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

The wild arrives early here. This six-day safari links Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro, giving you three very different wildlife settings in one well-packed trip. I like the airport pickup and drop-off, and I like that sunrise game drives are built into the plan rather than treated as an optional extra. The main catch is the amount of road time, plus some unclear details about the final overnight stay and airport arrangements.

I also like the small maximum group of seven people, which should make the vehicle feel more personal than a large coach tour. The price of $2,560 per person covers guiding, game drives, five breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners, but you should confirm exactly which nights use a lodge and which use a tented camp before paying.

Five things to know before booking

• Tarangire starts the wildlife experience: Expect elephants, open country, and a full game drive soon after leaving Arusha.
• Serengeti gets two full days: Sunrise drives on Days 4 and 5 give you the best planned chances to find predators.
• Ngorongoro Crater receives six hours: The final crater visit is long enough for serious wildlife viewing, not just a quick photo stop.
• The group is capped at seven: This is a useful middle ground between a private safari and a crowded vehicle.
• Meals are included: Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are provided during the safari, with personal items and tips left out.
• The schedule is active: Early starts, long drives, and several lodge changes make this better for people who want wildlife time more than a slow holiday.

A six-day route with three major parks

This itinerary makes good geographic sense, even if it asks you to cover plenty of ground. You begin near Arusha, head to Tarangire, continue through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Serengeti, spend two nights around the Serengeti, then return through Ngorongoro before driving back to Arusha.

That route gives you variety. Tarangire is especially strong for elephants, Serengeti is the place to focus on big cats and the Big Five, and Ngorongoro offers a concentrated final wildlife day inside a famous volcanic crater.

The safari is not built around one long stay in one park. Instead, it collects several major northern Tanzania highlights. I see that as the chief strength of the plan, but also its main tradeoff. You spend time moving between parks, so this is not the right choice if you want leisurely mornings and short transfers.

Day 1: Airport pickup and an easy start in Arusha

The first day is simple. You are collected from Kilimanjaro Airport and driven to a hotel in Arusha for dinner and the night.

That overnight stop matters because it keeps the first game-drive morning from becoming too rushed. Arusha is the practical starting point for northern Tanzania safaris, and beginning there gives you a chance to rest, eat, and prepare for an early departure.

There is one detail to check before you arrive. The meeting information also names Arusha Airport, while the first day specifically says Kilimanjaro Airport. Ask Cubs Expeditions to confirm the correct airport pickup point in writing. The two airports are not the same, and a clear arrival plan saves needless confusion after a long international flight.

The first night is also a good time to ask about the vehicle, meal schedule, luggage limits, and the exact accommodation plan. The published details name Marera View Lodge, Serengeti Heritage Tented Lodge, and Ang’ata Tented Camp, but the included meals suggest four dinners rather than five. The final night is described as an overnight in Arusha, yet it is not listed clearly among the inclusions. Get that point settled before departure.

Day 2: Tarangire and the elephant country

After breakfast, you drive to Tarangire National Park for a game drive and a picnic lunch. The day is listed at about seven hours, followed by a return to Marera View Lodge, which is described as more than 30 minutes outside Tarangire.

Tarangire is a fine first park because it can feel immediately rewarding. The experience is strongly associated with elephants, and the tour description specifically points to the park as elephant country. You should also expect the pleasure of simply learning how a safari works: scanning the trees, watching animal behavior, and getting used to the slow rhythm of a vehicle moving from sighting to sighting.

A picnic lunch keeps the day in the park instead of sending you back to a lodge in the middle of the drive. That is valuable because game viewing depends on time and patience. The longer you remain out, the more chances your guide has to find animals.

The accommodation location is worth noting. Marera View Lodge is outside Tarangire, more than 30 minutes away, so the day does not end right at the park gate. That is not a serious problem, but it adds road time after a full game drive. If you are sensitive to long vehicle days, this is one of the details to keep in mind.

Day 3: The long road into Serengeti

Day 3 is one of the biggest travel days. After breakfast, you pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on the way to Serengeti. The schedule allows about eight hours, with lunch at Naabi Hill Gate, then an afternoon game drive toward Serengeti until sunset.

This is an important distinction: you are not simply driving straight to a lodge and waiting for the next morning. Wildlife viewing begins along the route, and the afternoon drive can turn the transfer into part of the safari.

Naabi Hill Gate is used as the lunch stop before the afternoon drive. From there, the plan points you toward the Serengeti for a sunset finish and an overnight at Serengeti Heritage Tented Lodge.

The appeal of this day is momentum. You move from Tarangire into the wider Serengeti region in one sweep, and you may begin seeing animals before reaching the lodge. The downside is fatigue. Eight hours in a safari vehicle can feel long, especially after an early breakfast and several hours on rough park roads. Pack water, sun protection, and something small to occupy you during quieter stretches.

The Serengeti is the centerpiece for many people on this route. The park is linked with the Big Five, and the schedule gives it more time than Tarangire. That extra time matters because wildlife sightings are never guaranteed on a fixed timetable. A second and third drive give you more chances to find lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos.

Day 4: Sunrise in the Serengeti

Day 4 begins with an early morning game drive at sunrise. The stated aim is to look for predators, then return to the lodge for lunch before continuing the game drive until about 3:30 p.m.

This is probably the most wildlife-focused day of the trip. Dawn is a sensible time to be out because the itinerary specifically targets predator activity then. You will also see the Serengeti before the heat of the day changes the pace of animal behavior.

The schedule balances an early start with a return to the lodge for lunch. That break gives you a chance to rest before the afternoon outing, rather than spending every hour in the vehicle. Still, this is an eight-hour safari day, and you should expect a full schedule.

Guide quality matters greatly here. The strongest praise in the supplied feedback centers on guides who could spot animals, explain what was happening, and adjust the plan around sightings. Names connected with this safari include Mohamed, Amani, Shaibu, and Azzizi. Humphrey and Elli were also praised for quick communication and help with changes before and during planning. Your assigned guide may differ, so treat those names as examples of the company team, not a promise of a particular person.

Day 5: Another dawn drive and the route back toward Ngorongoro

You repeat the sunrise pattern on Day 5, with an early game drive for predators, lunch, and another afternoon drive through the Serengeti. Later, you begin the route back toward Ngorongoro and spend the night at Ang’ata Tented Camp.

Repeating the early drive is smart. One morning in the Serengeti can produce a memorable sighting, but two mornings improve your odds. The second day also lets your guide respond to what you have already seen. If you have spent the previous day around one part of the park, the next drive can add a different setting and a fresh search.

The return route means you are giving up some extra Serengeti time in exchange for a smoother final day at Ngorongoro. That is a fair choice for a six-day safari. It prevents the crater visit from being squeezed into a frantic transfer.

The accommodation wording deserves attention. Ang’ata Tented Camp is named for the fifth night, while other descriptions connected with this style of safari refer to a mix of lodges and basic camping. Some people specifically enjoyed the simple camping setup, while others chose midrange lodges for added comfort. Ask what is included in your $2,560 package, since comfort levels can differ sharply between a lodge room and a basic tent.

Day 6: Six hours inside Ngorongoro Crater

The final wildlife day begins after breakfast with a descent into Ngorongoro Crater. You have about six hours for a game drive with a picnic lunch, then return to Arusha for an overnight at a hotel.

Six hours is a useful amount of time in the crater. It is long enough to watch the area rather than make a quick circuit, and it gives your guide room to search for several kinds of wildlife. The crater is a strong finale because its enclosed setting can offer concentrated animal viewing after the broad distances of the Serengeti.

The return to Arusha after the crater makes this another long day, listed at about eight hours in total. You may arrive tired, but the route is practical if you need to connect with an onward flight or continue from Arusha the next morning.

The plan says you overnight in Arusha, but the included accommodation is not fully spelled out. It also lists four dinners even though the overall package is described as six days and five nights. This is not a reason to reject the safari, but it is a reason to request a night-by-night breakdown.

What the price covers, and where value depends on details

At $2,560 per person, the value depends on what accommodation and park costs are built into the final quote. The package includes a professional guide, game drives, airport pickup and drop-off, five breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners.

That is a useful set of inclusions. Meals can add up quickly on a multi-day safari, and having lunch arranged each day keeps the route moving. A dedicated guide also matters more than a fancy room when your priority is finding animals and understanding what you see.

The strongest praise is directed at the food, service, and organization. Halid and Hamid are named as cooks whose meals were plentiful and well received. The food was often described as a highlight, which is welcome news on a long safari where lunch is part of the day, not just a necessary pause.

Personal expenses and tips are not included. Set aside money for gratuities to your guide, cook, and support staff, as well as anything else of a personal nature. The exact recommended tip amount is not provided, so ask the company for current guidance before you go.

The maximum group size is seven. For a solo visitor, this can be a good way to reduce the cost of a safari while still keeping the group reasonably small. For a family or group of friends, seven people can work well, though the vehicle will not feel private if it fills completely.

Comfort, camping, and the practical side of safari days

The accommodation picture appears to range from lodges to tented camps. Marera View Lodge is outside Tarangire, Serengeti Heritage Tented Lodge is used during the Serengeti stay, and Ang’ata Tented Camp is named near Ngorongoro.

The available descriptions suggest clean, humble accommodation with a bed, toilet, and warm shower in some stays. Basic camping was considered fine by people who accepted fewer comforts, while midrange lodge options appealed to those who wanted more rest after full days outside.

You should ask three direct questions: Is each night in a lodge or tented camp? Is the Arusha night on Day 6 included? What kind of bathroom and shower comes with each stay? Those answers will tell you far more about value than the headline price.

The early starts are not a minor detail. Days 4, 5, and 6 begin around sunrise, and one account describes a 4:30 a.m. wake-up. That can be hard, but it is also when the safari schedule is at its best for predator searches. Bring a warm layer for dawn, then lighter clothing for warmer afternoons.

Who this safari suits best

I would recommend this route to you if your main goal is to see as much northern Tanzania wildlife as possible in six days. It suits first-time safari visitors, solo visitors who want a small shared group, and families with older children who can manage long drives and early mornings.

It is also a good fit if you value a responsive local operator. Humphrey was repeatedly praised for quick replies, flexible planning, and help with short-notice changes. That kind of communication is useful when flights, arrival times, or personal plans shift.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you want a slow, luxury-focused stay. The itinerary has seven and eight-hour days, repeated sunrise starts, and several transfers. It is built for wildlife coverage, not lazy mornings by a pool.

You should also be realistic about the Big Five. The route offers a very good chance of seeing major wildlife, and some people connected with the safari saw all five, with rhinos at a distance. No guide can promise every animal, however, and sightings depend on conditions, location, and luck.

Should you book this Cubs Expeditions safari?

Book it if you want a strong northern Tanzania route with Tarangire elephants, two Serengeti sunrise drives, and a six-hour Ngorongoro Crater visit. The combination of meals, airport transfers, a professional guide, small-group capacity, and repeated praise for the food and communication gives the package real practical value.

Before booking, confirm the pickup airport, every accommodation night, the number of included dinners, and whether the final Arusha hotel is part of the quoted price. If those details match your expectations, this is a sensible choice for an active safari with broad wildlife coverage and helpful planning support.

FAQ

Where does the safari start?

The experience is based in Arusha, Tanzania. The first day specifies pickup from Kilimanjaro Airport, while the meeting information also names Arusha Airport, so confirm your exact pickup location before arrival.

How many people can join the safari?

The group can have a maximum of seven travelers. This makes it a shared safari with a smaller group than a large coach-style tour.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes five breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners. Because the itinerary describes five nights and an overnight in Arusha on the final day, confirm the exact dinner and accommodation schedule before booking.

Which national parks and protected areas are visited?

The route includes Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Ngorongoro Crater.

Is airport pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Airport pickup and drop-off are included, but the supplied details name both Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Airport. Ask the operator to confirm which airport applies to your booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.