Five days and four nights | Starts and ends in Arusha | Private guided safari

Spend two nights in Central Serengeti, explore Tarangire’s baobab-studded landscapes, and finish with a game drive on the floor of Ngorongoro Crater. This five-day itinerary is designed for travelers who want enough time in the Serengeti to explore several areas and return to promising wildlife spots. You’ll have a full day around Seronera, plus wildlife viewing on your arrival afternoon and departure morning.

Kilipath African Safaris can tailor the trip to your group, with options for basic camping, tented camps, or lodges. An optional sunrise balloon safari can be added on your full day in Central Serengeti.

Safari itinerary at a glance

Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Meet your safari guide in Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park. The park’s baobabs and river valleys give the first day a distinctive setting. Look for elephants along the Tarangire River and watch for giraffes, zebras, and antelope in the surrounding grasslands. Your guide will choose the route according to wildlife activity and the conditions on the day.

After the game drive, continue to your accommodation in the Karatu area for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2 — Karatu to Central Serengeti

After breakfast, drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area toward the Serengeti. This is a longer travel day, and the scenery changes from highlands to open plains as you approach the park. Once in the Serengeti, continue toward the Seronera area and pause for wildlife sightings along the way. Keep an eye out for lions resting on rocky outcrops, giraffes browsing near acacia trees, and herds grazing on the plains.

Arrive at your camp or lodge in Central Serengeti for the first of two nights.

Day 3 — Full day of game drives in Central Serengeti

Start early to make the most of the cooler morning hours. With a full day in the park, your guide can explore different parts of the Seronera area, from open grassland to river corridors. Look for lions on the plains, leopards near riverine trees, and cheetahs in open country. If you find an active sighting, the private vehicle gives your group time to stay and watch.

You can also add a sunrise hot-air balloon safari. The experience includes an early pickup, a flight over the Serengeti, and breakfast after landing. Rejoin your guide afterward and continue with your game drive. The balloon safari is quoted separately and depends on availability and weather.

Return to your camp or lodge for your second night in Central Serengeti.

Day 4 — Morning Serengeti game drive and transfer toward Ngorongoro

Head out for a final morning game drive. Your guide can revisit an area that was productive the previous day or explore a different section of the park along the exit route. This is another opportunity to photograph the landscape in the morning light and watch for wildlife before beginning the drive toward Ngorongoro.

Spend the night in Karatu or near Ngorongoro, depending on your accommodation choice. This overnight stop positions you for the crater visit the following morning.

Day 5 — Ngorongoro Crater game drive and return to Arusha

Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a guided game drive across the crater floor. The route takes you through grassland and around wetlands where you may see buffalo, zebras, hippos, and lions. There’s also a chance of seeing a black rhino. Sightings depend on wildlife movements and conditions on the day.

After the crater visit, drive back to Arusha. If you plan to fly out the same day, share your departure airport and flight time before booking so we can check how the transfer fits your itinerary.

Choosing the right safari for your dates

For big cats and a first Serengeti visit, the two-night Central Serengeti route gives you a full day in Seronera and two additional opportunities for game viewing on your arrival and departure days.

For the Great Migration, ask for a route matched to your travel month. Northern Serengeti is commonly considered from July to September, while Ndutu is an option for a private calving-season safari, typically peaking in January and February. Herd movements vary with rainfall, so the best area can change and river crossings are never guaranteed.

For a lower per-person cost, ask about a shared safari. Shared departures run on a set itinerary and typically spend one night in Central Serengeti. If two nights in the park are important to you, the five-day private route is the option featured on this page.

Accommodation and pricing

Choose basic camping for a simpler stay, a tented camp for a canvas room with more comforts, or a lodge if you prefer a permanent room. You can also mix accommodation styles, such as a lodge in Karatu and a tented camp in Central Serengeti. Your quote will confirm the property names and room or tent arrangements for each night.

The price depends on your travel dates, group size, and accommodation choices. Your written quote will list the safari vehicle and guide, park and crater fees, accommodation, meals, and transfers included in your package. You can also request prices for airport transfers, domestic flights, or the balloon safari.

Request your Serengeti safari quote from Kilipath African Safaris. Send us your travel dates, number of travelers, preferred accommodation, and any arrival or departure flights. We’ll check availability and prepare a day-by-day itinerary with the total price.