Tanzania Simba Safari – 5 Days

The great prize here is two full nights in Serengeti National Park, giving you more than a quick pass through the plains. You get an afternoon game drive after the long road from Arusha, a full day of morning and afternoon wildlife viewing, then another morning before heading to Ngorongoro.

I like the private 4×4 and driver-guide, since your group can ask questions and set a comfortable pace. I also like the simple, useful package: lodging, park fees, meals, water, tea, coffee, and soft drinks on game drives are covered.

The main drawback is the amount of time on the road. Arusha to Serengeti takes about seven hours over 335 kilometers, and the final day combines an early crater visit with a transfer to the airport. This is a focused safari, not a slow lodge holiday.

Key points to know before booking

• Two nights in the Serengeti: Enough time for several game drives rather than one rushed look.
• A private safari vehicle: Only your own group participates, with a dedicated driver-guide.
• A long second day: The trip to Serengeti takes about seven hours before the afternoon drive begins.
• Ngorongoro at dawn: The crater game drive is scheduled early, when you have the best chance to see the area at its most active.
• Strong guide service: Past trips have featured guides including Adrian, Goodluck, Harry, Dennis, Louis, and Musa H., with wildlife spotting and clear explanations repeatedly praised.
• A mostly inclusive price: The $2,897.06 cost covers accommodation, park fees, meals, and key safari drinks, but not flights, visas, insurance, tips, lodge drinks, or laundry.

What this five-day safari is really like

This is a compact northern Tanzania safari built around two famous places: Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You begin and end with airport transfers, spend two nights in the Serengeti, and finish with a morning inside Ngorongoro Crater.

The schedule is practical rather than leisurely. You spend much of Day 2 traveling west from Arusha, then trade road time for game drives on Days 3 and 4. Day 5 is an early wildlife outing followed by the airport transfer.

That pattern works well if you have limited time and want the classic northern Tanzania combination. It is less suitable if you dislike long drives or want several relaxed afternoons at your lodge.

Day 1: An easy arrival in Arusha

The experience begins at Arusha Airport, where a driver-guide meets you and takes you to your selected Arusha hotel. The guide introduces you to the city and Tanzania, which gives you a useful first orientation before the safari begins.

This overnight stop matters. It keeps your arrival day light and avoids forcing you straight into a long transfer after an international flight. You can settle in, recover from the journey, and prepare for an early start.

The package lists one night in Arusha on half board. The exact hotel is not specified in the information provided, so confirm the property and meal arrangements before booking if your accommodation choice matters to you.

Day 2: Seven hours west to Serengeti

Day 2 is the hardest travel day. The route from Arusha to Serengeti covers about 335 kilometers and takes roughly seven hours. You pass through changing scenery and rural Tanzania before reaching the open plains.

Lunch comes after the drive, followed by an afternoon game drive. The timing gives you a first look at Serengeti without wasting the rest of the day, though you should be ready for a tiring start.

The first sight of the plains is part of the reward. The country opens up, the horizon stretches far ahead, and the sense of distance changes quickly. Your driver-guide explains the scenery and helps you look for animals as the vehicle moves through the park.

A practical point: do not judge the safari by Day 2 alone. The long transfer is necessary to reach Serengeti, but the stronger wildlife time comes on the following day, when you have morning and afternoon drives without a major transfer.

Day 3: Your fullest Serengeti wildlife day

Day 3 gives you the best rhythm of the trip. After breakfast, you head out for a morning game drive, return to a picnic lunch, and continue searching through the afternoon before going back to the lodge for dinner.

This is a long day, listed at about 12 hours. That sounds demanding, and it is, but it gives you the greatest amount of time to watch animal behavior instead of simply collecting quick sightings.

The Serengeti changes through the day. Morning light can make the plains feel cool and open, while the afternoon brings different shadows and movement. Your guide helps identify wildlife and explains the animals, plants, and scenery around you.

The stated aim is to search for the Big Five: lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, elephant, and rhino. No safari can promise every animal, and sightings depend on timing and luck. Still, the long hours and experienced driver-guide give you a better opportunity than a short park visit.

Guides have been especially important on past trips. Adrian has been described as calm, helpful, and good with older visitors. Goodluck has been praised for explaining both animals and plant life. Harry and Dennis have been noted for careful driving, strong animal-spotting skills, and clear explanations. If you have a preferred guide, you can ask whether that person is available, but an assignment is not guaranteed.

Day 4: One last Serengeti drive, then Ngorongoro

The morning begins with another Serengeti game drive of about four hours. This short final look can be valuable because wildlife activity and sightings never follow a fixed script.

After a picnic lunch, you drive east toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The transfer takes about four hours, so this is another day with plenty of vehicle time. You arrive at the lodge, settle in, and have a hot dinner before the next morning’s crater visit.

The change from Serengeti to Ngorongoro gives the trip a useful contrast. Serengeti is famous for its broad plains and extended game-drive routes. Ngorongoro is a more enclosed setting, with the crater walls creating a dramatic natural bowl.

Because the itinerary moves locations twice in two days, pack so that your day bag contains your camera, sun protection, a light layer, medication, and anything else you need in the vehicle. Keeping essentials close saves time at the lodge.

Day 5: An early game drive in Ngorongoro Crater

The final wildlife outing is an early morning game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater. The area is often called a wonder of the world, and the crater’s scale is the point: you see a large wildlife setting enclosed by steep walls rather than an endless open plain.

You have breakfast, complete the morning drive, and eat a picnic lunch in the crater before returning to the airport. The listed activity time is about four hours, followed by the transfer.

This makes for a memorable finish, but it also creates a tight departure day. You need to confirm your flight time and airport arrangements carefully. The schedule says the group returns to the airport after lunch, but the exact transfer duration and airport are not specified.

Dinner is not included on the last day. Breakfast and lunch are included, so plan around your departure time and do not expect a final evening meal from the package.

The private 4×4 makes a real difference

The safari uses a 4×4 Toyota Cruiser with a private driver-guide. Since only your group participates, you do not have to match your schedule to strangers or negotiate every stop with a large vehicle.

That private setup is valuable during animal sightings. You can ask the guide to explain what you are seeing, spend longer watching an animal, or move on when you have had enough. The driver-guide also handles navigation and the long transfers between parks.

The guide is the heart of the experience. Several guides associated with these safaris, including Louis, Musa H., Celvin, Everest Mboy, Gerald, and Abisai Mbasha, have been singled out for animal spotting, safe driving, humor, and personal care. The repeated pattern is clear: a good guide does more than point out a lion. The guide helps you understand animal behavior, reads the terrain, and makes long hours in the vehicle easier.

You should still ask practical questions before departure. Confirm the vehicle arrangement, the guide assignment, the lodge names, and the airport drop-off plan. The supplied information confirms the vehicle and private format, but not the exact vehicle age or lodge category.

Meals, lodging, and what the price covers

The price is $2,897.06 per person. For a private five-day safari in two major parks, that is a substantial but understandable cost because the package includes several expensive basics: accommodation, park fees, a private 4×4, driver-guide service, and meals.

The accommodation plan lists one night in Arusha on half board and four safari nights on full board. The meal totals are four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners. Day 5 includes breakfast and lunch, but not dinner, which fits the stated airport return.

During game drives, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water are included. Drinks at lodges and camps are not included, and laundry services cost extra. International and domestic flights, visa fees, travel insurance, medical insurance, and tips for guides and hotel staff are also outside the price.

I would compare the price with care rather than focusing only on the headline number. A cheaper safari may use shared transport, fewer park hours, or different accommodation. A more expensive one may add internal flights or higher-end camps. Here, the value comes from the private format and the amount of wildlife time, especially the full Serengeti day.

Group discounts are offered, although the amount is not specified. If you are traveling with family or friends, ask for the group rate before paying.

Who will enjoy this safari most

This trip suits you if you want the classic northern Tanzania route in five days and prefer a private vehicle. It is also a good fit for families, since the guide can adjust explanations and help with the day’s pace. The private format makes it easier to travel with different ages and interests.

It works for first-time safari visitors who want Serengeti and Ngorongoro without adding several extra parks. The strong focus on wildlife and the repeated praise for guide service make it especially appealing if finding animals and understanding what you see matter more than luxury extras.

It may not suit you if you want a slow schedule. The Arusha to Serengeti drive is long, Day 3 runs for about 12 hours, and the final day combines a crater drive with an airport transfer. A longer itinerary would give you more breathing room.

You also need to accept that wildlife is unpredictable. The goal is to search for the Big Five, not to guarantee a checklist. Your guide can improve your chances, but no responsible operator can promise a leopard or rhino on a particular morning.

Small details that make the trip easier

Your confirmation arrives when you book unless you reserve within seven days of departure. In that case, confirmation is expected within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Pickup is offered, and the listed meeting point is Arusha Airport. The experience is a private activity, so only your group participates. Most people can take part, but you should discuss personal mobility needs directly with the operator because the information does not give detailed accessibility guidance.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Pack for long vehicle days rather than only lodge time. Bring water for personal use beyond the included supply, sun protection, a camera, a hat, and a light layer for early drives. Keep your passport and travel documents accessible, since flights and visas are your responsibility.

Should you book Tanzania Simba Safari?

I would book this safari if you have five days, want a private guide, and care most about seeing Serengeti and Ngorongoro rather than visiting many parks. The two Serengeti nights and full wildlife day give the trip real substance, while the private Toyota Cruiser adds comfort and flexibility.

I would hesitate only if long transfers wear you down or your departure flight is early on Day 5. In that case, add a buffer night or ask for a revised ending.

For the best fit, confirm the lodge names, guide availability, vehicle setup, and final airport timing before payment. If those details work for you, this is a well-focused safari with strong value in its private guiding, park access, and concentrated wildlife time.

FAQ

Where does the safari begin?

The meeting point is Arusha Airport in Arusha, Tanzania. Pickup is offered from there.

Is this a private or shared tour?

This is a private tour and activity. Only your group participates.

How many nights are spent in the Serengeti?

You spend two nights in Serengeti National Park, with an afternoon game drive on arrival, a full game-drive day, and another morning drive before leaving.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package lists four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners. Breakfast and lunch are included on Day 5, but dinner on the final day is not included.

Are park fees and accommodation included?

Yes. Accommodation and park fees are included. The plan lists one night in Arusha on half board and four safari nights on full board.

What is not included in the price?

International and domestic flights, visa fees, travel and medical insurance, tips, lodge and camp drinks, and laundry services are not included.