5-Days Tanzania Lodge Safari Itinerary
Days o: Arrival in Arusha
Please let us know if you would like the safari package to include your transfers and accommodation in Arusha before and after the safari. On the day of your safari, our safari manager will meet you at your hotel or lodge in Arusha for a comprehensive safari briefing, ensuring you’re fully prepared for your Tanzania safari adventure. We can also arrange pre-safari accommodation and post-safari stays, offering a seamless travel experience from start to finish.
Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
After breakfast at your lodge in Arusha, your safari guide will meet you for your departure to Tarangire National Park, with a stop in Arusha for any last-minute purchases. The scenic drive takes you through the Maasai steppe and nearby Maasai villages, offering a glimpse into traditional Maasai culture.
Tarangire, Tanzania’s fifth-largest national park, is known for its acacia woodlands, baobabs, and expansive savannah grasslands. The park is famous for its large elephant herds, as well as the Tarangire River, a vital water source for wildlife. Expect to see wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, and hippos, along with baboons, blue monkeys, and predators like lions and leopards.
In the afternoon, drive through the Great East African Rift Valley, enjoy sunset views, and head to Marera Valley Lodge for dinner and a relaxing campfire before an overnight stay in a peaceful setting.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation: Marera Valley Lodge or similar near Karatu town.
Day 2: Tarangire – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, depart for Serengeti National Park, driving through the scenic farmlands of Karatu to Ngorongoro gate. Stop at the Crater viewpoint for stunning photos before descending into the Serengeti via the Malanja depression.
En route, visit a Maasai village for an authentic cultural experience, where you’ll interact with Maasai warriors, enjoy traditional singing and dancing, and learn about their way of life.
Continue to Serengeti, stopping at Naabi Hills gate for registration. After a packed lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive in search of big cats and the Great Wildebeest Migration (seasonal).
In the late afternoon, head to your camp for a delicious dinner and a peaceful overnight stay, concluding a day of unforgettable wildlife viewing and cultural immersion in one of Tanzania’s top safari destinations.
Meals Include, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Serengeti Bush Camp or similar in Central Serengeti.
Day 3: Full Day Serengeti National Park
Your 5-day Tanzania lodge safari continues with a full day of game driving in the Serengeti. Depart at 06:30 with a packed breakfast and lunch box. The early drive offers a chance to spot big cats, nocturnal animals, and lionesses preparing an ambush.
After breakfast in the bush, head to the heart of the Wildebeest Migration. Spend the day watching the migration and big cats in action, including hunting, killing, and fighting.
Enjoy a packed lunch in the bush or at a picnic site. In the afternoon, return to camp for dinner, a campfire, and an overnight stay, concluding a thrilling day of wildlife adventures in the Serengeti.
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Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
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Accommodation: Thorn Trees Camp in Central Serengeti
Day 4: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
On this day, start early at 06:30 for another exciting morning game drive in the Serengeti, carrying your breakfast and lunch box. Spend the morning exploring the Serengeti’s rich wildlife before beginning your en-route game drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Arrive at your lodge in time for a stunning sunset view at the Crater rim. Enjoy a delicious dinner and settle in for an overnight stay, reflecting on a day filled with incredible wildlife encounters.
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Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
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Accommodation: Rhino Lodge at the Crater rim or similar in Karatu Town
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha
Start your day at 06:30 with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a top wildlife destination. This biodiverse area is home to wildebeest, elephants, zebra, buffalo, and the rare black rhino, with the chance to see all of the Big Five in a single day.
After a packed lunch on the crater floor, continue your game drive, spotting predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, and visit Lake Magadi for flamingos and hippos.
In the afternoon, head back to Arusha. If you're not flying, visit a Maasai market for souvenirs. Arrive in Arusha for an overnight stay (on request), or head to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight home, with KLM at 21:30 being a good option.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included. All accommodations subject to availability!
