1. Are gorilla and chimpanzee permits guaranteed?

Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits are issued in limited numbers each day and tend to sell out quickly during peak travel seasons. For this reason, tour companies must apply for permits well in advance. Once your safari is confirmed and payment is received, Nomara Safaris secures your permits early to ensure availability. We strongly recommend booking at least one month in advance, especially for travel during the high season.

2. How physically demanding are the chimpanzee and gorilla treks?

Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking involves walking through forested terrain that can be steep, uneven, and sometimes muddy. A moderate level of fitness is recommended, but the pace is manageable and guided by experienced ranger guides throughout the experience.

3. What is the minimum age for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking?

The minimum age for both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 15 years, as set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

4. When is the best time to take this safari?

This safari can be enjoyed year-round. However, the best trekking conditions are during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February, when trails are less slippery and wildlife viewing is generally better.

5. Can this itinerary be customized?

Absolutely. This itinerary can be tailored to suit your travel dates, budget, accommodation preferences, and personal interests, including upgrading lodges or adding extra nights and activities.

5-Day Tanzania Safari – Ngorongoro, Ndutu & Serengeti

Ngorongoro • Ndutu • Serengeti Wilderness

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

5-Day Tanzania Safari Overview

Embark on a thrilling 5-Day Tanzania Safari through some of East Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations — Ngorongoro Crater, the Ndutu plains, and the vast Serengeti National Park. This safari is designed for travelers who crave adventure, breathtaking landscapes, and up-close encounters with Africa’s most iconic animals in just five unforgettable days.

Your journey begins in the lush, rolling highlands around Karatu, where misty valleys and coffee plantations set the stage for your African adventure. From here, you’ll descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural amphitheater teeming with wildlife — lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and countless antelope species coexist in this unique ecosystem.

Next, you’ll explore the Ndutu plains, part of the southern Serengeti ecosystem, where migratory wildebeest and zebra herds roam freely, and predators like lions and cheetahs are often in pursuit. The adventure continues into the iconic Serengeti National Park, a seemingly endless wilderness of golden savannahs dotted with acacia trees, where every moment is a potential wildlife spectacle.

This carefully balanced itinerary combines exciting game drives, scenic transfers, and comfortable lodges and tented camps. You’ll experience Tanzania’s wildlife, landscapes, and culture in a way that is immersive, adventurous, and unforgettable — all in a perfectly paced five-day journey that maximizes your safari experience without feeling rushed.

Whether it’s your first safari or you’re returning for another taste of East Africa’s wild heart, this trip promises awe-inspiring landscapes, thrilling predator action, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Trip Highlights

Day 1: Arrival & Transfer to Karatu
Day 2 : Safari in Ngorongoro Crater – Transfer to Ndutu
Day 3: Game Drives in Ndutu – Transfer to Serengeti National Park
Day 4: Full Day Game Drives in Serengeti National Park
Day 5: Morning Game Drive in Serengeti – Departure

Day 01 :

Arrival & Transfer to Karatu

Your adventure begins the moment you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Meet your expert safari guide and transfer through the rolling landscapes of Arusha and the Ngorongoro Highlands toward Karatu.

Along the way, enjoy sweeping views of verdant coffee plantations and misty highland valleys. Arrive at your lodge, unwind, and savor your first dinner surrounded by the peaceful African highlands — the perfect prelude to your safari adventure.

Overnight: Karatu lodge
Meals: Dinner

Day 02 :

Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Transfer to Ndutu

After an early breakfast, descend into the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, a natural wildlife amphitheater brimming with life. Spend the morning on game drives spotting:

🦁 Lion prides basking in the sun
🐘 Majestic elephants grazing along waterholes
🦏 Rare black rhinos hidden in forested corners
🦓 Wildebeest, zebras, and colorful birds

After a morning of wildlife wonders, continue to the Ndutu region, part of the southern Serengeti ecosystem. Here, the plains stretch endlessly, teeming with migratory herds and predator activity — the perfect combination of adventure and discovery.

Overnight: Lodge / Safari camp in Ndutu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 03 :

Ndutu Game Drives – Transfer to Serengeti National Park

Wake up to the vibrant sounds of the Ndutu plains and embark on an early morning game drive. Scan the horizon for:

🐆 Cheetahs on the prowl
🦒 Giraffes silhouetted against the dawn sky
🦁 Lions moving stealthily across the savannah

After a morning immersed in wildlife, transfer to the Serengeti National Park, the crown jewel of Tanzanian safaris. On arrival, take a short afternoon game drive to start exploring this iconic wilderness. Endless golden plains, scattered acacia trees, and roaming wildlife create unforgettable safari moments.

Overnight: Central Serengeti lodge / camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 04 :

Full-Day Game Drives in Serengeti National Park

Today, the Serengeti unfolds before you in all its glory. Spend the day on morning and afternoon game drives exploring its vast plains and hidden corners. Witness:

✔ Lions lazing in acacia shade
✔ Leopards perched high in trees, surveying the land
✔ Giant herds of wildebeest and zebra grazing together
✔ Elephants and buffalo roaming freely
✔ Colorful birdlife adding movement and sound to the plains

Enjoy lunch in the bush or back at your lodge, surrounded by the raw beauty of nature. The Serengeti’s dramatic landscapes and wildlife activity will leave you awe-inspired all day.

Overnight: Serengeti lodge / camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 05 :

Morning Game Drive – Transfer to Arusha – Departure

Wake early for a final morning game drive to capture the magic of the Serengeti at dawn. After breakfast, begin your journey back toward Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport, reflecting on the thrilling wildlife encounters, dramatic landscapes, and unforgettable memories of Tanzania’s wilderness.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
End of Safari