The BEST 5 Day Tanzania Safari – All You Need To Know

Planning a Tanzania Safari tour? I’ve got you covered in this complete guide with everything you need to know about booking the best safari in Tanzania!

A 5 day Tanzania Safari is the perfect amount of time to experience the highlights of the great northern Tanzania circuit.

On this particular Tanzania Safari tour that I’ve written about in this article, you’ll visit three of the most famous national parks including Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park.

The seasonal sight of thousands of wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, lions, and many more African animals crossing the grassland savannah is something to behold. It’s one of Africa’s natural wonders, not to mention the beautiful landscapes in each of the national parks.

This itinerary will guide you as you make plans for a trip of a lifetime, so be sure to read until the very end!

WHERE TO BOOK A TANZANIA SAFARI

There are hundreds of tour companies offering the best safari in Tanzania and believe me, it can be very overwhelming to decide which one is the right one for you and your budget.

I personally booked with Samora Explorers and can’t recommend them enough! Although they are a pretty small tour operator, their level of professionalism is outstanding, and they specialize in safari trips to the amazing wilderness of Tanzania’s national parks.

Samora explorers are client-focused, and, as such, before making any booking, they work with clients to gain an in-depth understanding of their requirements to ensure their customer service exceeds expectations.

As Samora Explorers are fully independent local tour operators, they are not tied to working with any specific accommodation supplier which means you’ll have full flexibility to suit any budget and schedule.

What I loved most about Samora Explorers is that each trip can be tailored to your interests, style of travel, budget, time frame, and any other suggestions that might influence your trip with them.

TANZANIA SAFARI PRICES

Tanzania safari prices can vary greatly depending on the time of year, the size of the safari group, and the level of luxury you want. Generally speaking, budget Tanzania safaris start from around $400 per person per day, while luxury Tanzania safaris cost upwards of $4,000 per person per week.

However, there are many options between these two extremes. In fact, for this particular 5 day Tanzania Safari, the price was only $1,700 USD per person.

The Tanzania Safari prices with Samora Explorers depend on which itinerary you choose and your budget. Rest assured they offer some of the best safaris in Tanzania!

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE TANZANIA SAFARI TOUR

When you go on safari in Tanzania, there are a few things you can expect to be included in your package. Most safaris include transportation, lodging, and meals. But there’s more, here is what you can expect to be included:

• All national park fees
• Airport pick-up and drop-off
• Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
• Overnight accommodation according to the itinerary
• Professional English, German, France, Italian, and Spanish-speaking guide
• Meals and drinks according to the itinerary
• All mentioned activities

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• Flights
• Tips
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Optional activities
• Alcoholic drinks
• Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.

TANZANIA SAFARI ITINERARY

Here is a quick overview of the 5 day safari in Tanzania:

• Day 0 – Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) in Tanzania and overnight stay at Mrimba Palm Hotel in Arusha
• Day 1 – Safari tour in Tarangire National Park. Dinner and overnight stay at Eileen’s Tree Lodge in Karatu
• Day 2 – Safari tour in Ngorongoro Crater National Park then drive to Serengeti National Park. Dinner and overnight stay at Into Wild Africa Safari Camp Serengeti
• Day 3 – Full day game drive in Serengeti National Park. Dinner and overnight stay at Into Wild Africa Safari Camp
• Day 4 – Full day game drive in Serengeti National Park. Dinner and overnight stay at Into Wild Africa Safari Camp
• Day 5 – Morning game drive in Serengeti National Park on route back to Arusha arriving late afternoon to conclude the tour

DAY 0 – ARRIVAL IN TANZANIA

Day 0 is an arrival day to Tanzania and your tour guide will be waiting to pick you up at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), ready to transfer you and the other guests to Arusha. Be sure to notify Samora Explorers of your flight details so they know exactly when you’ll be landing.

The journey time from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha takes 1-hour depending on traffic and you’ll be checking into the beautiful Mrimba Palm Hotel for an overnight stay.

Once all guests have arrived, your tour guide will give a briefing in the evening about the complete 5 day itinerary.

You’ll have dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel before getting some shut-eye to prepare yourself for the best Tanzania safari!

DAY 1 – TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Found on the northern plains of the country, Tarangire National Park gets its name from the mighty Tarangire River that crosses through the beautiful landscape. Spanning 2,600 square kilometers, it’s home to the largest elephant population in the whole of Tanzania, as well as 500 bird species. Safe to say this is a good place to start your trip!

If you visit during the dry season that runs from June through October you will have the opportunity to watch herds of elephants as big as 300 family members digging on the dry river bed searching for underground streams of water.

Elephants are not the only residents here. Expect to find heads of zebra, migratory wildebeest, elands, gazelles, impala, kudu, black rhinos, and more.

Not to worry, the little guys are also there such as mongooses that make use of old anthills as their homes. Or spectacular tree-climbing African pythons and their dazzling scales.

After an awesome wildlife safari in Tarangire National Park, you’ll drive to Karatu, which is located just outside Ngorongoro National Park, and the journey takes roughly 2.5 hours. You’ll check into the beautiful Eileen’s Tree Lodge for one night, and a delicious buffet dinner is included.

DAY 2 – NGORONGORO CRATER

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll check out and depart from the hotel early morning to make your way to Ngorongoro National Park and its world-renowned crater.

This national park is a unique hotspot in all of Africa due to the giant crater that was carved out of the earth about 2 million years ago. The Ngorongoro volcano had a violent explosion and later collapsed on itself.

Today the crater forms a bowl of 20 kilometers (12,5 miles) wide with sides up to 600 meters (2,000 feet) deep. Filled with folklore and tales, it’s interestingly named “The Garden of Eden” because of its breathtaking scenery.

As you approach the entry point, you can enjoy phenomenal views from the rim before dropping down into the crater to begin your half-day game drive.

This will be one of the best days on Safari in Tanzania as you’ll highly likely be able to spot all of the BIG 5 – the Black Rhino, African Buffalo, Leopard, Lion, and Elephant – all roaming around in their raw beauty.

Bird species in Ngorongoro National Park are also in abundance and you’ll have the opportunity to spot Pink Flamingoes, Eccentric Ostriches, the White Pelican, Hornbills, Crested Francolins, Guinea Fowl, and much more.

The drive from Ngorongoro National Park to Serengeti National Park takes about three hours and there will be a short game drive on the way to Into Wild Africa Safari Camp which is located in the middle of the Serengeti.

DAY 3 – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

You’ll start the 3rd day with breakfast at that safari camp, or if you wish to start your full-day game drive at sunrise, the camp will prepare breakfast boxes to take with you.

Serengeti National Park covers an area of about 14,763 square kilometers and is internationally recognized. Founded in 1951, it was named after the Serengeti Plains, which means ‘endless plains’ in the Maasai language.

This name is suitable for what your eyes will behold when you get to see and explore Serengeti National Park. It’s a park that can be visited all year round due to its balanced ecosystem.

RELATED ARTICLE: BEST AFFORDABLE CAMERAS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

On your first full-day game drive, you’ll be able to view a large variety of animals, including giraffes, lions, elephants, zebras, wildebeest, leopards, cheetahs, gazelles, impalas, and even crocodiles.

At midday, or whenever you are hungry, your guide will gladly pull up under the shade of a tree and prepare lunch. Don’t venture too far from the vehicle though – remember you are in the African wilderness!

That afternoon, settle in and get cozy at Into Wild Africa Camp. Enjoy an unbeatable Serengeti sunset around the campfire before indulging in a delicious meal in the dinner tent.

Relax and unwind in the comfort of your safari tent and prepare for another epsafari the following day.

DAY 4 – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Another full-day game drive in the Serengeti to find lions, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, hippos, leopards, zebras, antelopes, gazelles, hyenas, and many bird species and reptiles throughout the day.

While the game drive only is included in the Samora Explorers tour, there are other optional activities to book such as:

• Birding safari – Just like Ngorongoro National Park, Serengeti National Park is spot on for bird lovers. Get to see over 500 Birding species and try your hand at spotting all that you find.

• Hot air balloon – Besides being in the Serengeti, why not experience it from a birds-eye view? Scenic and calm are words that come to mind.

• Maasai rock paintings – The markings of earlier civilizations are not to be missed. The history of the natives can be seen and studied on rocks that can be described to be as old as time.

In the afternoon, head back to Into Wild Africa Camp for another beautiful night under the stars and get ready for the last day of your 5 day Tanzania safari.

DAY 5 – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK & DEPARTURE

Saying goodbye is never easy, however, the last part of your journey can be made memorable with breakfast in the morning, listening to the birds and watching the mellow colors of the sunrise.

After checking out of the safari camp, enjoy a few hours of game drive in the morning before you depart Serengeti to head back to Arusha with a journey time of around 5-6 hours.

You’ll also get to visit the Serengeti Visitor Center to make use of its facilities and understand more about the park and its history.

As you won’t arrive back in Arusha till the late afternoon, it’s best to have a late-night departure flight booked (ideally departing after 9 pm as it’s a further one-hour drive from Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport).

Alternatively, you can spend one more night in Arusha, check out the city, and leave the following day. Whichever option you choose, an airport drop-off is included.

The hotel on the last night of the tour is not included so you will need to make your own arrangements. Visit Booking.com to find accommodation that best suits your needs.

BEST TIME TO DO A SAFARI IN TANZANIA

Tanzania is a year-round tourist destination however the best time to visit Tanzania for a safari is during the dry season, which runs from June to October.

This is when animals congregate around watering holes and rivers, making for better game viewing.

Don’t be fooled by the dry season though. You’ll want to be prepared for cooler temperatures – especially at night – and occasional rains. Be sure to pack the appropriate clothing to keep warm and dry during your trip.

WHAT TO PACK FOR A SAFARI IN TANZANIA

When visiting Tanzania, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

FINAL THOUGHTS – 5 DAY TANZANIA SAFARI

In conclusion, a safari in Tanzania is a memorable experience that should not be missed in your lifetime.

With so many different Tanzania tours available, it can be hard to know which one is the best for you. Hopefully this article has helped make your decision a little bit easier.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can. For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.

Click here to find out how you can support the site organically.

Many thanks!