Giant baobab tree in golden light, Tarangire National Park

Classic Safari · Private safariMade to feel personal from the first night to the last drive

5 Days Tanzania's Treasure Safari

A short, rich loop through Tarangire's elephants, Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lions and a full day in the Ngorongoro Crater.

Duration5 days / 4 nights

PriceOn request

StyleClassic Safari

Best timeYear-round

Request this safari Explore the itinerary

Crafted safari story

A more thoughtful way to experience Tanzania

A compact safari for travellers short on time who still want variety: the baobabs and elephant herds of Tarangire, the forest and lakeshore of Manyara beneath the Rift Valley wall, and the extraordinary concentration of wildlife inside the Ngorongoro Crater. Choose budget, mid-range or luxury lodges – the route stays the same.

Tarangire's great elephant herds
Tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara
Full-day Ngorongoro Crater safari
Easy add-on to Kenya via the Namanga border

Safari at a glance

Category: Classic Safari
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Starting from: Price on request
Key places: Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
Guiding: Private vehicle and driver-guide

Speak to a safari specialist

Masai giraffe bending its neck, Tanzania

Two elephant bulls among yellow wildflowers in the Ngorongoro Crater

Male lion and lioness at golden hour in the Serengeti

This itinerary is a starting point, not a rigid template

We can refine pace, accommodation style, flight logistics, park combinations and beach extensions around your dates, budget and travel rhythm.

Shape this journey with us

Day by day

A journey that builds with rhythm, not rush

Day 1

Arrival in Tanzania

Karibu Tanzania – welcome to Tanzania. On arrival at the airport you will be met by one of our team. After the meet and greet, we escort you to your accommodation in Arusha (approximately 60 km), ready for the safari tomorrow.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 2

Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, set off on safari with your private vehicle and guide to Tarangire National Park (approx. 120 km). Named for the river that nourishes the wildlife of a vast ecosystem, Tarangire is home to elephant, zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, buffalo, eland, waterbuck, lion, giraffe, oryx and an unsurpassed diversity of birds. From June to November, masses of wildlife congregate around the river, but the park is a stronghold for big game year-round.

Meals: All meals

Day 3

Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park (approx. 90 km). Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara contains a diverse range of habitats – the rift wall, groundwater forest, acacia woodland and open grassland – down to the shores of the lake itself. Spend the afternoon game viewing in search of the park's diverse flora and fauna. Some 350 bird species live here, alongside gazelle, impala, buffalo, wildebeest, hyena, baboon, giraffe, hippo and the famous tree-climbing lions.

Meals: All meals

Day 4

Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, drive down to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of game viewing. The crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several ecosystems – grassland, swamp, forest and even a soda lake – and a wide variety of game: rhino, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra and an amazing variety of birdlife, including thousands of migrating flamingos. In the late afternoon you ascend to the rim and return to your lodge in time to freshen up before dinner.

Meals: All meals

Day 5

Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward flight – or continue to the Namanga border for a Kenya extension to Amboseli.

Meals: Breakfast

Where you stay

Choose your comfort level

Same route, same guide. Pick the lodges that suit your budget.

Day	Location	Accommodation	Meals	Activity
1	Arusha	Kibo Palace Hotel	Bed & breakfast	Transfer
2	Tarangire NP	Burunge Tented Lodge	Full board	Game drives
3	Lake Manyara NP	Heart and Soul Lodge	Full board	Game drives
4	Ngorongoro Crater	Marera Valley Lodge	Full board	Crater tour
5	Departure	—	Bed & breakfast	Transfer

Day	Location	Accommodation	Meals	Activity
1	Arusha	Four Points by Sheraton	Bed & breakfast	Transfer
2	Tarangire NP	Tarangire Simba Lodge	Full board	Game drives
3	Lake Manyara NP	Manyara Secret	Full board	Game drives
4	Ngorongoro Crater	Acacia Farm Lodge	Full board	Crater tour
5	Departure	—	Bed & breakfast	Transfer

Day	Location	Accommodation	Meals	Activity
1	Arusha	Gran Meliá Arusha	Bed & breakfast	Transfer
2	Tarangire NP	Tarangire Kuro Treetops Lodge	Full board	Game drives
3	Lake Manyara NP	Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge	Full board	Game drives
4	Ngorongoro Crater	Ngorongoro Meliá Lodge	Full board	Crater tour
5	Departure	—	Bed & breakfast	Transfer

Price on request

Prices depend on your dates, group size and lodge level. Send us your dates and we will reply with a clear per-person price.

Get my price

Included

Professional driver-guide (English-speaking; Spanish or German on request)
Private 4×4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for game viewing
Airport and Arusha transfers
Full-board accommodation while on safari
All park entrance fees and government taxes as per the itinerary
Driver's salary, allowances and park fees for driver and vehicle
Complimentary drinking water in the vehicle
Bed & breakfast in Arusha

Not included

International flights
Visas – Tanzania visa applied and paid online
Vaccinations and travel insurance
Meals not indicated, drinks and room upgrades
Tips and gratuities
Personal items (telephone, laundry, etc.)
Increases in park fees or other charges beyond our control
Early check-in or late check-out

Route map

Where this safari takes shape

The journey moves place by place in a calm sequence, ordered to reduce fatigue and protect the best sightings.

Open in Google Maps

1Arusha
2Tarangire National Park
3Lake Manyara National Park
4Ngorongoro Crater

Best windows: Year-round

Reviews

What travellers say

★★★★★ 5.0/5 · 8 verified reviews on SafariBookings

★★★★★

A very intelligent, very funny person who loves animals.

The 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 2026

★★★★★

An unforgettable Tanzania safari with an incredible guide

Our 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 2025

★★★★★

Amazing

The 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 2026

Personal planning

Want this safari shaped around your exact dates and style?

Tell us your timing, travel style and must-have moments. We will turn this itinerary into a bespoke proposal with the right rhythm, camps and route.

Share dates, travellers and the feeling you want the journey to hold.
We shape an itinerary with routing logic, lodge fit and a calmer sense of luxury.
You receive a clear proposal with prices per person, inclusions and lodge options.

WhatsApp+255 653 110 463

Emailinfo@bigfivetrails.com

Name *

Email *

Phone / WhatsApp

Country

Approximate dates

Desired duration

Number of travellers

Budget per person

Type of trip

Destinations of interest

Tell us what would make this safari unforgettable

We reply within 24 hours, usually much sooner.

Sending your request… Send it to us on WhatsApp, or copy it into an email to info@bigfivetrails.com.

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Included with every booking

The BigFiveTrails Promise

Six things you can count on, whichever safari you choose.

Free date changes

Move your dates free of charge up to 60 days before arrival.

No hidden costs

Park fees, taxes, private vehicle, guide and drinking water are in your price.

Met at the airport

Airport pickup and drop-off included on every safari.

Lodges we know

Every lodge and camp hand-picked by our team in Arusha.

24/7 on WhatsApp

Our Arusha team answers you every day of your trip, day or night.

Your own guide

Private vehicle and guide – no strangers, no fixed schedule.

Book with confidence

Clear terms, real people, no surprises.

Rated 5.0 out of 5 on SafariBookings by verified travellers. Planned and run from our base in Arusha.

How booking works

30% deposit to confirm your booking
Balance due 60 days before arrival
Written confirmation of every lodge and park permit
Licensed Tanzanian tour operator based in Arusha

Ways to pay

Bank transfer (USD)
Visa / Mastercard (card fee may apply)
Wise transfer

While you travel

Your own private vehicle and guide
WhatsApp support from our Arusha team every day of your trip
Park fees and taxes included and paid in advance

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