The Big Five safari in Tanzania
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Elephants in Tarangire National Park
You will be collected from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha by our English-speaking guide and head towards Tarangire National Park. You’ll be travelling in a 4×4 Land Cruiser with a folding roof, so you’ll experience 360-degree views on the safari. Passing traditional African huts and waving to local Maasai shepherds, it won’t be long before you reach the entrance to the park. The landscapes differ from other national parks in Tanzania, with striking baobab trees that have survived for centuries, vast savannahs, acacia woodlands and seasonal swamps that transform into lush green plains during the dry season. With one of the highest populations of elephants in Tanzania, it’s likely you’ll be seeing these majestic giants up close, as well as zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, buffaloes, and many antelope species. After your first safari experience, you will drive onto Karatu in about an hour and a half. You will spend the night there in an atmospheric safari lodge, sleeping in a spacious bungalow that is very comfortably furnished. As you fall asleep tonight, you can reflect on the day’s exciting safari adventures and picture more of what’s to come the following day.
November-April
If you are travelling between November and April, we will normally plan a visit to Lake Manyara rather than Tarangire National Park, as wildlife tends to be more abundant there during these months, migrating between the two parks. Lake Manyara National Park is the second oldest national park in Tanzania and is home to the highly alkaline Lake Manyara, which almost dries up in the dry season. The dense forest is also home to the park’s iconic creature: a large number of the so-called Manyara or tree lions, who prefer to lounge in the green acacias to avoid the tsetse flies. During your safari, you may be lucky enough to spot these unique animals as they climb the trees and target their prey from above. Whichever park you visit, you’re sure to have an equally unique and exciting adventure, spotting a huge variety of wildlife and getting an insight into their natural habitats.
Day 2 – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will travel around 5-6 hours to the world-famous Serengeti National Park. You will be staying at a tented camp within the park, so the drive to your accommodation will be a safari in itself! You’ll arrive at your camp around sunset, where you’ll be sleeping in a comfortable tent with a bed or camp bed. Once you’re settled, head for a bite to eat at the restaurant, where you’ll also find a bar with a large fire pit, perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine after an exciting day. Enjoy the crackling campfire with the sounds of lions roaring in the distance.
The best time of year to visit the Serengeti is June to October, when the animals are most active and easiest to spot, with The Great Migration moving through the plains and predators following closely behind.
Day 3 – Game drive in the Serengeti
It’s an early start today as you’ll be heading on a full-day safari after breakfast. As the Serengeti is located at an altitude of around 1200 metres, it can still get quite cold in the morning so we recommend packing a few warmer layers to stay comfortable. You will be driving through the vast plains to the Maasai peaks…the area of the hunters, where you’ll likely see lions and if you’re lucky – cheetahs. During The Great Migration, you can watch thousands of wildebeest and zebras moving across the plains in search of fresh grass and water – an incredible sight. After an exciting day full of different wildlife encounters, you’ll head back to your tented camp for another delicious dinner and evening of relaxation before more adventure tomorrow.
Day 4 – Travel to the eighth wonder of the world
After another early start, today you will head south across the vast plains and grasslands which this region is famous for. Keep an eye out for animals among the trees and bushes as you’ll experience various wildlife encounters along the way. Most wildlife will be heading to the UNESCO site of Ngorongoro Crater, known for the large number of animals found here, including all of the Big Five, and for this reason, you will also be heading there. Arriving in the late afternoon, it won’t be long before you start to spot animals in all different directions, from wildebeest, zebras and elands, to hippos in the water and hyenas and cheetahs roaming the plains. You’ll then head to your safari lodge for the night, a peaceful spot, with comfortable, well-kept rooms perfect for unwinding after another fun-filled day.
Day 5 – Ngorongoro Crater game drive
This morning, after a short drive, you’ll arrive at the Ngorongoro Crater rim, where you will be treated to exceptional views of the world’s largest volcanic crater that remains intact. Driving along the rim, you’ll soon descend down to the crater floor, and this is where the game drive begins. Soon, you’ll start to spot the abundance of wildlife that the crater is well known for – lions, cheetahs and huge herds of wildebeest and zebra. In the middle of the crater, there is a lake where, depending on the season, huge numbers of flamingos gather. In the afternoon, you’ll make your way to Arusha or Moshi, where the safari ends, and you’ll continue to your next destination in Tanzania.
Accommodation
