5-Day Unforgettable Tanzania Safari: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater

Your safari begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Arusha. After a short briefing, embark on a scenic drive toward Serengeti National Park, passing through the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley and the highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On entering Serengeti, enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge or camp in the Central Serengeti. This region, particularly the Seronera Valley, is known for its exceptional wildlife density and frequent predator sightings. The journey offers your first exciting glimpses of lions, elephants, giraffes, and herds of wildebeests.

Today is dedicated to exploring the Central Serengeti. Start with an early morning game drive when animals are most active, offering great chances of seeing predators on the move. Continue through the park’s varied ecosystems, from grasslands to rocky outcrops (kopjes), home to big cats like cheetahs and leopards. After a bush picnic lunch, follow your guide to key wildlife viewing zones such as the Seronera River, where you may spot hippos and crocodiles. Return in the late afternoon to your camp for dinner and a relaxed evening under the stars.

Enjoy another full day of game drives in the vast Serengeti. Depending on the season, you may track the Great Migration as millions of wildebeests and zebras move in search of fresh grazing. Alternatively, your guide may lead you to quieter corners of the park teeming with elephants, antelopes, ostriches, and birds of prey. You’ll learn about the ecosystem, animal behavior, and the park’s conservation efforts. After a satisfying day, return to your accommodation for a hot meal and some well-earned rest. Optional night game drive is available for those wanting to see nocturnal species.

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in Serengeti as you make your way toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive offers continued game viewing opportunities across savannahs and hills. Upon arrival, check into your lodge or camp situated near the crater rim, where panoramic views of the world’s largest unbroken caldera await. This is a great chance to relax and prepare for your descent into the crater the following day.

Rise early for a descent into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to over 25,000 animals, including the rare black rhino. Spend half a day exploring this lush, enclosed ecosystem that boasts close-up encounters with lions, elephants, buffalos, hyenas, flamingos, and more. After a picnic lunch by the hippo pool, ascend from the crater and drive back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel or the airport, bringing your unforgettable safari experience to a close.