5 Day Tanzania Safari to Manyara – Serengeti and Ngorongoro

Discover the remarkable wildlife, diverse landscapes and cultural experiences of northern Tanzania on this 5-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari through Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park and the world-famous Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This exciting safari combines traditional wildlife game drives with a village cycling experience and an opportunity to explore the African bush after dark; From Lake Manyara’s lush groundwater forests and beautiful lakeshore to the endless golden plains of the Serengeti and the spectacular volcanic landscapes of Ngorongoro Crater, each destination introduces you to a different aspect of Tanzania’s extraordinary natural heritage. The itinerary is particularly appealing to travellers who want more than conventional game drives, offering a blend of wildlife viewing, outdoor adventure and local cultural encounters. Best 5 Day Tanzania Safari with Serengeti

Your journey begins in Arusha before heading to Lake Manyara National Park, a beautiful wildlife destination renowned for its elephants, diverse birdlife and famous tree-climbing lions; You will also explore the vibrant village of Mto wa Mbu on a guided cycling excursion, passing local farms, community spaces and traditional village landscapes before continuing towards Serengeti National Park. Two days of wildlife exploration provide opportunities to encounter lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, cheetahs, leopards and other animals across the Serengeti ecosystem.

Depending on your travel dates, you may also witness seasonal movements associated with the Great Wildebeest Migration. The adventure concludes with an exploration of Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife sanctuaries and an excellent place to look for several members of the Big Five. With private safari transportation, an experienced professional guide and carefully selected accommodation, this five-day Tanzania safari offers a rewarding combination of wildlife, culture and adventure.

Safari Highlights:

Pickup from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Exploring Lake Manyara National Park.

Looking for Manyara’s Tree-Climbing Lions.

A guided cycling excursion through Mto wa Mbu village.

Experience local culture, farming communities.

A guided night game drive “subject to authorization”.

Explore the iconic plains of Serengeti National Park.

Enjoy wildlife game drives in the central Serengeti.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area Exploration.

Look out for the Big Five and other remarkable wildlife.

Transfer back to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

A Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and Transfer to Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional Arcadia Safaris driver-guide, who will assist with your luggage before transferring you to your selected accommodation in Arusha. Located beneath the impressive Mount Meru, Arusha is one of Tanzania’s principal safari gateways and provides a convenient starting point for exploring the country’s celebrated Northern Circuit; Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a relaxed afternoon at your lodge, take in the surrounding scenery or simply rest after your international journey.

Later, your guide will brief you about the safari programme, discuss the destinations you will visit and provide useful information about the activities planned for the coming days. If you arrive early and have sufficient time, optional activities around Arusha can be arranged at an additional cost. You will spend the night at your selected accommodation, preparing for the exciting wildlife and cultural experiences that begin the following morning.

Destination: Arusha
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 2: Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park and a Game Drive

After an early breakfast, you will be picked up from your accommodation by your professional Arcadia Safaris driver-guide and driven towards Lake Manyara National Park. Set beneath the impressive Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is known for its beautiful scenery and remarkable diversity of habitats, including groundwater forests, acacia woodlands, open grasslands, wetlands and the alkaline lake that gives the park its name; During your guided game drive, you will explore these different environments while looking out for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, baboons, warthogs and several antelope species. Lake Manyara is also famous for its tree-climbing lions, which are occasionally seen resting in the branches of trees. Birdwatching is another rewarding experience, with the park supporting a wide variety of resident and migratory species, including flamingos, pelicans, storks and other waterbirds depending on the season and lake conditions.

You will enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated site before continuing your game drive towards the park exit. Later, you will proceed to your selected accommodation, where you can relax and prepare for the evening’s optional night game drive. Subject to the necessary permissions, activity arrangements and availability, you may return for an after-dark wildlife experience in designated areas, offering a different perspective of the African bush; With the assistance of an authorised activity provider, you may have opportunities to look for nocturnal animals and observe how the wilderness changes after sunset. Following the activity, you will return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.

Destination: Lake Manyara National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 3: Mto wa Mbu Village Cycling Experience and Transfer to Serengeti National Park

After an early breakfast or coffee, you will enjoy a guided cycling excursion around Mto wa Mbu, a vibrant village known for its cultural diversity, agricultural activities and beautiful countryside. The approximately three-hour experience takes you along relatively gentle village routes, offering an opportunity to observe everyday community life and appreciate the local environment at a relaxed pace. Along the way, you may visit local farms, see traditional farming practices, pass community facilities and learn about the different cultural groups that have shaped the village; The cycling experience also provides opportunities to appreciate the area’s scenic surroundings, with views towards the Great Rift Valley escarpment and, depending on the selected route, the Lake Manyara landscape. Affordable 5 Day Tanzania Safari with Ngorongoro

After the excursion, you will return to your accommodation for brunch or an early lunch before checking out and beginning your journey towards Serengeti National Park; Travelling through the scenic landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you will experience a gradual transition from the highlands and open grasslands to the expansive plains of the Serengeti. Depending on the route, wildlife movements and arrival time, you may enjoy game viewing along the way as you approach your selected camp or lodge. The Serengeti is home to large populations of wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, leopards and other wildlife. Depending on the season, you may also encounter herds associated with the Great Wildebeest Migration. Upon arrival, you will check in, enjoy dinner and spend the night in the heart of the Serengeti ecosystem.

Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 4: Morning Game Drive in Serengeti and Transfer to Ngorongoro

After breakfast, you will set out for a morning game drive through the central Serengeti, particularly the Seronera region, which is renowned for its productive wildlife habitats and resident populations of big cats. This part of the park offers excellent opportunities to search for lions and leopards, while the surrounding grasslands and riverine environments support elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, cheetahs, hyenas and numerous other species; Your experienced guide will help you explore the most promising wildlife areas, interpret animal behaviour and share interesting information about the Serengeti’s ecology and conservation importance; The central Serengeti provides rewarding game viewing throughout much of the year, although individual sightings always depend on natural wildlife movements and conditions.

You will return to your accommodation for lunch before checking out and beginning the journey towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The scenic drive offers further opportunities to appreciate Tanzania’s remarkable landscapes, with expansive grasslands, volcanic features and traditional Maasai pastoral scenery along the way. Depending on your departure time and the route selected, you may enjoy additional wildlife viewing during the journey. Upon arrival in the Ngorongoro area, you will proceed to your selected lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, preparing for the following day’s exploration of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. Customized 5 Day Tanzania Safari

Destination: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive and Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for Departure

After an early breakfast, you will depart for Ngorongoro Crater, descending from the crater rim to explore its remarkable wildlife-rich floor. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world’s largest intact volcanic calderas and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, supporting an impressive concentration of wildlife within its natural enclosure; During your game drive, you will explore its grasslands, wetlands, woodland patches and seasonal lakes while looking out for lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, hyenas and other animals. The crater is also an important conservation area for the endangered black rhinoceros, offering visitors a chance of encountering this rare species, although sightings cannot be guaranteed. You will enjoy a picnic lunch during the crater excursion before concluding your wildlife exploration.

Later, you will ascend from the crater and begin the road transfer towards Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward international flight. The journey passes through the beautiful landscapes of northern Tanzania, offering a final opportunity to appreciate the region’s highlands and rural surroundings; Depending on your flight schedule, your guide will arrange a suitable departure time to allow sufficient room for the crater excursion, road transfer and international airport check-in procedures; Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be assisted with the final arrangements before checking in for your onward flight. This marks the end of your 5-Day Magical Tanzania Wildlife Safari through Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

Destination: Kilimanjaro International Airport
Accommodation Option: No (End of tour)

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

SAFARI COST: From $1,900 Per Person

PRICE INCLUDES

• Round Trip Airport Transfers (pick-up and drop-off)
• Private Transportation in 4×4 Safari Cars
• Meals Specified on a Full Board Basis
• Accommodation with Ensuite Facilities
• Applicable Park Entrance and Activities Fees
• English Speaking Professional Driver-Guide
• All Hotel and Lodge Pickups and Drop-off
• All Applicable Taxes
• Bottled drinking water and Fruits while on safari
• Activities as stipulated in the Itinerary (except those stated as “optional”)

PRICE EXCLUDES

• Activities not mentioned in the Itinerary
• International Flight Fares (unless requested)
• Country Entry Visa
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Telephone Charges
• Laundry Services
• Bar bills and all Alcoholic drinks
• Souvenirs, Gifts and Tips
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• All related medical tests and vaccinations

We appreciate you choosing us. Let’s explore the wild together!