Five days, three classic parks and the best lodges on the route: Kuro Treetops, Kilimamoja and the Meliá on the crater rim.
The Pumbaa route is our short safari for travellers who want the classic northern parks with the best lodges on the circuit. It follows the same three parks as our Tanzania's Treasure safari, but every night is spent in a five-star lodge: Gran Meliá Arusha, Tarangire Kuro Treetops, Lake Manyara Kilimamoja and Ngorongoro Lodge Meliá Collection on the crater rim. That lodge level is why it costs more than some longer mid-range trips.
This safari is for couples and families who have five days, not ten, and want every night to feel special. It suits honeymooners adding a few days before Zanzibar, business travellers with a short window, and anyone who prefers fewer hours in the car and more time on a terrace with a view. If you want the same parks at a lower price, choose our 5-day Tanzania's Treasure safari with budget or mid-range lodges instead.
We can refine pace, accommodation style, flight logistics, park combinations and beach extensions around your dates, budget and travel rhythm.
Karibu Tanzania. Your guide meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport with a cold towel and water, and drives you about one hour to Arusha. The road runs past maize fields, Maasai herders and, on a clear day, the snowy cap of Kilimanjaro behind you and Mount Meru ahead. At the hotel your guide sits down with you to go through the plan, the packing and the day ahead, so you can sleep without questions. If you land early, a short walk in the hotel gardens or a massage is the best cure for a long flight. Dinner is at the hotel.
Where you sleep: Budget: Kibo Palace Hotel · Mid-range: Four Points by Sheraton Arusha · Luxury: Gran Meliá Arusha
Meals: Dinner
Guide's tip: Drink plenty of water today and go to bed early. Tomorrow's drive starts after breakfast and the first elephants are only two hours away.
After breakfast you drive about two hours (120 km) south-west on a good tarmac road to Tarangire. This is elephant country: families of thirty or more walk between giant baobabs to drink from the Tarangire River. You also look for lion, giraffe, zebra, impala, the rare fringe-eared oryx and lesser kudu, plus more than 500 bird species. Lunch is a hot meal at your lodge, and in the late afternoon you head out again for an evening game drive, when the light turns gold and the animals come down to the river. Your lodge has rooms on stilts in the trees.
Where you sleep: Budget: Burunge Tented Lodge · Mid-range: Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp · Luxury: Tarangire Kuro Treetops Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide's tip: Sit on the right-hand side of the vehicle when we follow the river loop in the afternoon. The light is behind you and the elephants are on your side.
A short 1.5-hour drive brings you to Lake Manyara, at the foot of the Great Rift Valley wall. The park entrance is a cool groundwater forest full of blue monkeys and baboons, then the land opens up to acacia woodland and the lake shore, where pelicans, storks and, in some months, flamingos feed. Manyara is famous for lions that rest in the trees, but even without them it is a beautiful, varied drive with elephants, buffalo and hippo. In the afternoon you climb the escarpment to your lodge, with a view over the whole lake from the pool.
Where you sleep: Budget: Heart and Soul Lodge · Mid-range: Manyara Secret · Luxury: Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide's tip: Bring binoculars for the forest section. Blue monkeys and silvery-cheeked hornbills are easy to miss with the naked eye.
An early start of about 45 minutes brings you to the crater rim before 7 am, so you are among the first vehicles to descend 600 metres to the floor. Inside the caldera you have around six hours with lion, buffalo, elephant, wildebeest, zebra, hyena and one of the best chances in Tanzania to see the black rhino. Flamingos gather on Lake Magadi and hippos laze in the Ngoitoktok pool, where you stop for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon you climb back to the rim and check in to your lodge, where the evening fog rolls over the crater edge.
Where you sleep: Budget: Marera Valley Lodge · Mid-range: Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge · Luxury: Ngorongoro Meliá Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide's tip: Pack a warm fleece. The rim sits at about 2,300 metres and mornings are cold, even when the crater floor is hot by midday.
After a slow breakfast with the crater view, you drive back towards Arusha (about 3.5 hours) through Karatu's coffee farms and the market town of Mto wa Mbu. If your flight leaves in the evening, we can stop for lunch in Arusha or arrange a day room. Your guide drops you at Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport in good time for your flight home, or for your connection to Zanzibar.
Where you sleep: No overnight: transfer to the airport
Meals: Breakfast
Guide's tip: Keep some small dollar notes for tips at the last lodge; most travellers tip guides and lodge staff on the final day.
The journey moves place by place in a calm sequence, ordered to reduce fatigue and protect the best sightings.
This safari works well all year round. June to October is dry with the biggest elephant herds in Tarangire; January to March is green and quiet.
| Arusha → Tarangire | 2–2.5 h |
| Tarangire → Lake Manyara | 1.5 h |
| Lake Manyara → Ngorongoro | 1 h |
Approximate, by road, with short stops. Your guide adjusts the pace on the day.
Prices depend on your dates, group size and lodge level. Send us your dates and we will reply with a clear per-person price.
From $3,332 per person sharing, luxury lodges. That includes your private 4x4 Land Cruiser and guide, the lodges listed for each day, meals on safari and all park fees. We confirm the exact price for your dates within 24 hours.
Yes. You travel in your own 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and your own professional guide. It can start on any day you choose.
This safari works well all year round. June to October is dry with the biggest elephant herds in Tarangire; January to March is green and quiet. Our migration calendar shows where the herds are in each month.
Yes. Every itinerary is a starting point. We adjust the days, parks and pace.
Yes. Since 1 October 2026 every foreign visitor to mainland Tanzania needs the $44 government travel insurance, and we recommend your own policy as well.
The safari with Antony was amazing. We trusted him our itinerary and it was worth it. In my opinion, the best thing about it was his knowledge and how respectful he is with wildlife. It is amazing finding people that really love their job and show it.
Cristian PintoUnited Kingdom · Visited October 2024Was an interesting trip, a wonderful place and a perfect experience
Moisés RodríguezPeru · Visited January 2023We went on a 5 days Safari in Tanzania. We visit the Serengeti and Ngororo plains, around the Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks & the Ngororo crater. Big boss Antony designed an amazing programme and our guide Peter gave us a unique experience into the wild Africa. His magic eye was able to catch exotic animals, like cheetahs and rhinos, finding the perfect spot in a middle of a vast plain. My only complaint was that I had to go back to work 🤓 Miss you already, guys! What a wonderful adventure !!!
Marcela Celis AmorteguiColombia · Visited October 2025This Past year we visited Tanzania , let me tell you how it went. From the moment our plane touched down, every aspect of our trip was meticulously managed. The airport transfers were seamless, and the selection of hotels and safari lodges provided truly top-tier comfort and amenities. Each accommodation was not only luxurious and well-appointed but also strategically chosen to enhance our overall experience. Tony our guide, consistently went above and beyond to ensure our family felt completely safe, comfortable and well cared for. His extensive knowledge of the wildlife, local culture and terrain was captivating, enriching every game drive and interactions. The entire expedition, from the breathtaking wildlife encounters to the impeccable logistical arrangements, was nothing short of spectacular. We wholeheartedly RECOMMEND Tony and BigfiveTrails to anyone seeking a truly unparalleled and profoundly memorable Tanzanian Safari experience. They deliver excellence in every detail.
NeEma BrostromUnited States · Visited December 2025The safari experience with Tony is fantastic; he is a highly intelligent and knowledgeable person who loves and respects animals—and he conveys that passion throughout the trip. He is very patient in explaining animal behavior and the surrounding vegetation in great detail, taking the time to point out every little thing. He always keeps a smile on his face, ensuring that everyone in the vehicle is enjoying the safari. His vehicle is comfortable, clean, and equipped with air conditioning. Safaris are great, but with Tony, they are something truly special. We are very grateful to Tony.
ElizabethUruguay · Visited September 2026Our trip to Tanzania with Big Five Trails was absolutely amazing and exceeded our expectations. The itinerary was very well organized and allowed us to experience some of the most beautiful places in the country, with incredible wildlife sightings and unforgettable landscapes. A huge part of what made the trip so special was our guide, Tony. He was simply incredible: professional, friendly, patient and extremely knowledgeable about the animals, nature and Tanzania. He is also an exceptional tracker — it honestly felt as if he had some kind of direct communication with the animals! He had an incredible ability to spot wildlife from a distance, read tracks and signs, and somehow always seemed to know where the animals were going to appear. Thanks to him, we were able to see an amazing variety of wildlife and enjoy some truly unforgettable encounters. He made every safari drive exciting and interesting, and was always attentive to the group, making us feel comfortable and safe throughout the whole trip. Everything was well coordinated, communication was easy, and the overall experience felt very personal rather than like a standard organized tour. Tanzania was already an incredible destination, but Tony and the team made the experience even better. I would absolutely recommend Big Five Trails to anyone planning a safari in Tanzania, and I would especially recommend asking for Tony as your guide. I would travel with them again without hesitation!
Dolores BAndorra · Visited November 2025The safari with Tony as our tour operator and guide was absolutely great in every aspect. The hospitality, the excellent knowledge of the animals, nature, the country and its people, the absolute reliability and care, the superb service and all the details covered, just excellent. I would go with Tony and his company any day again. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Asante sana.
MonicaSwitzerland · Visited July 2026Visiting Tanzania and seeing the parks was a wonderful experience. Tony and Inocent were our guides and they were lovely. A 10/10 trip. (automatic translation from Spanish)
MartaSpain · Visited June 2026Share your timing, travel style and must-have moments. We will turn this itinerary into a personal proposal with the right rhythm, camps and price, within 24 hours.
★★★★★“Tony our guide, consistently went above and beyond to ensure our family felt completely safe, comfortable and well cared for.”
NeEma Brostrom · United States · Visited December 2025
★★★★★“A huge part of what made the trip so special was our guide, Tony.”
Dolores B · Andorra · Visited November 2025
Partner lodges include Singita, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Gran Meliá Arusha and Meliá Zanzibar.
TALA licence no. 036593
Six things you can count on, whichever safari you choose.
Move your dates free of charge up to 60 days before arrival.
Park fees, taxes, private vehicle, guide and drinking water are in your price.
Airport pickup and drop-off included on every safari.
Every lodge and camp hand-picked by our team in Arusha.
Our Arusha team answers you every day of your trip, day or night.
Your own 4x4 and guide – no strangers, no fixed schedule.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 on SafariBookings by verified travellers. Planned and run from our base in Arusha.
| If you cancel | Cancellation charge |
|---|---|
| More than 60 days before arrival | Deposit retained, or moved to new dates within 12 months |
| 59 to 30 days before arrival | 50% of the total trip price |
| 29 to 15 days before arrival | 75% of the total trip price |
| Less than 15 days before arrival | 100% of the total trip price |
Park fees and flights already paid to third parties may be non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation. Full refund policy
Classic SafariThe essential northern circuit in under a week: Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and two nights in the Serengeti, flying out from the plains.
Classic SafariThe same three classic parks as our 5-day luxury safari, with simple, comfortable budget or mid-range lodges.
Classic SafariTarangire, Lake Manyara, two nights in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater – the complete northern circuit at a comfortable pace.