Big Five Explorer
5 Days Iconic Wildlife Safari
Tarangire • Serengeti • Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation Levels: Silver • Gold • Platinum
Best For: Wildlife lovers with limited time wanting the best of Tanzania’s northern circuit.
Safari Highlights
- Explore three of Tanzania’s iconic parks in just 5 days.
- Witness the Big Five: elephants in Tarangire, big cats in Serengeti, rhinos in Ngorongoro.
- Incredible wildlife viewing across diverse landscapes: savannahs, crater floor, and baobab valleys.
- Tiered luxury to fit different traveler budgets and styles.
- Perfect for first-time safari-goers or couples/families on a tight schedule.
📅 Full Itinerary – 5 Days / 4 Nights
Day 1: Tarangire National Park – Elephant Kingdom
- Morning pick-up from Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport.
- 2-hour drive to Tarangire National Park.
- Game drive among elephant herds, baobab trees, and tree-climbing lions.
- Evening at your lodge.
Wildlife: Elephants, giraffes, lions, antelope, and hundreds of bird species.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation:
🔹 Silver: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge or Baobab Tented Camp
🟡 Gold: Tarangire Sopa Lodge or Lake Burunge Tented Lodge
💎 Platinum: Elewana Tarangire Treetops
Day 2: Serengeti National Park – The Great Plains
- Drive to Serengeti National Park via the Ngorongoro highlands (5 hrs).
- Game drive en route and afternoon safari in the Central Serengeti.
Wildlife: Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, zebras, wildebeest, and leopards.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation (2 nights):
🔹 Silver: Serengeti Heritage Camp
🟡 Gold: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
💎 Platinum: Lemala Nanyukie Lodge
Day 3: Serengeti – Full-Day Safari Adventure
Sunrise breakfast and full-day game drive through the Seronera Valley.
- Break for a bush picnic lunch, continue wildlife tracking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater – Africa’s Eden
- Early drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area (3 hrs).
- Descend into the crater for a 6-hour safari.
- View rare black rhinos, hippos, and huge lion prides.
- Overnight on the crater rim.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Options:
🔹 Silver: Rhino Lodge
🟡 Gold: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
💎 Platinum: The Highlands by Asilia
Day 5: Arusha – Departure
- Drive back to Arusha after breakfast (4 hrs).
- Drop-off at Kilimanjaro Airport or hotel for onward travel.
Meals: Breakfast
Safari Pricing
| Persons | Platinum Tier - Price Per Person (USD) | Gold Tier - Price Per Person (USD) | Silver Tier - Price Per Person (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8,200 | $5,200 | $3,700 | Solo, private vehicle, full costs |
| 2 | $6,200 | $3,800 | $2,800 | Shared cost of luxury jeep, lodges |
| 3 | $5,700 | $3,500 | $2,500 | Better cost spread |
| 4 | $5,200 | $3,300 | $2,300 | Great value, optimal group size |
| 5 | $4,900 | $3,100 | $2,200 | Better per-person rate |
| 6 | $4,700 | $3,000 | $2,100 | Most economical per person |
Pricing Variables
- Travel Season Assumed: Mid/High (June–October or January–March)
- Prices vary according to the tier you choose; tiers differ mostly on lodging luxury.
- Private vehicle and driver-guide cost is fixed, so groups benefit most.
Included in all tiers
- 4x4 private safari vehicle + professional guide
- All park and crater entry fees
- 4 nights accommodation with all meals
- Bottled water during safari
- Airport or hotel pickup/drop-off in Arusha
- Government VAT & conservation levies
Excluded
- International flights
- Domestic flights (optional)
- Hot air balloon (available from $550 pp in Serengeti)
- Alcohol (except in Platinum)
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
