5-Day Tanzania Safari – Start & Finish in Arusha
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser Safari | Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
Discover the Soul of Tanzania on a 5-Day Classic Safari
Step into the heart of East Africa’s most iconic wilderness on this 5-Day Tanzania Safari, starting and ending in Arusha.
Designed for those who crave both adventure and comfort, this journey takes you across four of Tanzania’s legendary national parks — Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater — each with its own rhythm, scenery, and wildlife story.
At Annest Kenya Safaris, we believe safaris should feel alive — not rushed. That’s why this private Tanzania safari is fully customizable, guided by expert naturalists, and operated in a comfortable 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeep with a pop-up roof for uninterrupted views of elephants, lions, and the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro.
5-Day Tanzania Safari Overview
Tour Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Destinations: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
Transport: Private 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeep
Start/End: Arusha, Tanzania
Accommodation: Midrange or Luxury lodges & camps
Best For: Wildlife lovers, couples, families, photographers
Safari Itinerary – 5-Day Tanzania Safari
Day 1 – Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
Your adventure begins after breakfast as your safari guide picks you up from your Arusha hotel. Drive through scenic countryside toward Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania’s most diverse parks, nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment.
Explore its lush forests, open plains, and soda lake that shimmers pink with flamingos. Keep your eyes peeled for the park’s famous tree-climbing lions, elephants wandering through fig trees, and over 300 species of migratory birds, including long-crested eagles and pelicans.
Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park before continuing your afternoon game drive. As the sun sets, retire to your lodge with stunning views of the escarpment.
Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge / Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 – Lake Manyara to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, known as the “Home of the Elephants.” This beautiful park is dotted with giant baobab trees and the life-giving Tarangire River that attracts immense herds of wildlife, especially during the dry season.
Spend the day exploring the park’s rolling savannahs, home to wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, and more than 500 species of colorful birds. The park also supports large prides of lions and elusive leopards, making every game drive a thrilling experience.
After a day full of wildlife encounters, head to your comfortable lodge or tented camp, where a campfire and starlit dinner await.
Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge / Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Tarangire to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, continue your journey toward the legendary Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most celebrated safari destinations in the world.
Drive through the Ngorongoro Highlands, stopping at the Olduvai Gorge, an important archaeological site known as the “Cradle of Mankind.” Then, descend onto the vast plains of the Serengeti, where endless horizons meet teeming wildlife.
In the afternoon, enjoy your first Serengeti game drive, searching for lions lounging in the grass, cheetahs scanning the plains, and herds of wildebeests and zebras moving in rhythm with the seasons.
As the sun dips below the horizon, you’ll settle into your luxury tented camp and enjoy dinner under the starlit African sky.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge / Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge / Ole Serai Luxury Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Full Day in the Serengeti
Awaken to the sounds of the wild — lions roaring in the distance and birds greeting the new day. Today, you’ll enjoy a full-day safari in Serengeti National Park, exploring different regions of the park depending on the wildlife movement.
If you’re traveling between June and October, witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeests and zebras traverse the plains, pursued by predators in a spectacle of survival.
Optional: Begin your day with a Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari (additional cost) — a breathtaking flight over the plains followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush.
Return to your lodge in the evening for a relaxing dinner and storytelling around the campfire.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge / Ole Serai Luxury Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater – Return to Arusha
After breakfast, depart the Serengeti and drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, descending 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, often called the Eighth Wonder of the World.
This natural amphitheater hosts over 25,000 animals, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, and flamingos. It’s one of the few places in Africa where you can spot all members of the Big Five in a single day.
Enjoy a picnic lunch by the hippo pool before ascending the crater wall in the afternoon and driving back to Arusha, arriving in the evening — your heart full of safari memories to last a lifetime.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
3 Days in Masai Mara -What's Included
Courtesy Pick up / Drop off Arusha Airport Courtesy Pick up / Drop off at Arusha Hotel or Residence
Transport in a customized pop up top 4x4 Land Cruiser jeep.
Services of an experienced English/ other language speaking safari tour guide/driver.
4 nights full-board lodge/camp stay
Park entrance fees to Masai Mara NR
All meals on safari Bottled drinking water in safari vehicle
The flying doctors’ emergency medical evacuation/ rescue insurance cover.
What's Excluded
- Bottled & Soft Drinks - Items and services of a personal nature - Tips & Gratuities.
Why Choose Annest Kenya Safaris
Locally Owned & Operated – True East African expertise and personalized care
Fly & Drive Options – Maximize your safari time and minimize travel fatigue
Luxury & Comfort – Handpicked lodges that blend elegance with wilderness charm
Cross-Border Specialists – Combine Kenya & Tanzania seamlessly
💬 24/7 Guest Support – From booking to departure, we’ve got you covered
Best Time to Visit 4 Days – The Serengeti Safari
June–October: Dry season, perfect for the Great Migration and predator sightings
November–March: Calving season, lush landscapes, excellent for photography
April–May: Green season, fewer tourists, discounted rates
FAQs – FAQs – 5-Day Tanzania Safari
Each transfer averages 2–4 hours, except Serengeti to Ngorongoro which can take 5–6 hours due to game drives en route.
Yes! We can arrange a cross-border safari from Nairobi, including flights or transfers.
You can choose from midrange lodges, luxury tented camps, or private safari villas, depending on your budget.
This is a private safari, meaning your group has its own vehicle, guide, and itinerary flexibility.
Absolutely — many guests end their Tanzania safari with a few days on Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches.
