5‑Day Budget Tanzania Safari: Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro
A 5‑day affordable camping safari through Tanzania’s iconic parks: Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Perfect for wildlife lovers on a budget. You will join a group of like-minded adventurous safari lovers with a passion for nature, campfires and contact with nature.
Day‑by‑Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Arusha → Tarangire
Pick up from Arusha in the morning. Drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its massive elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Enjoy a game drive in the afternoon. Overnight in a public campsite or budget lodge.
Day 2 – Tarangire → Lake Manyara → Serengeti
After breakfast, head to Lake Manyara for a morning game drive or birdwatching (if included). Then drive onward to Serengeti, with an afternoon game drive in the plains. Camp overnight in Serengeti.
Day 3 – Full Day in Serengeti
Spend a full day exploring the vast grasslands of Serengeti. Morning and afternoon game drives aim to maximize wildlife sightings — from predators to large herds. Picnic lunch in the park.
Day 4 – Serengeti → Ngorongoro Rim
Depart after breakfast for Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy a game drive on route and then reach the Ngorongoro Crater rim for breathtaking views. Stay at a budget campsite or simple lodge near the crater.
Day 5 – Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater early for a morning game drive — this is a wildlife-rich caldera, with chances to see rhinos, lions, hippos, and flamingos. After a picnic lunch, drive back to Arusha and conclude the safari.
Key Facts
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- Style: Group safari, shared 4×4 vehicle, budget campsites or basic lodges
- Parks Visited: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater (some itineraries may include Lake Manyara)
- Wildlife Highlights: Big Five possibilities, large elephant herds, savanna plains, crater wildlife
- Starting/Ending Point: Arusha (or nearby)
- Typical Cost Estimate: ~US$ 1,950 per person (based on Top Serengeti Safari)
What’s Included
- Transport in a shared 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide
- Guided game drives (morning, afternoon, or full-day depending on itinerary)
- Accommodation in budget lodges, campsites, or permanent tented camps
- Park and conservation fees / national park entry permits
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional driver/guide
- Fuel for the vehicle during game drives
- Meals during safari days, incl. fresh picnic lunches
- Bottled or drinking water during game drives
- Binoculars
- Airport pick-up / drop-off
- Government taxes and levies
What’s Not Included
- International flights
- Visa fees for entry into the safari country
- Travel insurance / medical evacuation (unless explicitly stated)
- Tips for guides, drivers, camp staff, and porters
- Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and premium beverages (unless “all-inclusive” package)
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary (e.g. hot air balloon rides, walking safaris, night drives)
- Laundry, phone calls, and personal expenditures
- Vaccinations or malaria prophylaxis / medication
- Emergency medical evacuation / AMREF coverage
- Domestic flights (unless stated in the package)