5-Day, 4-Night Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire Safari

Morning

• Early Morning Game Drive:
  • Start the day early with a sunrise game drive in Tarangire, when animals are most active. You may see elephants bathing in the river, lions lounging under trees, and herds of wildebeest and buffalo moving across the plains.
• Breakfast:
  • After a few hours of game viewing, stop for a packed breakfast or return to your lodge for a more relaxed meal.

Midday

• Continued Game Drive:
  • Continue your exploration of Tarangire, which has various landscapes such as woodlands, savannah, and wetlands. During the dry season, the Tarangire River is a prime area for spotting wildlife, especially large elephant herds.
• Lunch:
  • Lunch will either be at your lodge or at a picnic site within the park.

Afternoon

• Afternoon Game Drive:
  • In the afternoon, head to new areas of the park. Look for predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards, or search the trees for baboons and monkeys.
• Return to Lodge:
  • 4:30 PM: Head back to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.

Morning

• Breakfast and Depart:
  • After breakfast, drive from Tarangire to Serengeti. The drive takes about 4-5 hours, passing through rural areas, villages, and stunning landscapes.
• Lunch:
  • You will stop for a picnic lunch or enjoy a light meal at a lodge on the way to Serengeti.

Afternoon

• Arrival in Serengeti:
  • Arrive at the Serengeti National Park in the late afternoon. Serengeti is world-famous for its expansive savannahs and wildlife, especially during the Great Migration (July to October), when millions of wildebeest and zebras move through the park.
• Afternoon Game Drive:
  • After checking in at your lodge, embark on an afternoon game drive in Serengeti. Look for lions, cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, and more. If you're visiting during migration season, you may witness incredible wildlife movements across the plains.

Evening

• Check-in and Dinner:
  • Stay at a Serengeti lodge or camp such as Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Serengeti Sopa Lodge, or Kati Kati Tented Camp.
  • Enjoy dinner and overnight at your lodge, reflecting on the day's exciting wildlife encounters.

Early Morning

• Morning Game Drive:
  • Start your day early with a morning game drive in Serengeti. The early morning is the best time to see predators such as lions hunting, cheetahs racing across the plains, and other animals being active.
• Breakfast:
  • After a few hours of game viewing, return to your lodge for breakfast or enjoy a packed breakfast in the park.

Midday

• Continued Game Drive:
  • Serengeti is vast and offers a variety of ecosystems, including grasslands, rivers, and woodlands. Continue exploring new areas in search of wildlife, particularly predators and herbivores. During migration season, you may witness dramatic river crossings or large herds of wildebeest and zebras.
• Lunch:
  • Return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation.

Afternoon

• Afternoon Game Drive:
  • Head out for another afternoon game drive, exploring different parts of the park, perhaps near the Seronera River or the western corridor, both popular wildlife hotspots.
• Return to Lodge:
  • After a full day of exploration, return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Early Morning

• Depart for Ngorongoro Crater:
  • 6:00 AM: After an early breakfast, you’ll drive from Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater, which takes about 3-4 hours. As you approach the crater, you’ll pass through Ngorongoro Conservation Area, home to Maasai villages and breathtaking views of the volcanic landscape.

Midday

• Arrival and Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater:
  • 11:00 AM: Arrive at the Ngorongoro Crater, also known as the "Garden of Eden," famous for its diverse wildlife and rich ecosystems. The crater floor is home to elephants, lions, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, and the critically endangered black rhino.
• Game Drive:
  • After descending into the crater, you’ll enjoy a half-day game drive, with plenty of time to spot wildlife and appreciate the stunning scenery. The crater is a natural amphitheater, surrounded by high walls and offering a one-of-a-kind safari experience.

Lunch

• Picnic Lunch in the Crater:
  • You will have a picnic lunch within the crater, possibly near one of the lakes, or back at a lodge situated on the crater rim.

Afternoon

• Return to Arusha:
  • After the game drive, ascend from the crater and drive back to Arusha for approximately 3-4 hours.

Evening

• Arrive in Arusha:
  • You will arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon or early evening. Depending on your flight schedule, you can either be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to the airport for your onward flight.