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5 days · Tanzania · Mid-range

5 Days Tanzania Migration Safari

A five-day mid-range safari that follows the migration's path through northern Tanzania: Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lions and flamingos, a day in the Ndutu calving grounds, the Serengeti's endless plains and a game drive on the Ngorongoro Crater floor.

  • 5 days
  • Tanzania
  • Mid-range
  • Starts Arusha
  • Ends Arusha
Wildebeest golden light

Safari snapshot

At a glance

The essentials for comparing this journey before you enquire.

Duration
5 days
Country
Tanzania
Destinations
Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro Crater
Safari style
Mid-range
Price
Price subject upon request
Starts
Arusha
Ends
Arusha

Best for

  • Migration seekers
  • Photographers
  • Couples

The route

A round trip from Arusha

  1. Stop 1Arusha
  2. Stop 2Lake Manyara
  3. Stop 3Ndutu
  4. Stop 4Serengeti
  5. Stop 5Ngorongoro Crater
  6. Stop 6Arusha

Safari highlights

What shapes the journey

  • Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lions and flamingos
  • Ndutu, the migration's calving grounds between December and April
  • A full day of Serengeti game drives among the kopjes
  • Ngorongoro Crater game drive

Day by day

Five days, day by day.

The plan is a guide: timings may change with road and park conditions and your group's interests. Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Zebra seen during an East African safari

Day 1

Arusha → Lake Manyara National Park

Tree-climbing lions and flamingos

After breakfast, transfer from Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park. This small park holds a profusion of wildlife and rewarding birdlife for keen and first-time birdwatchers alike, and it is one of the few places in Africa where lions are known to climb trees — the main quest of the day. Large flocks of pink flamingos gather near the lake. Lunch is at a picnic site, and the night is spent in the Karatu area.

Overnight
Karatu · lodge
Main activities
Game drive · Picnic lunch
Lion cub tree seen during an East African safari

Day 2

Karatu → Ndutu

Into the migration's calving grounds

After breakfast, set out for the Ndutu region, about three hours' drive from Karatu. Soon you enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where hilly forest gives way to open grassland. At Ndutu, begin a game drive with a picnic lunch. These grasslands fade into the Serengeti and lie on the route of the annual wildebeest migration; between December and April they become calving grounds, drawing predators. Lakes Ndutu and Masek hold water in the dry season, and six cat species live here: leopard, lion, cheetah, caracal, serval and wildcat.

Overnight
Ndutu · lodge
Main activities
Game drive · Picnic lunch

Day 3

Ndutu → Serengeti National Park

The endless plains

After breakfast, head into Serengeti National Park across grassland that stretches to the horizon; the name is often translated as "endless plains". The park covers some 14,763 square kilometres and supports the greatest remaining concentration of plains game in Africa, including elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino. Look out for the kopjes, granite outcrops rising from the grass that shelter a variety of wildlife. The game drive continues through the day, with a picnic lunch on the plains.

Overnight
Serengeti · lodge
Main activities
Full-day game drive · Picnic lunch
Rhino grassland seen during an East African safari

Day 4

Serengeti → Ngorongoro

A last Serengeti morning

After breakfast, spend the morning on a game drive in Serengeti National Park, with a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, continue with a game drive en route to the Ngorongoro Crater, leaving the open plains for the forested highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive for dinner and the night near the crater, ready for an early start and the descent to the crater floor in the morning.

Overnight
Ngorongoro · lodge
Main activities
Morning game drive · Game drive en route
Crater longonot aerial

Day 5

Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha

The crater floor

After an early breakfast, descend into the crater. Enjoy a game drive on the Ngorongoro Crater floor for up to six hours, subject to current conservation-area regulations and operating conditions, with a picnic lunch and a close view of the residents of this World Heritage Site. The crater offers good game viewing all year round: grazing and water are plentiful through every season, so its wildlife is a largely permanent population. In the afternoon, drive back to Arusha, where the safari ends.

Main activities
Crater game drive · Picnic lunch

Recommended accommodation

Where you stay.

Named properties are the ones used for this package. Nights listed by category are confirmed with your quotation, subject to availability.

Accommodation category

Overnight at the lodge

Mid-range · Karatu · 1 night

Accommodation category

Overnight at the lodge

Mid-range · Ndutu · 1 night

Accommodation category

Overnight at the lodge

Mid-range · Serengeti · 1 night

Accommodation category

Overnight at the lodge

Mid-range · Ngorongoro · 1 night

What’s included

Clear from the start.

  • Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
  • Professional, English-speaking guide
  • Game drives
  • Meals according to the itinerary
  • All accommodation as per itinerary
  • Mineral water
  • All activities in the itinerary
  • All national park fees

What’s not included

No hidden assumptions.

  • Additional flights
  • Optional activities
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Visa fees
  • Tips
  • Personal spending money
  • Travel insurance

Your written quotation confirms the exact inclusions for your dates.

Flexible pricing

A clear quote for your journey.

The final price depends on when and how you travel: season, group size, accommodation level and private or shared transport.

Pricing

Price subject upon request

We quote this journey individually because travel dates, group size and accommodation availability change it significantly.

What affects the final price?

  • Travel dates and season
  • Group size
  • Accommodation availability
  • Private or shared vehicle

Made around you

Make this safari yours.

Where operationally possible, a local planner can help adapt the journey without losing the route’s natural rhythm.

  • Travel dates and pace
  • Adding or removing nights where the route allows
  • Accommodation choices, subject to availability
  • Combining with another destination
Customise This Safari

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Before you travel

Safari questions, answered clearly.

How much does the 5 Days Tanzania Migration Safari cost?

The 5 Days Tanzania Migration Safari is quoted individually (price subject upon request), because travel dates, group size and accommodation availability change the cost. Share your dates and a planner will send an exact quotation.

Where does this safari start and finish?

It starts and finishes in Arusha. Your planner can advise on arrival and departure arrangements.

Where will I stay?

Nights are listed as “overnight at the lodge”: the specific property is confirmed with your quotation, subject to availability.

Keep exploring

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Start planning with a local expert

Your safari starts with a conversation.

Tell us your dates, travel style and what matters most. A Nairobi-based planner can shape the details with you.

PricingPrice subject upon request
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