Explore some of the best wildlife areas in northern Tanzania on this 5-Day Serengeti Wildlife and Ngorongoro Crater Tour. This safari takes you through famous national parks where you have a strong chance of seeing the African Big Five and, depending on the season, the great wildebeest migration across the Serengeti plains. The journey combines classic game drives with changing landscapes and rich wildlife viewing.
Serengeti Wildlife & Ngorongoro Crater Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
- Day 2: Tarangire to Serengeti National Park
- Day 3: Full day game drive in Serengeti National Park
- Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Day 5: Return to Arusha
Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
You will be picked up from Arusha and driven to Tarangire National Park, a park well known for large elephant groups. On arrival, you will go straight into the park for a game drive.
During the drive, you may see elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, lions, leopards, and many bird species. Tarangire is also known for its large baobab trees, which stand out across the park. You will stop for lunch inside or near the park, then continue with another game drive in a different area. In the evening, you will drive to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Tarangire to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will leave Tarangire with a packed lunch and travel toward Serengeti National Park. The drive takes you through local villages and open countryside.
Once inside Serengeti, the game drive begins immediately. Serengeti is famous for the great wildlife migration, where large groups of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles move in search of grass. If your visit matches the migration season, you may see these animals in large numbers. You will continue the game drive until late afternoon, then head to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
This day is spent fully exploring Serengeti. After breakfast, you will head out with your packed lunch for a full day of game drives in different areas of the park. The open plains make it easier to spot animals.
You may see wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, antelopes, giraffes, hippos, and waterbucks. Predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and jackals are also common in Serengeti. Crocodiles may be seen near rivers, and birdlife is present throughout the park. After a long day, you will return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After an early breakfast, you will drive from Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On arrival, you will stop at the crater rim to view the Ngorongoro Crater from above.
You will then descend into the crater for a 4 to 5 hour game drive. The crater floor is home to many animals, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, warthogs, hyenas, and the rare black rhino. You will enjoy a picnic lunch near the hippo pool before ascending back to the rim. Dinner and overnight will be at your lodge or camp.
Day 5: Return to Arusha
After breakfast, you will enjoy a short game drive in the areas outside the crater. This is a good chance to see animals such as giraffes, which are not found on the crater floor. Later, you will drive back to Arusha for drop off at your hotel or the airport, marking the end of the 5-Day Serengeti Wildlife & Ngorongoro Crater Tour.
