5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari | Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Tour
Safari Route & Type: 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari
Route: Arusha → Tarangire National Park → Serengeti National Park → Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha
Safari Type: Private guided safari (can be tailored for groups), available in budget, midrange, and luxury accommodation levels. Ideal for wildlife lovers looking to spot the Big 5 in Tanzania – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo – all in just 5 thrilling days.
This 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari is designed for travelers who want the complete northern circuit experience without rushing. It combines rich wildlife experiences in Tarangire’s baobab-dotted savannah, Serengeti’s endless plains, and the Ngorongoro Crater, the most reliable location to spot black rhinos and witness the dramatic interaction of predators and prey.
Watch a you-tube video of Serengeti National Park Safari: A glimpse into the stunning wildlife and endless plains of Serengeti National Park — a highlight of your 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari.
Overview – Discover the Ultimate 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari
The 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari is the perfect balance of immersive game drives, scenic landscapes, and comfortable lodge stays. You’ll start with the lesser-crowded yet wildlife-rich Tarangire National Park, known for massive elephant herds and giant baobabs. From there, you’ll head to the heart of Africa’s most celebrated reserve — the Serengeti National Park, where the Great Migration and iconic Big 5 sightings unfold across sweeping plains.
After spending quality time in Serengeti, you’ll conclude your 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari inside the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Africa’s Eden, where wildlife thrives within the walls of a collapsed volcanic caldera.
Led by a Nextgen Safaris professional English-speaking guide, this journey guarantees expert knowledge, comfort, and once-in-a-lifetime sightings. Our guides are also available in German, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese on request, and accommodations are selected based on your travel budget and preference.
Whether you’re a solo adventurer, a couple, a family, or a small group — this 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari gives you the most wildlife-packed adventure Tanzania has to offer.
Day-by-Day Highlights – 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari
Day 1: Arusha – Drive to Tarangire National Park – Afternoon Game Drive
Day 2: Transfer to Serengeti National Park via the Great Rift Valley and Ngorongoro Highlands – Sunset Game Drive
Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive in Central Serengeti – Big Cat Country
Day 4: Morning Safari – Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater Rim – Overnight Stay
Day 5: Descend into Ngorongoro Crater – Big 5 Viewing – Return to Arusha or Drop-off at Airport
Detailed Itinerary – 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari
Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Watch a glimpse of a safari in Tarangire, Explore Tarangire National Park’s iconic baobab trees, elephant herds, and dramatic landscapes — the perfect start to your 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari.
Your 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari begins with a morning pickup from Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport by your Nextgen Safaris professional guide. After a short safari briefing, you’ll depart for Tarangire National Park, a hidden gem known for its rolling savannah, ancient baobab trees, and large elephant populations.
Enjoy a scenic drive of about 2.5 hours before entering the park. Upon arrival, you’ll dive into your first Big 5 game drive, searching for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and other diverse wildlife. Tarangire is especially photogenic in the dry season when wildlife congregates around the Tarangire River.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge or Tarangire Campsite
Midrange: Tarangire Simba Lodge or Lake Burunge Tented Lodge
Luxury: Lemala Mpingo Ridge Lodge or Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Day 2: Tarangire – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, the journey continues towards the Serengeti Plains, passing through the fertile Ngorongoro Highlands. Along the way, enjoy glimpses of Maasai villages and vast, open landscapes before entering the Central Serengeti (Seronera region).
The afternoon is dedicated to a game drive through Seronera, an area well-known for year-round wildlife viewing and excellent predator sightings, especially leopards and lions. This is the heart of your 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari.
Transfer Time: ~5–6 hours with game viewing stops en route
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Into Wild Serengeti Camp or Seronera Public Campsite
Midrange: Kati Kati Tented Camp or Serengeti Heritage Camp
Luxury: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Melia Serengeti Lodge, or Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Day 3: Full-Day Safari in Serengeti National Park
Rise early for a full day of game drives across the Serengeti, tracking the Big Five and other wildlife in their natural habitat. You may witness the Great Migration (depending on the season), predator hunts at dawn, or elephants roaming through the golden savannah.
Explore different areas such as Moru Kopjes and Retina Hippo Pool, with picnic lunch served in the bush. Your guide will adjust the route based on animal movement, ensuring maximum sightings throughout your 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari.
Accommodation Options: Same as Day 2 to avoid unnecessary packing and transit.
Day 4: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Watch Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Welcome to Tarangire National Park — where giant baobabs meet large elephant herds and your Big 5 safari journey truly begins.
Enjoy one last early morning game drive in Serengeti before heading southeast towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive in time to check in at a lodge along the Crater Rim, where views over the world’s largest intact caldera are simply unforgettable.
Transfer Time: ~4.5 hours including game drive en route
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Simba Campsite (Crater Rim)
Midrange: Rhino Lodge or Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Luxury: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge or The Highlands by Asilia
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha
Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most biodiverse and visually stunning wildlife sanctuaries. This is the best place in Tanzania to see all Big Five in a single day, including the critically endangered black rhino.
After an exciting morning game drive and picnic lunch on the crater floor, you’ll drive back to Arusha, concluding your 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari. Drop-off is available at your hotel, the city center, or Kilimanjaro Airport depending on your onward travel plans.
Transfer Time: ~4–5 hours
5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari – Price Per Person (Budget to Midrange)
Solo Traveler?
Solo pricing depends on travel period and availability — please Request a Custom Quote and we’ll provide you with tailored options.
These rates cover budget to slightly midrange lodges and tented camps — ideal for comfort, safety, and excellent proximity to game viewing areas.
All rates include transport, accommodation, meals, park fees, and game drives.
Book this 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari By Filling the Booking Form Below
Why Choose This 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari
Choosing the 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari with Nextgen Safaris is more than just ticking off destinations — it’s about immersing yourself in the most iconic wildlife experiences in Africa. Here’s why this itinerary stands out from the rest:
1. See the Big Five in One Compact Itinerary
This well-structured safari guarantees high chances of spotting lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos within just five days. With visits to Tarangire National Park, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, you’re covering the most productive parks for Big 5 sightings in a short yet unhurried journey.
2. Perfect Balance of Diversity and Adventure
Each day on this 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari brings something new — baobab forests and elephant herds in Tarangire, endless plains and big cats in Serengeti, and the Eden-like wildlife bowl of Ngorongoro. This route offers unmatched landscape and ecological diversity.
3. Led by Expert Local Guides
Your journey is led by a Nextgen Safaris professional English-speaking guide with deep knowledge of animal behavior and park geography. On request, we offer guides fluent in German, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, or Japanese, ensuring global accessibility without compromising local expertise.
4. Customizable for All Budgets
Whether you’re a backpacker or a luxury traveler, this 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari can be tailored to match your budget and comfort level. We offer accommodations from public campsites to world-renowned safari lodges — always factoring in transfer efficiency and optimal wildlife access.
5. Unbeatable Wildlife Viewing, Year-Round
Unlike many safaris tied to seasonal migrations, this Big 5 route ensures excellent wildlife sightings any time of year. Serengeti’s Seronera region and Ngorongoro Crater offer consistent predator-prey interaction and sightings, even outside migration season.
6. Flexible Departures – Start Any Day
We operate this 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari on flexible schedules, so you can start any day that suits you. This is especially helpful if you are combining your Tanzania safari with a Zanzibar beach escape, Kilimanjaro hike, or a Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda extension.
Frequently Asked Questions – 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari
See what a real safari in Tanzania looks like — this video answers many questions first-time travelers often have about wildlife, lodges, and daily experiences.
Is this 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari suitable for first-time visitors?
Yes, this safari is perfect for first-time travelers to Tanzania. It offers a well-balanced route that includes three of the country’s most famous parks — Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro — with high chances of spotting all five members of the Big 5.
What is included in the 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari?
The safari includes park fees, accommodation, meals, transport, unlimited game drives, and a professional English-speaking guide. Multilingual guides are available on request. All logistics are fully handled by Nextgen Safaris.
Can I customize this itinerary?
Absolutely. The 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari is fully customizable. We can adjust the route, upgrade lodges, include a balloon safari in Serengeti, or add extra nights in Ngorongoro or Zanzibar.
What’s the best time to book this safari?
This itinerary runs year-round. June to October offers drier conditions and peak Big 5 sightings, while the green season (November to May) is best for fewer crowds, baby animals, and incredible landscapes.
Can I book this safari as a solo traveler?
Yes. Solo travelers are welcome. While prices vary, we offer flexible group joining options or private solo packages. Please Request a Custom Quote for solo travel.
Book Your 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari with Nextgen Safaris
Ready to experience the most thrilling wildlife adventure in East Africa? Whether you’re dreaming of spotting lions on the Serengeti plains or descending into the Ngorongoro Crater to find rare black rhinos, this 5 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari is your gateway to a truly unforgettable journey.
✅ Guaranteed Big 5 game viewing
✅ Trusted local guides with years of experience
✅ Handpicked lodges for comfort and proximity to wildlife
✅ Customizable for solo travelers, couples, families, and groups
✅ Start any day of the week – year-round availability
👉 Request a Free Quote Today
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📧 info@nextgensafaris.com
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Travel with confidence. Explore with purpose. Discover Africa’s wild heart with Nextgen Safaris.
Included/Exclude
4 nights’ accommodation (budget to midrange lodges & camps)
All meals during the safari (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and fridge
Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
(German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian & Japanese available on request)All national park entrance fees (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro)
Game drives as per itinerary
Bottled mineral water during the safari
Government taxes and levies
Crater descent fees
Pick-up and drop-off in Arusha town or airport
International and domestic flights (available on request)
Visa fees
Travel insurance and medical evacuation
Tips for guide and lodge staff (recommended: $10–$15/day per guest)
Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and personal expenses
Optional activities (balloon safari, cultural visits, fly-out upgrades)
Tour Plan
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