Pride of lions walking through dry grass

6-Day Big Five Safari in Tanzania

Duration 6 days
Country Tanzania
Parks Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Lake Manyara
Style Big 5 Safari
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Overview

Your trip at a glance

A six-day safari planned around the Big Five: elephants and buffalo in Tarangire, lions and leopards in the Serengeti, and black rhino in the Ngorongoro Crater.

This six-day Big Five safari is planned park by park to give you the best chance of seeing all five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Tarangire is famous for its elephants and buffalo, the central Serengeti is one of Africa's best places for lions and leopards, and the Ngorongoro Crater is home to a small population of black rhino.

Your private guide knows where the big cats have been seen and how to find them, and the route keeps driving times comfortable so you spend more time watching wildlife.

Where to find each of the Big Five

Elephant and buffalo: Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater. Lion: everywhere, especially the Serengeti. Leopard: the sausage trees and kopjes of Seronera. Black rhino: the open plains of the Ngorongoro Crater. Sightings are never guaranteed, but this route gives you the strongest chance.

Best time for a Big Five safari

The dry season from June to October is best, when grass is short and animals gather around water. The Big Five can be seen all year in these parks.

Price and booking basis

From US$2,750 per adult, based on two adults travelling together in a private safari vehicle and sharing a twin/double room in mid-range accommodation, outside peak holiday dates. 6 days and 5 nights. Exact dates, lodge availability and current park fees determine the final quote.

Accommodation listed is proposed and confirmed at booking, with equivalent alternatives offered where needed. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Day by day

Itinerary

  1. Arusha to Tarangire

    Drive to Tarangire for a full afternoon among elephant herds, buffalo and baobabs.

    Overnight · Mid-range Tarangire lodge; confirmed at bookingMeals · Lunch, Dinner
  2. Tarangire to the Serengeti

    Cross the Ngorongoro highlands into the Serengeti, game driving to the Seronera valley.

    Overnight · Mid-range Central Serengeti tented camp; confirmed at bookingMeals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Lions and leopards in Seronera

    A full day searching the rivers and kopjes of Seronera for leopards in the trees and lion prides on the plains.

    Overnight · Mid-range Central Serengeti tented camp; confirmed at bookingMeals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Serengeti to the Ngorongoro highlands

    Morning game drive in the Serengeti, then drive to Karatu for the night.

    Overnight · Mid-range Karatu lodge; confirmed at bookingMeals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Black rhino in the Ngorongoro Crater

    Descend early to the crater floor to look for black rhino, lions and buffalo, with a picnic lunch by the hippo pool.

    Overnight · Mid-range Karatu lodge; confirmed at bookingMeals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Lake Manyara and Arusha

    Morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, then return to Arusha in the afternoon.

    Overnight · Not included; ends in ArushaMeals · Breakfast, Lunch

What's included

Price includes & excludes

Included

  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and English-speaking driver-guide
  • Park and conservation entry fees for the visits in the itinerary, including one Ngorongoro Crater vehicle descent
  • Accommodation in shared twin/double rooms as listed, subject to availability
  • Meals shown in the daily itinerary and drinking water during game drives
  • Game drives and Arusha hotel pickup/drop-off as described

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visas, travel insurance and medical cover
  • Tips for guides and lodge staff
  • Drinks other than drinking water, laundry and personal purchases
  • Optional activities such as balloon flights unless listed as included
  • Hotels before and after the safari

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