6 days 5 nights safari Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks

The best part of this safari is the route: Tarangire’s elephant country, the open plains of Serengeti, and a final game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater. Sunrise drives give you a better chance of seeing predators when they are active, while the small group limit of seven keeps the vehicle more personal.

I like the all-meals setup, which removes a lot of daily planning, and I like the strong attention to communication from staff such as Humphrey and Elli. Guides including Amani, Mohamed, Shaibu, and Aziz have also been praised for animal spotting and safe driving. The main drawback is the amount of time spent on rough roads and transfers, plus some uncertainty over the exact accommodation style. Confirm your lodges, tents, and airport before paying.

Key points to know

• Sunrise game drives on three consecutive mornings give you your best chance to look for predators.
• Tarangire is especially strong for elephant sightings, with a picnic lunch during the park day.
• Serengeti gets two game-drive days, including an afternoon-to-sunset drive on arrival.
• Ngorongoro Crater is saved for the final day, with about six hours on the crater floor.
• Meals, airport transfers, guide service, and game drives are included, but tips and personal costs are not.
• The group can reach seven people, a useful balance between price and space, though vehicle comfort depends on the final group size.

Three parks, one tightly packed northern circuit

This six-day, five-night safari gives you Tanzania’s classic northern route without adding a separate flight between parks. You begin near Arusha, travel through Tarangire, continue toward Serengeti through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, then return to Ngorongoro for the crater visit before heading back to Arusha.

That route works well because each park offers something different. Tarangire is known for elephants and a quieter feel than Serengeti. Serengeti gives you the broadest chance of seeing the Big Five and other predators. Ngorongoro provides a compact wildlife area inside a dramatic volcanic crater, where you can cover a lot of ground during one long game drive.

You should not expect a relaxed lodge holiday. This is an active safari with early starts, long drives, rough tracks, and several days of sitting in a vehicle. The reward is variety. You see three major protected areas in less than a week, with dawn outings built into the schedule.

The stated price is $2,560 per person. That is best judged as a package rather than as a daily room rate. It includes park game drives, a professional guide, airport pickup and drop-off, five breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners. Park access, vehicle arrangements, staff, and meals are bundled into the trip, which makes the cost easier to understand than a stripped-down safari price.

Still, ask for a written breakdown before booking. The schedule names Marera View Lodge, Serengeti Heritage Tented Lodge, and Ang’ata Tented Camp, but the accommodation description is not fully consistent. Some past trips have used lodges, while others included several nights of basic camping. That difference matters if you want a private bathroom, a warm shower, or a more comfortable bed each night.

Day 1: A simple arrival in Arusha

Your first day is mainly about getting settled. The plan calls for pickup at Kilimanjaro Airport, followed by a drive to a hotel in Arusha for dinner and the night.

The airport wording needs attention. The meeting information also refers to Arusha Airport, so you should confirm which airport is included for your flight. Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha Airport are not the same arrival point, and the transfer time and arrangements can differ.

There is no scheduled park activity on this day, which is sensible. After an international flight, you can collect your luggage, meet the safari team, and get some rest before the early starts begin. The first evening meal is included, and the next morning begins after breakfast.

The personal service is one of this company’s stronger points. Humphrey and Elli have been praised for quick replies, help with last-minute changes, and support from airport arrival through the end of the trip. If you are a solo visitor or arriving late, that direct contact can make the first day feel much easier.

Day 2: Elephants and baobabs in Tarangire

After breakfast, you drive to Tarangire National Park for a full game drive, with a picnic lunch during the day. The listed park time is about seven hours, followed by a drive to Marera View Lodge, described as more than 30 minutes outside Tarangire.

Tarangire is a good first park because it often delivers quick wildlife sightings without requiring the long transfer to Serengeti on the opening morning. Elephants are the headline attraction here, and the park’s large trees and open areas give you a strong chance to watch them moving, feeding, or gathering near water.

You should expect a full day in the vehicle. The combination of game driving, a picnic lunch, and the later trip to your lodge means the day may feel longer than the seven-hour park estimate suggests. Bring a light layer, sun protection, and water that you can reach without unpacking your bag.

The lodge’s location outside the park is practical for cost and routing, but it adds driving after the game drive. That is a fair trade if the price matters more to you than sleeping inside the park. Ask how long the transfer usually takes on your departure date, since road conditions and traffic can affect the evening arrival.

Food is a repeated strength of this safari. Cooks such as Halid have been singled out for plentiful, tasty meals, and the package includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the scheduled safari days. You should still mention dietary needs in advance, since the supplied details do not spell out special meal options.

Day 3: Crossing the conservation area into Serengeti

Day three is the longest-feeling transition. After breakfast, you drive toward Serengeti through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping at Naabi Hill Gate for lunch before continuing into the park. The game drive continues toward sunset, then you go to Serengeti Heritage Tented Lodge for dinner and the night.

This is not simply a transfer with no wildlife value. The route itself can offer changing scenery and roadside animal sightings, and the afternoon entry into Serengeti gives you a first look before the next morning’s dedicated drive. The schedule allows about eight hours, though road conditions can make the day feel longer.

The timing is useful. Rather than spending the entire day inside a vehicle and arriving after dark, you begin game viewing in the afternoon and continue toward sunset. That gives you a first chance to look for grazing animals, big cats, and other wildlife before reaching camp.

Naabi Hill is an important stopping point because it breaks up the trip and provides a set place for lunch. Your lunch is included, but remember that the itinerary repeatedly uses the word launch where it clearly means lunch. A packed or picnic-style meal is part of the day, not a restaurant stop.

Serengeti Heritage Tented Lodge is listed as the overnight accommodation, but confirm the exact room or tent arrangement. The term tented lodge can describe anything from a comfortable permanent tent with a private bathroom to a simpler camp setup. You will want to know which version applies to your booking.

Day 4: Two Serengeti drives and the best predator hours

The fourth day is built around an early morning game drive at sunrise. You return to the lodge for lunch, then head out again and continue until about 3:30 p.m. Dinner and the night are back at the lodge.

This is the safari’s strongest wildlife day because you are not losing most of the morning to a park transfer. Dawn is a smart time to search for predators, and the schedule specifically aims to find them. The open Serengeti setting can make animal spotting feel dramatic, but sightings are never guaranteed, even with a skilled guide.

The quality of the guide matters greatly here. Amani has been praised for wildlife knowledge and driving, while Mohamed and Shaibu have also received strong comments for animal spotting and professional service. You should ask your guide to explain what you are seeing rather than treating the day as a search for a checklist. The behavior of a lion pride, a hunting cat, or a herd on the move can be more memorable than simply adding another species to your count.

The split between morning and afternoon also gives you a break from the vehicle. You can eat, rest, and review photographs before going out again. That pause is valuable after several early starts, especially if you are carrying camera equipment.

One practical warning: a sunrise drive means an early wake-up, and the next day begins early as well. The safari is designed for wildlife activity rather than sleeping late. If you need more downtime, ask if the afternoon drive can be shortened, but understand that doing so may reduce your time in the park.

Day 5: Leaving Serengeti through the Ngorongoro highlands

Day five begins with another sunrise game drive in Serengeti. After lunch, you continue driving and looking for wildlife while making your way back toward Ngorongoro, where you spend the night at Ang’ata Tented Camp.

This arrangement gives you one last Serengeti morning, which is valuable. You may see different activity at dawn than during the previous afternoon, and the early hours are often the best time to watch predators before the heat builds.

The afternoon is partly a game drive and partly a long route toward the next park. That means you need realistic expectations. You may have more sightings, but you will also spend time covering distance. The day is scheduled at about eight hours, and the later arrival at camp may leave little time beyond dinner and sleep.

Ang’ata Tented Camp is a useful overnight position for the crater descent on day six. As with the other accommodation, confirm what is included in the tent. The supplied information supports a midrange style, but past safari arrangements have ranged from basic camping to lodges with a bed, toilet, and warm shower.

This is also the point where the trip’s physical demands become clear. Three early mornings in a row can be tiring, and the roads can be bumpy. I would pack soft luggage, keep essential medicine in your day bag, and avoid putting your camera, passport, or spare clothing in a bag that stays in the vehicle luggage area.

Day 6: Six hours inside Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, you descend into Ngorongoro Crater for about six hours of game viewing with a picnic lunch. After the crater drive, you return to Arusha for the overnight stay at a hotel.

The crater is a strong final stop because its enclosed setting can produce a concentrated wildlife day. You do not need to cover the enormous distances associated with Serengeti, yet the crater offers a chance to look for many species in one area. The itinerary gives you a substantial six-hour visit, not just a quick viewpoint stop.

The road down into the crater is part of the experience, but it can also be rough. You should expect a full day with an early start, a picnic meal, and continued driving after leaving the crater. The final transfer to Arusha means this is not a gentle last day.

There is a small wording issue in the schedule. It says you return to Arusha for an overnight stay, while the package is advertised as six days and five nights. Ask whether the Arusha hotel on the final night is included and whether your onward transport happens the next morning. The included meal counts list five breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners, so the exact final-night arrangement should be confirmed.

What the $2,560 price really buys you

At $2,560 per person, this is not a budget camping trip, but the price includes many expensive safari basics. You receive airport transfers, a professional guide, game drives in all three areas, accommodation, and most meals. A group of up to seven can keep the per-person cost lower than a private vehicle for one or two people.

The best value comes from the amount of park time. You have a full Tarangire day, an afternoon and sunset entry into Serengeti, a dedicated Serengeti day, another Serengeti morning, and six hours in Ngorongoro Crater. That is a lot of wildlife viewing for six days.

Value depends heavily on the final accommodation. If you receive comfortable tented lodges with private facilities, the package is easier to justify for visitors who want a middle ground between rough camping and luxury. If several nights are basic camping, the price may feel high unless the guide, food, vehicle, and park access are your main priorities.

Tips and personal expenses are not included. Set aside money for staff gratuities, drinks or purchases not covered by the meal plan, and any personal items. The company has also been praised for responding to questions and handling changes, which is useful, but you should still get the final inclusions in writing.

Who will enjoy this safari most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want the classic northern Tanzania route and prefer to let one company handle transport, meals, guiding, and airport pickup. It also suits solo visitors, couples, and small groups who want a group price rather than a fully private safari.

It is a particularly good fit for wildlife photographers because the itinerary includes several sunrise drives and long periods in Serengeti. Ask about vehicle seating and camera storage before booking. The supplied details do not specify a photography vehicle or window configuration, so do not assume you will have a private row or unlimited space for equipment.

Families and groups can benefit from the maximum of seven people, especially if you want to keep costs under control. The trip is also workable for most people according to the activity information, but the early mornings and rough roads can be demanding for anyone who needs a slower pace.

I would hesitate if you want luxury, short transfers, or a fixed hotel standard. I would also hesitate if you dislike changing accommodation or spending many hours on safari roads. This is a wildlife-first trip, not a resort break.

Booking checks worth making before you pay

Send a short list of questions before confirming:

• Which airport is included, Kilimanjaro International or Arusha Airport?
• Are all five nights in lodges, or are some nights basic camping?
• Does each accommodation have a private toilet and shower?
• Is the final Arusha hotel included after the crater drive?
• How many people will share the vehicle?
• Which guide and cook are assigned to your departure?
• Are dietary requirements accepted with advance notice?
• What exactly is covered by the $2,560 price?

The cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund, so check your flights before the deadline.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if your priority is seeing Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro in one efficient route, with meals and airport transfers already arranged. The repeated praise for quick communication, capable guides, food, and animal spotting makes the company appealing for a first safari or a last-minute booking.

Do not book without clarifying the airport and accommodation details. If the final arrangements match your expectations, the six-day route offers a strong balance of park time, sunrise viewing, and manageable group size. If you want guaranteed luxury or a slower schedule, pay more for a private or higher-end plan.

FAQ

How long is the safari?

The safari lasts approximately six days and includes five nights.

Which national parks and protected areas are included?

The route includes Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, including a game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. Airport pickup and drop-off are included, but the details refer to both Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Airport. Confirm the correct airport before booking.

How many people can join the safari?

The group can include a maximum of seven people.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package lists five breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners. Confirm the arrangements for the final Arusha night because the day-by-day schedule includes an overnight there.

Is a professional guide provided?

Yes. A professional guide and game-driving service are included.

Are game drives included in all three areas?

Yes. The schedule includes game drives in Tarangire, several drives in Serengeti, and about six hours of game viewing inside Ngorongoro Crater.

Is pickup from Arusha available?

The meeting information lists Arusha, Tanzania, and the itinerary includes airport pickup. Confirm your exact pickup point with Cubs Expeditions Limited.

What is not included in the price?

Personal expenses and tips or gratuities for safari staff are not included.