Tanzania Simba Safari – 5 Days

Africa feels very real here. This five-day private safari links Serengeti National Park with the Ngorongoro Crater, giving you long game drives, open plains, and a strong chance to see lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos. I like the private 4×4, the full board arrangement, and the fact that one guide stays with your group. The main catch is the amount of time spent on the road, especially the seven-hour journey from Arusha to the Serengeti.

I also like the personal touch built into the trip. Guides such as Adrian, Goodluck, Harry, Dennis, Louis, Musa H., and Abisai Mbasha have been praised for spotting animals, explaining the bush, and helping families feel safe and comfortable. You should still confirm the exact lodges, room setup, and nightly route before paying, since the published schedule has a few details that do not line up perfectly.

The safari at a glance

• Private 4×4 Toyota Cruiser: Your own group travels with a driver-guide rather than sharing a vehicle with strangers.
• Two famous wildlife areas: The route focuses on the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, both central to a northern Tanzania safari.
• Long Serengeti game drive: Day three allows a full day in the park, with morning and afternoon wildlife viewing.
• Airport pickup in Arusha: A driver-guide meets you at Arusha Airport and takes you to your hotel.
• Most major costs included: Lodging, park fees, meals listed in the package, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and water on game drives are covered.
• Strong customer satisfaction: The tour carries a 5 out of 5 rating from 217 ratings, with 100 percent recommending it.

What you are paying for at $2,897.06

At $2,897.06 per person, this is not a budget safari. Still, the price includes several expensive pieces: a private vehicle, a dedicated driver-guide, park fees, accommodation, airport pickup, and most meals. Those costs add up quickly in northern Tanzania, so the package can make sense if you value privacy and simple planning.

The private format matters. You are not waiting for a large group to finish breakfast or squeeze into someone else’s preferred schedule. If a lion is resting beside the road, your guide can spend more time there. If you are tired after a long morning, your group can discuss returning to camp.

The value depends heavily on group size. One person paying alone will find the price steep. A family or small group splitting the vehicle cost may find it more reasonable. Since the package says only your group will participate, ask how the price changes for two, three, or four people.

There are also some costs outside the package. International and domestic flights, visas, travel and medical insurance, guide and hotel staff tips, lodge drinks, and laundry are not included. The vehicle includes soft drinks, tea, coffee, and water during game drives, but you should not assume that wine, beer, bottled drinks at the lodge, or other beverages are covered.

One point needs clarification before booking. The meal list says four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners. Day five specifically includes breakfast and lunch but not dinner, which makes sense if you fly home that day. The accommodation description says one night in Arusha and four nights on safari, while the day-by-day program appears to show fewer clearly stated overnight stops. Ask for the exact lodging plan in writing.

Day one: a gentle arrival in Arusha

Your safari begins at Arusha Airport, where a driver-guide meets you and takes you to your selected hotel in Arusha. This is a useful first day because you do not have to begin with a long drive immediately after an international flight.

The guide is also expected to introduce you to Arusha and Tanzania. That can help you get your bearings before heading into the parks. The first night is listed as half board, so confirm whether that means breakfast and dinner at your hotel and whether airport arrival time affects the meal arrangement.

Do not treat this arrival day as a sightseeing tour of Arusha. The description promises an introduction to the city and country, but it does not list specific attractions or a structured city visit. Think of it as a transfer, welcome, and rest day.

Day two: the seven-hour drive to Serengeti National Park

Day two is the hardest travel day. The route from Arusha to the Serengeti is listed as roughly 335 kilometers and about seven hours. In practice, the length of the day can feel greater once you add breaks, lunch, park entry procedures, and the afternoon game drive.

The road journey is part of the setting. You will see Tanzania change as you head west, with the towns and settled areas giving way to open country. The tour description highlights the colors and character of the country along the route, but it does not promise particular roadside stops, so keep your expectations flexible.

After lunch, you begin an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti. The first sight of the plains is likely to be one of the strongest moments of the trip. The space is enormous, and the appeal comes from scale as much as from individual animals. You may spend time searching a wide stretch of grassland before finding wildlife.

This first afternoon is a good test of the guide. The company’s strongest praise centers on guides who can spot animals at a great distance and know where to look. Goodluck is described as both an effective driver and a strong source of information about animals and plant life. Louis has also been praised for finding good viewing spots and explaining the area.

Day three: the trip’s best wildlife day

Day three gives you the most time in the Serengeti. After breakfast, you head out for a morning game drive, return to a picnic lunch, and then continue into the afternoon. The schedule allows roughly 12 hours for the day.

That long stretch matters because wildlife does not appear on demand. A full day gives you more chances to see predators, grazing animals, birds, and smaller scenes that are easy to miss when you rush from one park to another. The changing light can also alter the feel of the plains from morning to afternoon.

Your guide is a major part of the value. The most useful guide is not simply someone who drives to a famous animal and points. You want someone who can explain behavior, read the terrain, answer questions, and position the vehicle without making the outing feel frantic. Past praise for Adrian, Harry, Dennis, Goodluck, Musa H., and Abisai Mbasha points to this combination of wildlife skill and personal care.

Abisai Mbasha, in particular, has been praised for finding several prides of lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Harry and Dennis received strong praise for attention to detail and their explanations. Adrian has been described as patient and helpful with an older participant, which is useful if your group includes family members who need a slower pace.

The drawback is simple: a 12-hour game-drive day is tiring. You will spend many hours seated in a vehicle, often on uneven roads. The schedule suits people who want to maximize wildlife time, but it may feel demanding if you prefer slow mornings, long lodge breaks, or a shorter daily program.

Day four: one last Serengeti drive, then Ngorongoro

The morning begins with another Serengeti game drive of about four hours. This shorter outing gives you one final chance to look for animals before leaving the park.

After a picnic lunch, you drive east toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The program lists another four hours for this part of the day, followed by arrival at the lodge and a hot dinner. This is another transfer-heavy day, so you should expect the afternoon to be more about reaching the next base than stopping constantly for wildlife.

Ngorongoro feels different from the open Serengeti. The crater is a contained natural setting, with steep walls creating a dramatic bowl for wildlife viewing. You do not need to chase the horizon in the same way. The next morning brings the main crater drive, so day four is best viewed as a transition into a new setting.

Because the tour uses lodges, you should have a more settled evening than you would on a camping itinerary. The package includes lodging and dinner as part of the safari meal plan, although exact lodge names are not supplied. Ask about the property, room type, electricity, and whether drinks are charged separately.

Day five: the Ngorongoro Crater finale

The final morning starts early with a game drive in Ngorongoro Crater. The schedule allows about four hours, followed by a picnic lunch inside the crater before the transfer to the airport.

The early start is worthwhile because the crater is presented as one of the world’s great natural sights, not merely another place to tick off. The enclosed setting can make wildlife viewing feel concentrated, and the combination of crater walls, open floor, and animals creates a memorable final morning.

You may see some of the same broad categories of wildlife as in the Serengeti, but the experience is different. The Serengeti is about distance and movement across open plains. Ngorongoro is about a powerful setting and a greater sense of enclosure.

The return to the airport is the least predictable part of the schedule. The details do not state which airport you use, what time the flight departs, or how long the transfer takes. Do not book a tight onward connection without confirming the timing. Dinner is not included on departure day, so plan your flight and food arrangements accordingly.

The driver-guide can make or break the trip

The clearest strength of this safari is the guide. Wildlife drives depend on sharp eyes, local experience, calm driving, and good judgment. A vehicle can pass close to an animal and miss it if the guide is not paying attention. Several guides connected with this company have been singled out for spotting animals from far away.

The company can assign different guides, so you may not receive a specific person. If a named guide is important to you, ask if you can request Adrian, Goodluck, Harry, Dennis, Louis, Musa H., or Abisai Mbasha. A request is not the same as a guarantee, but it is worth making early.

I also like the reports of guides helping older family members and making the trip feel personal. That suggests this safari can work well for families, provided everyone accepts the long drives and rough vehicle movement.

The guide is not only there to find the Big Five. You should use the time to ask about animal behavior, local communities, conservation, the Serengeti’s seasonal patterns, and the meaning of the Ngorongoro area. A good guide turns a string of sightings into a clearer understanding of the place.

Comfort, food, and the private vehicle

The safari uses a 4×4 Toyota Cruiser, a standard type of vehicle for game drives in this region. The provided details do not specify whether it has a pop-up roof, charging outlets, seat layout, or refrigerator, so confirm those features before departure.

Water, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included on game drives. Picnic lunches are part of the route on the longer park days. Lodge meals are covered according to the listed breakfast, lunch, and dinner allowances, but lodge drinks and laundry cost extra.

The private vehicle is a real benefit for couples, families, and small groups. You can ask questions freely and avoid the social compromises of a shared vehicle. The trade-off is that a private safari usually costs more per person, especially if only one or two people occupy the vehicle.

Pack lightly but bring clothing for changing temperatures, a hat, sunscreen, binoculars if you have them, and a camera with spare battery power. These are practical suggestions for a vehicle-based safari, not extra promises about what the operator supplies.

Who should book this five-day safari?

I would recommend it most strongly to someone who wants the major northern Tanzania highlights in a short period. You get Arusha, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro without arranging several separate transfers.

It is also a good fit for:

• Families who want a private vehicle and flexible attention from one guide
• First-time safari visitors who prefer lodging and park fees bundled together
• Small groups that can share the cost of a private 4×4
• Wildlife fans who want one very long Serengeti game-drive day
• Older participants who value assistance and do not want to manage transport alone

I would hesitate if you dislike long road transfers or want a slow, lodge-centered holiday. The seven-hour journey to the Serengeti and the four-hour transfer toward Ngorongoro take up real time. Five days is enough for a strong introduction, but it does not allow much slack if roads, flights, or wildlife plans change.

The tour is marked as suitable for most people, but no detailed mobility information is supplied. If anyone in your group has mobility, medical, or dietary needs, ask the operator before booking rather than relying on the general participation note.

Booking details worth checking first

Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within seven days of departure, confirmation may take up to 48 hours and remains subject to availability.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Before you commit, ask for:

• The exact Arusha hotel and safari lodges
• The number of nights in each location
• The airport used on day five
• The planned departure time
• The vehicle’s roof and seating arrangement
• The final meal plan, especially the four-night accommodation wording
• The price for your exact group size
• The likely guide assignment

Should you book Tanzania Simba Safari?

Book this tour if you want a private, tightly planned introduction to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, and you are willing to trade relaxed pacing for more wildlife time. The included vehicle, guide, park fees, lodging, and meals make the price easier to justify for a small group.

I would book only after clarifying the lodging and airport details. If the operator confirms a sensible overnight plan and a vehicle suited to your group, this is a strong choice for a first Tanzania safari. If you have more time, adding extra days would reduce the road pressure. If you have only five days, this route gives you two of the country’s biggest wildlife experiences with a guide focused on finding the animals.

FAQ

Where does the safari start?

The safari starts at Arusha Airport in Arusha, Tanzania.

How long is the safari?

The experience lasts approximately five days.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

Which parks and protected areas are included?

The itinerary includes Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, including a game drive in Ngorongoro Crater.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. A driver-guide meets you at Arusha Airport and takes you to your hotel in Arusha.

What meals are included?

The package lists four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners. Day five specifically includes breakfast and lunch, while dinner is not included.

What is not included in the price?

International and domestic flights, visas, travel and medical insurance, tips for guides and hotel staff, lodge drinks, and laundry are not included.