About this safari
The 5-Day Classic Tanzania Safari covers the four parks that define a northern safari. It is the itinerary locals recommend to first-time visitors: rich in wildlife, varied in landscape, and compact enough to enjoy without long days in the vehicle.
You begin at Tarangire National Park, home to extraordinary elephant herds and ancient baobabs, then move to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions and clouds of pink flamingos along the soda shore. From there the route climbs to the Serengeti, where you spend two nights among the plains and their predators.
The tour finishes with a full descent into the Ngorongoro Crater — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most wildlife-dense places on Earth.
Private throughout and led by a knowledgeable local guide, this is the classic safari experience, done properly.
What makes this tour special
-
Tarangire’s elephants
Great herds and baobab forests along the Tarangire River, a park many visitors overlook.
-
Tree-climbing lions
Lake Manyara is famous for lions that sprawl in acacia branches above the forest floor.
-
Flamingos at Manyara
Thousands of flamingos paint the shallow soda lake pink for much of the year.
-
Two nights in the Serengeti
Dawn and dusk on the plains, the finest big-cat viewing in Africa.
-
Ngorongoro Crater
A full crater-floor drive among lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo and black rhino.
-
Four parks, one trip
A complete introduction to the north, from rift-valley lakes to endless plains.
Day-by-day plan
Arrival and Arusha
You are met on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or collected from your hotel, and transferred to Arusha or Moshi. The afternoon is free to rest, explore the town, or visit a local Maasai market or coffee farm.
In the evening your guide meets you for a welcome dinner and briefing on the days ahead — what to expect in each park, and how to get the most from your camera.
Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, drive south-west to Tarangire National Park. Its name comes from the Tarangire River, which flows all year and draws wildlife from across the region during the dry season.
A full afternoon game drive explores the river valley and Silale Swamp, where elephants congregate in impressive numbers and the chances of lion and buffalo are strong. The baobab-lined plains are a joy to photograph in the low light. Overnight near the park.
Lake Manyara to the Serengeti
Begin with a morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, a slender strip of forest and floodplain squeezed between the Great Rift Valley escarpment and its shimmering soda lake. Watch for tree-climbing lions, elephant, huge baboon troops and rivers of flamingos.
After lunch you continue through the Ngorongoro highlands and into the Serengeti National Park, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive in the Seronera Valley before settling into your tented camp.
Full day in the Serengeti, then to Ngorongoro
A dawn game drive gives you the Serengeti at its most alive, as predators finish the night’s hunt and herds begin to move. Your guide will follow the season — calving grounds in the south early in the year, the Grumeti and Mara regions later on.
After a picnic lunch, leave the plains and climb back to the highlands, checking into a lodge on the Ngorongoro rim for sunset over the caldera.
Ngorongoro Crater and departure
Descend early into the Ngorongoro Crater, a vast, self-contained volcanic basin with an unbroken circle of wildlife. Spend the morning crossing its grassland, forest and soda lake, with excellent chances of lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo and the endangered black rhino.
After a picnic lunch on the crater floor, climb back to the rim and drive to Arusha or Moshi. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight, or stay on with a beach or mountain extension.
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Park entry fees for all four parks on the itinerary
- All meals as listed and drinking water on game drives
- 4 nights’ accommodation as per the itinerary
- Unlimited game drives with no set mileage limits
- Airport and hotel transfers on arrival and departure
- Government taxes and conservation levies
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips and gratuities for your guide and camp staff
- Optional activities such as balloon safaris and cultural visits
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
Where you’ll stay
Luxury lodges & tented suites
Full-board luxury throughout, with elegant rooms, private decks and views over the lake, plains or crater rim. <!-- TODO: lodge names -->
Comfortable lodges & camps
Well-appointed lodges and permanent tented camps with ensuite bathrooms, restaurants and friendly service. <!-- TODO: lodge names -->
Simple lodges & campsites
Clean, wallet-friendly lodging near each park with shared facilities where applicable. <!-- TODO: lodge names -->
5-Day Classic Tanzania Safari in pictures
Best time to take this tour
This classic route is rewarding year-round, with the dry season offering the most concentrated wildlife and the green season offering solitude and value.
| Season | Weather | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Warm, mostly dry | Moderate | Southern Serengeti calving and lush green plains |
| Apr–May | Long rains | Low | Quiet parks, dramatic skies and the year’s best rates |
| Jun–Oct | Dry and cool | High | Prime game viewing around rivers and waterholes |
| Nov–Dec | Short rains | Moderate | Fresh greenery, fantastic light and great birding |
Route & logistics
The route loops clockwise from Arusha or Moshi: Tarangire, then Lake Manyara, then across the highlands to the Serengeti for two nights, then the Ngorongoro Crater, and finally home. Most drives are 2–4 hours.
All transfers are in a private, safari-equipped 4x4 with a pop-up roof. The Serengeti leg can be flown on request at extra cost.
Frequently asked questions
How does this differ from the 7-day Northern Circuit?
It covers the same four parks in two fewer days by trimming some time in the Serengeti. It is the classic route at a brisk, efficient pace.
Is this safari private?
Yes — your own 4x4 and guide throughout, so you set the pace and the stops.
Why visit Lake Manyara as well?
Manyara is compact but unique: tree-climbing lions, vast flamingo flocks and dramatic rift-valley scenery, all within a short drive of Tarangire.
What is the best time to go?
June to October offers dry, reliable viewing. January to March is greener and ideal for the calving season. April and May are wet but peaceful and affordable.
Is the tour suitable for families?
Yes. It is a game-drive itinerary with short drives, so children from around five years old do well. Let us know and we will tailor meal and rest stops.
Can I start from Moshi instead of Arusha?
Certainly. Both Moshi and Arusha are included as pickup and drop-off points at no extra charge.
You might also like
Ready to secure this itinerary?
Tell us your dates and group size. We will confirm availability, refine the plan around you, and send a full quote — free, with no obligation.
