Experience 5-Day Budget Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara, explore four of Tanzania’s most iconic safari destinations in just five unforgettable days—Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park—all while staying on budget. This affordable group safari is thoughtfully designed by Travel Booking Guide to offer incredible wildlife encounters and stunning landscapes without compromising comfort or experience. Perfect for backpackers, students, and adventurers who want the full northern circuit at a great value.
5-Day Budget Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara
A 5-day safari from $1866
Price from
$1866
Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park (Approx. 2 hrs | 120 km)
Your safari begins with a 7:30 AM pick-up from your Arusha hotel. After a quick briefing, you'll drive south to Tarangire National Park, arriving by 9:30 AM. This park is known for its massive elephant herds, towering baobabs, and sweeping savannahs. Enjoy a full-day game drive, with a picnic lunch at a scenic site inside the park. By 4:30 PM, exit the park and head toward Lake Manyara region, arriving at your public campsite by 5:30 PM for dinner and overnight under the stars.
Accommodation
Plan Meal: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Lake Manyara area to Serengeti National Park (Approx. 6–7 hrs | 325 km)
After an early breakfast, leave camp by 7:00 AM and begin the scenic journey through the Ngorongoro Highlands toward Serengeti National Park. Enjoy views of Maasai villages and crater highlands en route. Reach Naabi Hill Gate by 1:00 PM, stop for lunch, and then enter the Serengeti for an afternoon game drive. Expect to spot lions, elephants, and herds of migrating animals depending on the season. Arrive at your public campsite inside the park by 5:30 PM for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Plan Meal: All Meals
Day 3: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Enjoy a full day of exploration in the heart of Serengeti. After breakfast, begin your game drive at 7:30 AM, moving through different regions in search of big cats, hyenas, giraffes, and large herds of wildebeest or zebras. Pause for a picnic lunch and continue the drive until 4:30 PM. Return to your campsite by sunset, where you’ll enjoy dinner and storytelling around the campfire.
Accommodation
Plan Meal: All meals
Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim (Approx. 3–4 hrs | 145 km)
After an early breakfast, depart Serengeti by 6:30 AM and enjoy a morning game drive as you head east toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive at the crater rim by 11:00 AM and enjoy panoramic views of the world's largest unbroken caldera. Settle in at Simba Campsite, located on the rim, by 12:30 PM. Spend the afternoon relaxing or walking along the viewpoint. Dinner and overnight at this unique high-altitude location.
Accommodation
Plan Meal: All meals
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara to Arusha (Approx. 4 hrs crater + 2 hrs return | 280 km)
Wake up early and descend into Ngorongoro Crater by 6:30 AM for a half-day game drive. With luck, you’ll spot black rhinos, lions, elephants, hippos, and a variety of birds. After a picnic lunch by a hippo pool, exit the crater around 11:30 AM and head to Lake Manyara National Park. Arrive by 1:00 PM and enjoy a short game drive in this lush park known for its flamingos and tree-climbing lions. After the safari, drive back to Arusha, arriving by 6:00 PM, where your tour ends.
Plan Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
- Safari Cost Includes
- All national park entry and crater service fees
- Transportation in a 4x4 pop-up roof safari vehicle
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Camping accommodation for 4 nights (public campsites)
- Camping gear: tents, mattresses, sleeping bags
- All meals during safari (5 lunches, 4 breakfasts, 4 dinners)
- Bottled drinking water during safari
- Pick-up and drop-off in Arusha
- Safari Cost Excludes
- Flights (international or domestic)
- Hotel accommodation in Arusha before/after the safari (can be arranged)
- Personal insurance and medical expenses
- Tips for guide and cook
- Drinks and snacks not listed
- Optional cultural village tours or hot air balloon rides
