5-Day Tanzania Family Safari — Fly-in Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire
- Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire National Park
- Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire National Park
Tour Overview
Five days, three of Tanzania’s finest parks, and no long drives — this fly-in safari is built for families who want to make the most of limited time. You’ll fly directly into the Serengeti, spend your days on game drives tracking lions, elephants, and giraffes, drop into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day of close-up wildlife viewing, and end with the elephant herds of Tarangire. Every hour is spent in the bush, not on the road — making this one of the best options for families travelling with younger children.
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- Starts & ends: Arusha (Kilimanjaro International Airport)
- Parks: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire
- Accommodation: Mid-range lodges & tented camps
- Meals: Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Vehicle/Transport: Scheduled or private charter flights + safari vehicle
- Best for: Families with children of all ages
Short on time but want more parks? Our 7-Day Tanzania Family Safari covers Lake Manyara too and gives the trip a more relaxed pace. Or wrap things up with a few days on the beach with our Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar package.
Best Time to Go
June to October — Peak season (best choice)
This is the dry season. Animals gather near water so they are very easy to find. The Great Wildebeest Migration river crossings happen in the Serengeti between July and October — one of the greatest wildlife events on Earth. Weather is dry and cool. Book early because Banagi Safari Lodge and Endoro Lodge fill up fast during these months.
January to March — Also very good
January to March is calving season in the Serengeti. Baby wildebeest are born and big cats are extremely active. Dry, warm weather. Fewer tourists than the peak season. A great option for families travelling during school holidays.
March to May — Low season
The rainy season. Some roads get muddy and wildlife can be harder to find. However, prices drop by 30 to 40%. A good option for travellers on a tighter budget who do not mind some rain. The Serengeti is still beautiful and green during this time.
Tour Map Overview
🗺 5-Day Tanzania Fly-In Safari
6 stops| Day | Destination | Accommodation | Country / Area | Nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit | Arusha Airport (ARK) | Not specified | Tanzania — Northern Circuit | — |
| Transit | Seronera Airstrip | Not specified | Tanzania — Central Serengeti | — |
| Day 3–5 | Serengeti NP | Banagi Safari Lodge | Tanzania | 3 |
| Day 6 | Ngorongoro Crater | Endoro Lodge | Tanzania | 1 |
| Transit | Tarangire NP | Not specified | Tanzania | — |
| Depart | Kilimanjaro Airport | Not specified | Tanzania | — |
Full Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your guide picks you up from your hotel in Arusha early in the morning and takes you to Arusha Airport. You board a scheduled light aircraft and fly over the Rift Valley, the Ngorongoro highlands, and the endless Serengeti plains. The flight itself is an experience — you can already see animals from the air. You land at one of the Serengeti airstrips and your guide is waiting for you on the other side. You head straight into the park for your first afternoon game drive. The Serengeti is enormous and your guide knows exactly where to go. Lions, cheetahs, and large herds of wildebeest are very common in the afternoon. You reach Banagi Safari Lodge in time for a sundowner drink and dinner under the open sky.
Activities: Transfer to Arusha Airport · Scenic flight over the Rift Valley · Land at Serengeti airstrip · Afternoon game drive · First lion and cheetah sightings · Sundowner at Banagi Safari Lodge
Today is a full day inside the Serengeti. You leave Banagi Safari Lodge early before sunrise — this is when the bush is most alive. Lions finish their night hunts, leopards move through the trees, and cheetahs begin looking for breakfast. The Seronera Valley near Banagi has permanent rivers and water sources which means wildlife is here all year round. Your guide brings packed lunches so you can stay out in the bush the whole day without coming back to camp. In the afternoon you follow your guide to the best areas for the Great Wildebeest Migration, depending on the time of year. You come back to Banagi in the evening tired, happy, and full of stories.
Activities: Sunrise game drive · Lions, leopards and cheetahs · Elephant and giraffe herds · Great Wildebeest Migration (seasonal) · Full-day bush picnic lunch · Evening at Banagi Safari Lodge
It’s your third morning in the Serengeti, and there is still so much to see. No two game drives are the same out here. Today your guide may take you to a different part of the park — following the migration herds, tracking a leopard, or finding a pride of lions resting under an acacia tree. If you have booked the optional hot air balloon, today is the morning for it. You float silently above the Serengeti as the sun comes up and watch the animals below you moving across the golden plains. It is completely quiet up there. After landing you get a champagne breakfast in the bush before heading back to camp. In the afternoon there is time to relax at the lodge, swim, and enjoy your last evening in the Serengeti.
Activities: Morning game drive in a new area · Tracking migration herds · Optional hot air balloon sunrise flight (extra cost, approx. $600 pp) · Optional champagne bush breakfast · Relaxed afternoon at Banagi Safari Lodge · Last evening in the Serengeti
After breakfast you leave the Serengeti and drive east towards Ngorongoro—about 3 hours. The drive is beautiful. You pass through open plains, Maasai villages, and rolling green highlands as you get closer to the crater. You arrive at the rim and descend straight into the Ngorongoro Crater for an afternoon game drive. The crater is a collapsed volcano about 20 kilometers wide with its own wildlife living inside all year round. Lions, elephants, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, and hyenas all share this space. You have a picnic lunch next to the hippo pool on the crater floor. Keep your eyes open for the rare black rhino — Ngorongoro is the best place in Tanzania to see one. In the evening you drive back up to the rim and check in to Endoro Lodge. The views from the rim at sunset are stunning.
Activities: Morning drive from Serengeti · Scenic drive through Ngorongoro highlands · Descend into the crater · Big Five game drive · Picnic lunch at the hippo pool · Black rhino sighting (possible) · Check in to Endoro Lodge · Sunset from the crater rim
Your last morning. After breakfast at Endoro Lodge, you drive down from the Ngorongoro rim into Tarangire National Park—about 2.5 hours. Tarangire is the best park in Tanzania for elephants. You will see large herds moving across the plains, sometimes right next to your vehicle. The park also has huge ancient baobab trees, lions resting in the shade, giraffes, zebras, and over 550 species of birds. You have a final picnic lunch in the park. In the afternoon your guide drives you to Kilimanjaro International Airport — about 1.5 hours from Tarangire — in time for your evening flight home.
Not ready to go home? Ask us about adding a Zanzibar beach extension. You can fly directly from Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar and spend 3 to 5 nights on the white-sand beaches. We take care of everything.
Activities: Breakfast at Endoro Lodge · Drive to Tarangire National Park · Large elephant herds · Lions, giraffes and zebras · Baobab tree landscapes · Final bush picnic lunch · Drive to Kilimanjaro Airport · Optional: Extend to Zanzibar beach holiday
Inclusions/Exclusions
What's Included in the Price
- Flight from Arusha to Serengeti National Park
- Park fees and government taxes
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Soft Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Airport Transfers All transfers to and from Arusha Airport are included.
- Emergency evacuation cover by AMREF Flying Doctors during the safari period
What's Not Included in the Price
- International flights (From/to your home country)
- Tips for your guide, cook and crew.
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Extra accommodation before and after tour
- Extra activities not mentioned on the itinerary
Optional Safari Add-Ons (Extra Charges Apply)
All add-ons are optional and available at extra cost. Just tell us what you’d like, and we’ll make it happen.
- Lodge or Tented Camp Upgrade - Stay in a higher-end lodge or luxury tented camp
- Special Occasion Setup - Surprise setup for birthdays, anniversaries, or honeymoons
- Maasai Village Visit - Visit a traditional Maasai village and learn about their culture
- Child-Friendly Safari Activities - Fun extras for kids games, guides, and family-friendly options
- Bush Breakfast or Bush Lunch - Enjoy a meal in the wild, surrounded by nature
- Extra Park Visit - Add another national park to your trip (e.g., Ruaha NP or Nyerere NP)
- Extra Night Before or After Safari - Stay in Arusha/Moshi before or after your safari
- Safari Video Package - Edited video of your safari experience to keep or share
- Travel Essentials Kit - Includes sunscreen, insect repellent, snacks, and a refillable water bottle
- Professional Photographer - A local photographer joins your trip to capture beautiful safari moments
Why Travel With Us
- 100% Tailor-Made Tours
- Private or group departures available
- In-Depth Expert Knowledge
- Reliable and Trusted Service
- Professional & Experienced Guides
- Best Price Guarantee
- 24/7 Customer Support
- No Hidden Booking Fees
- 100% Secure & Safe Travel
Tour Highlights
- This is a mid-luxury safari
- This tour can be customized
- This is a private tour
- This tour can start any day
- Activities - game drives
- Safari vehicle: 4x4 with open roof
- Luxury accommodation
Request a Quote
Contact Information
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Tanzania Travel Guide
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Are you looking for a private safari for your dates? Speak to our Tanzania safari specialist to start planning your tailor-made holiday safari for your dates!
Send your inquiry now and our safari experts will reach out within 24 hours! Let’s begin planning your Tanzania safari!
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Tanzania Safaris
FAQ: GET ANSWERS
The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the most spectacular wildlife events on Earth — a year-round circular journey of over 1.5 million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of zebras, and gazelles moving between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara in search of fresh grass and water. What makes it truly remarkable is the sheer scale, drama, and unpredictability — especially the legendary Mara River crossings where massive herds plunge into crocodile-infested waters. No two days are the same, making every sighting unique.
The most dramatic Mara River crossings happen between July and October, when herds move into the Northern Serengeti (Kogatende area) and attempt to cross into Kenya’s Masai Mara. August and September are widely considered the peak months for river crossings. However, the migration is a year-round event — the calving season (January–March) in Southern Serengeti is equally spectacular, with thousands of baby wildebeest born each day, attracting lions and cheetahs.
This safari covers three of Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife destinations: Tarangire National Park (famous for giant baobab trees and large elephant herds), Ngorongoro Crater (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Big Five, including rare black rhinos), and both Central Serengeti (Seronera area — prime big cat territory) and Northern Serengeti (Kogatende area — the heart of the Mara River crossing action). You get the full Tanzania safari experience in one trip.
Yes — 7 days is the ideal duration for a complete migration safari experience. This itinerary dedicates two full days in Northern Serengeti near the Mara River, which maximizes your chances of witnessing a crossing. You also spend quality time in Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire — making this a well-rounded Tanzania wildlife safari rather than just a migration-focused trip. Most experienced travellers agree that 7 days offers the perfect balance.
No safari company can guarantee a river crossing — this is wildlife in its natural, wild state and crossings happen entirely on the animals’ own terms. However, this itinerary is specifically designed to maximize your chances: you spend two full days at the Mara River in Northern Serengeti, guided by experienced driver-guides who know the crossing points and monitor herd movements daily. Many guests do witness crossings; patience and a good guide make all the difference.
This itinerary delivers exceptional wildlife variety. In Tarangire, expect massive elephant herds, lions, giraffes, zebras, and over 500 bird species. In Ngorongoro Crater, you have excellent chances of seeing all Big Five — lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and the rare black rhino. In the Serengeti, big cat sightings (lions, cheetahs, leopards) are a highlight, alongside hippos and crocodiles at the Mara River, hyenas, and vast herds of plains game. Wildlife viewing is excellent year-round.
This is a mid-luxury safari with carefully selected lodges and tented camps. You’ll stay at Fun Retreat Hotel in Arusha (Day 1), Farm of Dreams Lodge in Karatu (Day 2), and Moyo Camp in both Central and Northern Serengeti (Days 3–6). Moyo Camp is a comfortable tented camp located inside Serengeti National Park — meaning wildlife can walk past your tent at night. All accommodations include meals as specified in the itinerary and are chosen for their proximity to prime wildlife areas.
FAQ: GET ANSWERS
The price includes all park fees and government taxes, all game drives and activities listed in the itinerary, all accommodation, a professional private driver-guide, all ground transportation in a private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, meals as specified per day, soft drinks, and round-trip airport transfers. Not included: international flights, guide gratuities, personal items (visa fees, travel insurance, souvenirs), government-imposed tax increases, and optional add-ons such as a hot air balloon ride or lodge upgrades.
You will travel in a private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof — the gold standard for wildlife viewing in East Africa. The pop-up roof allows you to stand and photograph wildlife at eye level with a full 360-degree view, essential for game drives and photography. This is a private tour exclusively for your party. You will never share your vehicle with strangers from other bookings, which means more flexibility on timing, stops, and game drive routes.
Absolutely — a hot air balloon safari is one of the most popular optional add-ons for this trip. Floating above the Serengeti plains at sunrise while watching the migration herds below is a true bucket-list experience. Balloon rides can be arranged over the Serengeti or Tarangire National Park at an additional cost. Simply mention it when requesting your quote and the team will incorporate it into your personalized programme.
Day 7 involves a long overland return from Northern Serengeti to Arusha — approximately 300 km and 7–8 hours of driving after a final morning game drive. For travelers who prefer to minimize road time or have an early international connection, a domestic flight from Kogatende Airstrip to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) can be arranged at an additional cost. This is worth considering, especially if you plan to continue to Zanzibar or have a tight departure schedule.
Yes — this itinerary is an excellent choice for first-timers. The day-by-day structure is well-paced, the accommodations are comfortable, and your professional driver-guide handles all wildlife tracking, park logistics, and meal arrangements. The combination of Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti means you experience Tanzania’s greatest highlights in a single trip. A detailed safari briefing on Day 1 in Arusha ensures you arrive fully prepared and know exactly what to expect.
Yes — the itinerary is 100% tailor-made and can be adjusted to suit your preferences and budget. Popular customizations include adding a Zanzibar beach extension after the safari (a very popular combination), upgrading to luxury lodges or fly-in safari options, including a Maasai village cultural visit, or extending to additional parks such as Ruaha or Nyerere (Selous). The safari can also start on any date that suits your schedule — there are no fixed departure dates.
Pack light, neutral-colored clothing (khaki, olive, beige — avoid bright colors that can startle wildlife). Essentials include a wide-brimmed hat, SPF 50+ sunscreen, insect repellent with DEET, a camera with a zoom lens or binoculars, comfortable closed-toe shoes or safari boots, and a light fleece or jacket for cold early morning game drives. A power bank is useful since charging opportunities vary by camp. Don’t forget your visa documents, travel insurance, and any personal medications prescribed before travel.
Booking is straightforward. Fill out the quote request form on the tour page, or reach the team directly via WhatsApp at +255 766 633 052 or by email at info@exceptionaltravelexpert.com. A Tanzania safari specialist will respond within 24 hours with a personalized proposal based on your travel dates, group size, and preferences. Once confirmed, they will guide you through the full booking process, visa requirements, pre-departure preparation, and any customizations. The team provides 24/7 customer support from inquiry through to your return home.
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