5-Day Touch of Wilderness - Luxury Safari for Ngorongoro and Serengeti

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arusha to Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, your safari guide will pick you up from your accommodation, marking the start of your journey to Tarangire National Park. The drive takes approximately two and a half hours on well-maintained roads.

Named after the Tarangire River, which serves as the only water source for wildlife during the dry season, the park is often referred to as the "River of Warthogs." It is renowned for its large elephant herds, as well as sightings of giraffes, bushbucks, hartebeests, lions, and leopards. Additionally, Tarangire is a birdwatcher’s paradise, boasting more breeding bird species than any other park in the world.

The landscape is dotted with ancient Baobab trees, some of which are believed to be over a thousand years old.

Lunch will be enjoyed at Matete Picnic Site within the park. After an exciting game drive, you’ll continue on to your accommodation in Karatu for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2 Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, you will journey towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater unfolds like a hidden world. Enclosed by steep volcanic walls, this 260 km² caldera features vast savannahs, acacia woodlands, lakes, and swamps.

Formed two to three million years ago when a massive volcano erupted and collapsed, the Crater is home to some of Africa’s largest concentrations of wildlife. As you descend into the Crater, expect to encounter wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and over 500 bird species. The Crater also offers one of the best opportunities to spot the critically endangered black rhino.

From Ngorongoro, the journey continues into the legendary Serengeti National Park, entering from its southern edge. You’ll settle into your accommodation and prepare for the thrilling wildlife encounters ahead.

Day 3 Full Day Game Drive In Serengeti

An early start allows you to witness the Serengeti at its most active. As the sun rises, your expert guide will lead you across the vast plains, tracking the Big Five and the Great Migration.

The Serengeti’s endless grasslands provide an ideal backdrop for spotting lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, and buffalo. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed amidst the breathtaking landscape before continuing your afternoon game drive.

As the day draws to a close, you’ll return to your comfortable safari camp within the Serengeti, where you can relax, enjoy a delicious dinner, and listen to the nocturnal sounds of the African wilderness.

Day 4 Serengeti National Park to Karatu

On this day, you’ll journey from the expansive plains of Serengeti National Park to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Conservation Area, en route to Karatu.

Breakfast will be served early at 5:30 AM, allowing you ample time to enjoy wildlife sightings before departure. The Serengeti’s ecosystem has remained unchanged for millions of years, making it one of the most remarkable wildlife destinations on Earth. The park is famous for the Great Migration, where massive herds of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes move in search of fresh grazing land.

Apart from the migrating herds, the Serengeti is home to numerous predators, including lions, cheetahs, and leopards, offering incredible opportunities to witness thrilling predator-prey interactions.

In the afternoon, you will begin your journey back to Karatu, taking in the scenic landscapes of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro along the way.

Day 5 Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha

After breakfast, you’ll head to Lake Manyara National Park, a small yet remarkably diverse park located 120 km west of Arusha. This unique destination offers contrasts on every level: it is both one of Africa's narrowest parks and home to the dramatic Great Rift Escarpment, which looms over the western edge of Lake Manyara. The park's centerpiece is its namesake—a shallow salt lake that fluctuates with the seasons, attracting thousands of wading birds, including flamingos and more than 500 other bird species.

In the park's dense evergreen forest, you might spot baboons and elephants, and keep an eye out for the famous tree-climbing lions that have made Lake Manyara legendary.

Enjoy a picnic lunch within the park. After your game drive, you’ll bid farewell to your guide and be dropped off at your chosen location, such as Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport, or Arusha Airport.