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5-Day Midrange Wildlife Safari | Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
Tanzania Safari

5-Day Midrange Wildlife Safari | Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater

Safari price
From $2,290
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Safari Escort journey

Trip Overview

The 5-Day Midrange Wildlife Safari | Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater starts and finishes in Arusha. Its route includes Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, following the destination order and transfers set out in the day-by-day itinerary.

The journey is shaped around guided game drives in the listed parks, with each overnight stop positioned for the next stage of the route.

Every safari day brings a different perspective on Tanzania’s landscapes and wildlife. Explore the route below to see how activities, journeys between destinations and overnight stays fit together. Our local team can help you consider seasonal wildlife movements, the time available and accommodation preferences before you make a decision.

Where every day follows the rhythm of the journey
Elephant habitat and baobab landscape in Tarangire National ParkTarangire
Wildebeest moving across the plains of Serengeti National ParkSerengeti
Zebra and wildlife habitat inside Ngorongoro CraterNgorongoro Crater
Cheetah in the grasslands of the Serengeti ecosystemSerengeti Wildlife
Moments along the route
Safari Highlights

Your Journey Highlights

  • Begin the Adventure – Arusha to Tarangire National ParkExplore Tarangire’s river valley, baobab country and wildlife habitat on a guided game drive.
  • Into the Heart of the Serengeti – Karatu to Serengeti National ParkTravel across the Serengeti with time for game viewing, adapting the day’s route to current wildlife activity and seasonal conditions.
  • A Day of Discovery – Full-Day Safari in SerengetiTravel across the Serengeti with time for game viewing, adapting the day’s route to current wildlife activity and seasonal conditions.
  • From the Plains to the Highlands – Serengeti to NgorongoroDescend into the Ngorongoro Crater for guided wildlife viewing across grassland, woodland and wetland habitats.
  • The Crater’s Secret – Ngorongoro Game Drive & Return to ArushaDescend into the Ngorongoro Crater for guided wildlife viewing across grassland, woodland and wetland habitats.

Your Itinerary

Day 01

Begin the Adventure – Arusha to Tarangire National Park

  • Activity: Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner

Your safari begins with a scenic drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park. Known for its dramatic landscapes and seasonal river, Tarangire is a haven for elephants, giraffes, and many bird species. Its famous baobab trees tower over the plains, creating a unique and beautiful atmosphere. Enjoy a guided game drive across the park’s varied habitats as you search for lions resting in the shade, graceful antelope grazing, and herds of elephants gathering by the river.

Accommodation

High View Hotel Karatu

High View Hotel is positioned above Karatu with views across the surrounding hills and cultivated highland countryside. Its en-suite rooms, indoor and outdoor dining areas and gardens provide a conventional hotel base between northern-circuit safari days. The restaurant serves local and continental dishes, and packed meals can be arranged for early departures or crater excursions. The location is convenient for Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the road linking Karatu with the Serengeti.

LocationNgorongoro highlandsStay styleMountain camp
Day 02

Into the Heart of the Serengeti – Karatu to Serengeti National Park

  • Activity: Cultural Experience & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, begin your journey through the scenic highlands of Ngorongoro. As you drive toward the Serengeti, you’ll pass through Maasai villages and expansive savannahs, with wildlife sightings possible even before you reach the park. Upon entering the Serengeti, the landscape opens into vast golden plains dotted with acacia trees. This is one of the best places on earth to see wildlife in their natural environment. Enjoy an afternoon game drive as the sun lowers — the perfect time to see predators becoming active. Watch lions stretch and yawn on the rocks, or catch a cheetah scanning the horizon.

Accommodation

Serengeti Safari Lodge

Serengeti Safari Lodge is a permanent lodge-style base inside the Serengeti ecosystem. Guest rooms and shared dining areas provide more solid structure than a mobile camp while keeping the stay close to daily wildlife routes. The surrounding plains and acacia country remain the focus, with game drives arranged through the itinerary rather than confined to the property grounds. Its central role is to support consecutive Serengeti days before the route continues toward Ngorongoro or another park region.

LocationSerengetiStay styleMountain camp
Day 03

A Day of Discovery – Full-Day Safari in Serengeti

  • Activity: Trekking & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today is dedicated to exploring the endless wonders of the Serengeti. Set out early to catch the morning activity, when the plains are alive with movement. With your guide, traverse through a variety of landscapes — from riverbanks to open grasslands — in search of the “Big Five” and many other creatures including hyenas, jackals, and hundreds of bird species. Watch herds of wildebeest and zebra migrating across the land and enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of an acacia tree.

Accommodation

Serengeti Safari Lodge

Serengeti Safari Lodge is a permanent lodge-style base inside the Serengeti ecosystem. Guest rooms and shared dining areas provide more solid structure than a mobile camp while keeping the stay close to daily wildlife routes. The surrounding plains and acacia country remain the focus, with game drives arranged through the itinerary rather than confined to the property grounds. Its central role is to support consecutive Serengeti days before the route continues toward Ngorongoro or another park region.

LocationSerengetiStay styleMountain camp
Day 04

From the Plains to the Highlands – Serengeti to Ngorongoro

  • Activity: Cultural Experience & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Begin your day with a morning game drive, your last chance to capture incredible scenes from the Serengeti’s wild heart. You may spot a lion finishing a hunt, or elephants making their morning journey across the grasslands. After the drive, continue your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The road winds through beautiful scenery and offers glimpses of rural life and Maasai culture.

Accommodation

Ngorongoro Wild Camp

Ngorongoro Wild Camp is a tented safari property in the Ngorongoro highlands. Its setting offers cooler air and a natural base between the Serengeti plains, Karatu and the crater access roads. Guest tents and central dining spaces provide a straightforward wilderness stay after a long transfer or crater drive. The camp’s value to the itinerary is its position: it keeps the following day focused on Ngorongoro rather than adding a distant road connection.

LocationNgorongoro highlandsStay styleTented safari camp
Day 05

The Crater’s Secret – Ngorongoro Game Drive & Return to Arusha

  • Activity: Game Drive & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Today begins with an early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders. The crater floor, rich in grasslands, forests, and a soda lake, is home to over 25,000 animals — including black rhinos, hippos, lions, flamingos, and more. Your guide will lead you through this diverse ecosystem, explaining the behaviors and habitats of the animals you see. After a full day of exploration (until approximately 16:30), begin your journey back to Arusha, taking in the final views of Tanzania’s wild beauty as you go.

  • End of tour in Arusha
Plan your safari
Your Safari Package

Included & Excluded

Included

Included in the published itinerary

  • All national park and conservation area entry fees
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide
  • All scheduled game drives and crater descent
  • 4 nights’ accommodation in specified camps/lodges
  • All meals during the safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Bottled drinking water and soft drinks during game drives
  • Transfers to/from Arusha (or airport if arranged)
Not included

Additional costs

  • International and domestic flights
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities for guide and lodge staff
  • Alcoholic beverages unless specified
  • Personal expenses (e.g., laundry, souvenirs)
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Before you go

Safari Questions,
Simply Answered

Ask our safari team

5 days / 4 nights. The day-by-day itinerary shows where each overnight falls. Check arrival and departure flight times before arranging onward travel, and ask us if you would prefer a slower pace or an extra night.

From $2,290 per person. Ask for a quote for your dates and group size. The final quote depends on travel dates, group size, room choice and any flights or extras. Request a written breakdown of park fees, accommodation, meals, transfers and exclusions before you book.

Tarangire National Park – Home to elephants and ancient baobab trees, Serengeti National Park – Famous for vast plains, big cats, and the Great Migration, Ngorongoro Crater – A natural amphitheater teeming with wildlife, Return to Arusha – Scenic journey through Tanzania’s highlands

High View Hotel Karatu, Serengeti Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Wild Camp. Exact properties and room types depend on availability. Ask us to confirm each stay, its location, meal plan and any proposed alternative in writing before paying a deposit.