5-Day Private Serengeti Safari: Big Five, Ngorongoro & Tarangire

Summary

Private Tanzania Safari Adventure: Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge & More

If you want real wildlife encounters—lions napping in trees, elephants under baobabs—and stories from guides who know every inch of these parks, this private safari is for you. You’ll visit legendary places like Olduvai Gorge and Ngorongoro Crater while staying comfy each night.

What’s the experience like?

The first morning kicked off with that earthy scent you only get after a night of rain in Karatu. Our guide, Joseph, met us with a grin and a thermos of strong Tanzanian coffee—honestly needed after the long flight. We piled into the safari vehicle and headed for Lake Manyara National Park. The drive down the escarpment was bumpy but worth it; flamingos painted the lake pink and baboons lounged right on the roadside, barely blinking as we passed. Joseph pointed out yellow-billed storks fishing in the shallows and kept scanning the trees for those famous tree-climbing lions (we spotted one sprawled across an acacia branch, looking almost bored). By late afternoon, we were back in Karatu at our lodge—hot showers and fresh chapati bread never tasted so good.

The next day started early—picnic lunches packed before sunrise. The road through Ngorongoro Conservation Area winds past Maasai villages where kids wave as you pass. After about four hours, we reached Olduvai Gorge. Standing there, wind whipping up little dust devils, it hit me how ancient this place is. Our local guide explained how they found 1.8 million-year-old human remains here; he even showed us casts of footprints left by our ancestors over 3 million years ago. It’s wild to think about. That evening, sleeping in a tented lodge out on the savanna, I drifted off to distant hyena calls.

Serengeti days are something else entirely. We set out with breakfast still warm in our bellies and spent hours tracking herds across endless grassland—buffalo everywhere, elephants moving quietly through tall grass, and giraffes poking their heads above thorn trees like curious periscopes. June meant wildebeest gathering near the Grumeti River; you could feel the tension as crocs waited below. Even when migration’s quiet, there’s always something to see: topi sprinting past or a leopard draped over a low branch just before dusk. Nights at the lodge were peaceful except for the occasional whoop of a distant lion.

Ngorongoro Crater felt like stepping into another world—misty in the morning and packed with wildlife by mid-morning. We saw all of the “Big Five” within hours: rhinos grazing near hippos wallowing in shallow pools, lions sunning themselves on open ground while zebras kept their distance. Our guide knew every shortcut and somehow always managed to park us right where action happened (he swears by listening for bird alarms). Afterward, I treated myself to a massage at our lodge—my shoulders needed it after all those bumpy roads.

On our last day together, Tarangire National Park surprised me most—so many elephants! They wandered between massive baobab trees (locals call them “upside-down trees”), dust bathing or just standing quietly in family groups. Birdwatchers would be in heaven here; I counted at least ten species I’d never seen before while sipping tea from my thermos during a break by the riverbank. By midday we were heading back toward Arusha—tired but honestly wishing we had one more day out there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lake Manyara Game Drive

• Game drive at Lake Manyara National Park

Day 2 — Olduvai Gorge & Serengeti Arrival

• Visit Olduvai Gorge prehistoric site
• Drive to Serengeti National Park

Day 3 — Serengeti Wildlife Viewing

• Full day game viewing in Serengeti

Day 4 — Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

• Game drive in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Day 5 — Tarangire National Park Safari

• Morning game drive in Tarangire National Park
• Transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport

Top questions

Is this safari suitable for families with kids?

This tour works well for families with older children who enjoy wildlife and can handle longer drives; younger kids may find some days tiring.

Can dietary needs be accommodated?

Yes—just let us know your preferences or restrictions ahead of time so we can arrange meals accordingly at lodges and during picnics.

What kind of vehicles are used for game drives?

You’ll travel in comfortable 4x4 safari vehicles with pop-up roofs for great views and photo opportunities throughout your trip.

Are park fees included?

Yes—all national park entry fees are covered as part of your package price.

What’s included

Your private guide and driver throughout; all park entry fees; daily game drives; overnight stays at quality lodges or tented camps; most meals (breakfasts, picnic lunches, dinners); bottled water during activities; airport transfers if needed; expert local knowledge every step of the way.