5-Days Tanzania Private Budget Safari – Northern Circuit (Tarangire • Serengeti • Ngorongoro)
Experience the best of Northern Tanzania on this 5-day private budget safari, designed for travelers seeking adventure without compromising affordability. Explore the iconic wildlife destinations of Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti plains, and the Ngorongoro Crater, witnessing Africa’s legendary animals in their natural habitats. Stay at budget-friendly public campsites such as Ngedere, Mtombu, Nyanicamp, and Simba Campsite, offering an authentic safari camping experience under the African sky. Enjoy daily game drives, picnic lunches, and the guidance of a knowledgeable private safari guide who ensures personalized attention throughout the trip.
This safari is perfect for travelers who want to experience diverse landscapes—from the elephant-rich savannahs of Tarangire, the predator-packed plains of the Serengeti, to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater—all while staying on a budget.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha → Tarangire National Park (Ngedere Campsite)
Your adventure begins with an early morning pickup from your Arusha hotel. Meet your private guide for a safari briefing before departing for Tarangire National Park. Famous for its massive elephant herds and iconic baobab trees, Tarangire is also home to giraffes, zebras, impalas, and predators like lions and leopards. Enjoy a full-day private game drive with opportunities to take photos at scenic viewpoints. A picnic lunch will be served in the park amidst the wildlife. In the evening, check in at Ngedere Campsite, a budget public campsite that offers basic facilities and a chance to sleep under the stars.
Day 2: Mtombu → Central Serengeti (Nyanicamp Public Campsite)
After an early breakfast, leave Mtombu and drive through the scenic landscapes of the Ngorongoro Highlands, observing rolling hills, traditional villages, and farmland. Arrive in central Serengeti, a region teeming with wildlife. Spend the afternoon on a private game drive, spotting lions, cheetahs, wildebeest, and zebras. Depending on the season, you may witness part of the Great Migration. Overnight will be at Nyanicamp Public Campsite, centrally located for easy access to wildlife areas and offering budget-friendly tented accommodation.
Day 3: Central Serengeti – Full Day Game Drive (Nyanicamp Public Campsite)
Wake up early for a full-day game drive in central Serengeti during the animals’ most active hours. Explore predator hotspots, birdwatching areas, and the vast open plains. Stop for a picnic lunch in the park while continuing wildlife spotting. The evening game drive offers a chance to see nocturnal animals starting their activities. Return to Nyanicamp Public Campsite for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Central Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater (Simba Campsite)
Begin the day with a morning game drive in the Serengeti to catch more wildlife activity before departing for Ngorongoro. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy its breathtaking scenery and dense wildlife population, including elephants, lions, rhinos, and flamingos near soda lakes. After a half-day crater drive, check in at Simba Campsite, a public budget campsite near the crater rim, for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Ngorongoro → Arusha
After an early breakfast, leave Ngorongoro for the drive back to Arusha. Optionally, you may make a brief stop at small villages or scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in Arusha by afternoon, concluding your memorable 5-day private safari adventure.
Inclusions: 4 nights’ budget campsite accommodation (Ngedere, Mtombu, Nyani, Simba), private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof, English-speaking guide/driver, daily breakfast/picnic lunch/dinner, park entrance fees (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater), drinking water during game drives, game drives per itinerary.
Exclusions: Flights to/from Tanzania, visa fees, travel/medical insurance, soft drinks & alcoholic beverages, personal expenses, tips for guides/campsite staff, optional activities outside itinerary.