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5-Day Budget Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari
Safari

5-Day Budget Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari

Five days of incredible wildlife encounters in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro at an unbeatable price.

5 Days / 4 Nights
1-6 Guests
Easy
From $850 pp
3 Accommodation Tiers
Duration 5 Days / 4 Nights
Accommodation Budget · Mid-Range · Luxury
Group Size 1-6 Guests
Tour Type both

Safari Overview

This five-day budget safari offers a more relaxed pace through Tanzania's two most celebrated wildlife destinations. With two full days in the Serengeti, you have time to explore different areas of the park and maximize your chances of witnessing dramatic predator-prey interactions, river crossings during migration season, or simply soaking in the vastness of the African plains. The itinerary includes an introductory game drive in Lake Manyara or Tarangire (depending on season), followed by two full days exploring the Serengeti's diverse ecosystems, from the kopje-studded central plains to the riverine woodlands. Your guide will tailor the route based on current wildlife movements and seasonal highlights. The journey concludes with a dawn descent into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full morning of extraordinary game viewing. Budget camping safaris represent excellent value for money, with all park fees, transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof, an experienced English-speaking guide, a safari cook, three meals daily, and drinking water included. The only extras you need to budget for are tips, personal items, and any optional activities. This is real safari, not a compromised experience, just with simpler accommodation.

Tour Highlights

  • Two full days in the Serengeti
  • Ngorongoro Crater game drive
  • Lake Manyara or Tarangire visit
  • All park fees included
  • Safari cook prepares fresh meals

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Depart Arusha after breakfast and drive south through the Maasai Steppe to Tarangire National Park, famous for its enormous elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Spend the full day on game drives along the Tarangire River, where dry-season wildlife concentrations rival the Serengeti. Settle into your campsite as the African sun sets behind the baobabs.
Accommodation: Tarangire Public Campsite
Meals: 1, 1, 1
After an early breakfast at camp, drive north through the Ngorongoro highlands and descend into the vast Serengeti plains via the Naabi Hill gate. The transition from highland forest to open savannah is dramatic and unforgettable. Arrive at your campsite in the central Serengeti and enjoy an afternoon game drive through the Seronera Valley, where resident lion prides and leopards are frequently spotted.
Accommodation: Seronera Public Campsite
Meals: 1, 1, 1
Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives through the endless plains. Your guide will navigate to the best wildlife areas, searching for cheetahs on the open grasslands, leopards draped in the branches of sausage trees, and massive herds of wildebeest and zebra. Enjoy a picnic lunch under an acacia tree before continuing your afternoon drive as the golden light brings the plains to life.
Accommodation: Seronera Public Campsite
Meals: 1, 1, 1
Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti before departing for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Drive across the plains and ascend through the forested crater highlands to the rim of the caldera. Arrive at Simba Campsite perched on the crater rim, where the views into the 600-meter-deep crater below are absolutely breathtaking as you prepare for tomorrow's descent.
Accommodation: Simba Campsite
Meals: 1, 1, 1
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater at dawn for an unforgettable morning of game driving on the crater floor. Search for the Big Five including the elusive black rhino, watch flamingos on the soda lake, and observe hippos wallowing in the freshwater pools. After a picnic lunch, ascend the crater wall and begin the drive back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon with incredible memories of the Serengeti and crater.

What's Included & Excluded

Included

  • Park entrance fees for all national parks
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide
  • 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
  • All accommodations as listed
  • All meals during safari (full board)
  • Drinking water in the vehicle
  • Airport transfers
  • Government taxes and fees

Excluded

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Optional balloon safari

Choose Your Experience

Same incredible itinerary, your choice of comfort level. All rates include park fees, accommodations, meals, and transport as listed above.

Budget

Camping & basic lodges

$850
per person (low season)
  • Peak Season (Jun-Oct): $1,050
  • Shoulder (Nov-Feb): $950
  • Low Season (Mar-May): $850
  • Single supplement: from $100
  • Child (5-12): from $595
Book Budget

Luxury

Premium lodges & luxury camps

$2,650
per person (low season)
  • Peak Season (Jun-Oct): $3,250
  • Shoulder (Nov-Feb): $2,950
  • Low Season (Mar-May): $2,650
  • Single supplement: from $400
  • Child (5-12): from $1,855
Book Luxury

Prices are in USD per person sharing. Children aged 5-12 receive discounted rates shown above. Children under 5 are free. Request an exact quote for your group.

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