5 Days Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Hey, wildlife whisperer! Imagine waking up to the rustle of baobab trees in Tarangire National Park. Also, floating above Serengeti’s plains in a hot air balloon in Tanzania as wildebeest herds cross the Mara River. Lastly, descending into the Ngorongoro Crater to see rhinos grazing with pink flamingos. Our 5 Day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari is your ticket to the three best Tanzania National Parks. So, every drive will find you the Big Five in Tanzania, endless photo ops and predator-prey action. From lodge feasts with local flavors to a Maasai dance under the stars.
Also, we’ve included luxury stays, professional guides from Serengeti Masai Mara Experts Co. and those special moments that will make you feel alive. Whether you’re chasing elephants through Tarangire’s herds or reflecting on the caldera’s beauty, this trip will have you talking for years. Ready to get wild? Let’s make your 5 day safari to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro happen!
Overview of this 5 day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Tanzania is one of the ideal East African countries for the paramount wildlife discovery and exploration. The 5-day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safari offers diverse settings for the conservation of diverse, unique ecosystems. Also, other rare species like the wildebeests, black rhinos, and unbeaten stupendous scenic views that bring the visual world of paradise to real life. This 5 days Tanzania safari starts from Arusha to Tarangire to Ngorongoro then and lastly to Serengeti National Park. On your way back to Arusha Airport, you can opt for a fly-in trip from Serengeti or use the road.
If the trip cancellation is done 1 week to your safari, 70% of the funds will be refunded, other than this no funds will be refunded. This is because much of the money will have been paid the service providers.
Day 1: Transfer to Tarangire National Park from Arusha
- Arrive at Tarangire, see warthogs, elephants; check into Tarangire Sopa lodge with refreshment.
- Enjoy dinner, nature walk around this Tarangire lodge.
Day 2: Visit and game drives to track the Tarangire Ecosystems
- Breakfast then game drives to spot elephants, zebras, ostriches, baobab trees.
- Lunch with baboons nearby, continue drive, return for dinner at Tarangire Sopa lodge.
Day 3: Go on a Ngorongoro Crater safari
- Drive 3 to 4 hours to Ngorongoro from Tarangire (∼130 km), explore the caldera with flamingos, rhinos, and zebras.
- Overnight at Octagon Lodge in Ngorongoro, reflect on the trip.
Day 4: Transfer to Serengeti National Park
- Drive 2-3 hours from Ngorongoro to Serengeti (121 to 128km), making stops, and spot lions near the gates.
- Evening meal at Seronera Wildlife Lodge.
Day 5: Hot air balloon ride in Serengeti, Masaai cultural experience and departure
- Hot air balloon ride in Tanzania over Mara River, bush breakfast, game drive for Big Five, predators.
- Maasai dance, dinner at Seronera Wildlife Lodge.
- Transfer to Arusha by road
Note: On the 5th day of this Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari, you can fly to Arusha. Although changes to this itinerary should be made a few weeks before your Tanzania trip to make arrangements efficiently
Inclusions
- Transportation in the best 4×4 safari vehicles for all transfers and game drives.
- Accommodation at safari lodges/tented camps in Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch (packed or at lodge), and dinner with local/international options.
- Guided nature walk in Tarangire (Day 1).
- Hot air balloon ride in Serengeti (Day 4).
- Maasai traditional dance performance (Day 4).
- Park entry fees for Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro.
- Services of professional safari guides.
Exclusions
- International flights to/from Tanzania.
- Travel insurance.
- Personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs, tips, laundry).
- Alcoholic beverages and additional drinks provided outside meals.
- Optional activities not listed (e.g., extra cultural visits).
- Visa fees for Tanzania.
- Medical expenses or emergency evacuation.
Activities to do during your 5-day safari to Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire
- Game Drives: Spot warthogs, elephants, zebras, ostriches in Tarangire (Days 1–2); Tanzania Big Five, crocodiles. Spot hyenas in Serengeti (Days 4–5); flamingos, rhinos, zebras in Ngorongoro (Day 3).
- Nature Walk: Explore Tarangire’s landscapes near the safari camp (Day 1).
- Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Ride: Aerial view of Serengeti’s Mara River crossings and wildlife (Day 5).
- Wildlife Photography: Capture elephants, baobab trees (Day 2), Big Five, and Ngorongoro caldera scenes (Days 3–4).
- Serengeti Bush Breakfast: Enjoy international/local dishes with other visitors (Day 5).
- Maasai Cultural Dance: Experience traditional performance at Serengeti camp (Day 5).
- Birdwatching: Observe birds in Tarangire (Day 2) and flamingos in Ngorongoro (Day 3).
- Wildlife Observation: Watch predator-prey interactions and Mara River crossings (Day 5).
Suggested Hotels and Camps for this 5 day Tanzania Northern Circuit safari
| Tarangire National Park | Serengeti National Park | Ngorongoro Crater |
|---|---|---|
| Roika Tarangire Tented Lodge – $55 | Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma – $37 | Eco Farm – $20 |
| The Peacock Lodge – $20 | Africa Safari Maasai Boma Camping – $74 | Dangote Farm House Eyasi – $35 |
| Mati Residence Aldersgate – $63 | Lobo Wildlife Lodge – $180 | Ngorongoro Gateway Homestay – $90 |
| Jungle Pearl Resort – $69 | Seronera Wildlife Lodge – $198 | Octagon Lodge – $173 |
| Mati Residence Ngarenaro – $89 | Africa Safari Serengeti Kusini – $210 | Tindiga Tented Camp Eyasi – $192 |
| IKumbi Lodge – $183 | Osero Serengeti Luxury Tented Camp – $240 | Tembo Villas Karatu – $200 |
| Baobab Tented Camp – $353 | The Retreat at Ngorongoro – $254 | |
| Tarangire Sopa Lodge – $385 | ||
| Elephant Lodge – $380 |
Note that the prices for these Tanzania lodges vary with season and so change
Detailed Itinerary for the 5 days Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari from Arusha
Day 1: Transfer to Tarangire National Park in Tanzania from Arusha.
Our guide will pick you up from Arusha Airport in Tanzania in the morning and then transfer you to Tarangire National Park. The journey is approximately 140 km, and you’ll travel for about 2 to 3 hours to get to Tarangire. The warthogs are the first wild animals in Tarangire National Park you set your eyes on as soon as you get there. So, spot them roaming freely in the green yard of the park’s entrance. Next, proceed through the bulk road of the national park and see one of the big five animals in Tanzania, the elephants moving in large herds to the nearby water pool.
On arriving at your Tarangire Sopa Lodge in the park, you will receive an organic refreshment. Later, then you will be taken to your cozy room that is surrounded by the wild plants and the gigantic trees. Proceed for dinner in the seating lounge of your safari lodge, prepared by the skilled chefs with the flavor of the indigenous ingredients. Take a nature walk around this Tanzania lodge in the evening and treat your eyes with the intriguing, bold landscapes of the African wilderness. Later, head back to your room for a refreshing rest.
Day 2: Explore the diverse ecosystems of Tarangire National Park during game drives.
Wake up to the beautiful songs of the birds and the whispers of the movement of the tree branches as you move out of your hotel room. Next, head to the lounge dining area of Tarangire Sopa Lodge and be served breakfast. Later, board your 4×4 safari vehicle with your guide and head for morning game drive safari activities in Tarangire.
Your journey through the Tarangire National Park during game drives starts with the sight of the large herds of elephants roaming around the park. The Tarangire park is one of the parks in Africa with vast herds of elephants. Therefore, during your game drives, you will observe many of them on your way, with some just crossing past your safari vehicle in large groups. Have a lunch break at one of the seating areas in the park. So, you might see the baboons some coming for your food and others just hanging in trees.
Later, continue your game drive and see animals in Tarangire, including the fringe-eared Oryx, the zebras, and the ostriches moving with their necks stretched out in the air as they gently flap their wings. Also, Tarangire National Park is a habitat for the ancient baobab trees that have lived for nearly 3000 years. So, during your game drive, your eyes will meet many of these unique things to see in Tanzania scattered in the landscape. Head back to your Tarangire Sopa Lodge and have your dinner and rest.
Day 3: Transfer from Tarangire to Ngorongoro Crater for a safari.
At 6:30 am, you will drive from Tarangire to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. So, the journey is about 130km long and takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to get to Ngorongoro. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the largest calderas in the world with a diverse ecosystem living in harmony with the Maasai people. So, it’s because the water and food support both the animals and the Maasai benefit from the permanent water holes and the fertile soils.
Reach the gates of Ngorongoro Conservation Area and then proceed through the sandy–like pathways. So, it’s because of the serenity of the environment that you can hear distant whispers of the wild. For example, the munching of the grass by the zebras feeding on the green pastures.
Reach the caldera and instantly spot the elegant pink flamingos as they feed on the algae at the shorelines. Also, see the rhinos and warthogs drinking the waters of the Ngorongoro Crater caldera. Lastly, spend the night at Octagon Lodge in Ngorongoro as you prepare for your trip to Serengeti the following day.
Day 4: Transfer to Serengeti National Park for a safari
On this day of your 5 days Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire safari, you will be transferred to the Serengeti. So, have breakfast in the morning as your safari vehicle awaits you outside in the parking yard. The distance by road from Ngorongoro to Serengeti is about 121 to 128km, depending on your starting and ending point. Therefore, sit tight for an adventurous 2 to 3-hour road trip through the busy towns of Tanzania. However, on the way to Serengeti NP, you will have different refreshment stops.
As you approach the gates of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, you’ll experience feelings of excitement. Additionally, you can now see some of the Tanzanian big five animals, like the lions, moving freely in the infinite grasslands. This Tanzania trip from Ngorongoro to Serengeti is usually exhausting. Hence, you will enjoy an evening meal and rest at Seronera Wildlife Lodge.
Day 5: Hot air balloon rides in Serengeti, Maasai Cultural experience, and Departure
At sunrise, you will have a hot air balloon safari in Serengeti where you will view the African wilderness from an aerial viewpoint. As you sail midair, you will get to see the infinite herds crossing the Mara River. You might see the chaotic predator-prey chases involving wildebeests crossing the Mara River if your safari is between late July through October, with peak crossings in August and September. After the hot air balloon flightt in Tanzania’s Serengeti, you will have a bush breakfast experience. So, you will be served with a variety of international and local breakfast dishes as you socialize with other visitors in Serengeti.
Later, continue your game drive activity in serengeti.As you proceed through the vast land, you will spot the big five (lions, leopards, buffaloes, Rhinos, and elephants). Also, see other predators in the park like the crocodiles basking in the sun and the hyenas scavenging and hunting their prey. Later, you will be entertained with the Maasai traditional dance as you enjoy dinner at Seronera Wildlife Lodge restaurant.
Lastly, check out and our guide will transfer you back to Arusha Airport. Alternatively, you can stay the night and be transferred in the morning, however the costs will increase. Hence, this marks the end of your 5 days Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safari.
Rules and Guidelines to follow during the 5-day Tarangire, Serengeti Ngorongoro Crater Safari.
- At the park entrances of Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro, read and follow the rules and guidelines on those signposts. This is for better conservation of the environment and the safety of the tourists.
- During this 5 day Tanzania Northern Circuit expedition, follow the instructions from your tour guide, especially during the game drives.
- The animals in these Tanzania parks may seem fearless. Nevertheless, it’s always advisable to keep a distance from the wild animals so as not to instigate or threaten them.
- The local inhabitants (Maasai People) are welcoming, but not prone to disrespect. Therefore, it is always good for the visitors to be respectful when associating with them.
