What You Need to Know: The 5-day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari costs from US$2,630 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range level (US$1,995 budget, US$4,205 luxury), with two nights in Karatu and two in the central Serengeti, including a full Serengeti day. It is our most popular balance of parks and time. With six days, the 6-day safari adds a full day at Lake Manyara.
Is the 5-Day Tanzania Safari Right for You?
Choose this if you want the main northern parks, including a full Serengeti day, without rushing. It suits first-time safari travelers and families. The long drives into and out of the Serengeti are still there; a fly-in avoids them.
| This safari suits you if… | Consider another safari if… |
|---|---|
| You want the main parks in five days | You have four days: the 4-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro |
| You want a full Serengeti day | You want a full day at Lake Manyara too: the 6-day safari |
| It's your first safari | You want three Serengeti nights: the 7-day safari |
The Route at a Glance
Arusha – Tarangire – Karatu – central Serengeti (2 nights) – Karatu – Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Manyara – Arusha.
| Day | Route | Driving or flying | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha – Tarangire – Karatu | About 2.5 hours, then 2 hours | Karatu |
| 2 | Karatu – central Serengeti | About 7 hours with stops and a game drive | Central Serengeti |
| 3 | Full day in the Serengeti | Game drives only | Central Serengeti |
| 4 | Serengeti – Karatu | About 4 hours after a morning drive | Karatu |
| 5 | Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Manyara – Arusha | 4–5 hours after the crater | — |
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Tarangire first, then two nights in the Serengeti, then the crater on the way home.
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Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire, then Karatu
Tarangire game drives with your lunch box at a picnic site, then on to Karatu in the highlands for the night.
Elephants and baobabsTarangireLunch box, dinner -
Day 2: Karatu to the central Serengeti
About 7 hours through the Ngorongoro highlands, with a crater viewpoint stop, a picnic lunch, and a game drive from the park gate to your lodge.
Into the SerengetiHighlands, SerengetiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Full day in the Serengeti
A whole day of game drives in the central Serengeti, timed around recent sightings: out early for the cats, a picnic lunch or a break at camp, and out again in the late afternoon.
A full game-drive dayCentral SerengetiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Serengeti morning, drive to Karatu
A last game drive, then about 4 hours back through the Conservation Area to Karatu.
Last Serengeti driveSerengeti, highlandsBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, return to Arusha
An early crater game drive and picnic lunch, with a short visit to Lake Manyara on the way back to Arusha if time allows.
The crater floorNgorongoro, Lake ManyaraBreakfast, picnic lunch
How Much Does the 5-Day Tanzania Safari Cost?
The 5-day safari costs from US$2,630 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range level, US$1,995 on a budget basis and US$4,205 at luxury level.
| Travelers | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US$3,000 | US$3,785 | US$5,700 |
| 2 | US$1,995 | US$2,630 | US$4,205 |
| 3 | US$1,615 | US$2,300 | US$3,835 |
| 4 | US$1,580 | US$2,215 | US$3,790 |
| 5 | US$1,435 | US$2,100 | US$3,650 |
| 6 | US$1,440 | US$2,080 | US$3,650 |
Park fees on this route
| Fee | 2026 rate (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Tarangire National Park | About US$59 per person per 24 hours |
| Serengeti National Park | US$82.60 per person per 24 hours |
| Serengeti concession fee (nights inside the park) | Per person per night, by season |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area (also charged when you drive through) | US$70.80 per person per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro crater service fee | US$295 per vehicle per descent |
| Lake Manyara National Park | About US$59 per person per 24 hours |
What the Price Includes
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and your own driver-guide
- All park fees and the Ngorongoro crater service fee
- 4 nights' accommodation at the level you choose
- Lunch box on Day 1; other meals at your lodges
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights and visas (US$100 for US citizens)
- Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult from October 1, 2026 (we can help you buy it)
- Travel insurance, including medical evacuation
- Tips for your guide and lodge staff
- Drinks at lodges and personal items
- Arusha hotel nights and airport transfers, which we can add
- Optional activities such as a Serengeti balloon flight
Tips are the main extra. We suggest US$10–25 per person per day for your driver-guide, or US$40–60 per vehicle per day for a group, plus US$5–10 per guest per night for lodge staff. For this 5-day safari that is about US$50–125 per person for the guide. See our safari tipping guide.
When Is the Best Time for This Safari?
Any month from June to October gives the best general game viewing, with dry roads and animals gathered near water; January and February are also excellent. We don't recommend the long rains of April and May for road safaris: roads slow down and some camps close. Tarangire is at its best from June to October.
5, 6 or 7 Days?
Our 5-, 6- and 7-day safaris use the same parks; the extra days go to Lake Manyara and the Serengeti.
| 5-day | 6-day | 7-day | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serengeti nights | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Lake Manyara | Short visit | Full day | No |
| Night on the crater rim | No | Yes | Yes |
| Price from (2, mid-range) | US$2,630 | US$3,190 | US$3,680 |
See the 6-day and 7-day safaris.
How to Book This Safari
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
What Else to Read Before You Book
This page covers what is particular to the 5-Day Safari. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:
- Serengeti National Park guide: the wildlife, the best areas and the season.
- Ngorongoro Crater guide: the wildlife, the best areas and the season.
- Tarangire National Park guide: the wildlife, the best areas and the season.
- Lake Manyara National Park guide: the wildlife, the best areas and the season.
- Our safari vehicles: the Land Cruisers we use, pop-up roofs, charging and who drives.
- Safari lodges and camps: budget, mid-range and luxury stays and what each includes.
- Airport transfers and nights in Arusha: getting from Kilimanjaro airport to the start of your safari.
- Zanzibar beach holidays: adding a few days on the coast after the safari.
- Safari safety tips: how game drives, camps and walks are kept safe.
- Vaccinations and travel health: malaria, yellow fever and what to ask your doctor.
- Tipping on safari: how much to give your driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Booking and cancellation terms: deposit, payment and refunds.
Common Questions About the 5-Day Tanzania Safari
Is Lake Manyara a full visit on this trip?
It is a shorter visit on the last day, depending on time after the crater.
Is the safari private?
Yes. Your vehicle and guide are for your group only.
Is there Wi-Fi in the vehicle?
Yes, and charging points, though the signal is patchy in remote parts of the parks.
The Bottom Line
For a first Tanzania safari with time to enjoy it, five days is a sweet spot: Tarangire, a full Serengeti day and the crater. Add a day for Lake Manyara, or two for a third Serengeti night.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our sales team will reply with a written quotation.