Tanzania Big Five Discovery Safari
Experience the very best of Tanzania's famous Northern Safari Circuit on this 6-Day Tanzania Big Five Discovery Safari, an unforgettable journey through four of Africa's most celebrated wildlife destinations. Traveling in a comfortable pop-up roof 4x4 safari vehicle, this mid-range safari combines exceptional wildlife viewing, spectacular landscapes, and authentic safari experiences while staying in carefully selected lodges and tented camps.
Your adventure begins in Tarangire National Park, renowned for its giant baobab trees and one of East Africa's largest elephant populations. Continue to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions, groundwater forests, flamingos, and abundant birdlife.
Spend two incredible days exploring the endless plains of Serengeti National Park, home to the Great Wildebeest Migration, the Big Five, and Africa's highest concentration of predators. Finally, descend into the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact volcanic caldera and one of the finest places on Earth to spot the endangered black rhino alongside an astonishing diversity of wildlife.
This safari is perfect for travelers seeking Tanzania's most iconic wildlife experiences in one seamless itinerary that combines adventure, comfort, and unforgettable encounters with nature.
Who This Safari Is Ideal For
This safari is perfect for:
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First-time visitors to Tanzania
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Wildlife enthusiasts
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Couples and honeymooners
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Families with older children
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Photographers
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Small private groups
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Nature lovers
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Adventure travelers
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Birdwatchers
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Mid-range safari seekers
Why Is This Safari Best
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Visit Tanzania's four most iconic national parks
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Excellent opportunities to see the Big Five
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Two nights in the world-famous Serengeti
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Explore the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater
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Comfortable mid-range accommodation
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Travel in a private pop-up roof 4x4 safari vehicle
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Professional English-speaking safari guide
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Diverse wildlife habitats and breathtaking scenery
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Exceptional photography opportunities
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Great value Northern Circuit safari
Tour Highlights
Private safari in a pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle
Explore Tarangire's famous elephant herds
Discover Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lions
Visit one of Africa's greatest birdwatching destinations
Spend two days in the iconic Serengeti National Park
Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration (seasonal)
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater
Spot endangered black rhinos
Stunning landscapes across Tanzania's Northern Circuit
Luxury-inspired mid-range lodges and tented camps
Tour Map
Tour Features
Mid-range tour
This mid-range tour uses lodges and tented camps.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
Suitable for all ages
This tour is suitable for children of all ages.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Interested in this Tour?
Day 1
Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Your Tanzania safari begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport.
After meeting your professional safari guide, travel southwest towards Tarangire National Park, a landscape famous for its towering baobab trees, seasonal river, and impressive elephant population.
As you enter the park, you'll immediately begin your first exciting game drive while observing zebras, giraffes, impalas, wildebeests, and countless bird species.
Following a picnic lunch inside the park, continue exploring Tarangire's diverse habitats where predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs are often seen alongside large buffalo herds and elephants. In the late afternoon, transfer to your comfortable mid-range safari lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals:Â Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Private pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle (Approx. 140 km | 2.5–3 hours)
Day 2
Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, depart Tarangire and drive towards the lush groundwater forests of Lake Manyara National Park.
Although one of Tanzania's smaller parks, Lake Manyara is incredibly diverse, offering dense forests, open plains, hot springs, and the alkaline lake that attracts thousands of flamingos during certain seasons.
Spend the day exploring the park while searching for elephants, hippos, giraffes, baboons, blue monkeys, buffaloes, and the park's famous tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing your afternoon game drive, then proceed to your lodge near Karatu for dinner and overnight.
Meals:Â Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Private pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle (Approx. 120 km | 2–3 hours)
Day 3
Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park
Following breakfast, depart for the legendary Serengeti National Park, passing through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area along one of East Africa's most beautiful safari routes.
Enjoy breathtaking views of rolling highlands before descending onto the vast Serengeti plains that stretch endlessly toward the horizon.
Arrive in the Serengeti in time for lunch before enjoying an afternoon game drive.
Explore the famous savannah while searching for lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, and countless antelope species. As sunset paints the plains golden, head to your tented camp for dinner and overnight.
Meals:Â Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Private pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle (Approx. 230 km | 5–6 hours)
Day 4
Full-Day Serengeti National Park
Today is dedicated entirely to exploring one of Africa's greatest wildlife destinations. Depart after an early breakfast for a full-day game drive with picnic lunch, allowing maximum time to explore different regions of the Serengeti.
Your experienced guide will track predators while searching for prides of lions, elusive leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, and the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration depending on the season.
Continue exploring rivers, kopjes, and endless grasslands that support one of the highest wildlife densities anywhere in Africa. After a rewarding day of wildlife viewing, return to your camp to relax before dinner under the African stars.
Meals:Â Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Private pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle (Approx. 120–180 km of game viewing)
Day 5
Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Enjoy one final morning game drive in the Serengeti before departing towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Along the journey, continue spotting wildlife while gradually climbing into the cool highlands overlooking the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater.
Arrive at your lodge perched on the crater rim or nearby Karatu in the afternoon. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing while enjoying panoramic views and preparing for the unforgettable crater safari awaiting you the following morning.
Meals:Â Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Private pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle (Approx. 160 km | 4–5 hours)
Day 6
Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha
After an early breakfast, descend approximately 600 meters into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater for one of Africa's finest wildlife experiences. Explore the crater floor where lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, hyenas, wildebeests, flamingos, and the endangered black rhino coexist within this remarkable natural amphitheater. Enjoy a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool while surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
Following your crater safari, begin your return journey to Arusha through the scenic highlands and Great Rift Valley landscapes. Arrive in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport, bringing your unforgettable Tanzania safari adventure to a close.
Meals:Â Breakfast & Lunch
Transport: Private pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle (Approx. 190 km | 4–5 hours)
Interested in this Tour?
Included
Excluded
Interested in this Tour?