7 Days Big Five Game Drive Tanzania Safari

Overview of the Day
Your safari begins with a warm welcome in Arusha before heading southwest to Tarangire National Park, setting the tone for the days ahead.

Safari Experience
As the road opens into Tarangire, the air feels warmer and earthier. Dust hangs softly in the sunlight, and within minutes wildlife begins to appear. From experience, Tarangire rarely disappoints. Large elephant families move slowly between baobab trees, their deep rumbles sometimes audible even from the vehicle. Giraffes glide across the plains, and the smell of dry grass and sun-warmed earth fills the air.

Your afternoon game drive unfolds at an easy pace, allowing time to watch animal behavior rather than simply ticking sightings off a list.

Distance & Travel Time
Approx. 120 km | 2.5–3 hours

What to Expect

• Afternoon game drive of 3–4 hours
• Flat, open terrain with riverine areas
• Excellent elephant and plains game sightings
• Comfortable lodge or tented camp atmosphere

Overview of the Day
A short scenic drive brings you to Lake Manyara National Park, tucked beneath the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment.

Safari Experience
Lake Manyara feels intimate and alive. The moment you enter the forested area, the temperature cools and the scent of fig trees and damp earth replaces the dry savanna air. Monkeys chatter overhead while blue monkeys leap through branches. In our experience, this park offers some of the most atmospheric game drives in Tanzania.

Along the lake shore, flamingos sometimes tint the water pink, while elephants emerge silently from the forest. With luck, you may spot the famous tree-climbing lions resting in acacia branches.

Distance & Travel Time
Approx. 70 km | 1.5–2 hours

What to Expect

• Half-day game drive
• Mixed terrain: forest, floodplain, lakeshore
• Short travel distances
• Intimate safari feel

Overview of the Day
Today you travel deeper into wild country, crossing the Ngorongoro Highlands en route to the Serengeti.

Safari Experience
This is a day of transition and anticipation. The air cools as you climb, then warms again as the land opens into vast plains. From years of guiding here, this moment—when the Serengeti first appears—never loses its magic. The horizon stretches endlessly, grass rippling in the breeze, with wildlife scattered like brushstrokes across the land.

Game viewing begins immediately upon entering the park, often with sightings of wildebeest, zebras, and predators scanning the plains.

Distance & Travel Time
Approx. 220 km | 5–6 hours (with stops)

What to Expect

• Picnic lunch during the drive
• En-route wildlife sightings
• Long but scenic travel day
• Classic safari camp experience

Overview of the Day
A full day dedicated to immersive game drives in the Serengeti.

Safari Experience
Morning begins with the sound of birds and distant lion calls. The air is crisp, and the light soft—perfect conditions for predators. This is prime big five game drive Tanzania territory. Lions patrol their territories, cheetahs scan the plains, and elephants move steadily through the grass.

Midday brings a relaxed lunch and time to absorb the stillness before heading out again as the light turns golden and the savanna glows.

Distance & Travel Time
Variable | 6–7 hours of game driving

What to Expect

• Early morning and afternoon game drives
• Predator-focused tracking
• Flat to gently rolling terrain
• Excellent photographic opportunities

Overview of the Day
After a final Serengeti game drive, you travel toward the Ngorongoro Highlands.

Safari Experience
Leaving the plains behind, the landscape changes dramatically. Cooler air, misty hills, and Maasai herders with red shukas create a different rhythm. From experience, this contrast is one of the highlights of the safari, offering cultural texture and scenic beauty.

Distance & Travel Time
Approx. 150 km | 4–5 hours

What to Expect

• Morning game drive in Serengeti
• Scenic highland travel
• Cooler evening temperatures
• Lodge near or on crater rim

Overview of the Day
An early start for a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater.

Safari Experience
Dropping into the crater feels like entering a lost world. The air is cool, the grass lush, and wildlife is everywhere. In our experience, this is one of the most reliable places in Africa to encounter the full Big Five in a single morning. The sight of a black rhino grazing quietly while lions rest nearby is unforgettable.

Distance & Travel Time
Minimal driving | 4–5 hours inside the crater

What to Expect

• Half-day crater game drive
• Steep but well-maintained access roads
• High wildlife density
• Picnic lunch on the crater floor

Overview of the Day
A relaxed morning before returning to Arusha.

Safari Experience
The journey back allows time to reflect on the week—on the sounds of lions at night, the smell of wood smoke, and the feeling of being deeply connected to nature. From our experience, guests leave with more than photos; they leave with stories that stay with them for life.

Distance & Travel Time
Approx. 190 km | 4–5 hours

What to Expect

• Scenic drive through highlands
• Cultural encounters en route
• Arrival in Arusha by afternoon