7-Day Best African's Big Five Safari
The Big Five safari in Tanzania gives you the chance to witness the Big Five animals inside Tanzania's most spectacular parks. This comprehensive 7-day adventure takes you through diverse landscapes and offers exceptional opportunities to see lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and rhinos in their natural habitat.
Park Highlights
- Tarangire National Park: Famous for massive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and tree-climbing pythons
- Lake Manyara National Park: Known for flamingoes, tree-climbing lions, and excellent bird watching
- Serengeti National Park: World Heritage Site with over 2 million herbivores, 4,000 lions, and 1,000 leopards
- Ngorongoro Crater: World's largest caldera with 30,000 animals and the best place to see black rhino
Safari Features
- Private Safari: Exclusive tour organized just for you
- Mid-range Accommodation: Comfortable lodges and tented camps
- Pop-up Roof Vehicle: Perfect for game viewing and photography
- Professional Guide: Experienced driver-guide throughout your journey
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City
Our driver-guide will meet and greet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you to your lodge for your overnight stay. If time permits, you can experience a town tour with your safari guide. You'll also have the option to relax at the lodge and prepare for your Big Five adventure.
Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge (Mid-range lodge)
Meals: Dinner included
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
After a tasty breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park for wildlife viewing. The park is famous for its large numbers of elephants, baobab trees, and tree-climbing African pythons. The Tarangire River is the only source of water for wild animals during the dry season, creating excellent wildlife concentrations.
Wildlife: Elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalos, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge (Luxury lodge)
Meals: All meals included
Day 3: Serengeti National Park
Depart early for spectacular afternoon game viewing in Serengeti National Park. This World Heritage Site occupies 15,000 sq km with over 2 million herbivores, 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, 550 cheetahs, and 500 bird species. Experience massive herds of migratory wildebeest and zebra.
Wildlife: Lions, elephants, cheetahs, buffalos, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, leopards
Accommodation: Kontiki Serengeti Camp (Mid-range tented camp inside Central Serengeti)
Meals: All meals included
Day 4: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti
After breakfast, proceed with morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park. With your guide's help, explore the Serengeti plains searching for Africa's Big Five animals. The park supports abundant resident wildlife including lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, crocodiles, and the rare oribi antelope.
Activities: Morning and afternoon game drives, Big Five tracking
Accommodation: Kontiki Serengeti Camp (Mid-range tented camp)
Meals: All meals included
Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and enjoy game viewing in the famous Ngorongoro Crater. This is the best place to see the black rhino. The crater is the world's largest caldera, formed 2-3 million years ago, with the crater floor at 1,800m above sea level and home to around 30,000 animals.
Wildlife: Black rhino, lions, buffalos, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, elephants, hippos, leopards
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge (Luxury lodge)
Meals: All meals included
Day 6: Lake Manyara National Park
Enjoy excellent views over Lake Manyara and see elephants up close in the woodlands. Visit the renowned Manyara hippo pool where many hippos stay from morning until evening. The park covers 330 sq km, with up to 200 sq km being the lake. Excellent for bird watching and spotting the legendary tree-climbing lions.
Wildlife: Tree-climbing lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, flamingoes
Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge (Mid-range lodge in Arusha)
Meals: All meals included
Day 7: Arusha to Airport
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport. Arrive in time for check-in and catch your flight back home or to your next destination with unforgettable memories of Tanzania's Big Five.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
Transfer: Airport transfer included
What's Included & Excluded
Price Includes
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- Professional driver/guide
- Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle for game drives
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Price Excludes
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional activities
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Big Five animals?
The Big Five are lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. These animals were originally named by big-game hunters as the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot in Africa. Today, they represent the most sought-after wildlife sightings on safari.
What are the chances of seeing all Big Five on this safari?
This safari visits the best parks for Big Five sightings. Ngorongoro Crater offers the highest chance of seeing black rhino, while Serengeti and Tarangire are excellent for lions, elephants, and buffalos. Leopards are more elusive but can be spotted with patience and luck.
Is this safari suitable for families?
Yes, this safari is suitable for families with children aged 3 years and above. The mid-range accommodations provide comfort, and the private vehicle ensures a personalized experience for your family.
What's the best time to visit for Big Five sightings?
June-October (dry season) offers the best game viewing as animals concentrate around water sources. December-March is also excellent, especially for seeing the calving season and predator action in the Serengeti.
What type of vehicle is used for game drives?
You'll travel in a pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle specifically designed for safari game drives. The pop-up roof provides excellent 360-degree viewing and photography opportunities while keeping you safe.
Big Five Safari Route Map
Interactive map showing the Big Five safari route through Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater.
Big Five Safari Route Map
Tarangire → Serengeti → Ngorongoro → Lake Manyara