Big Five Tanzania Safari

Safari summary

Tanzania is one of the most popular wildlife destinations in the world, and its northern circuit offers some of the most iconic national parks. This 5-day safari will take you through four of the country's finest parks—Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park. Each of these parks offers unique landscapes, abundant wildlife, and memorable safari experiences. Here’s a detailed description of each park to prepare you for an unforgettable adventure.

Tarangire National Park: The safari begins with a visit to Tarangire National Park, one of the most underrated gems in Tanzania. Known for its impressive herds of elephants, Tarangire is home to the largest population of elephants in Tanzania, especially during the dry season when animals gather at the Tarangire River, the park’s primary water source. The park's landscape is dotted with ancient Baobab trees, creating an almost surreal atmosphere as you drive through it. Apart from elephants, Tarangire is also home to other wildlife such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, impalas, buffaloes, and zebras. The park boasts a variety of bird species, with over 550 recorded, including the yellow-collared lovebird. During your game drive, you’ll have the chance to capture stunning photographs of this vast landscape, as well as wildlife sightings that are sure to be the highlight of your trip.

Serengeti National Park: The Serengeti is perhaps the most famous national park in Tanzania, renowned worldwide for its breathtaking landscapes and abundance of wildlife. Known for its endless plains, the Serengeti is home to the Great Migration, one of the most remarkable natural events in the world. Each year, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles migrate in a circular route, crossing rivers and facing numerous challenges, including predators like lions, crocodiles, and cheetahs. The Serengeti is not just about the migration, though. It’s a year-round destination for wildlife enthusiasts, offering sightings of the Big Five—lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos—as well as cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, and numerous species of birds. Your game drives will take you through diverse habitats, from grassy plains to woodlands, and you’ll have the opportunity to witness a variety of animal behaviors and interactions. The Serengeti is truly the heart of Tanzania’s wildlife experiences, offering an unmatched safari adventure.

Ngorongoro Crater: Next on your journey is the Ngorongoro Crater, often referred to as the "Eden of Africa" due to its high concentration of wildlife. The crater is the world’s largest unbroken caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Created by a massive volcanic eruption millions of years ago, the crater floor is now home to a diverse range of animals. Ngorongoro is famous for its dense population of wildlife, including black rhinos, elephants, lions, hyenas, zebras, wildebeests, and buffaloes. The crater’s floor is also teeming with birdlife, and a visit to the nearby salt flats or the soda lake provides a great chance to spot flamingos and other waterfowl. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places in Africa to witness a wide variety of animals in one location, with a relatively small area that allows for spectacular game viewing. Whether you’re watching a pride of lions stalk their prey or observing the interactions of herds of wildebeest and zebras, the crater offers a truly unforgettable safari experience.

Lake Manyara National Park: The final park on your journey is Lake Manyara National Park, which lies at the base of the Great Rift Valley. This park is unique for its stunning mix of habitats, including a vast soda lake, lush forests, and open grasslands. Lake Manyara is famous for its tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior exhibited by a portion of the park’s lion population. Although spotting them can be tricky, the park’s dense forest areas make for a thrilling search. Besides lions, Lake Manyara is home to other iconic animals like giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, hippos, and a variety of monkeys, including the blue monkeys and baboons. The park is also an excellent destination for birdwatchers, as over 400 species of birds have been recorded here, including flamingos, pelicans, storks, and the vibrant lilac-breasted roller. Lake Manyara's diverse ecosystems offer a wonderful mix of wildlife sightings and scenic beauty, making it an ideal final stop on this adventure.

Safari Experience Overview: Throughout this 5-day safari, you will be treated to an unparalleled wildlife experience. From Tarangire’s herds of elephants and Baobab trees to the Serengeti’s Great Migration, the Ngorongoro Crater’s abundant wildlife, and Lake Manyara’s tree-climbing lions, each park offers a unique perspective on Tanzania’s rich natural heritage.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Game drives
	Activity level	Moderate activity
	Best months	All months
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks	Lake Manyara Ngorongoro Crater Serengeti Tarangire

Fine details

Safari highlights

• Bird watching—with professional guide
• Walking safari—with armed guard
• Photography safari—with professional guide

What’s included?

• Accommodation
• Airport transfers
• Meals
• Park fees
• Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

• International flights
• Tips and gratuities
• Visas