The Plains and the Crater
5 Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari from Arusha
Private Safari  |  Comfortable Lodge Accommodation  |  All Park Fees Included  |  Meals Included  |  Hotel Pickup from Arusha
The Plains and the Crater is a 5 day private safari from Moshi that covers two of Tanzania’s most important parks: the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. The Serengeti is where the large herds move across open grassland. Ngorongoro is a collapsed volcanic crater containing the highest concentration of predators in Africa. This itinerary is designed to give you enough time in both places to actually understand them, not just see them.
Every trip is private, planned around your specific dates, and led by one guide from your first message to your last game drive. Accommodation is in carefully chosen mid-range lodges and tented camps. Well-located, comfortable, and chosen because they make the experience better.
5 Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari At a Glance
| Duration | 5 days / 4 nights |
|---|---|
| Destination | Ngorongoro Conservation Area + Serengeti National Park |
| Starts | Arusha / Kilimanjaro International Airport |
| Ends | Arusha Town or Kilimanjaro International Airport |
| Group type | Private. Your group only, no shared vehicles |
| Accommodation | Comfortable lodges and tented camps (mid-range) |
| Meals | All breakfasts, lunches and dinners included on safari |
| Park fees | All Ngorongoro and Serengeti fees included |
| Transport | Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof |
| Best season | June to October (dry season, peak wildlife viewing) |
| Also good | January and February (calving season, fewer crowds) |
| Trip price | From $1,450 per person (based on 2 people sharing) |
What This Plains and the Crater Safari is All About
This 5 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari from Arusha is designed around two parks that are genuinely different from each other.The Serengeti and Ngorongoro are not interchangeable. They are genuinely different ecosystems and they reward different kinds of attention.
The Serengeti is about scale. The landscape is flat and vast, which means you can watch movement across long distances: a herd shifting direction, a predator starting to stalk, a group of elephants crossing open ground. The park is large enough that even in high season you can find game drives with very few other vehicles around.
Ngorongoro is about concentration. The crater floor covers roughly 260 square kilometres and is enclosed on all sides by the crater walls. Because the animals cannot easily leave, every major species is present and relatively easy to find. The density of predators on the crater floor is among the highest in the world. It is a different experience from open savannah. More intense, more contained.
Day By Day Itinerary
DAY 1 : Arrival and Overnight in Arusha
Settle in and meet your guide
Your guide meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport or your Arusha hotel. This day is kept clear intentionally. Long travel is tiring and the safari works better when you start it rested.
In the evening your guide goes through the next four days with you: the parks, the timing, what to watch for, and anything specific you are hoping to see.
Overnight: Kibo Palace Hotel
DAY 2 : Ngorongoro Crater and Transfer to Serengeti
Your 5 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari begins here
Early departure from Arusha. The road climbs through highland forest to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Your first view of the crater from the rim is 600 metres straight down into a closed world of grassland, lakes, and river channels.
You descend for a full morning game drive on the crater floor. The wildlife here is concentrated and resident: black rhino, lion, spotted hyena, elephant, buffalo, hippopotamus, and flamingo on the soda lakes. Your guide explains the ecology as you move through it, what lives in which zone and why.
After lunch on the crater floor you ascend, drive west through the highlands, and enter the Serengeti as the landscape flattens and opens. Late afternoon arrival at your tented camp.
Overnight: Osinon Tented Camp
DAY 3 : Full Day in the Serengeti
Morning game drive, midday rest, afternoon drive
Two game drives: early morning when predators are still active, and late afternoon when the temperature drops and movement picks up again. Midday is spent at camp or a shaded spot with a packed lunch.
Where you drive depends on the season and where the wildlife is concentrated. Your guide has current information before you set out and adjusts the route based on what is happening that day. Likely sightings: lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, and a wide range of bird species.
Overnight: Osinon Tented Camp
DAY 4 : Second Full Day in the Serengeti
A different route, the same unhurried pace
This day is what separates this itinerary from shorter trips. One day gives you a sample. Two days gives you a picture. By the second morning you are more familiar with the landscape and how to read what is in front of you.
Your guide takes a different route today. The central Seronera valley is rich in predators due to its permanent river system. The Western Corridor and Northern Serengeti offer different terrain and, during the right months, migration crossings. Your guide will know which area is most productive on the day.
Overnight: Osinon Tented Camp
DAY 5 : Early Morning Game Drive, Then Return to Arusha
One last game drive before we say goodbye
Today you say goodbye to the most amazing National Park in Africa, the Serengeti. You will have a game drive en-route as you leave the park for Arusha.
The drive from Serengeti to Arusha takes about 8-9 hours, so you will leave early. You will have packed lunch, and stop along the way for an afternoon break.
Depending on your trip schedule, our driver will take you to a hotel in Arusha or drop you at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Overnight: Not applicable
A note on the Great Migration
The Great Migration involves approximately 1.5 million wildebeest moving in a continuous annual circuit between the Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara. It is one of the most searched wildlife events in the world. Here is what you actually need to know before you plan around it.
The migration is always happening somewhere in the Serengeti ecosystem throughout the year. It does not stop. What changes is where the herds are concentrated and what they are doing. The famous river crossings at the Mara River happen primarily between July and October in the Northern Serengeti. The calving season in the Southern Serengeti, which attracts the highest concentration of predators, runs from January to March.
If you are visiting between June and October, your itinerary will be positioned toward the north to maximise your chances of seeing the crossings. If you are visiting outside that window, the migration is still present and the wildlife is still exceptional. The calving season in particular is one of the most dramatic periods in the entire Serengeti calendar. Your guide will explain exactly what to expect for the specific dates of your visit.
Price Starts at $1450 per person sharing
This 5 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari is priced per person based on two people travelling together. Price is approximate and vary by season and accommodation availability. A full cost breakdown is provided when you enquire, before any payment is made.
What is Included
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof throughout the safari
- All park and conservation area entrance fees for Ngorongoro and Serengeti
- 4 nights accommodation in comfortable mid-range lodges or tented camps
- All meals from dinner on Day 2 through breakfast on Day 5
- Bottled water in the vehicle throughout each game drive
- Ngorongoro Crater descent and ascent fees
- Airport or hotel pickup and drop-off in Arusha or Moshi
- All fuel and vehicle costs
- Professional guide fees
- Game drive briefings and wildlife explanations throughout
What is Excluded
- International flights to and from Tanzania
- Travel insurance (required, we strongly recommend comprehensive cover)
- Arusha hotel on Day 1 (we can recommend options at your level)
- Alcoholic beverages and drinks beyond bottled water
- Gratuities for your guide (standard is $15 to $20 per day, at your discretion)
- Personal items, medication, and laundry
- Optional add-ons such as a hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti
Best Time To Visit
The best time to take a 5 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari depends on what you most want to see.
| Period | Conditions | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| June to October | Dry season. Vegetation low, animals concentrate near water. Peak game viewing. Migration crossings in the north July to September. | Strongly recommended |
| January to March | Short rains in Nov/Dec end. Calving season brings massive predator activity in southern Serengeti. Fewer tourists, lower prices. | Excellent |
| July to August | Peak migration crossing season in Northern Serengeti. High demand. Book accommodation early. | Best for migration |
| April to May | Long rains. Some roads become difficult. Lodges offer reduced rates. Landscape is green and dramatic. Wildlife is still present. | Budget option |
Practical Information
Fitness level:Â Moderate. Game drives involve sitting for extended periods in a 4×4. Some crater descent roads are steep and unpaved. No walking required beyond your lodge.
Group size:Â This is a private safari. You travel only with your own group. We do not combine guests from different bookings.
Minimum age:Â No formal minimum age. Families with children are welcome. We will adjust the pace and explanations accordingly.
What to bring:Â Lightweight neutral-coloured clothing, a warm layer for early morning drives, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars if you have them, and a camera with a zoom lens if possible.
Currency:Â US dollars are widely accepted in Tanzania for safari payments, tips, and souvenirs. Local currency (Tanzanian shillings) is useful in Arusha.
Visa:Â Most nationalities require a visa to enter Tanzania. Electronic visas (e-visa) are available online at immigration.go.tz. Apply at least two weeks before travel.
Vaccinations:Â Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Consult your travel health clinic before travel.
Communication:Â Mobile phone signal is available in Arusha and in parts of the Serengeti near the main camps. Signal is absent in remote areas of the park. Your guide has a satellite communication device for emergencies.
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I combine this safari with Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar?
Yes, and many of our guests do exactly this. Moshi is the base for Kilimanjaro climbing, and a 5 day safari pairs naturally with a Kilimanjaro trek before or after. Zanzibar is a one-hour flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport. We can help you plan the full sequence and connect you with trusted operators for the parts we do not handle ourselves.
Will I see the Great Migration on this trip?
It depends on when you visit. The large wildebeest herds are somewhere in the Serengeti throughout the year. The famous Mara River crossings happen between July and October in the northern Serengeti. If you are visiting in that window, your itinerary will be positioned toward the north. If you are visiting outside that window, there is still exceptional wildlife. The calving season between January and March is particularly dramatic. Your guide will tell you exactly what to expect for your specific dates.
Is 5 days enough for both parks?
Yes, five days is the right amount of time for a Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari .You get a full morning in the Ngorongoro Crater and two full days in the Serengeti, enough time for the Serengeti to show you what it is actually like. A 3 day version of this trip exists but we do not recommend it because the Serengeti portion becomes too short to be meaningful.
What if the wildlife is not where expected?
This is a fair question. Wildlife does not follow a fixed schedule. What your guide brings to this situation is current knowledge: radio contact with other guides in the park, familiarity with seasonal patterns, and the flexibility to adjust the route. The Serengeti is large enough that game drives can be adapted based on what is actually happening on the day. We do not follow a fixed route regardless of where the animals are.
What level of accommodation is used?
All accommodation is mid-range: comfortable lodges and permanent tented camps with private en-suite facilities, reliable hot water, and good food. We do not use budget camping, and we do not use ultra-luxury properties that would increase the cost of the safari significantly without proportionally improving the wildlife experience. If you have a preference for a specific property, let us know when you enquire and we will do our best to accommodate it.
Practical Information
Fitness level:Â Moderate. Game drives involve sitting for extended periods in a 4×4. Some crater descent roads are steep and unpaved. No walking required beyond your lodge.
Group size:Â This is a private safari. You travel only with your own group. We do not combine guests from different bookings.
Minimum age:Â No formal minimum age. Families with children are welcome. We will adjust the pace and explanations accordingly.
What to bring:Â Lightweight neutral-coloured clothing, a warm layer for early morning drives, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars if you have them, and a camera with a zoom lens if possible.
Currency:Â US dollars are widely accepted in Tanzania for safari payments, tips, and souvenirs. Local currency (Tanzanian shillings) is useful in Arusha.
Visa:Â Most nationalities require a visa to enter Tanzania. Electronic visas (e-visa) are available online at immigration.go.tz. Apply at least two weeks before travel.
Vaccinations:Â Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Consult your travel health clinic before travel.
Communication:Â Mobile phone signal is available in Arusha and in parts of the Serengeti near the main camps. Signal is absent in remote areas of the park. Your guide has a satellite communication device for emergencies.
Start Planning 5 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari
If you have read this far, you have a good sense of what this trip looks like. Send us your dates and group size and we will put together the exact itinerary and cost for you. No obligation, we just want to make sure you have everything you need to decide. After submitting your form, you will be speaking with appointed guide directly, not a booking agent.
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