6 days 5 nights safari Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks

Tarangire’s elephants, the Serengeti’s predators, and a six-hour drive inside Ngorongoro Crater give this safari a fine spread of northern Tanzania’s wildlife. You move from open plains to crater floor in six days, with sunrise drives timed for the cooler hours when animals are active.

I like the small maximum group of seven, which leaves more room for window views and questions. I also like that meals, a professional guide, airport pickup, and the main game drives are bundled into the $2,560 price, making the cost easier to judge from the start.

The trade-off is time on rough park roads and several early starts. The schedule covers three major areas, but it does so at a brisk pace, and the first and last nights involve driving rather than a full park day.

Key points to know before booking

• Three major parks in six days: Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro are all included, with two full Serengeti game-drive days.
• Sunrise game drives: Early starts on Serengeti and Ngorongoro days are designed to improve your chances of seeing predators.
• Small group size: The vehicle carries no more than seven people, useful for photography and finding a good view.
• Airport transfers included: Pickup and drop-off are offered, though you should confirm whether your arrival is at Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport.
• Meals are covered: Five breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners are included, with picnic lunches during long park days.
• Strong value for a classic circuit: The price includes guiding, game drives, lodging, meals, and transfers, but tips and personal spending are extra.

Why this route works in six days

This is a classic northern Tanzania circuit, but the order gives each park a different role. Tarangire begins the wildlife portion with elephants and broad scenery. Serengeti receives the most attention, including two sunrise drives. Ngorongoro finishes the trip with a long crater visit.

That variety matters. You are not spending all six days in one ecosystem, and each park offers a fresh setting. At the same time, the route requires patience. From Arusha, you spend many hours in a safari vehicle, often on uneven roads, so this suits you best if wildlife matters more than a relaxed resort schedule.

The group limit of seven is helpful. A crowded vehicle can make every stop feel like a negotiation, especially when several people want photographs from different sides. A smaller group should make it easier to rotate seats, ask the guide about animal behavior, and keep the vehicle from feeling overly packed.

The operator has also handled last-minute planning and changes for some bookings, with Humphrey serving as a responsive contact. Guides and staff named in past trips include Mohamed, Amani, Shaibu, Azizi, and driver-guide teams supported by chef Halid or Hamid. Your actual crew may differ, so treat those names as examples rather than a guarantee.

Day 1: Airport pickup and an easy start in Arusha

The safari begins with pickup at the airport and a drive to Arusha for dinner and an overnight stay. The schedule identifies Kilimanjaro Airport for pickup, while the meeting information also refers to Arusha Airport. Confirm the correct airport before you pay, especially if your flight arrives at Kilimanjaro International Airport.

This first night is useful rather than exciting. You get a bed, dinner, and a chance to meet the team before the long park days begin. If your flight arrives late, the airport transfer removes one major worry. You are not expected to start with a full game drive immediately after landing.

The description does not name the Arusha hotel, so ask for the property details before departure. This is also a good time to confirm the room setup, the exact pickup hour, and the plan for the final night, since the schedule says you return to Arusha after the crater and stay overnight.

Day 2: Tarangire’s elephants and a long first game drive

After breakfast, you drive to Tarangire National Park for a game drive and a picnic lunch. The park is especially associated with elephants, and this makes a strong opening day. You have a clear chance to see large herds and other wildlife before the route turns west toward the Serengeti.

The listed day lasts about seven hours, though road conditions and wildlife sightings can affect the timing. The best part is the change from town to open bush, with the first proper sense that your safari has begun. A picnic lunch keeps you in the park rather than sending you back to a town restaurant.

After the drive, you head to Marera View Lodge, located outside Tarangire and more than 30 minutes from the park. That distance is a practical drawback. You will not be sleeping inside Tarangire, and the return drive adds time after a full day in the vehicle.

Still, the lodge arrangement may suit you if you want a more comfortable bed and hot shower than basic camping provides. Accommodation is described as humble but clean by some members of the safari team’s past clientele, with a working toilet and warm shower. Exact room details are not supplied, so ask whether your booking uses the lodge or another property of similar level.

Day 3: Crossing Ngorongoro toward the Serengeti

Day three is the longest-feeling transfer of the trip. After breakfast, you travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area toward Serengeti, stopping at Naabi Hill Gate for lunch before continuing into the park.

This is not simply a transport day. You begin seeing the changing scenery and may have wildlife sightings along the route. The schedule allows about eight hours, with a game drive from the afternoon toward sunset. That late-day timing is valuable because you get your first proper Serengeti look without giving up the next morning’s sunrise drive.

You finish at Serengeti Heritage Tented Lodge for dinner and the night. The phrase tented lodge covers a range of comfort levels, so do not assume a luxury camp. Past safari arrangements have included both lodges and basic camping, and the accommodation level can vary by package. If a real bed, private bathroom, or a particular camp matters to you, get that in writing.

The route through Ngorongoro on this day is also why the crater visit is saved for the end. You see the conservation area from above and along the road first, then return for a dedicated crater-floor day later.

Day 4: Two Serengeti game drives and the best predator hours

Day four is the safari’s most wildlife-focused day. You leave early for a sunrise game drive, return to the lodge for lunch, then go back out until about 3:30 p.m.

The early start is not a minor detail. Predators are often easier to seek during the cooler part of the day, and the schedule is built around that idea. You may find lions, cheetahs, or other hunting animals, but no safari can promise a particular sighting. The guide’s ability to read tracks, watch animal behavior, and communicate with other vehicles can make a real difference.

A mid-day return to the lodge gives you a break from the vehicle. That matters after a dawn start, especially if you have spent the previous day crossing long distances. The afternoon drive then adds another block of viewing time without requiring you to remain out from before sunrise until dark.

The Serengeti is also the place where the Big Five are possible: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. Past trips with this company have recorded sightings of all five, though rhinos were sometimes seen at a distance. Keep your expectations realistic. The Serengeti offers strong odds for many animals, but sightings remain wild and unpredictable.

Day 5: A final Serengeti morning before Ngorongoro

You begin again before the day warms, with a sunrise drive focused on predators. After returning for lunch, you continue through the Serengeti while making your way back toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

This day works best if you enjoy the process of searching. You may spend time watching one animal, scanning the plains, or moving between areas rather than collecting quick sightings. The schedule gives you another chance at species missed on day four, and the repeated early starts put you in the field during useful viewing hours.

You spend the night at Ang’ata Tented Camp in the Ngorongoro area. This is a sensible position for the final crater visit, since the next morning begins with breakfast followed by the descent. It also means you are changing accommodation again, so pack in a way that keeps your daily items easy to reach.

The food is one of the practical strengths of this trip. Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are included while on safari, and past arrangements have featured plentiful meals prepared by cooks such as Halid or Hamid. You should still tell the company about dietary needs before arrival, since the supplied details do not promise specific menus.

Day 6: Six hours inside Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, you descend into Ngorongoro Crater for about six hours of game viewing with a picnic lunch. This is a fitting final day because the crater places a remarkable range of wildlife in one contained setting, giving you another chance to fill gaps in your sightings.

The crater is not a quick photo stop. Six hours allows time to drive between viewing areas, pause for animals, and enjoy the scale of the crater floor. The early start should also help you reach the viewing area during cooler hours, when wildlife activity can be more rewarding.

After the crater drive, you return to Arusha. The itinerary describes an overnight at an Arusha hotel, while the included meals list five breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners. Those details do not fully spell out the final hotel meal arrangement, so confirm what is covered on the last evening.

This final drive can be tiring. After five days of roads and early departures, you may prefer a direct airport transfer instead of another night in Arusha. The listed plan includes the overnight, but ask whether the company can adjust it if your flight schedule calls for a same-day departure.

What the $2,560 price really covers

At $2,560 per person, this is not a budget bus outing, but the value depends on what you compare it with. The price includes airport pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, game drives, accommodation, five breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners. It also includes the major park visits described in the route.

That bundle reduces the usual safari arithmetic. You are not separately adding every lunch, park transfer, or guiding day while planning your budget. Group discounts may also be available, which could make the rate more appealing for families or friends booking together.

The main costs outside the package are personal items and tips for safari staff. Set aside money for gratuities if the guide, driver, and cook serve you well. The price also does not mention drinks, laundry, souvenirs, or extra nights, so those should not be treated as included.

The lodging level is the key question. This is presented as a midrange-style safari in some arrangements, but other trips have used basic camping for three nights. Accommodation reports range from humble lodges with warm showers to basic camps, so ask for the exact properties and whether tents, lodges, or a mix applies to your departure.

Guide quality, food, and the human side of the trip

The strongest pattern in the available feedback is the staff. Humphrey has been described as quick to answer questions and flexible when plans changed, including short-notice bookings and large family groups. That kind of communication is useful in Tanzania, where flight times, park routes, and room arrangements need clear coordination.

The driver-guide is just as important as the booking contact. Amani, Mohamed, Shaibu, and Azizi have all been associated with positive safari experiences, especially for animal spotting, safe driving, and explanations along the way. Your guide may be someone else, but you should expect the guide to shape much of the trip’s quality.

Meals also receive unusually strong attention. A dedicated cook may travel with the group on some arrangements, and past meals have been described as plentiful and delicious. That is a real benefit on long park days, when a solid picnic lunch saves time and keeps you focused on the drive.

The staff setup may differ according to group size and package. Ask whether a cook travels with you, which guide is assigned, and how many people will share the vehicle. The advertised maximum is seven, but knowing your actual group before departure helps you judge comfort and photography space.

The main drawbacks to weigh

The itinerary is busy. You cover three important areas, but the price of that range is repeated packing, long drives, and early mornings. If you want slow mornings or several nights in one camp, a longer safari would suit you better.

The overnight locations also require attention. Marera View Lodge is outside Tarangire by more than 30 minutes, and the Serengeti and Ngorongoro accommodation names may change by departure. Ask for a full accommodation list, not simply the category.

The schedule uses the word sunrise several times, which means you should expect very early departures. That is excellent for wildlife viewing but less appealing if you struggle with sleep or want a gentle holiday. A mid-day lodge break on the Serengeti day helps, but not every day offers the same pause.

Finally, airport information needs clarification. The day one plan says Kilimanjaro Airport, while the meeting details identify Arusha Airport. This is easy to fix, but it is the sort of detail you should settle before arrival.

Who should book this safari?

I would choose this trip if you want the major northern Tanzania sights in less than a week and care most about wildlife time. It is a good fit for first-time safari visitors, couples, solo participants comfortable joining a small group, and families with older children who can manage long drives.

It also suits photographers who value sunrise outings and a limited vehicle size. The Serengeti receives two full game-drive days, and Ngorongoro gets a long crater visit rather than a rushed stop.

I would look elsewhere if you need guaranteed luxury, a slow pace, or fixed named lodges. I would also ask for a revised plan if you have a late arrival, a tight outbound flight, or a strong preference to sleep inside each national park.

Should you book the Cubs Expeditions safari?

Book it if the combination of three parks, sunrise drives, included meals, and a group capped at seven matches your priorities. The route gives you elephants in Tarangire, broad Serengeti viewing, predator searches, and a substantial Ngorongoro crater day at a price that includes the costly basics.

Before committing, confirm the airport, exact lodging, final-night arrangements, group size, and whether a cook joins your departure. If those details suit you, Cubs Expeditions offers a practical way to see northern Tanzania’s headline parks without arranging each moving part yourself.

FAQ

How long is the safari?

The experience lasts six days and five nights, approximately.

Which national parks and conservation areas are included?

The route includes Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, including a game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater.

Are airport transfers included?

Yes. Airport pickup and drop-off are included. The schedule names Kilimanjaro Airport for pickup, while the meeting information also refers to Arusha Airport, so confirm the correct airport for your booking.

How large is the group?

The activity has a maximum of seven travelers.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package lists five breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners. Picnic lunches are included during the long game-drive days.

What is not included?

Personal items and tips or gratuities for safari staff are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.