FAQs for Tanzania Safari in 5 Days and 4 Nights

1. How do I choose the ideal park for my safari? North Tanzania is renowned for its iconic parks, each offering unique and captivating experiences. To determine the ideal park for your 5-day safari, it's important to understand the distinct characteristics of each park.

The iconic Serengeti, where you can spot every quintessentially African animal, awaits you with its vast savannahs and incredible wildlife encounters. Tarangire National Park boasts majestic baobabs and impressive herds of elephants. Ngorongoro Crater is a remarkable destination rich in wildlife, cultural heritage, and historical significance. Lake Manyara National Park showcases a mosaic of a variety of ecosystems and is home to zebras, giraffes, elephants and other fascinating wildlife. Arusha National Park offers a serene and scenic environment with opportunities for hiking and exploration. We recommend exploring our detailed pages on Central Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, and Arusha to gain a better understanding of what each park has to offer. Take your time to learn about the highlights and characteristics of each park, and choose the one that resonates with your interests and preferences.

2. How many sections of Serengeti should I visit during a 5 day tour? While 5 days do give you enough time to explore the parks you really want to, it is still a limited time. Hence, within five days we recommend exploring only the Central Serengeti region if you wish to explore other parks as well. The region is abundant in wildlife and will ensure an excellent view of the wildlife in the midst of the iconic savannas studded with giant kopjes.

If you do wish to explore another region besides Central Serengeti, then we would recommend spending two days in each region leading up to a total of 4 days inside Serengeti.

3. How many parks can I visit during a 5 day Safari? You can explore about two to three parks within five days. If you do not mind a rushed itinerary then you can even accommodate up to 4 parks.

4. What wildlife can I expect to see during a 5-day safari depending upon the park that you visit? During a 5-day safari in Tanzania, you can expect to encounter a diverse array of wildlife. Here are some examples of the wildlife you may have the opportunity to spot:

Serengeti National Park: You can spot almost every African animal that you’ve seen on the tv here. Giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, Buffalos, the big cats, hippos, warthogs, a variety of antelopes, and so much more.

Tarangire National Park: Known for its large herds of elephants, Tarangire is home to a variety of wildlife such as lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffalos, and various antelope species. You will also come across a wide range of bird species.

Ngorongoro Crater: The Ngorongoro Crater is a unique conservation area that boasts a high concentration of wildlife. Here, you can encounter elephants, lions, black rhinos, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, flamingos, and an abundance of birdlife. The crater's enclosed ecosystem offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Lake Manyara National Park: At Lake Manyara you will come across species like elephants, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, and various antelope species. There will also be plenty of birds to spot.

Arusha National Park: In Arusha National Park, you can encounter a diverse range of wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, buffalos, warthogs, and numerous bird species. The park's lush landscapes, including the Momella Lakes, provide a picturesque backdrop for wildlife sightings.

These are just a few examples, and each park has its own unique offerings in terms of wildlife. Your experienced safari guide will be knowledgeable about the park's fauna and will do their best to ensure you have the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife during your 1-day safari adventure.

5. How long does a game drive typically last? A typical game drive can last up to eight to nine hours. However, it's important to note that on the day you travel to parks, a portion of your day will go into the transfer, organising necessary documents, and paying park fees, leaving you with about 6 hours for game drives.

Nevertheless, whether you choose two parks or three, you will have ample time to observe wildlife and enjoy the captivating landscapes. A five day tour will also feel a bit more relaxed compared to tours with lesser days.

6. Are there any other activities besides game drives that I can participate in during the safari? Yes, during a 5-day safari in Tanzania, you have the option to participate in various activities in addition to the game drive. These activities can include hot air balloon safaris, walking safaris, rhino tours, hiking, visiting the Olduvai museum and gorge, exploring a Maasai Village, enjoying a canoeing experience, tree top walks and more.

7. What is the transportation method for the safari? Will I be picked up from my accommodation? We will provide you with a 4x4 landcruiser that is famously used for safaris in Africa. You will be picked up in such a vehicle from your accommodation in Arusha and driven to your chosen park. The game drives and transfers to other parks will continue in the same vehicle.

8. What should I expect in terms of comfort during the safari? During your 5-day safari in Tanzania, the vehicle provided to you will be comfortable and well-equipped. It will offer ample legroom, ports to charge your electronics, and multiple large windows to ensure optimal viewing opportunities. However, it's important to note that the safari experience may involve travelling on gravelly and bumpy roads, which can impact the overall ride comfort. Additionally, due to the limited time frame of a 5-day safari, the itinerary may feel somewhat rushed as you aim to make the most of your experience within the available time.

9. What are the inclusions for a 5-day safari package? Inclusions for a 4 day safari package are meals, drinking water (2 liter per person per day), park fees, fee for drive and guide, 4x4 landcruiser, and all taxes and VAT.

10. Is a 5-day safari ideal for me? A 5-day safari is ideal for solo travellers, couples, and large groups too. It offers a great opportunity to experience a safari adventure, especially if you have limited time available. It is also a suitable option for those who are conscious of their budget.

However, we would not recommend a 5 day safari for families with children, as children might get exhausted and may have difficulty keeping up with the pace of the tour. This could potentially impact their enjoyment of the experience.

11. Will I be able to spot the Big Five during my safari? The Big Five includes Lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Elephants and Rhinos. Whether you will be able to spot them depends on the parks that you choose.

Arusha National Park has virtually no predators, but you will be able to spot elephants and Buffalos.

In Tarangire, you will come across Lions, Elephants, and Buffalos. While the Leopards find shelter there too, due to their elusive nature they are difficult to spot. Rhinos cannot be found here at all.

In Ngorongoro, all the big five reside, however once again Leopards will be difficult to spot. When it comes to Rhinos, there is a probability of 60 to 70 per cent of spotting them. Rest of the big five will be easy to spot.

In Lake Manyara once again Elephants and Buffalos will be easy to spot. There is about a 40 to 50% chance of spotting lions and a 5% chance of spotting Leopards. Rhinos remain absent here.

Serengeti hosts all the big five and spotting lions, elephants, and buffalos is certain. Leopards and rhinos will be tricky to find and there isn’t a guarantee of spotting them.

Please note that, while choosing the park greatly impacts the probability of spotting the Big Five, the number of days is also an important factor, therefore a five day safari will allow you time to spot enough Big Five animals.

12. How many days should I allocate to Serengeti during a 5 day safari? If you wish to explore Serengeti during your five day safari we would recommend allocating at least two to three days as it is a vast region with much to explore.