5-Day Tanzania Safari with Big Three Tours and Safaris

Explore Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater

Experience the best of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit with Big Three Tours and Safaris. This 5-day adventure takes you to three world-renowned destinations—Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater. From tree-climbing lions and massive herds of wildebeest to stunning landscapes and vibrant birdlife, this tour offers the ultimate African wildlife experience.

Day 1: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park – Overnight in Mto wa Mbu

Morning Pickup:
Your journey begins with a morning pickup from your Arusha hotel. Enjoy a scenic drive to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its dramatic escarpments and rich ecosystems.

Lake Manyara Game Drive:
Explore Lake Manyara’s lush groundwater forests, open plains, and the shores of the alkaline lake—famous for seasonal flocks of flamingos and over 400 species of birds. Spot elephants, baboons, giraffes, and possibly the tree-climbing lions.

Learn more about Lake Manyara National Park from Tanzania Tourism

Lunch & Afternoon Drive:
Enjoy a picnic lunch in a designated spot, followed by more wildlife viewing in the park’s diverse landscapes.

Drive to Mto wa Mbu:
Transfer to a nearby lodge or campsite in Mto wa Mbu, a culturally rich town nestled near the Great Rift Valley escarpment.

Overnight: Comfortable lodge or campsite in Mto wa Mbu
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Mto wa Mbu to Serengeti National Park

Morning Departure:
After breakfast, continue your safari through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, taking in breathtaking views of the highlands and traditional Maasai villages.

Arrival in Serengeti:
Enter the legendary Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s top wildlife destinations and home to the Great Wildebeest Migration—a spectacular event where over a million animals move across the plains.

Game Drive:
Explore Serengeti’s vast plains and acacia-studded savannas. Look out for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and more.

Discover more about the Great Migration with Discover Africa

Overnight: Tented safari camp in Central Serengeti
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Full Day in Serengeti National Park

Morning & Afternoon Game Drives:
Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti. Begin with an early morning game drive—ideal for spotting predators on the hunt. Continue throughout the day with guided game drives across different regions of the park.

Optional Activities:
Enhance your safari with a hot air balloon ride at sunrise (optional) or a bush breakfast in the wild.

Overnight: Tented camp or lodge in Serengeti
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater – Overnight in Karatu

Morning Game Drive & Transfer:
Enjoy a final Serengeti game drive before journeying to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Crater Rim Arrival:
Arrive at your lodge near the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Relax and take in the incredible views of one of the most wildlife-dense places on earth.

Overnight: Lodge or campsite near Ngorongoro Crater (Karatu)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Return to Arusha

Crater Descent & Game Drive:
Early morning descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This volcanic caldera hosts Africa’s Big Five—lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo—alongside hippos, wildebeests, and flamingos.

Picnic Lunch & Drive to Arusha:
After a picnic lunch inside the crater, begin your return drive to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch