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5-Day Tanzania Safari Tours

Tanzania is one of the top safari countries in Africa, and there are many options for a 5-day safari here. You can do a safari in isolation, or combine it with a beach holiday. Zanzibar is only a short plane hop away, and mainland Tanzania has some beautiful, idyllic beaches too. Adventure junkies might want to tag on an epic climb of Africa’s tallest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro. On a Tanzanian 5-day safari, you can visit the world-famous Northern safari circuit, featuring the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, or the lesser-known Southern safari circuit for an off-the-beaten-track safari. Whichever one you choose, you’ll go home with lots of precious memories, and chances are, one day, you’ll be back for more.

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5 Questions About 5-Day Tanzania Safaris

 
 

5 Questions About 5-Day Tanzania Safaris

Answered by Ariadne van Zandbergen

Is it recommended to do a 5-day safari in Tanzania?

“It is difficult to give a recommended length for a Tanzanian safari. The flight to Africa from most destinations takes quite long, and many travelers also have jetlag to deal with. Taking this into account, most visitors would want to spend at least a week to 10 days in the country to make the trip worthwhile. Many people coming to Tanzania use their entire holiday on a safari of a lifetime. However, others want to combine the safari with some time at the beach, or perhaps a Kilimanjaro climb. A 5-day safari is relatively short, but it will certainly do the trick if you are looking at a beach holiday with a safari extension. Moving camp or lodging every day is tiresome, but with a 5-day safari you should at least be able to spend a couple of nights in one spot. Time permitting, you could perhaps add on another day or 2 to really make the most of this special experience.”

1

What can I fit in during a 5-day safari in Tanzania?

“There are many 5-day safaris on offer in Tanzania, but when settling on an itinerary, you should never try to fit in too much. Think quality time over quantity. Spend a bit longer in one place rather than rushing around moving between parks and reserves. The most popular tours are in the Northern circuit. You can comfortably visit the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti on a 5-day safari. If driving there and flying back, you could decide to base yourself in the Western Corridor or the northern Serengeti, away from the crowds in the central Serengeti. For variety, you can also add on Lake Manyara National Park or Tarangire National Park. The latter is very rewarding in the Dry-season months. But this would then obviously shorten the time you can spent in the Serengeti. There are options in the Southern safari circuit as well. Wildlife is perhaps slightly less abundant here, but there are fewer visitors, and more opportunities for boating and walking excursions. Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) and Mikumi National Park form a popular road-safari combination. And for a real off-the-beaten-track experience you could also add a night in Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Alternatively, Ruaha National Park is perhaps the jewel of the south, and you won’t get bored spending 5 days and 4 nights in this magical place.”

2

What kind of accommodation can I expect?

“Tanzania’s tourism industry is very established, and you should be able to find accommodation that is just right for your safari, or even better than expected. Maybe you’re on a tight budget, or maybe you want to splurge on a luxury holiday. Maybe you are looking for an authentic bush experience, or you prefer a home-away-from-home experience with all the creature comforts you are used to. Tanzania has the right accommodation for every type of visitor. There are no-frills budget accommodation options on the outskirts of the parks and reserves. If you need a place to eat a hearty meal and lay down your head at the end of an exciting day, these establishments offer all you need. There are many mid-range options as well. Many of them are inside the parks, which has obvious benefits compared to basing yourself outside the boundaries. Some of them are larger hotels, reminiscent of ordinary town hotels, but often with spectacular views. Others are small tented camps that lack facilities such as air-conditioning and carpeted floors, but offer an authentic back-to-nature experience with outdoor dining and camp fires at night. Budget permitting, there is a whole range of luxury accommodation to choose from too. Many of the smaller boutique lodges ooze sophistication, and their designs are often out of this world. The food, service and guiding are obviously unparalleled too.”

3

Which animals can I expect to see?

“You’re in for a treat on a Tanzanian safari; all the popular parks and reserves teem with wildlife. For sheer numbers, the Northern circuit parks are best. Especially so if you plan your trip to coincide with the annual wildebeest migration, when millions of blue wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move together in search of greener pastures. These enormous herds attract lots of predators as well. Lion and cheetah are usually nearby, and if you’re lucky you could see a leopard feeding in a tree. When booking a safari in the Dry season, you might want to include Tarangire National Park. Huge herds of elephant congregate here when water gets scarce elsewhere. If you decide to visit the southern Tanzanian parks, such as Ruaha and Nyerere, you might get lucky with wild dog. These parks are some of the last strongholds of these endangered animals. Ruaha is known for big prides of lion, and you might also appreciate the variety of antelope here. Unusual species, such as roan and lesser kudu, are regularly spotted.”

4

How much will this safari cost?

“There are many variables in the cost of a holiday, therefore it is difficult to put a price on a 5-day safari in Tanzania. Expect a starting price of US$950 per person for a 5-day budget tour, while luxury tours start at about US$2,500. Before booking a tour, it makes sense to get a few quotes. There is the comfort level to consider. Tours range from budget (camping or lodges or a combination of both) to luxury and even luxury+. Private tours are usually more expensive than shared tours. To save valuable time, it might make sense to use internal flights on a 5-day safari. The flights can be costly though. The accommodation on fly-in safaris is usually at the upper end, so that makes these packages even pricier. To save money, consider traveling in the off season, which mostly corresponds with the Wet season. However, it rarely rains all day and there are many positives in traveling at this time. Think about the lush landscapes, the abundance of birds and baby animals, and most of all, the lack of crowds.”

5

Tanzania Reviews

4.8/5 1542 Reviews
Expert
Harriet Nimmo  –  
South Africa ZA

Harriet is a zoologist with more than 20 years’ experience. She has the privilege of working with the world’s top wildlife photographers and photo-guides.

The Serengeti and so much more.
5/5

Tanzania is “the” classic safari destination and should be top of every Africa lover’s wish list. The starting point for most visitors is the northern safari circuit, comprising the iconic Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater, with Lake...

Full Review

Expert
Mark Eveleigh  –  
United Kingdom UK

Mark is a travel writer who grew up in Africa and has written over 700 titles for Condé Nast Traveller, Travel Africa, BBC Wildlife and others.

As a safari destination Tanzania has it all!
5/5

Tanzania as a safari destination has it all. If this is your first safari and your ambition is to get some amazing sightings and rack up the big 5 as soon as possible, then Ngorongoro Crater is probably the best place in the world to do...

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Stacey  –  
Netherlands NL
Reviewed: Mar 26, 2024
Magical
5/5

The safari in Tanzania was, in a word, magical! I am still reminiscing thanks to the best guides ever. I was so lucky with these guys, they made my trip unforgettable. Thank you Fred (Menje) and Leonardo! Regards Stacey

Full Review

Christopher  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Mar 24, 2024
Warm friendly people with diverse and grand landscapes.
5/5

Our travel through Tanzania was a fantastic adventure. We had a 6 night/7 day all inclusive Safari with Airport Transfers from and back to Kilimanjaro Airport. Even before we landed our communications with our tour company (Serengeti...

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Milan Lenco  –  
Slovakia SK
Reviewed: Mar 23, 2024
Wild but safe
4/5

Tanzania, nestled in East Africa, beckons travelers with its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and extraordinary wildlife. Home to the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, and the mesmerizing Serengeti National Park, where...

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Ayesha A  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Mar 23, 2024
Trip of a lifetime
5/5

Jambo Bwana! The opportunity to travel to Tanzania came out of the blue for me, but as I dove into the Lonely Planet Guide, I was captivated and excited for my upcoming trip. I researched a lot about the types of safaris and tried to find...

Full Review