The Serengeti is a fantastic destination to explore year-round, and a 5-day safari offers the perfect opportunity to experience its wonders. This journey also includes visits to Tanzania’s most iconic national parks. At Ngorongoro, you’ll have an excellent chance of spotting the Big Five and can explore the historic Olduvai Gorge, a significant paleoanthropological site. In Tarangire, you’ll encounter an abundance of elephants and marvel at the park’s vibrant birdlife. Lastly, Lake Manyara is home to numerous baboons and the famous tree-climbing lions, a rare and unique sight exclusive to this park.
Trip Highlights:
- Experience the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Immerse yourself in the vast beauty of the Serengeti plains
- Enjoy a private safari adventure in a 4×4 vehicle
- Stay in luxurious lodges set in stunning, scenic locations
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you’ll arrange your own flights. From there, we’ll provide a private transfer to your hotel in Arusha. In the evening or early the next morning, you’ll meet your local Babul Adventure representative for a comprehensive trip briefing to prepare for your adventure
Transport: Private transfer
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 2: Explore Lake Manyara
Meet your guide and set off for Lake Manyara National Park, arriving in time for an exciting afternoon game drive. Nestled beneath the Manyara Escarpment on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, this park is renowned for its vast alkaline soda lake, which attracts vibrant pink flamingos, yellow-billed storks, and herons. Keep your eyes peeled for the park’s iconic tree-climbing lions, a unique sight found only here. You’ll also encounter playful baboons, as Lake Manyara hosts the world’s largest population of these lively primates. After a day filled with wildlife and adventure, unwind overnight at a stunning safari lodge in Karatu.
Transport: 4wd Safari Vehicle
Accommodation: Safari Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3: Olduvai Gorge and Serengeti Adventure
After breakfast, embark on a journey to the Serengeti, with a picnic lunch for the road. The 4.5-hour drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping at the historic Olduvai Gorge. Here, the Leakey family uncovered hominoid remains, including a 1.8-million-year-old Australopithecus boisei skeleton and 3.7-million-year-old footprints, marking it as one of the world’s most significant sites in human evolution. After exploring this fascinating site, continue into the Serengeti, enjoying game viewing along the way.
Transport: 4wd Safari Vehicle
Accommodation: Safari Style Tents
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4: Full-Day Serengeti Safari
Start your day with breakfast before heading out for a thrilling full-day game drive in the Serengeti National Park, with a picnic lunch to enjoy on the go. In June, witness the awe-inspiring migration as massive herds gather in the western corridor, preparing to cross the Grumeti River. Even outside migration season, the Serengeti is teeming with wildlife. Spot large herds of buffalo, elephants, and giraffes, along with countless elands, topis, hartebeests, impalas, and Grant’s gazelles, making for an unforgettable safari experience.
Transport: 4wd Safari Vehicle
Accommodation: Safari Style Tents
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5: Explore the Ngorongoro Crater
Begin your day with an early breakfast before heading to the remarkable Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This UNESCO World Heritage Site spans over 260 km² (100 square miles) and is the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world, formed 2–3 million years ago when a massive volcano collapsed. Often called “Africa’s Eden,” the crater is home to over 25,000 large mammals, offering an excellent chance to spot all of the Big Five—buffalo, elephant, rhino, lion, and leopard—within a single day. Descend 610 meters (2,000 feet) from the crater rim to its floor, where an unforgettable safari adventure awaits.
Transport: 4wd Safari Vehicle
Accommodation: Safari Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6: Tarangire and Farewell
Head to Tarangire National Park, a paradise for bird enthusiasts with over 550 species, including the Kori Bustard, the world’s heaviest flying bird. The Tarangire River serves as a lifeline, attracting elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and antelopes, especially during the dry season from June to October. Marvel at large elephant herds roaming the savannah or resting beneath the iconic baobab trees, known as “upside-down trees.” After a morning game drive, you’ll transfer to your hotel in Arusha or proceed directly to Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward journey, concluding your incredible safari adventure.
Transport: 4wd Safari Vehicle
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
Please Note:
Between December and February, this itinerary may be adjusted to offer enhanced game viewing opportunities. If you are traveling during this period, we recommend requesting a detailed Trip Dossier from our team to ensure an accurate and tailored itinerary.
