5-Day Highlights Tanzania Safari

📌 Package Overview

Discover the highlights of Tanzania's legendary Northern Safari Circuit on this unforgettable 5-Day Highlights Tanzania Safari, expertly designed by African Traces. This exciting journey takes you to four of Tanzania's most spectacular wildlife destinations: Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater.

From the scenic landscapes and diverse wildlife of Lake Manyara to the giant elephant herds and ancient baobab trees of Tarangire, this safari offers an incredible introduction to Tanzania's natural beauty. Continue to the endless plains of the world-famous Serengeti, home to extraordinary concentrations of wildlife and the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration, depending on the season.

Your adventure concludes with an unforgettable game drive inside the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's greatest natural wonders. The crater provides exceptional opportunities to see a remarkable variety of wildlife, including the famous Big Five.

Travel in a comfortable 4×4 safari Land Cruiser with an experienced professional driver-guide, enjoy scenic picnic lunches surrounded by the African wilderness, and relax each evening in carefully selected safari lodges or tented camps. This itinerary is ideal for travellers looking for a complete yet well-paced Tanzania safari experience, combining four incredible destinations into five unforgettable days.

Safari Highlights

● Experience Tanzania's Northern Circuit: Explore four of Tanzania's most famous wildlife destinations.
● Visit Lake Manyara National Park: Discover beautiful groundwater forests, diverse birdlife, hippos, elephants, and the park's famous tree-climbing lions.
● Explore Tarangire National Park: Experience giant elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and spectacular savannah landscapes.
● Discover Serengeti National Park: Explore the endless plains of one of the world's greatest wildlife destinations.
● Visit Ngorongoro Crater: Descend into one of Africa's most spectacular natural wonders and wildlife areas.
● The Big Five: Enjoy excellent opportunities to search for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and black rhinoceroses.
● Abundant Wildlife: Encounter giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, cheetahs, hyenas, gazelles, monkeys, and many other species.
● Spectacular Landscapes: Experience forests, lakes, savannahs, volcanic highlands, and endless plains.
● Private 4×4 Transport: Travel in a comfortable safari Land Cruiser with a professional English-speaking driver-guide.
● Picnic Lunches: Enjoy delicious picnic lunches surrounded by Tanzania's beautiful wilderness.
● Comfortable Accommodation: Relax in carefully selected safari lodges and tented camps.
● Perfect Tanzania Safari: An excellent safari before or after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or relaxing in Zanzibar.

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Transfer to Arusha

• Activities: Airport Meet & Greet • Hotel Transfer • Safari Briefing
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by a representative from African Traces.
Meet your professional safari guide and transfer to your hotel in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, relax at the hotel or explore the city before attending a safari briefing.
Your guide will explain the upcoming itinerary and answer any questions to ensure you are fully prepared for your Tanzania safari adventure.
• Meals: Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha

Day 1: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park

• Driving Time: Approximately 2–2.5 Hours
• Activities: Scenic Drive • Full-Day Game Drive
After breakfast, depart from Arusha for Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania's most scenic and diverse wildlife destinations.
The park is located at the base of the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment and is famous for its beautiful landscapes, groundwater forests, open grasslands, and the alkaline Lake Manyara.
During your game drive, you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, baboons, blue monkeys, impalas, warthogs, and numerous bird species. Lake Manyara is also famous for its tree-climbing lions, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park before continuing your afternoon wildlife viewing. Later in the afternoon, leave the park and continue to your lodge in the Karatu area for dinner and an overnight stay.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge in Karatu

Day 2: Karatu – Tarangire National Park

• Driving Time: Approximately 1.5–2 Hours
• Activities: Full-Day Game Drive
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania's most beautiful and wildlife-rich national parks.
Tarangire is famous for its enormous elephant herds, impressive ancient baobab trees, open savannah landscapes, seasonal swamps, and the wildlife-rich Tarangire River.
The park offers excellent opportunities to encounter elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, warthogs, impalas, elands, and numerous other species. Tarangire is also an excellent destination for bird enthusiasts, with hundreds of bird species recorded.
Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch surrounded by the African wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive. In the late afternoon, drive to your lodge for dinner and overnight accommodation.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge in Karatu

Day 3: Karatu – Serengeti National Park

• Driving Time: Approximately 5–6 Hours (including wildlife viewing)
• Activities: Scenic Drive • Wildlife Viewing • Afternoon Game Drive
After breakfast, depart for the world-famous Serengeti National Park, travelling through the spectacular landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The journey itself is an adventure, with beautiful scenery and opportunities to encounter wildlife along the way. After entering the Serengeti, enjoy a picnic lunch before beginning your exciting afternoon game drive.
The Serengeti is renowned for its endless plains and remarkable concentration of wildlife. During your game drive, you may encounter lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, topis, hyenas, jackals, and numerous bird species. Depending on the season, you may also witness the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Later in the afternoon, continue to your safari lodge or tented camp for dinner and an overnight stay beneath the African skies.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge or Tented Camp in Central Serengeti

Day 4: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

• Activities: Morning Game Drive • Scenic Transfer • Wildlife Viewing
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before heading out for another memorable morning game drive in the heart of the Serengeti.
The early morning hours are among the best times for wildlife viewing, as predators are often active and animals can be seen throughout the plains. Enjoy another opportunity to search for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and many other species.
After your game drive, enjoy a picnic lunch before departing for the spectacular Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Travel through breathtaking highland landscapes while enjoying additional wildlife sightings along the way.
Arrive in the afternoon at your lodge near the Ngorongoro Crater Rim or in Karatu. Relax and enjoy dinner after an unforgettable day.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater Rim or in Karatu

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Return to Arusha

• Driving Time: Approximately 4 Hours
• Activities: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive • Scenic Transfer
After an early breakfast, descend approximately 600 metres (2,000 feet) into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable wildlife experience.
The crater floor is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife and offers excellent opportunities to search for the famous Big Five.
During your approximately 5-hour game drive, you may encounter black rhinoceroses, African elephants, lions, buffaloes, hippos, hyenas, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, ostriches, flamingos, and numerous bird species.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at the scenic Hippo Pool, surrounded by the spectacular landscapes of the crater floor. After lunch, continue your wildlife viewing before ascending the crater walls.
In the afternoon, begin your return journey to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening. You will be dropped off at your hotel, Kilimanjaro International Airport, or another preferred location, marking the end of your tour with African Traces.
• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Short Summary

Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro (JRO) – Transfer to Arusha

Airport Meet & Greet, hotel transfer in Arusha, safari briefing, and dinner. (Overnight: Arusha)

Day 1: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park – Karatu

Full-day game drive in Lake Manyara featuring groundwater forests and tree-climbing lions, picnic lunch, then transfer to Karatu lodge. (Overnight: Karatu)

Day 2: Karatu – Tarangire National Park – Karatu

Full-day game drive in Tarangire featuring giant elephant herds and baobab trees, picnic lunch, then return to lodge. (Overnight: Karatu)

Day 3: Karatu – Serengeti National Park

Scenic drive through Ngorongoro highlands to Serengeti National Park, picnic lunch, and afternoon game drive across the endless plains. (Overnight: Central Serengeti)

Day 4: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Morning game drive in Central Serengeti, picnic lunch, and scenic transfer to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. (Overnight: Ngorongoro Rim/Karatu)

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Return to Arusha

5-hour game drive on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, picnic lunch at Hippo Pool, and evening drop-off in Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport.

📋 Safari Inclusions & Exclusions

Package Includes

All national park fees and crater service fees
Professional English-speaking safari guide/driver
Private 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for game viewing
Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary (or similar)
All meals as specified (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Unlimited bottled drinking water during game drives
Complimentary Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) transfers
Government taxes and transit fees

Package Excludes

International flights and visa fees for Tanzania
Travel & medical insurance
Tips for safari guide/driver and lodge staff
Alcoholic and soft drinks at lodges/camps
Optional activities (e.g., Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari, Maasai Village Visit)
Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, souvenirs)