5-Day Northern Tanzania's Premier Budget Wildlife Safari

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Your adventure begins with a morning departure from Arusha. After a hearty breakfast, you will embark on a journey to Tarangire National Park. The drive will take you through colorful landscapes and lively villages. Upon entering Tarangire, you’ll notice the unique giant baobab trees that dot the park. As you start your game drive, keep your eyes peeled for elephants – Tarangire is famous for its large elephant population. You might also spot lions lounging in the shade, zebras grazing, and giraffes gracefully moving through the park.

In the late afternoon, you will drive to Karatu for your overnight stay at Octagon Lodge. Enjoy a delicious dinner and rest well for the adventures ahead.

Main Destination:

Tarangire National Park

Best Time To Visit July to November (Animals come to the Tarangire River)

High Season June to October (The park is full of visitors)

Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Tarangire NP

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

HippoCommon

HyenaOccasional

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Octagon Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Karatu (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Karatu to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast at Octagon Lodge, you will embark on a scenic drive from Karatu to the world-famous Serengeti National Park. The journey offers breathtaking views of the Ngorongoro Highlands. Upon entering the Serengeti, the landscape opens up to vast plains teeming with wildlife. Here, you may witness the iconic great migration, where herds of wildebeest and zebra traverse the savannah. Predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards often follow these herds, making your game drive exceptionally thrilling. You will also encounter other fascinating wildlife, such as gazelles, buffaloes, and possibly even the elusive hyena.

After an exhilarating day, you will settle down for dinner and an overnight stay at Serengeti Taji House.

Main Destination:

Serengeti National Park

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to October (Different areas are best at different times)

High Season July to March (The Seronera area is crowded)

Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)

Wildlife in Serengeti NP

ElephantCommon

LionCommon

CheetahCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

GiraffeCommon

HippoCommon

HyenaCommon

LeopardOccasional

Black RhinoVery Rare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Accommodation:

TANAPA Serengeti Taji House

• Budget self catering accommodation located inside Central Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Serengeti National Park

Today, you will have a full day to explore the Serengeti. After breakfast at Serengeti Taji House, you will head out for a morning game drive. The early hours are one of the best times to see wildlife, as animals are more active during the cooler parts of the day. Watch as the sun rises over the endless plains, illuminating the park. You can expect to see a range of animals including herds of buffalos, gazelles leaping across the grasslands, and hippos wallowing in muddy water. Bird enthusiasts will be delighted by the variety of bird species, including the colorful lilac-breasted roller and majestic martial eagle.

After a picnic lunch, you will continue with afternoon game drives. You might catch sight of a pride of lions hunting or a solitary leopard resting on a tree branch. After a fulfilling day of wildlife viewing, return to Serengeti Taji House for dinner and another night.

Main Destination:

Serengeti National Park

Accommodation:

TANAPA Serengeti Taji House

• Budget self catering accommodation located inside Central Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast, you will drive from Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater. Often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," the Ngorongoro Crater is a natural zoo teeming with wildlife. Descend into the crater for a full-day game drive. Be amazed by the density of animals in this caldera. Look out for the Big Five; elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, and rhinos. The crater is also home to wildebeests, zebras, and many bird species, including flamingos that gather at the soda lake. You may also spot warthogs and hippos near the water sources. Enjoy a packed lunch at a scenic picnic spot within the crater with the backdrop of these incredible landscapes.

In the late afternoon, you will transfer to Mto wa Mbu for your overnight stay at Twiga Hotel, where a comfortable bed and warm meal await you.

Main Destination:

Ngorongoro Crater

Best Time To Visit June to October (Wildlife viewing is best)

High Season Most of the year – July to March (Expect crowds)

Best Weather June to October (Rainfall is little to none)

Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater

Black RhinoCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

HyenaAbundant

Show more

ElephantCommon

HippoCommon

LeopardOccasional

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

CheetahNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Twiga Lodge & Campsite (Lodge)

• Budget lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Manyara Game Drive and Return to Arusha

After breakfast, you will head to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its diverse landscapes that range from the alkaline lake itself to thick forests and open savannahs. On your morning game drive, keep an eye out for the famous tree-climbing lions, an unusual behavior that is unique to this park. You’ll also encounter large groups of baboons and playful monkeys in the forested areas. The lake attracts a plethora of birdlife, especially pink flamingos that line the shore, and you might also see hippos submerged in the water. As the day progresses, you will enjoy a final packed lunch in the park, soaking in the last moments of your safari experience.

In the early afternoon, you will begin your transfer back to Arusha. Arrive in the late afternoon, where you can choose to be dropped off at your hotel or the airport for your onward journey.

Main Destination:

Lake Manyara National Park

Best Time To Visit June to October (Easier to spot animals)

High Season July to March (The northern section gets crowded)

Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Manyara NP

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

HippoCommon

Show more

LionOccasional

HyenaOccasional

LeopardRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.