or drive to Moshi, where you will be dropped off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
