5-day Tanzania safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire

Black rhinos, flamingos and elephant herds gather at the crater floor in the dry season.

A 5-day safari tour from Moshi covering Tarangire National Park, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara with professional English-speaking guide, game drives and airport transfers. You'll search for the Big Five across five parks, watch wildlife at permanent water sources during the dry season, and spend time with Maasai communities. Nights are at lodges with full board included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tarangire National Park visit

• Drive from Moshi or Arusha to Tarangire
• Game drive in Tarangire National Park
• Overnight at Omega View Lodge or similar

Day 2: Serengeti National Park journey

• Drive to Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge
• Explore Olduvai Gorge archaeological site
• Overnight at Tukaone Tented Lodge or similar

Day 3: Serengeti to Ngorongoro drive

• Breakfast at lodge
• Depart early to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Full game drive en route to Ngorongoro
• Overnight at Ngorongoro Wild Palm Lodge or similar

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater game drive

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Ngorongoro Crater
• Game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater
• Drive to Omega View Lodge or similar

Day 5: Lake Manyara National Park visit

• Drive from Omega View Lodge to Lake Manyara
• Picnic lunch in Lake Manyara
• Late afternoon game drive in Lake Manyara
• Drive back to Salinero Hotel or similar in Moshi

The experience

The route starts with a three-hour drive from Moshi to Tarangire National Park, where the dry season brings huge herds of wildebeest, zebras, elephants, elands and Oryx to the permanent waters of the Tarangire River. A full day of game drives here sets the pace for what follows. From Tarangire, the tour moves north through Olduvai Gorge (an archaeological site where early human fossils were first discovered), and into Serengeti National Park, a drive of three to four hours. The landscape shifts as you travel, shaped by the same tectonic forces that created the Great Rift Valley millions of years ago.

The Ngorongoro Crater is the centerpiece. After a full game drive as you transition from Serengeti into the conservation area, you descend into the crater itself for a dedicated drive where black rhinos, prides of lions with black-maned males, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas roam the crater floor. Flamingos and water birds gather at the shallow soda lake. The crater's walls rise steeply around you, creating an enclosed ecosystem where wildlife density is among the highest in Tanzania. From there, Lake Manyara National Park lies just 30 minutes away, where a late afternoon game drive (the best time to see animals here) reveals monkeys in the groundwater forest, elephants in the shade of the escarpment, zebras, giraffes, hippos and impalas. The final drive returns you to Moshi.

Your guide is a professional English speaker based in Moshi who stays with you throughout. Bottled water is provided in the safari vehicles. Accommodations include Omega View Lodge, Tukaone tented lodge and Ngorongoro Wild Palm Lodge, with full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) included. Government fees and airport transfers are covered. 24-hour support is available from the Moshi office if you need it.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking driver and guide throughout the five days.
• airport transfers to and from Moshi.
• game drives in all five parks.
• accommodation at lodges with full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
• bottled water in safari vehicles.
• government fees.
• 24-hour support from the Moshi office.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (46 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 85 years) · Youth (18 to 45 years) · Child (12 to 17 years) · Infant (7 to 11 years): free · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kilimanjaro Umoja Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a structured five-day route through multiple parks with a guide included, or choose a private option if your group prefers to set your own pace and park stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (18 to 45 years); Child (12 to 17 years); Infant (7 to 11 years): free. Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What animals am I most likely to see on this 5-day safari?

The Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo) are present across all five parks on this route. Ngorongoro Crater is the best place in Tanzania to spot black rhinos, and you'll also see wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, flamingos and water birds. The dry season timing brings the largest herds to Tarangire's permanent water sources.

How much time do I spend driving each day versus game viewing?

Day one includes a three-hour drive to Tarangire followed by game drives in the park. Day two involves a three to four-hour drive to Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge. Days three and four focus on full game drives within the conservation area and crater itself. Day five includes a 30-minute drive to Lake Manyara and a late afternoon game drive before the return to Moshi. Most park time is spent on game drives rather than in transit.

Do I need any visas or vaccinations before this safari?

Entry visa to Tanzania and travel and health insurance are not included in this tour, so you'll need to arrange those separately. Check current requirements with your government and a travel health clinic before booking.

What is Ngorongoro Crater and why is it special for wildlife viewing?

Ngorongoro Crater is a massive volcanic caldera in the conservation area with steep walls that create an enclosed ecosystem. The crater floor contains permanent water sources and grassland that support one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Tanzania, including black rhinos, lions, leopards and flamingos all in one contained area.