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4-5 Day Private Safari
TARANGIRE, SERENGETI & NGORONGORO
FINDING THE BIG 5
Embark on an unforgettable 4- or 5-day Tanzania safari through three of the country’s most iconic national parks: Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. This private safari itinerary offers the perfect blend of incredible wildlife sightings, stunning landscapes, and personalized service. Whether you dream of spotting the Big Five or witnessing the endless Serengeti plains, this tailor-made adventure is ideal for anyone looking for a relatively short safari that includes all the highlights.
Travel in your own private 4×4 vehicle with a dedicated guide, stay at handpicked lodges or camps, and enjoy the flexibility to choose a 4-day express version or a 5-day journey with more time for exploration. With Tarangire’s famous elephants, the Big Cats of Serengeti, and the unique ecosystem of the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, every day brings something new and exciting.
AT A GLANCE – SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Private 4- or 5-day safari with your own vehicle and guide
Enjoy a game drive in Tarangire, known for baobabs and large elephant herds
Discover the Serengeti, home to lions, leopards, and the Great Migration
Descend into the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater
Optional extra day for slower travel, which we highly recommend.
Flexible accommodation styles: from budget lodges to luxury tented camps
Customizable departure dates and full itinerary flexibility
Ideal for wildlife lovers, couples, families, and first-time visitors
DURATION
4 or 5 days + arrival & departure
DESTINATIONS
Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
TRAVEL STYLE
Private and fully customizable
FINDING THE BIG 5 SAFARI – PRICING
Price per person incl. 2 nights in Arusha & airport transfers.
| 2 PAX | 4 PAX | 6 PAX | |
| 4 days - budget (camping) | 1800 USD | 1320 USD | 1190 USD |
| 4 days - standard | 2100 USD | 1680 USD | 1510 USD |
| 4 days - comfort | 2420 USD | 1990 USD | 1780 USD |
| 4 days - luxury | 3010 USD | 2570 USD | 2410 USD |
| 4 days - premium | On request | ||
| 2 PAX | 4 PAX | 6 PAX | |
| 5 days - budget (camping) | 2170 USD | 1610 USD | 1460 USD |
| 5 days - standard | 2630 USD | 2130 USD | 1920 USD |
| 5 days - comfort | 3030 USD | 2530 USD | 2270 USD |
| 5 days - luxury | 3770 USD | 3250 USD | 3030 USD |
| 5 days - premium | On request | ||
Prices for adults, based on the cheapest combination of single, double and triple tents/rooms. in the accommodations mentioned below. Prices for high season; low season discounts and/or Holiday supplements might apply. Discounted prices apply for children under 16.
SAFARI ITINERARY
Click on your desired comfort level under each day to see the accommodation we’re suggesting. Not entirely what you’re looking for? We have lots of other options, so we can definitely include something that matches your wishes. Just let us know!
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania & transfer to Arusha
Karibu Tanzania! Your Mawenzi Adventures driver-guide will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and take you to your lodge in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to relax or explore the town before your safari begins.
Day 2: Arusha – game drive in Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, your adventure begins with a safari in Tarangire, famous for its towering baobab trees and huge herds of elephants. With luck, you may spot lions, leopards, and many bird species. You’ll spend the night in Karatu or Mto wa Mbu, located on the way to the Serengeti.
Day 3: Drive to Serengeti National Park via the Ngorongoro Highlands
After breakfast, you travel through the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands on your way to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s most iconic safari destination. You’ll enjoy a game drive en route, spotting wildlife as you enter the vast plains. Keep your eyes open for giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and big cats. Overnight in a lodge, tented camp or campsite inside the park.
Day 4: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro conservation area
Enjoy a morning safari in the Serengeti before heading towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You’ll continue your game drive along the way, possibly spotting cheetahs, elephants, and hyenas. Tonight, sleep near the crater rim, ready for an early descent tomorrow.
In the 5-day itinerary, we add a full day in the Serengeti before this day, in between day 3 and 4.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater – return to Arusha
Rise early for a descent into Ngorongoro Crater, home to one of the world’s most incredible concentrations of wildlife. Spot rhinos, lions, buffaloes, and hippos in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a picnic lunch in the crater, return to Arusha for drop-off at your lodge.
Day 6: Airport transfer & departure
Our driver will pick you up at your accommodation and drive you to Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport. We wish you a safe flight and hope you’ve had an unforgettable time in Tanzania!
Have a bit more time? Have a look at our 6-day Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT THIS SAFARI
Have a look at some comments from real travelers for whom we’ve organized a safari based on the itinerary above, fully customized to their wishes.
The organization was perfect, we felt like little princes; what a pleasure to let ourselves be carried away without worrying about a thing.
The lodges truly met our expectations of a trip off the beaten track, with truly high-quality service and very attentive staff.
We left with our hearts filled with memories and wonderful encounters 💚💛🖤💙
Anastasia
★★★★★ 5/5
4-day/4-night personalized safari, part of a 6-day trip, June 2025
Liesbeth and Chim know how to add some interesting ideas to the unmissable safari experience in northern Tanzania. Based on their suggestions, we selected some cultural visits to our itinerary. From hiking to canoeing to cooking class, everything was great and gave us the opportunity to catch a glimpse of genuine Tanzania. The safari was also very well organized and parks of northern Tanzania do the rest… Highly recommended!
Alessandro S
★★★★★ 5/5
5-day tailor-made safari, part of an 18-day trip, September 2024
OUR OFFER – PRICES AND SERVICES
Prices starting from 1190 USD per person (high season), depending on group size and comfort level.
Prices for adults, based on the cheapest combination of single, double and triple tents/rooms. in the accommodations mentioned above. Prices for high season; low season discounts and/or Holiday supplements might apply. Discounted prices apply for children under 16.
The following services are included in our package:
- Entrance fees to the parks (Tarangire 12h, Serengeti 24h in the 4-day package and 48h in the 5-day package, Ngorongoro 24h).
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle from your hotel in Arusha to the parks and back (other pick-up points possible, please contact us for the right price)
- Game drives in the parks
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Accommodation as mentioned in our offers. Specific accommodation options are always subject to availability. If the suggested option is not available, we’ll suggest another option for your approval. A higher or lower price might apply in this case.
- Camping gear in case of a camping safari
- Full-board meal plan, details in your personalized itinerary
- Airport transfers as described
- Drinking water, tea and coffee
This package however doesn’t include:
- Tips for the crew. We recommend a tip of 25 USD per day for your guide and 15 USD per day for your driver (airport pick-up), to be divided between each member of your group. In case of a camping safari, we also recommend 15 USD per day for your cook.
- Travel insurance
- Visa
- Domestic and international flights
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal spending money for souvenirs, laundry, etc.
- … and all other services that are not mentioned as included.
Didn’t find exactly what you’re looking for? Don’t worry, there’s lots of other options! Please get in touch for different accommodation options in any price range, different room types and group sizes or groups including children, as well as if you wish to add extra options to your safari.
BEST TIME TO GO
This safari itinerary is available year-round, and each season offers its own unique magic.
June to October is the dry season, the best time for spotting big game. Wildlife gathers around rivers and waterholes, and vegetation is thinner, making animals easier to spot.
December to March brings the calving season in the southern Serengeti / Ndutu area (inside Ngorongoro Conservation Area), when tens of thousands of wildebeest give birth—and predators are never far behind.
April to May is the green season: lush, quiet, and excellent for photography and birdwatching. Occasional showers make the landscape vibrant and beautiful.
November sees short rains, but the experience remains rich and peaceful, with fewer visitors.
We’ll help you time your safari perfectly based on your travel dates and what you’d most love to see, or we’ll make suggestions on how you can optimize the itinerary if your travel dates are fixed.
WILDLIFE YOU’RE LIKELY TO SEE
This route takes you through three iconic parks—each known for different wildlife highlights.
Tarangire National Park:
- Huge herds of elephants, especially in the dry season
- Ancient baobab trees, a photographer’s dream
- Large numbers of zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, and impalas
- Lions, leopards, and cheetahs (with some luck)
- Birdlife galore—more than 500 species
Serengeti National Park:
The Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras (timing varies)
Big cats: lions, leopards, and cheetahs
Giraffes, elephants, hyenas, and many antelope species
Hippos and crocodiles near rivers
An incredible variety of birds of prey and colorful species
Ngorongoro crater:
A chance to see the Big Five in one place
Black rhinos, often near the Lerai Forest
Dense populations of lions, elephants, buffaloes, and hippos
Flamingos and other waterbirds around Lake Magadi
A breathtaking variety of habitats in a single game drive
ACCOMMODATION & LODGING
All our safaris are private and fully customizable, so you can choose the comfort level that fits you best – and within each comfort level choose between plenty of options (prices might vary slightly, comfort levels span a certain range of prices). This itinerary is available in five accommodation styles:
Budget: Perfect for adventurous travelers who don’t mind basic amenities. Accommodation is usually in public campsites (you’ll sleep in a tent and use shared bathrooms), or in no-frills local lodges or guesthouses where private rooms are available but comfort is limited.
Standard: A popular option. You’ll stay in simple but clean lodges or tented camps with real beds, private bathrooms, good meals and a warm welcome. These accommodations strike a great balance between comfort and price.
Comfort: Expect more comfort, better service, and often more scenic locations. You’ll stay in well-rated lodges or permanent tented camps that offer the perfect middle ground between comfort and value for money.
Luxury: These are high-end lodges or luxury tented camps in beautiful locations, where you’ll find attention to detail on every level. Think drinks around the fire, stylish décor, and extra touches that make your safari feel truly special. Ideal for honeymooners or anyone looking to treat themselves.
Premium: Top-end tented camps or lodges in the most exclusive locations, offering gourmet meals, premium service, absolute privacy and anything you could ever wish for. A safari dream come true!
Not sure what suits you best? Read more about safari comfort levels here or get in touch and we’ll help you decide. You can even mix and match depending on the night or location.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Start your trip off right with practical tips about what to do in the national parks, what to pack for your safari, and other essentials to help you prepare with confidence.
SERENGETI BEYOND THE GREAT MIGRATION
The Serengeti is so much more than just the wildebeest. Learn what else makes this park one of Africa’s most spectacular safari destinations.
BUDGET VS LUXURY SAFARI IN TANZANIA
Is it worth paying more for a luxury safari? Or does a budget safari match your travel style better? Learn all about it here.
TANZANIA SAFARI PACKING LIST
No space to waste? Our safari packing list focuses on essentials only — what to bring, what to leave, and how to stay comfy on the road.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The 4-day itinerary is quite fast-paced and ideal if you’re short on time but still want to see the major parks of the northern circuit. The 5-day version allows for a more relaxed rhythm, with extra time in the Serengeti to spot wildlife or just soak up the scenery. We can also customize this itinerary to offer a solution in between: a 4-day / 4 night safari. We’re happy to help you decide which option fits your travel style.
Yes! All our safaris are fully private and tailor-made. We can adapt the itinerary based on your interests, travel dates, preferred accommodations, or add-ons like extra nights for cultural experiences or a beach holiday on Zanzibar or another Tanzanian island. Just let us know what you have in mind.
You can choose between budget, standard, comfort, luxury and premium accommodation levels. We hand-pick each option based on location, service, and value and we have a long list of options in each location of this safari. Or pick your accommodations based on how they’re built – tent vs building, with the help of our guide to safari accommodation in Tanzania.
This route is a great year-round option. Wildlife is abundant in all three parks in every season, but the dry months from June to October are especially good for game viewing. If you’re hoping to catch the Great Migration, timing matters — we’ll advise you based on your travel dates.
You have a very good chance! Lions, elephants, and buffaloes are common in all three parks. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places to spot rhinos in Tanzania, and while leopards are more elusive, they’re often seen in the Serengeti.
While we don’t recommend this safari for babies and todlers, it’s a great safari for children from 5-6 years old. It’s also great for older travelers that don’t mind keeping up the rhythm. However, if you prefer to go a bit slower or not change accommodations every day, a bit more time in each location might be better. We’ll adjust the pace, activities, and accommodation to make sure everyone’s comfortable and safe. Just let us know who’s in your group and we’ll take care of the rest.
Simply fill out our itinerary request form and we’ll get in touch with you asap. We’ll discuss your wishes and send you a detailed proposal — no strings attached!
