5-Days Tanzania Joining Safari 2026-2027

5-Day Tanzania Joining Safari Highlights

• Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park 

• Day 2: Karatu to Serengeti National Park

• Day 3: Full day exploring Serengeti

• Day 4:  Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands

• Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater to  Lake Manyara, return to Arusha.

Overview

This 5-day joining safari takes you through four of northern Tanzania’s best parks, perfect for travelers who want to see a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes on a budget. The safari begins and ends in Arusha and is done in a shared safari vehicle, making it more affordable while still offering a full and rich safari experience. You’ll start with Tarangire National Park, known for its elephants and baobab trees, followed by a scenic drive to the world-famous Serengeti, where you’ll spend two nights. The endless plains of Serengeti offer some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa. Afterward, you’ll explore the incredible Ngorongoro Crater, home to the Big Five and stunning scenery. Your final day includes a visit to Lake Manyara, a small but beautiful park with forest, grassland, and lakeside habitats. This safari offers a great balance of wildlife, adventure, and value, all in just five days.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park - Karatu

After pickup from your hotel in Arusha at around 7:30 AM, you’ll head to Tarangire National Park for your first game drive. The park is famous for its large elephant herds, baobab trees, and wildlife around the Tarangire River. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park and a full afternoon of game viewing. Later, the group will drive to the nearby highlands’ town of Karatu, where you’ll stay overnight and prepare for the next day’s journey to Serengeti.

·         Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in Karatu (lodge or campsite depending on package)

·Day 2: Karatu to Serengeti National Park

After an early breakfast, you’ll depart for Serengeti National Park, passing through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, you’ll see Maasai villages, volcanic hills, and wide-open plains. Wildlife can often be spotted new route before you even reach the park. By early afternoon, you’ll arrive in central Serengeti, where you’ll enjoy a game drive in one of the best wildlife areas in Africa. Expect to see lions, zebras, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest, and many more.

·         Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in Serengeti (public campsite or budget tented lodge)

Day 3: Full Day in Serengeti National Park

You will wake up early for a sunrise game drive to catch predators in action and see the plains come to life. After breakfast, you’ll continue exploring the Serengeti ecosystem, home to the annual migration (depending on the season) and resident wildlife including big cats, buffalo, antelope, and birds of prey. You’ll return to camp for lunch or have a picnic in the park. In the afternoon, head out for another game drive or relax and enjoy the views from your camp.

·         Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in Serengeti (public campsite or budget tented lodge)

Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands (via game drive)

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy one last morning game drive in Serengeti as you begin the journey back toward Ngorongoro. You’ll stop for a picnic lunch along the way and pass through the open grasslands and acacia woodlands of the Conservation Area. In the late afternoon, arrive back in Karatu, where you’ll spend the night and get ready for your final day of safari.

·         Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in Karatu (lodge or campsite depending on package)

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara - Return to Arusha

After an early breakfast, you’ll drive into the Ngorongoro Crater and descend to the crater floor for a morning game drive. This area is home to lions, rhinos, buffalo, hippos, zebras, warthogs, and more. You’ll explore the crater for several hours and enjoy a picnic lunch near a hippo pool. In the afternoon, the group will continue to Lake Manyara National Park for a shorter game drive through its forests and lake shores. You may see flamingos, baboons, elephants, and even tree-climbing lions if you're lucky. After the visit, drive back to Arusha, arriving around 5:00 PM.

·         Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Not included (return to your own hotel in Arusha)

Included

• Shared 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
• Professional English-speaking safari driver/guide
• All park entry and crater fees
• 4 nights’ accommodation (Karatu and Serengeti – lodge or camping)
• Meals as listed (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Bottled drinking water during safari
• Pickup and drop-off in Arusha

Excluded

• International or local flights
• Airport transfers (can be arranged separately)
• Travel insurance and visa fees
• Tips for guide and lodge/camp staff
• Drinks at lodges (sodas and alcohol)
• Optional activities (Maasai village, hot air balloon, etc.)
• Personal expenses (laundry, snacks, souvenirs)