Price: From $500 per person
Places: Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater
Meals: Full board (B, L, D)
Safari Overview
This 5-day Tanzania Big 5 Budget Safari takes you through four of the country’s most iconic parks — Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, and the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. Experience diverse landscapes, excellent wildlife viewing, and budget-friendly comfort. Spot elephants, tree-climbing lions, cheetahs, big cats, hippos, flamingos, and even the endangered black rhino. This itinerary is perfect for travelers seeking an affordable way to explore Tanzania’s most remarkable wildlife destinations.
Day 1 — Arrival in Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you will be welcomed by your safari driver and transferred to your lodge. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, preparing for your safari, or exploring Arusha town if time allows.
- Pickup from airport or bus terminal
- Safari briefing with your guide
- Relax and prepare for next day's adventure
- Dinner and overnight in Arusha
Day 2 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s most scenic parks, famous for its huge herds of elephants and spectacular baobab trees. Enjoy a full-day game drive along the Tarangire River, a magnet for wildlife during the dry season.
Expect to spot elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, ostriches, and many more. After an exciting game drive, you will head to your camp for dinner and overnight.
- Depart Arusha after breakfast
- Full-day game drive in Tarangire
- See elephants, lions & baobabs
- Picnic lunch inside the park
- Dinner & overnight at camp
Day 3 — Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park — a beautiful reserve known for its lush groundwater forest, pink flamingos, and the rare tree-climbing lions. The park offers a diverse landscape ranging from forests to open plains and hot springs.
You will enjoy a full game drive, visiting hippo pools, lakeshore viewpoints, and birding areas. Later in the evening, drive to Karatu for dinner and overnight.
- Visit Lake Manyara forest & lakeshore
- Spot hippos, flamingos & monkeys
- Search for tree-climbing lions
- Beautiful photo viewpoints
- Dinner & overnight in Karatu
Day 4 — Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, begin your journey to the world-famous Serengeti National Park, passing through the stunning Ngorongoro Highlands. Enter the Serengeti plains in time for an afternoon game drive where you may encounter lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles.
Enjoy the spectacular landscape and a classic African sunset before heading to your camp for dinner and rest.
- Drive from Karatu through Ngorongoro Highlands
- Enter the Serengeti Plains
- Afternoon game drive in Serengeti
- Spot big cats & migrating herds
- Dinner & overnight in Serengeti camp
Day 5 — Ngorongoro Crater Tour & Return to Arusha
After an early breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro Crater and descend 600 meters onto the crater floor for one of the most spectacular game drives in Africa. The crater is home to the Big 5 — including rhinos, lions, buffaloes, elephants, and leopards.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at the hippo pool before beginning your drive back to Arusha, marking the end of your memorable 5-day safari.
- Early morning descent into crater
- Spot the Big 5 & rare black rhinos
- Visit hippo pool picnic site
- Scenic drive across crater floor
- Return to Arusha — End of tour
Included in the Tour
- All park entry fees
- Transport in 4x4 safari vehicle (shared)
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- All meals as per itinerary
- Drinking water
- Accommodation in budget lodges/camps
- Crater service fees
- Government taxes
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Alcohol & soft drinks
- Tips for guide
- Personal expenses
- Accommodation in Arusha before/after safari