An Immersive Journey Through Tanzania's Wildlife Heartland
Spend five unforgettable days exploring some of northern Tanzania's most remarkable wildlife areas with Novella Tanzania Safaris and Trekking. This private safari takes you from the elephant-rich landscapes of Tarangire National Park into the endless plains of the Serengeti, before finishing with an exciting game drive inside the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater.
With more time on safari, you can enjoy longer game drives, explore different wildlife areas, and experience Tanzania at a more comfortable pace. The itinerary also includes an opportunity to learn about the traditions and way of life of the Maasai people, adding a cultural dimension to your wildlife adventure.
Whether your dream is to photograph big cats, watch large herds crossing the plains, experience the Great Migration season, or simply enjoy Tanzania's incredible landscapes, this five-day safari offers plenty of opportunities for unforgettable moments.
Safari at a Glance
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Destinations: Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater
Safari Type: Private Guided Safari
Starting Point: Moshi or Arusha
Ending Point: Moshi, Arusha, or another agreed location
Accommodation: Camping, mid-range lodge, or luxury lodge
Transport: 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner as indicated
Why Choose a 5-Day Safari With Novella?
Five days gives you the freedom to experience Tanzania's northern safari circuit without having to rush from one destination to another.
Instead of spending most of your safari traveling between parks, this itinerary gives you valuable time inside the Serengeti, allowing you to enjoy multiple game drives and explore different areas of the park.
At Novella Tanzania Safaris and Trekking, we believe that a great safari is about more than ticking animals off a list. It is about enjoying the landscapes, understanding the ecosystem, learning from your guide, meeting local people, and creating memories that stay with you long after you leave Tanzania.
Safari Highlights
What Makes This Safari Special?
More Time in the Serengeti - The extra time allows you to explore the Serengeti more extensively rather than simply passing through. Different game-drive routes can be selected according to wildlife activity, season, and your interests.
Wildlife Throughout the Journey - Each destination offers a different wildlife experience. Tarangire is particularly known for elephants and baobabs, while Serengeti provides vast open plains and excellent opportunities for predator and herbivore sightings.
Experience Seasonal Wildlife Events - Depending on your travel dates and the location of the herds, the itinerary can offer opportunities to experience parts of the Great Wildebeest Migration or calving season. Wildlife movements are seasonal and cannot be guaranteed, but our guides can adjust the route according to current conditions.
A Cultural Experience - The safari includes an opportunity to visit a Maasai community and learn about aspects of Maasai culture, traditions, and daily life.
Finish With Ngorongoro - The safari concludes with a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, where dramatic scenery and abundant wildlife create a memorable final day.
| Group Size | Price Per Person (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $2,200 |
| 4 Persons | $1,600 |
| 9 Persons | $1,400 |
| 10 Persons | $1,250 |
Main Destination: Tarangire National Park
Travel Time: Approximately 3-4 hours
Game Drive: Approximately 7-8 hours
Your five-day adventure starts with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. We travel toward Tarangire National Park, enjoying views of Tanzania's countryside as we make our way to the park.
Tarangire is known for its large elephant population, impressive baobab trees, seasonal wetlands, and diverse wildlife. Once inside the park, your game drive begins.
Keep your eyes open for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, and numerous bird species. Depending on the season and wildlife activity, you may also encounter other predators and smaller animals.
After a rewarding day of wildlife viewing, leave the park and continue to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Travel Time: Approximately 4-6 hours depending on the route and starting point
Game Drive: Afternoon/arrival game drive
After breakfast, continue toward the legendary Serengeti. The journey takes you through the Ngorongoro highlands before descending toward the vast plains of the Serengeti. Along the way, the landscape gradually changes from highland scenery to open grasslands.
Once inside Serengeti National Park, you will begin exploring the park with your Novella guide.
The central Serengeti, particularly the Seronera area, is an important wildlife region because of its water sources and diverse habitats. Depending on the time of arrival and current wildlife activity, you may see lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, and other animals.
Continue to your selected campsite or lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Game Drive: Full day
Today is dedicated entirely to the Serengeti. After an early breakfast, head out for a full-day game drive with your experienced guide. Having a full day in the park gives you more flexibility to explore different areas and spend time observing wildlife rather than rushing between destinations.
The Serengeti supports an extraordinary range of wildlife. You may encounter large herds of wildebeest and zebras, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, and a variety of antelope species.
The park is also renowned for its big cats. With favorable conditions, you may have opportunities to see lions, cheetahs, or leopards.
If your travel dates coincide with the seasonal movement of the wildebeest, your guide will consider current herd locations when planning the day's route. During the calving period, the plains can also provide opportunities to witness young wildebeest and increased predator activity.
After your game drive, return to your accommodation for dinner and a well-earned rest.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Game Drive: Approximately 7-8 hours
Begin the morning with another game drive in the Serengeti. The early hours are often a rewarding time for wildlife viewing, and your guide will choose the route according to recent wildlife activity and your interests.
After exploring the park and enjoying lunch, begin your journey toward the Ngorongoro area.
Along the way, there will be an opportunity to visit a Maasai community, where you can learn about local traditions, cultural practices, homes, livelihoods, and aspects of everyday life. The visit provides a chance to interact respectfully with members of the community and gain a broader understanding of the people who have lived alongside Tanzania's wildlife landscapes for generations.
Continue to your accommodation in the Ngorongoro area for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
Time in the Crater: Approximately 6-8 hours
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before heading to the Ngorongoro Crater. Today you descend into the crater for your final major game drive of the safari.
The crater is surrounded by dramatic volcanic walls and contains a variety of habitats that support a remarkable concentration of wildlife. As you explore the crater floor, you may encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, hyenas, hippos, and flamingos.
The Ngorongoro Crater is also one of the places where you may have the opportunity to spot the endangered black rhinoceros.
Enjoy your game drive and a picnic lunch before beginning the journey out of the crater. After leaving the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, continue toward Moshi, Arusha, or the airport, depending on your onward travel arrangements.
End of Safari
Novella Safaris has been running Tanzanian journeys. Our licensed guides, modern 4×4 Land Cruisers, and 24/7 in-country support make us the trusted choice for over 4,800 travellers to date. Group size is capped so every guest gets personal attention.
All in-destination transport is included: airport pickup, park drives in custom 4×4 vehicles, inter-park transfers. International and domestic flights are not included.
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the local currency. USD is widely accepted at parks, lodges and shops. ATMs are available in Arusha, Moshi, Zanzibar and major hubs. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AMEX and bank wire.
Clothing: Layered, muted colours; light hiking pants, breathable shirts, warm fleece and waterproof shell.
Footwear: Broken-in walking shoes, sandals, warm socks.
Essentials: Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle, insect repellent, small day pack, binoculars, camera with spare batteries, headlamp.
Documents: Passport (6+ months validity), visa, travel insurance, printed itinerary copies.
First-aid: Personal medication, ibuprofen, malaria prophylaxis, plasters, oral rehydration salts.
Departure: Novella Safaris office, Moshi, Tanzania.
Pickup available from: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Arusha Airport (ARK), Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR).
Tipping is customary and appreciated. Guideline: USD 15 per day for driver-guides, USD 10 per day for cooks, USD 5 per day for camp staff. Tips are paid at the end of the trip.
Send us an enquiry — a Tanzania-based trip designer will reply within 24 hours with a tailored proposal, no obligation.
Deposit: 20% at reservation to confirm your booking.
Balance: Due 60 days before departure.
Accepted methods: Visa · Mastercard · AMEX · bank wire.
Documents required: Signed booking form, passport with 6+ months validity, valid visa, travel insurance.
30+ days before departure: 20% of the total trip cost retained.
14–29 days before departure: 50% retained.
Less than 14 days: 100% retained.
If you find a replacement 14+ days before departure, no cancellation fee applies.