5-Day Serengeti Safari from Zanzibar: Tarangire & Ngorongoro

See elephants, lions and the Big Five in two of Tanzania's most concentrated wildlife zones.

This 5-day fly-in safari from Zanzibar to Arusha covers Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater with a professional English-speaking guide, 4×4 vehicle, lodge accommodation and all meals. Day one takes you through Tarangire's baobab forests and elephant herds. Day two descends into Ngorongoro Crater, where 25,000 mammals roam an 18-kilometer caldera and the Big Five are sighted regularly in a few hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

• Pick up from Arusha hotel
• Transfer to Tarangire National Park
• Game viewing in Tarangire National Park
• Transfer to camp for overnight stay

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater and return to Arusha

• Breakfast at camp
• Drive to Ngorongoro Crater
• Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
• Lunch at picnic spot
• Continue game drive in crater
• Return to Arusha by early evening

The experience

The route starts with a hotel pickup in Arusha and a drive into Tarangire National Park, where you spend the first day game-viewing in a custom safari jeep with a pop-up roof. Tarangire holds one of the country's largest elephant concentrations, and the park is also known for its baobab trees and over 500 bird species. You stay overnight at Fig Lodge or a similar camp.

On day two, after breakfast, the safari moves to Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest caldera. The crater is roughly 18 kilometers across and contains about 25,000 mammals in a relatively small area: Grant's and Thomson's gazelles, mountain reedbucks, spotted hyenas, rare wild dogs, and a chance to spot lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard all in a few hours of game driving. Lunch is a picnic inside the crater, followed by more game time before the return to Arusha by early evening.

Groups stay small, with a maximum of six clients per vehicle, and your guide handles all commentary in English. All national park fees, transportation, accommodation, meals (breakfast and dinner each night, plus lunch on day two), and activities are included. The operator also provides Flying Doctors insurance through AMREF during the safari.

What’s included

• All national park fees.
• transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof.
• two nights of lodge accommodation.
• breakfast, dinner and lunch according to the itinerary.
• all mentioned activities.
• a professional English-speaking guide.
• and Flying Doctors insurance through AMREF during the safari.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 80 years) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 13 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Serengeti African Tours

Is this one for you?Book this two-day shared safari if you want to see lions and migrating wildebeest across two parks without committing to a longer trip.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (5 to 13 years); Infant (under 5).

Can I see the Big Five in Ngorongoro Crater in just a few hours?

Yes, the crater's concentrated wildlife means lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard are all sighted regularly during a single game drive, though sightings are never guaranteed. The 18-kilometer caldera holds about 25,000 mammals in a relatively small space, which is why the odds are high.

What is Tarangire National Park known for?

Tarangire is famous for its large baobab tree population and one of the country's largest elephant concentrations. The park also has a spectacular variety of large mammals and over 500 bird species, making it a major wildlife destination in its own right.

How many people travel together on this safari?

Groups are capped at six clients maximum, traveling together in one custom 4×4 safari jeep with a pop-up roof for game viewing.

What meals and accommodation are included?

Breakfast and dinner are provided each night at Fig Lodge or a similar camp, and lunch is a picnic inside Ngorongoro Crater on day two. All overnight accommodation according to the itinerary is included in the price.

Is this tour suitable if I have mobility concerns?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health due to the nature of safari driving and the terrain. It is suitable for all other fitness levels.