8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS
The African Big Five Safari

Tour Overview

This 8-day Big Five photographic safari focuses on key wildlife areas in northern Tanzania. You will spend long hours in the field seeking elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhinoceros. It all begins in Arusha with time to adjust after your flight. Next is Tarangire. Woodland, river corridors and reliable elephant numbers support steady photography of wildlife behaviour and movement. 

After Tarangire, we continue to the Ngorongoro Crater. The enclosed setting holds a high density of animals and creates direct observation opportunities. Interaction between species often unfolds within clear view, and sightings of black rhinoceros remain possible here. We then wrap up in Serengeti. Endless plains known for active predators and varied scenes for action work. A flight returns you to Arusha at the end for onward arrangements.

Add Your Tooltip Text Here

Duration: 9 Days

Price: From $1266 per person

When to go: All Year Round

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1:

Arrival - Kilimanjaro International Airport

Arrival in Arusha introduces an immediate shift to safari focus. After clearing necessary custom formalities at Kilimanjaro Int’l Airport, a private transfer proceeds toward Mount Meru Hotel, positioned with space to reorganize and rest. Take the time to prepare your gear and ensure batteries and cards remain accessible for early fieldwork in Tarangire tomorrow. Light strolls inside the property offer views of mature vegetation and mountain outlines on clear afternoons. Brief guidance from the accompanying photographic leader covers expectations for early departures, preferred lens ranges for moving subjects and practical conduct around wildlife. Evening hours allow quiet adjustment before your safari begins.

Light strolls inside the property offer views of mature vegetation and mountain outlines on clear afternoons. Brief guidance from the accompanying photographic leader covers expectations for early departures, preferred lens ranges for moving subjects and practical conduct around wildlife. Evening hours allow quiet adjustment before your safari begins.

Where to Stay

Mid - Range: Tulia Boutique Hotel

Luxury: Mount Meru Hotel

MEAL PLAN

Dinner

Day 2 & 3:

Tarangire National Park

Morning departure from Arusha leads into Tarangire National Park. Elephants form the major draw here, gathering in notable numbers around water sources as the daylight progresses. The park carries a broad range of plains species and a lion population that often rests on open ground during warmer hours. Morning drives usually begin early to take advantage of cooler air and clearer observation.

After time out in the field, we return to Nimali Tarangire for lunch and a short pause during the middle of the day. Slow hours allow rest or quiet viewing of animals passing through the vicinity of the lodge. Afternoon outings continue once the temperature lowers and visibility of movement improves again. Each evening concludes back at Nimali, with time to reflect on wildlife encounters and notice shifting light over the surrounding terrain. Tarangire offers consistent scenes of everyday life in the bush, from grazing herds to cautious predators, and the pace over these two days supports unhurried exploration of one of northern Tanzania’s most reliable conservation areas.

Where to Stay

Mid - Range: Tulia Boutique Hotel

Luxury: Mount Meru Hotel

MEAL PLAN

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 & 5:

Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, we leave Tarangire and travel toward the Ngorongoro highlands. The road gains altitude and cooler conditions develop as we approach the Crater rim. Ngorongoro is widely regarded for holding Africa’s Big Five in one contained ecosystem, with sizeable buffalo herds, lion territories on the grass floor and elusive black rhinoceros remaining under careful protection.

Descending into the Crater provides an immediate view of grazing plains, wetlands and a lake drawing flamingos in suitable seasons. Lunch is usually taken at a designated picnic point inside the Crater, with activity continuing through the afternoon while observing the extraordinary concentration of animals. We stay at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, returning there each evening for rest before another full day exploring this unique natural enclosure.

Where to Stay

Mid - Range: Tulia Boutique Hotel

Luxury: Mount Meru Hotel

MEAL PLAN

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 & 7:

Serengeti National Park (Seronera)

After breakfast, we leave Tarangire and travel toward the Ngorongoro highlands. The road gains altitude and cooler conditions develop as we approach the Crater rim. Ngorongoro is widely regarded for holding Africa’s Big Five in one contained ecosystem, with sizeable buffalo herds, lion territories on the grass floor and elusive black rhinoceros remaining under careful protection.

Descending into the Crater provides an immediate view of grazing plains, wetlands and a lake drawing flamingos in suitable seasons. Lunch is usually taken at a designated picnic point inside the Crater, with activity continuing through the afternoon while observing the extraordinary concentration of animals. We stay at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, returning there each evening for rest before another full day exploring this unique natural enclosure.

Where to Stay

Mid - Range: Tulia Boutique Hotel

Luxury: Mount Meru Hotel

MEAL PLAN

Breakfast,
Lunch,
Dinner

Price Per Person

Number of Person
Price per Person

PAX 2

$ 480

PAX 3

$ 460

PAX 4

$ 440

PAX 5+

$567

PAX 5+

$567

Tour Inclusion

  • Pick up and drop in Arusha as per the itinerary
  • Park entrance fee
  • Full board accommodation while on safari
  • Service of an English speaking driver guide
  • Transport based on a 4WD Vehicle with open roof for game viewing
  • Driver’s allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
  • Game drives as per the Itinerary

Tour Exclusion

  • Pick up and drop in Arusha as per the itinerary
  • Park entrance fee
  • Full board accommodation while on safari
  • Service of an English speaking driver guide
  • Transport based on a 4WD Vehicle with open roof for game viewing
  • Driver’s allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
  • Game drives as per the Itinerary

YOUR NEXT JOURNEY

Make this itinerary yours