5 Days Tanzania Wildlife Safari
This meticulously designed 5 days Tanzania wildlife safari provides guests with an in-depth investigation of Tanzania’s varied landscapes, wildlife, and ancient cultures. The route includes three prominent national parks and two major urban hubs, offering extensive opportunities for wildlife observation and cultural engagement.
Timeframe: 5 Days Destinations: Moshi, Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park
Detailed itinerary of an amazing 5 days Tanzania wildlife safari
Day 1: Moshi to Arusha
Distance: 80 km / 1.5 to 2 hours of driving
Start the 5 days tanzania wildlife safari expedition in Moshi, a town with a population of roughly 200,000, located at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Moshi functions as an access point for climbers seeking to ascend Africa’s tallest summit, measuring 5,895 meters.
While traveling to Arusha, see local coffee plantations. The region cultivates some of Tanzania’s premier Arabica coffee, a vital export commodity. Explore the coffee production process, from bean to cup, and taste locally cultivated types.
Upon arriving in Arusha, visit the Arusha Declaration Museum, which chronicles Tanzania’s shift to socialism under Julius Nyerere, the nation’s first president. The museum offers insights into Tanzania’s post-independence history and political evolution.
In the evening, partake in a cultural feast showcasing traditional Tanzanian meals, including ugali (maize porridge), nyama choma (grilled beef), and mishkaki (meat skewers).
Accommodation: Arusha Serena Hotel
Day 2: Transfer from Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Distance: 120 kilometers, 2 to 3 hours of driving
Depart from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, the 6th-largest national park in Tanzania, with 2,850 square kilometers. The park is named for the Tarangire River, which traverses it and serves as a crucial water source for wildlife in the dry season.
Travel through Maasai settlements, noting traditional bomas (homesteads) and herding techniques. The Maasai in this area have preserved numerous traditions while accommodating contemporary influences.
Upon arrival, go on an afternoon wildlife drive in Tarangire. The park is distinguished for its substantial elephant population, with herds of up to 300 animals occasionally recorded. Tarangire is renowned for its ancient baobab trees, with some estimated to be over 1,000 years old.
In the evening, study the Datoga people, a pastoralist tribe residing in regions adjacent to Tarangire. The Datoga are recognized for their skilled blacksmithing and unique facial tattoos.
Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Day 3: Drive from Tarangire to Ngorongoro Crater
Distance: 165 km / 3 to 4 hours of driving
Following a morning wildlife drive in Tarangire, proceed to Ngorongoro Crater. Stop in Mto wa Mbu town, renowned for its cultural diversity, featuring over 120 different tribes. Participants may see the traditional brewing of banana beer, visit a local market, and acquire knowledge about the irrigation systems that have enabled this region to thrive agriculturally.
Reach Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crater has a depth of 610 meters and a floor area of 260 square kilometers. Embark on an afternoon game drive into the crater. The crater hosts more than 25,000 large animals, featuring the greatest concentration of mammalian predators in Africa.
Investigate the Maasai communities residing in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The NCA is distinctive in Tanzania as the sole conservation area that safeguards wildlife while permitting human settlement. Approximately 80,000 Maasai pastoralists reside within the NCA, engaging in traditional livestock herding.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Day 4: Ngorongoro to Lake Manyara National Park
Distance: 65 km, / 1.5 hours of driving
Following breakfast, descend into the crater for a morning game drive prior to embarking for Lake Manyara National Park. The small park encompasses 330 square kilometers, with 200 square kilometers designated as lake area during elevated water levels.
Arrive at Lake Manyara for an afternoon safari. The park is renowned for its tree-climbing lions, substantial groups of baboons, and varied avifauna, with more than 400 species documented. The alkaline lake draws hundreds of flamingos at specific periods of the year.
Explore the Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway, a 370-meter aerial pathway offering a distinctive viewpoint of the forest canopy ecology. The walkway, the inaugural of its type in Tanzania, provides possibilities for seeing birds and monkeys at eye level.
In the evening, engage in a cultural presentation showcasing traditional dances and songs of the indigenous Iraqw tribe. The Inuit possess a distinct language that is not connected to the languages of adjacent ethnic groups.
Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Day 5: Lake Manyara – Arusha – Moshi
Distance: 130 km/2.5 hours travel (Lake Manyara to Arusha), followed by 80 km/1.5-2 hours driving (Arusha to Moshi)
Conclude with a final morning wildlife drive in Lake Manyara before departing for Arusha. Upon arrival in Arusha, visit the Tanzanite Experience museum to gain insight into this rare gemstone exclusive to Tanzania. Tanzanite was unearthed in 1967 and has emerged as a vital export for the nation.
Subsequently, visit the Arusha Central Market, a lively center of local trade offering a variety of goods, including fresh food and traditional crafts. This market provides insights into the quotidian existence in metropolitan Tanzania.
Prior to leaving for Moshi, visit the Natural History Museum, which features displays on human evolution, native flora, and regional fauna. The museum offers an extensive examination of Tanzania’s natural heritage.
Conclude your perfect 5 Days Tanzania Wildlife Safari tour by returning to Moshi and visiting the Uhuru Monument, which honors Tanzania’s independence in 1961. This monument symbolizes Tanzania’s transition from colonialism to nationhood.
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or lodgings in Moshi.