Best 5 Days (Group Joining) Serengeti (2 Nights), Ngorongoro and Tarangire Safari in Tanzania
This 5-Day Group Joining Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire Safari in Tanzania takes you through 3 of Northern Tanzania’s top safari parks, offering an unforgettable experience in Africa. The itinerary covers Tarangire National Park (1 night inside or near the park), Serengeti National Park (2 nights within the park), and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater (1 night inside or near the conservation area). An additional overnight stay in Arusha can be included on your arrival day before the safari begins depending on your travel schedule. The safari starts with a convenient pick-up from Arusha City, Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), or Arusha Airport (ARK) and ends with drop-off at the end of the safari depending on your travel arrangements.
Throughout the safari, you will explore diverse ecosystems ranging from Tarangire’s ancient baobab-dotted plains and elephant-rich landscapes to the endless plains of the Serengeti, one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations. The journey continues to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptional concentration of wildlife in Africa.
Accompanied by our certified, professional, experienced, and passionate safari guides, you will enjoy expertly guided shared game drives, incredible wildlife encounters, and stunning scenery at every turn. Whether watching elephants in Tarangire, spotting predators across the Serengeti plains, discovering the wildlife-filled Ngorongoro Crater, spotting the Big Five, meeting other travelers on a group joining safari, or experiencing spectacular African sunsets, this safari promises memories that will last a lifetime.
5 Days Tanzania Safari at a Glance
- Safari Name: Best 5 Days (Group Joining) Serengeti (2 Nights), Ngorongoro and Tarangire Safari in Tanzania
- Starting Point: Arusha City
- Ending Point: Arusha City
- Accommodation Before Safari: Optional overnight stay in Arusha
- Night 1: Lodge / Tented Camp within Serengeti National Park
- Night 2: Lodge / Tented Camp within Serengeti National Park
- Night 3: Lodge / Tented Camp near/within Ngorongoro Highlands or similar accommodation
- Night 4: Lodge / Tented Camp near/within Tarangire National Park or similar accommodation
- Main Attractions: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park
- Wildlife: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, rhinos if lucky, and more
- Best For: First-time visitors, wildlife lovers, photographers, couples, families, solo travelers, and group travelers
Important Travel Information
| Location | Distance & Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Arusha to Serengeti National Park | Approximately 335 km | About 7 to 8 hours drive including scenic stops and park entry procedures |
| Serengeti National Park Full Day Game Drive | Full day wildlife exploration across different regions of the park |
| Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands | Approximately 145 km | About 3 to 4 hours drive with wildlife viewing on the way |
| Ngorongoro Crater to Tarangire Area | Approximately 150 km | About 3 to 4 hours drive |
| Tarangire National Park to Arusha | Approximately 120 km | About 2 to 3 hours drive |
| Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha | Approximately 50 km | About 1 hour drive |
| Arusha Airport to Arusha City | Approximately 8 km | About 15 minutes drive |
Places You Will Visit on This 5 Days Tanzania Safari
Arusha City – Gateway to Northern Tanzania Safari
Arusha City is the main starting point for many northern Tanzania safaris. The city is located near Mount Meru and gives easy access to Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and other famous safari destinations.
Most travelers spend a night in Arusha before the safari starts. This makes the journey easier and gives you time to relax, prepare, and meet your safari team before the adventure begins.
Serengeti National Park – Tanzania’s Endless Plains
Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s most famous safari destination and one of the best wildlife parks in Africa. The park is known for its endless plains, big cats, large animal herds, and the Great Wildebeest Migration.
During your game drives in Serengeti, you may see lions resting on the plains, cheetahs hunting in open grassland, leopards hiding in trees, elephants moving through the bush, and large herds of zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and buffaloes.
Spending two nights inside Serengeti allows you to explore more wildlife areas and enjoy one of Africa's greatest safari experiences.
Ngorongoro Highlands – Scenic Overnight Before the Crater
The Ngorongoro Highlands are located between Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. The area is known for cool weather, green hills, farms, forests, Maasai villages, and beautiful views.
Spending a night near/within the Ngorongoro Highlands gives you a good location for an early morning descent into the crater. It also adds a peaceful and scenic experience to your Tanzania safari.
Ngorongoro Crater – Tanzania’s Natural Wildlife Wonder
Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most famous wildlife destinations in Tanzania. It was formed millions of years ago after a large volcano collapsed, creating a huge natural caldera filled with animals.
The crater floor has grassland, forest, swamp, lake areas, and open plains. This makes it home to many animals throughout the year, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, gazelles, and the rare black rhino.
Because many animals live inside the crater, Ngorongoro gives visitors one of the best chances to see a lot of wildlife in a short time.
Tarangire National Park – Elephants, Baobab Trees and Wild Savannah
Tarangire National Park is one of the best places in Tanzania to see large elephant herds. The park is also famous for ancient baobab trees, open landscapes, river valleys, and peaceful wildlife viewing.
During your game drive, you may see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, impalas, warthogs, ostriches, baboons, and many different birds. The Tarangire River is an important water source and attracts many animals during the dry season.
Tarangire is a great place to end your safari because it offers beautiful scenery, strong wildlife, and a real African safari feeling.
Why Choose This Best 5 Days Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire Safari?
- Visit three famous northern Tanzania safari destinations in one trip.
- Spend two nights inside Serengeti National Park.
- Experience the endless plains of Serengeti and its incredible wildlife.
- Enjoy a game drive inside the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater.
- Explore Tarangire National Park, famous for elephants and baobab trees.
- Good chance to see big cats and many other wild animals.
- Professional English-speaking safari guide.
- Comfortable 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof.
- Affordable group joining safari experience.
- Suitable for couples, families, solo travelers, groups, and photographers.
Best Time for This 5 Days Tanzania Safari
This Best 5 Days (Group Joining) Serengeti (2 Nights), Ngorongoro and Tarangire Safari in Tanzania can be done throughout the year. The dry season from June to October is one of the best times for wildlife viewing because animals are easier to see around water sources and open areas.
The green season from November to May is also beautiful, with fresh landscapes, many birds, fewer crowds, and good photography conditions. Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire offer excellent wildlife viewing in many seasons, making this safari rewarding throughout the year.
Short Itinerary
- Day 1 - Transfer from Arusha to Serengeti. Afternoon Game drives in Serengeti. Overnight at Tukaone Camps or similar
- Day 2 - Full Day game drives in Serengeti. Overnight at Tukaone camps or similar
- Day 3 - Morning game drives in Serengeti and afternoon transfer to accommodation at Karatu. Overnight at at Omega view hotel or similar
- Day 4 - Ngorongoro crater tour (5 hours) in the morning and afternoon transfer to Nsya Lodge (Safari Bungalow) or similar
- Day 5 - Transfer to Tarangire for game drives till afternoon. Transfer back to Arusha. End of Tour
Ensuite Accommodation Packages
Below are packages with a few popular ensuite options for your private tour, starting on Nov 13, 2023, in a group of two adults. Ensuite hotels are tented camps/lodges that can be inside/around national parks. You will have a private room with attached bathroom. Meals are provided by hotels.
Option E1: $1,520 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 2 : Stay at Tukaone Camps, Central Serengeti or similar, Central Serengeti
- Day 2 - 4 : Stay at Omega View Hotel, Karatu or similar, Karatu
- Day 4 - 5 : Stay at Nsya Lodge or similar, Lake Manyara (Outside the Park)
TRIP ITINERARY
Day
1
Transfer from Arusha to Serengeti. Afternoon Game drives in Serengeti. Overnight at Tukaone Camps or similar
We start at around 6:30 AM from Arusha after breakfast and drive to Serengeti National park with packed lunch boxes. On this 7 hour drive we pass through multiple view points, culturally rich towns like Mto Wa mbu, beautiful high lying farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Around 1:00 PM, we reach the gate of the Serengeti National Park. After lunch, we check into park and head to the central park area, known as the Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, featuring the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and therefore attracts wildlife well representative of most of the Serengeti's species. We do an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti National Park till around 5:30 PM and proceed for overnight at Tukaone camps or similar.
Optional tours this day: Maasai Village tour ($25 per person) or Olduvai gorge museum visit ($35 per person) near/within Ngorongoro on the way to Serengeti.
Day
2
Full Day game drives in Serengeti. Overnight at Tukaone camps or similar
We depart around 8:00 AM after breakfast, with packed lunch boxes for full day game drives that last for about 8-9 hours in Central Serengeti. We return to camp around 5:30 PM. Overnight at Tukaone camps or similar.
Optional add-on tours this day: Balloon Safari in the morning ($540 per person) or Walking safari for 3-4 hours ($45 per person sharing or $60 for solo client) in Central Serengeti.
Day
3
Morning game drives in Serengeti and afternoon transfer to accommodation at Karatu. Overnight at at Omega view hotel or similar
After early breakfast, we depart at around 6:30 AM and will have game drives till around noon in Central Serengeti. Later depart for accommodation in Karatu, crossing Ngorongoro conservation area. Overnight at Crater rim Inn or similar.
Day
4
Ngorongoro crater tour (5 hours) in the morning and afternoon transfer to Nsya Lodge (Safari Bungalow) or similar
After an early breakfast, descend to the crater floor for game drive(5 hours). You can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, hyenas, Jackals, rhinos and many birds. The birds seen here include eagle, vulture, flamingos in the Crater Lake, storks, giant vulture,and many more. Post the picnic lunch at the beautiful Hippo pool, you will begin a steep ascend to the top exit of the crater and proceed to accommodation. Dinner and overnight at Nsya Lodge (Safari Bungalow) or similar.
Optional add-on tours this day: Crater rim hike for 3 hours ($45 per person) at Ngorongoro crater rim.
Day
5
Transfer to Tarangire for game drives till afternoon. Transfer back to Arusha. End of Tour
We start at around 8:00 AM from hotel and drive to Tarangire National park with packed lunch boxes. Tarangire gate will be about 2.5 hours drive away. Once we reach the park, we start game drives here. Tarangire National park is known for its majestic baobab trees that dot the landscape, dwarfing the animals that feed beneath them. The Tarangire River is the centerpiece of this park which is famous for some of the largest herds of elephants in Africa. Here you may see lion, leopard, cheetah, lesser kudu, buffalo, Oryx, eland, giraffe and zebra. We will have a lunch break at a picnic scenic picnic spot. Post lunch, we will continue with game drives till afternoon or so and after the game drive, we will drive to Arusha to reach by around 6:00 PM. This is also the last day of our tour! Bid goodbye to your guide with lots of good memories. Hotel in Arusha can be arranged at extra cost.
Stay Locations
- Day 1 - Central Serengeti
- Day 2 - Central Serengeti
- Day 3 - Karatu
- Day 4 - Lake Manyara (Outside the Park)
Pre & Post Tour Hotels
Arusha is the base for safari tours in North Tanzania. If you need accommodation in Arusha before/after your safari tour you can check some popular hotel prices on bed and breakfast basis below.
Single Room
- - Crest Safari Lodge - USD 47
- - Kutoka Lodge - USD 64
- - Karama lodge - USD 113
- - The African Tulip - USD 149
- - Four Points by Sheraton, Arusha - Traditional queen room - USD 205
- - Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge - Plantation room - USD 375
Double Sharing room
- - Crest Safari Lodge - USD 29
- - Kutoka Lodge - USD 49
- - Karama lodge - USD 76
- - The African Tulip - USD 112
- - Four Points by Sheraton, Arusha - Traditional queen room - USD 120
- - Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge - Plantation room - USD 240
Triple Sharing Room
- - Crest Safari Lodge - USD 29
- - Kutoka Lodge - USD 40
- - Karama lodge - USD 73
- - The African Tulip - USD 93
- - Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge - Plantation room - USD 180
Transfers
This tour starts from Arusha. Kilimanjaro airport is the nearest international airport and Arusha airport is the nearest domestic airport.
Airport Pickup/Drop
Pickup or drop off at Arusha airport on the day of safari: No extra charge Pickup or drop off at Kilimanjaro airport on the day of safari: USD 30 per vehicle
Airport to Hotel transfers
Transfer from Arusha airport to Arusha hotel or vice versa: USD 25 per vehicle Transfer from Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha hotel or vice versa: USD 50 per vehicle
InterCity transfers
Transfer from Moshi to Arusha or vice versa: USD 100 per vehicle Transfer from Nairobi to Arusha or vice versa: USD 275 per vehicle
Flights
We do not book International Flights.
We can book local flights based on availability. Below are indicative additional costs for local flights.
Intercity Flights
- From Zanzibar to Arusha: From USD 100 per person (Morning flight)
- From Dar es salaam to Arusha: From USD 90 per person (Morning flight)
- From Arusha to Zanzibar: From USD 170 per person (Late Afternoon flight)
- From Arusha to Dar es salaam: From USD 110 per person (Late Afternoon flight)
Meals
- Day 1 - Lunch & Dinner
- Day 2 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 3 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 4 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 5 - Breakfast & Lunch
Drive Times
- Day 1 -Arusha to Central Serengeti takes about 7 to 7.5 hours (305 km)
- Day 2 -Central Serengeti to NCA takes about 3 to 3.5 hours (151 km)
- Day 4 -NCA to Tarangire takes about 1.5 to 2 hours (108 km)
- Day 5 - Tarangire to Arusha takes about 2.5 to 3 hours (106 km)
Note: These are estimated drive times. Because of the traffic, location of the accommodations, and several other factors, actual drive times may vary. Driving distances are approximate and do not account for exact places.
Safari Tour Inclusions & Exclusions
Below is a clear breakdown of what is included and excluded in your Tanzania safari package. This helps you understand exactly what to expect before your journey to Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and other parks.
