This immersive 5-day Tanzania safari combines the lush beauty of Lake Manyara National Park, the endless wildlife-rich plains of Serengeti National Park, and the dramatic natural wonder of the Ngorongoro Crater. It is designed for travelers seeking a perfectly paced journey through Tanzania’s most iconic landscapes. From tree-climbing lions and soda-lake birdlife to the Great Migration and the Big Five, this safari delivers a diverse and unforgettable experience.
Accommodations are comfortable and strategically located lodges and tented camps positioned to offer convenience, warm hospitality, good food, and direct access to wildlife areas. Each day is guided by a professional Wildicon Safaris driver-guide, ensuring expert tracking, safety, and deep storytelling about the regions you explore.
You arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where a warm greeting from a Wildicon Safaris representative awaits. After a comfortable transfer to your lodge in Arusha, you settle in and relax after your flight. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the surroundings or enjoy a pre-safari briefing with your guide, who will walk you through the itinerary and ensure you are fully prepared.
Overnight in Arusha.
After breakfast, you begin your journey toward Lake Manyara National Park, a compact yet incredibly diverse park set against the dramatic backdrop of the Great Rift Valley. As you enter the park, you are welcomed by lush groundwater forests alive with blue monkeys, olive baboons, and colorful birds that thrive in this thriving ecosystem.
Your game drive continues toward the alkaline lake itself, which often glistens with thousands of flamingos during the right season. The open plains and acacia woodlands surrounding the lake support resident buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest. Manyara is also known for its legendary tree-climbing lions, and your guide searches carefully for their unique behavior.
The ever-changing scenery—from jungle-like forests to hot springs and open lakeshore—makes Manyara one of the most visually stunning parks in Tanzania. After a rewarding day of wildlife viewing, you travel to your lodge in the nearby highlands for a warm dinner and restful evening.
Dinner and overnight in Karatu.
Today you set out for the world-famous Serengeti. The journey takes you through the fertile valleys of Karatu and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you ascend the crater highlands and pass breathtaking viewpoints offering dramatic panoramas of the Ngorongoro Crater.
As you enter the Serengeti, the landscape unfolds into vast open plains—home to the legendary Great Migration and a remarkable variety of wildlife. You begin your first Serengeti game drive, exploring the central Seronera region, which is rich in predators and resident animals year-round. Lions rest on rocky kopjes, cheetahs move through the tall grasses, and leopards may be spotted lounging in acacia trees.
The afternoon is dedicated to exploring this wildlife-dense ecosystem, following the movement and behavior of animals across the plains. As the sun begins to set, you arrive at your tented camp inside the park.
Dinner and overnight in Serengeti.
This day is devoted entirely to exploring the extraordinary Serengeti. You depart early to catch the morning wildlife activity when predators such as lions, hyenas, and cheetahs are most energetic and hunting opportunities are highest.
Depending on the season, your guide may direct the day’s route toward areas where the Great Migration herds are located—whether grazing in the central plains, moving through the southern grasslands, or gathering near the Mara or Grumeti Rivers. Even outside migration season, Serengeti offers incredible encounters with elephants, giraffes, buffalo, antelopes, hippos, and hundreds of bird species.
You enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch at a designated spot in the park before continuing your wildlife exploration into the afternoon. The golden evening light creates perfect moments for photography as the Serengeti reveals its timeless beauty.
Return to your camp for dinner and a peaceful night surrounded by the sounds of the wild.
Dinner and overnight in Serengeti.
After breakfast and one more scenic morning game drive, you begin your journey toward the Ngorongoro Highlands. Wildlife remains abundant along the way, with chances to spot elephants, antelope herds, or predators still active in the cooler morning hours.
As you approach the highlands, the landscape transitions into rolling hills and forested slopes. Maasai villages appear along the roadside, offering glimpses into traditional pastoral life. The air becomes cooler and fresher as you reach higher elevation.
You arrive at your lodge near the crater rim in time to relax, enjoy the views, and savor a warm dinner in this serene environment.
Dinner and overnight near Ngorongoro Crater.
After an early breakfast, you descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most remarkable wildlife areas on Earth. The crater floor is a unique, self-contained ecosystem that supports a dense population of animals year-round.
You explore its diverse environments, which include open plains, the Lerai forest, freshwater marshes, and the hippo-filled pools. Lions often roam the grasslands in search of prey, elephants wander gracefully with their large tusks, and flocks of flamingos color the waters of Lake Magadi. With a bit of luck, you may encounter the endangered black rhino, one of the crater’s most treasured residents.
After a scenic picnic lunch near a hippo pool, you continue your final exploration before ascending the crater walls and starting your return journey to Arusha. The safari concludes with drop-off at your lodge or transfer to the airport.
