5-Day Tanzania Lodge Safari - Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro

This is a vehicle-based safari, no fitness threshold applies and no walking is required. Game drives are conducted from a private 4x4 with a pop-up roof, giving everyone a clear view and space to stand for photographs. The longest driving days are Day 2 (to the Serengeti) and Day 5 (back via Lake Manyara), each combining transit with game viewing. Travellers with limited mobility are accommodated, let us know in advance and we'll select lodges with step-free access.

June to October is the dry season, with animals concentrated at water sources and the highest sighting reliability of the year, this is also when Tarangire's elephant herds are at their largest. January and February is the southern Serengeti calving season, with large predator concentrations and significantly fewer tourists than the peak months. The long rains in April and May can affect lodge access and road conditions, particularly around Lake Manyara, but offer the lowest rates of the year. The Ngorongoro Crater is productive year-round.

Across this 5-day route you are highly likely to see lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, baboon and a wide range of antelope and birdlife. Black rhino is likely on the Ngorongoro Crater floor. Leopard is possible, the Serengeti has the highest leopard density in East Africa, and two full days there meaningfully improves your odds, but leopards are solitary and elusive so sightings still depend on the day's movements. Cheetah is likely on the Serengeti plains, and Lake Manyara adds a chance of tree-climbing lions and flamingos. No operator can guarantee specific sightings.

The price covers a private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and English-speaking driver-guide, all park entry and conservation fees (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area including the Crater service fee, and Lake Manyara), full-board accommodation as listed for all 5 days, and drinking water throughout. International flights, Tanzania visa, travel insurance, alcoholic drinks, tips and personal expenses are not included. See the full "What's included" and "Not included" sections on this page for the complete breakdown.

The 4-day Tanzania Lodge Safari follows a similar route but spends only one night in the Serengeti, with a single afternoon and morning of game drives there. This 5-day version adds a second full day entirely inside the park, plus a stop at Lake Manyara on the return leg that the 4-day version doesn't include. For most travelers, the extra day in the Serengeti is the single change that most improves predator sightings, which is why we recommend 5 days over 4 when your schedule allows.

Yes, this itinerary accepts children of 5 years and older, with children under 12 receiving a discount on park fees per TANAPA policy. The 4x4 comfortably fits a family of four. Game drives are long days (typically 07:00 to 17:00 with breaks), bring books, snacks and patience for younger children. We can adjust the pace and add shorter game-drive days for families with younger children at no extra charge.

Most nationalities can obtain a Tanzania tourist visa online via the eTA system before travel, or on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport. The visa costs USD 50 for most nationalities and USD 100 for US citizens. Yellow fever vaccination is only required if you're arriving from a yellow-fever-endemic country. Malaria prophylactics are recommended. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation is required for all safari participants, we cannot accept bookings without it.

SafariBando operates from Moshi with our own vehicles and team. If a vehicle has an issue, our Arusha operations base dispatches a replacement. If a guide falls ill, we have a replacement available from our team in the same region. All vehicles carry a satellite phone for emergencies, and lodges have radio contact with the operations base. The Flying Doctors Service covers medical evacuation from any of the parks on this itinerary, and we can arrange membership as part of your booking on request.