The opening chapter
Tarangire
Begin among baobab-dotted landscapes and river corridors, with your first day dedicated to wildlife exploration.
The Genau Guides Collection
Tanzania’s Three Icons.
Tarangire. Ngorongoro. Serengeti.
Ancient baobabs, a remarkable crater and plains that seem to go on forever. Experience three extraordinary landscapes on a five-day journey through northern Tanzania.
The landscapes ahead
Tarangire
Baobabs & river landscapes
Ngorongoro
A world within the crater
Serengeti
Open plains & safari nights
The journey, considered
Three landscapes. A new perspective.
Begin beneath Tarangire’s ancient baobabs. Descend into the remarkable Ngorongoro Crater. Then let the Serengeti open out before you.
This five-day route brings together overland exploration and a proposed flight back to Arusha. With two nights in the Serengeti, you have a full day to explore its landscapes before departure. Accommodation and daily arrangements are shaped around your dates, preferences and budget.
For travellers drawn to variety.
Distinct landscapes, time with your guide and evenings to settle into safari life.
Central Serengeti · 2 nights
Stay a little longer
Two safari nights. One full day to follow your curiosity.
Three chapters of your safari
Different landscapes. A connected journey.A change of perspective
Ngorongoro Crater
Descend to the crater floor with your guide, then return to the highlands for the next stage of your journey.
Room to explore
Serengeti
Spend two nights in central Serengeti, with a full day to explore before your proposed flight back to Arusha.
Follow the journey
Five days. A story that unfolds.
From your first game drive to the flight back to Arusha, each day brings a different landscape. This sample itinerary is shaped around your dates, with final timings, stays and services confirmed in your personalised quotation.
Day
01
Elephants & baobabs
Arusha to Tarangire
Arusha → Tarangire → Karatu
Leave Arusha early and travel to Tarangire for your first game drive. Explore river corridors and baobab-dotted landscapes, pausing for a picnic lunch before continuing your wildlife viewing. In the afternoon, travel onward to the Karatu area and settle into your accommodation.
Your overnight stay
Karatu area
Proposed meals
Lunch & dinner
A little planning detail
Plan to be in Arusha the previous night. An arrival-night hotel and airport transfer can be quoted separately.
Day
02
Inside the caldera
Ngorongoro Crater
Karatu → Ngorongoro Crater → Karatu / highlands
Set off early for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the crater for a game drive. Explore its changing habitats with your guide and enjoy a picnic lunch at an authorised stop. Later, ascend to the highlands and return to your accommodation for dinner.
Your overnight stay
Karatu or Ngorongoro highlands
Proposed meals
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
A little planning detail
The crater visit follows the applicable entry conditions and permitted game-drive time. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Day
03
The plains open up
Into the Serengeti
Ngorongoro highlands → central Serengeti
Travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area towards the Serengeti, watching the scenery change from highlands to open plains. After the park-entry formalities, continue with wildlife viewing en route to your camp. Arrive in time to settle in and enjoy dinner beneath the African sky.
Your overnight stay
Central Serengeti
Proposed meals
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
A little planning detail
This is a substantial road-transfer day. Departure time and game viewing depend on your accommodation location and road conditions.
Day
04
A day in the wild
Explore central Serengeti
Game drives in central Serengeti
Spend the day exploring with your safari guide. Choose a full-day game drive with a packed lunch, or discuss morning and afternoon outings if your camp location allows. Follow the wildlife rather than a rigid checklist, taking time to observe animal behaviour and appreciate the landscape.
Your overnight stay
Central Serengeti
Proposed meals
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
A little planning detail
A balloon safari may be requested at additional cost, subject to availability, weather and operator requirements. Migration-focused routing needs a separate seasonal plan.
Day
05
One last look
Fly from Serengeti to Arusha
Camp → Seronera airstrip → Arusha Airport
Enjoy breakfast before transferring to Seronera airstrip. Depending on the confirmed flight time and camp location, there may be time for a short game drive en route. Board your scheduled light-aircraft flight to Arusha, where this five-day journey ends.
Your overnight stay
No overnight stay included
Proposed meals
Breakfast; lunch if confirmed in your quote
A little planning detail
The flight is proposed and subject to schedule and seat availability. Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport are different airports; onward transfers and connection buffers must be arranged separately.
Prefer another night in the wild?
Ask us to adjust the pace or extend your stay.
Rest between adventures
Four nights. Part of the journey.
A place to pause, settle in and look forward to the morning.
Choose your preferred balance of comfort, location and budget. Your quotation will identify the proposed properties, room types and meal plans, subject to availability.
Your first night
1 night
Karatu area
Lodge or country retreat
Settle into the Karatu area after your day in Tarangire, ready for an early departure towards Ngorongoro Crater.
A pause between your first game drive and the highlands.
Your second night
1 night
Karatu / Ngorongoro highlands
Lodge positioned for the onward route
Return from your crater visit to accommodation selected around the next stage of your journey towards the Serengeti.
The exact location is confirmed when your route is finalised.
Your final two nights
2 nights
Central Serengeti
Tented camp or safari lodge
Make central Serengeti your base for two nights, with a full day dedicated to exploring before your proposed departure flight.
Two nights in one place, with time to enjoy safari life.
Your preferred stay
Tell us what makes you feel at home.
Share your accommodation budget, room preferences and any accessibility or dietary requirements. These details help us assess suitable options with the properties.
Overnight locations are indicative. Named properties, room arrangements and meal plans are confirmed in your quotation.
The details that matter
Know your journey. Plan with confidence.
A clear picture of what your safari covers.
These are the proposed arrangements for this journey. Your written quotation confirms the services, inclusions and costs for your booking.
The safari essentials
Proposed inclusions
The foundation of your five-day journey.
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Your vehicle & guide
Safari vehicle and professional driver-guide for the road itinerary.
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Four nights on safari
Accommodation in the properties confirmed in your quotation.
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Meals along the way
Meals as specified in your final itinerary.
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Park & conservation access
Park-entry, conservation-area and crater-access fees required for the confirmed route.
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Time to explore
Game drives described in your final itinerary.
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Airstrip transfer
Camp-to-airstrip transfer on day 5.
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Proposed return flight
Scheduled Seronera–Arusha flight, if included in your confirmed quotation.
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Water during game drives
Drinking water as confirmed in your quotation.
Beyond the package
Separately quoted or excluded
Allow for these when planning your budget.
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International travel
International flights, visas and travel insurance.
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Before your safari
Arrival-night accommodation and pre-safari airport transfers.
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After your safari
Transfers from Arusha Airport and onward travel.
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Optional experiences
Balloon safaris, cultural visits and other optional activities.
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Personal expenses
Tips, laundry, personal purchases and drinks beyond your confirmed meal plan.
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Additional airline charges
Excess baggage and charges outside your quoted fare.
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Other services
Any service not expressly included in your final quotation.
Before you confirm: review your personalised quotation for the exact properties, meal plans, flight arrangements and included services.
Before you go
A few things to know.
From flight connections to the time you spend on the road, these details help you picture how your safari comes together.
Let’s talk it through
Have something else in mind?
Tell us what matters to your trip. We’ll help you explore the options.
Ask about this journeyPlanning your five-day safari
Select a question to read moreIs this a fully fly-in safari?
Travel style
This is a road safari with a proposed flight out of the Serengeti. Days 1–3 include road transfers, and day 3 involves a substantial drive. If you prefer to fly into the Serengeti as well, ask us to design a different route.
Will this itinerary follow the Great Migration?
Wildlife & seasonality
The standard route uses central Serengeti. A migration-focused trip requires accommodation and routing selected for your dates and the herds’ location. Tell us if this is a priority so we can adapt the plan. Sightings and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.
Can I start in Zanzibar?
Starting your journey
Ask us to quote suitable flight connections and an adapted itinerary. This five-day sample begins in Arusha, so a Zanzibar departure changes the travel arrangements and may change the route.
What luggage can I bring?
Packing for your flight
Your confirmed airline and route determine the baggage allowance and bag requirements. Check these before packing; light-aircraft services may have restrictive limits. The exact allowance will be provided with your flight details.
Can we change the pace or accommodation?
Making it yours
Yes. Request different accommodation, an extra night or an alternative route when enquiring. Family ages, mobility needs and dietary requirements help us assess appropriate options with suppliers.
Can I connect to an international flight on day 5?
Onward connections
Share your onward flight details before booking. The safari flight ends at Arusha Airport, while many international flights use Kilimanjaro International Airport. Transfers, flight schedules and an appropriate connection buffer must be assessed together.