9-Day Big Five Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Beyond.

9-Day Big Five Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Beyond.

Embark on an unforgettable 9-day adventure through Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife destinations. Experience the thrill of spotting the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—as you journey through the Serengeti's vast plains, the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, and other breathtaking locations. This safari promises exceptional wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Tanzania is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on your interests, budget, and what you want to experience.
High Season (June to October & December to February):
This is the prime time for wildlife viewing, with dry conditions making it easier to spot animals around waterholes. The weather is pleasant, and parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro are at their most vibrant. However, it is also the busiest time, with higher rates and more visitors.
Mid-Season (March & November):
A great balance between affordability and adventure, this season offers fewer crowds and moderate prices. While rains may occasionally occur, they bring lush scenery and great opportunities for wildlife spotting in a quieter, more relaxed setting.
Low Season (April & May):
For budget travelers, this is the perfect time to visit. Hotel rates are at their lowest, and the parks are wonderfully tranquil. Though some rains may limit access to certain areas, the landscapes are beautifully green, and wildlife remains active, offering a unique and peaceful safari experience.
No matter when you visit, Pyana Travel & Tours ensures that your safari is tailored to provide incredible experiences, from sunrise game drives to the breathtaking beauty of Tanzania’s wild landscapes.

A safari with Pyana Travel & Tours means experiencing Tanzania like never before. Our safaris are private, tailored to your pace, and guided by expert English-speaking professionals who know the ins and outs of the wild. From the moment you step into your comfortable private safari vehicle, you will embark on a journey to witness wildlife in their natural habitats, from lions prowling in the Serengeti to elephants roaming freely in Tarangire National Park.
With us, you will experience exceptional service, exclusive access to Tanzania’s hidden gems, and unforgettable moments. Whether you want to start your day with a sunrise game drive or relax by your lodge, we ensure that every aspect of your trip is memorable.

At Pyana Travel & Tours, we believe that every traveler deserves a unique experience. That’s why we offer personalized itineraries based on your interests, whether it’s exploring the vast Serengeti plains, relaxing on Zanzibar’s pristine beaches, or witnessing the Big Five up close. We take the time to understand your preferences and tailor your journey to match.
Our team works closely with you from start to finish, ensuring that your trip reflects your personal desires and schedule. Whether it’s adjusting the timing of your game drives or including a cultural excursion, we make sure every detail is designed around you.

Absolutely! Tanzania is one of the best places in the world to see the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo. These magnificent creatures can be found in some of the most iconic locations like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. With our expert guides, you will have the best chance to encounter them in their natural environment.

Yes, Tanzania is a safe and welcoming destination for travelers. The country is known for its friendly locals, vibrant culture, and rich wildlife. We always prioritize your safety during the trip, and our experienced guides ensure that you travel with peace of mind.
We recommend that you take the usual travel precautions, such as keeping an eye on your belongings and following local guidelines. But overall, Tanzania is one of the safest destinations for tourists, offering a remarkable adventure that you will cherish for years to come.

9-Day Big Five Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Beyond.

Trip Details

9 Days

Group Size

15 People

Trip Type

Safari

Included & Excluded

To help you plan your trip, here’s a detailed breakdown of what is typically included and excluded in travel Destination to Phuket.

Your dream trip, your price

Our experts will work with you to find the best option for your stay. They are truly the best at making your trip exactly as you dream it, specially tailored to your unique travel experience.

To find your perfect match, Pyana Travel &Tours offers various options for your stay, depending on your personal preferences and budget.

Our price indication page provides an overview of different seasons: low, mid, and high, as well as different types of accommodations: silver, gold, and platinum. The price of your stay will partly depend on whether you are seeking luxury and comfort or are more focused on adventure and nature. Anyway, we always have something to offer!

We cannot wait to help you creating your next dream trip in Tanzania.

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our friendly tour guide will be waiting to greet you. You’ll enjoy a smooth transfer to the charming Arusha Planet Lodge, where you can unwind and soak in the beautiful surroundings. Relax and prepare for the exciting safari that awaits you tomorrow!

Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge

Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City)

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After a delicious breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up from your lodge and transfer you to the enchanting Arusha National Park, where you'll enjoy a day of exploration with lunch boxes provided.

Arusha National Park is a treasure trove of wildlife and stunning landscapes. Wander through dense forests teeming with giraffes, Cape buffaloes, zebras, and warthogs. Keep an eye out for the elusive black-and-white colobus monkey and the vibrant blue monkey. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including flamingos around Lake Momella.

Marvel at the park’s diverse geological features, including Mount Meru, craters, waterfalls, and rivers. After a day of exciting game drives and breathtaking scenery, you'll head to Karatu for a relaxing evening, dinner, and a restful overnight stay.

Accommodation: Eileen's Trees Inn

Mid-range lodge located in Karatu (Town)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After a hearty breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up from your lodge and transport you to Tarangire National Park for a thrilling day of game driving with lunch boxes provided.

Tarangire is renowned for its unique landscape, featuring nine different vegetation zones and iconic ancient baobab trees that create a dramatic backdrop. The park’s river is a hotspot for wildlife, offering fantastic opportunities to see a variety of animals including lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and antelopes. With the largest concentration of elephants in Tanzania, Tarangire provides exceptional chances to witness the interactions of majestic elephant herds.

Enjoy a scenic lunch at a special viewpoint overlooking the river, where you can admire the stunning views and spot more wildlife. After a day full of adventure, you'll head back to Eileen’s Tree Inn for a relaxing evening, delicious dinner, and a restful overnight stay.


Accommodation: Eileen's Trees Inn

Mid-range lodge located in Karatu (Town)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After a delicious breakfast, your safari guide will collect you from your lodge with a picnic lunch box in hand, and you'll head to the captivating Lake Manyara National Park for a day of adventure.

Lake Manyara is renowned for its unique arboreal lions, which often rest among the branches of trees, and its lively baboon colonies that will greet you as you enter the park. The breathtaking landscapes of Lake Manyara are truly spectacular, offering stunning photo opportunities as you spot giraffes and buffaloes against the backdrop of the lake and its vibrant flamingos.

After enjoying your picnic lunch and an exciting game drive through the park, you'll return to Eileen’s Tree Inn for a delightful dinner and a comfortable overnight stay.


Accommodation: Eileen's Trees Inn

Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Lake Manyara NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After a hearty breakfast, your safari guide will pick you up from the lodge and take you to the iconic Serengeti National Park, where you'll embark on a thrilling full-day game drive with lunch boxes provided.

Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its extraordinary wildlife spectacles. It's the only place where you can witness the incredible migration of millions of wildebeest, zebras, and antelope. As you explore, keep an eye out for predators like leopards, lions, cheetahs, and wild dogs that follow the migration.

After a day filled with exciting wildlife encounters, you'll head to Kon Tiki Serengeti Camp for a well-deserved rest, where you can unwind with dinner and enjoy a comfortable overnight stay.

Accommodation: Kontiki Serengeti Camp

Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included 

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Get ready for another thrilling day in the heart of Serengeti National Park, specifically in the breathtaking North Serengeti region! After a delicious breakfast, we’ll pack our picnic lunch boxes and set off on an unforgettable game drive.

This is your chance to witness the Great Migration, where thousands of wildebeests, zebras, and other herbivores come together for their calving season—a spectacular sight that showcases nature’s incredible rhythm. As we traverse this iconic landscape, keep your eyes peeled for resident predators like leopards, cheetahs, and lions as they play their vital roles in the circle of life.

After an exhilarating day filled with wildlife encounters, we’ll head to Heritage Mara Camp for a delightful dinner and a cozy overnight stay. Get ready to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature!


Accommodation: Heritage Mara Camp

Mid-range tented camp located inside Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Start your day with a delicious breakfast before your tour guide picks you up from the lodge with lunch boxes in hand. Enjoy a game drive as you make your way from the North Serengeti to the heart of the Serengeti National Park.

In the Serengeti, you’ll witness the dramatic migration of wildebeest across the Acacia plains, a truly unforgettable sight. As massive herds of zebra, gazelles, and elands trek in search of water and fresh grass, you’ll observe their incredible journey driven by seasonal rains and nutrient-rich grasses. This grand spectacle of nature’s cyclical movement is unique to Serengeti and offers a glimpse into one of the most remarkable wildlife phenomena on Earth.

After a day of exploration and wildlife encounters, you’ll be transferred to Kon Tiki Serengeti Camp for a relaxing evening, dinner, and a restful overnight stay.

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Accommodation: Kontiki Serengeti Camp

Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks: meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After a delicious breakfast, you'll set off for an unforgettable game drive inside the stunning Ngorongoro Crater. As you explore this UNESCO World Heritage site, you'll traverse diverse landscapes, from lush forests teeming with monkeys and elephants to the scenic lake area where flamingos and other bird species gather.

The open savannah plains are home to predators like lions, offering dramatic views of the hunt. Enjoy a picnic lunch within the crater, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery.

Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders, is an incredible ecosystem formed millions of years ago by a volcanic explosion. Within this vast caldera, you'll encounter wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, elephants, and over 500 bird species. With a bit of luck, you might even spot the rare black rhino.

After a day full of spectacular wildlife encounters, you'll head back to your lodge for a delicious dinner and a relaxing overnight stay.

Accommodation: Eileen's Trees Inn

Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy some final hours at your lodge, relaxing and soaking in the serene surroundings. If time permits, your tour guide will take you on a charming visit to Karatu town for some last-minute shopping and souvenirs.

When the time comes, you'll be transferred to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport, where you’ll catch your flight home, carrying with you the memories of an incredible safari adventure.


Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Silver accommodations

Our silver accommodations are comfortable and affordable options for a pleasant stay in Africa. Nothing glamourous or luxurious, but you can expect decent and enjoyable lodging for an overnight stay. All properties are well-maintained and provide clean rooms, comfy beds, private bathrooms with hot water showers, and lovely dining rooms. Minor points to note are that WiFi may only be available in certain areas, and dinner is typically served as a buffet. But the accommodations usually lie in beautiful surroundings, and some boast swimming pools or other extras.

Golden accommodations

Our golden accommodations take it up a notch, offering that extra touch of comfort and luxury. Here, you can indulge in well-designed rooms and buildings, usually set in beautiful locations. These accommodations feature fine, thoughtfully designed rooms with lush beds, fully equipped bathrooms, and private balconies with scenic views. You will enjoy excellent meals in buffets or à la carte menus and have free access to swimming pools. As a cherry on top, you might spot wildlife directly from the lodge, with monkeys in trees or animals coming to drink at a nearby waterhole. 

Platinum accommodations

Our platinum accommodations provide enhanced luxury, as they offer beautifully designed lodges and resorts in the most amazing locations. The service in these places is impeccable, all amenities you can think of are present, and rooms are spacious and extremely comfortable. Oftentimes, they boast private plunge pools or luxurious outside rain showers, wide beds, exquisite food, amazing service, and beautiful terraces with fluffy sofas. And of course, these accommodations boast the most remarkable views over extraordinary landscapes.

Diamond accommodations

Our diamond accommodations offer the ultimate luxury experience in Africa. Nothing less than the best of the best! We take you to places that pamper you with the utmost luxury and comfort in stunning settings that give your Tanzanian adventure a memorable twist.  You stay in places that are unique in their design, geographical location, and service and sleep, for example, on private islands, in treetop rooms inside national parks, or on the rim of a crater. You experience the utmost privacy and seclusion while you enjoy sundowners in private plunge pools or outdoor bathtubs with a view, indulge in haute cuisine in fine restaurants, get pampered in a luxury spa or with in-room massages, and get your morning coffee served by private butlers while watching the wildlife from your terrace.

Practical Information for Your Safari Adventure

1. Visa and Entry Requirements

  • Visas: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. Apply for a tourist visa in advance or obtain a visa on arrival (depending on your nationality).
  • Vaccinations: Some countries require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination. Consult your doctor about other recommended vaccines.
  • Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended for all travelers.

2. Health and Safety

  • Malaria Prevention: Tanzania and other safari destinations are malaria zones. Carry anti-malarial medication and insect repellents.
  • First Aid: Our safari vehicles are equipped with first-aid kits. Notify us in advance of any medical conditions.
  • Water Safety: Only drink bottled or boiled water during your trip.

3. Packing List

  • Clothing: Light, breathable clothing in neutral colors (avoid bright colors to blend with nature), a hat, sunglasses, and a warm jacket for chilly mornings and evenings.
  • Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes and sandals.
  • Accessories: Binoculars, a good camera, sunscreen, lip balm, and a power bank.
  • Luggage: Soft duffle bags are preferred for ease of packing in safari vehicles.
  • Malaria Prevention: Tanzania and other safari destinations are malaria zones. Carry anti-malarial medication and insect repellents.
  • First Aid: Our safari vehicles are equipped with first-aid kits. Notify us in advance of any medical conditions.
  • Water Safety: Only drink bottled or boiled water during your trip.

4. Weather and Climate

  • Dry Season (June to October): Best for game viewing as animals gather around water sources.
  • Wet Season (November to May): Ideal for bird watching and witnessing lush landscapes. April and May experience heavy rains.

5. Safari Etiquette

  • Wildlife Respect: Keep a safe distance from animals, do not feed or touch them, and follow the guide’s instructions at all times.
  • Noise Levels: Maintain silence during game drives for better wildlife viewing and to respect other travelers.
  • Photography: Avoid flash photography as it may disturb the animals.

6. Transportation

  • Game Drives: Travel in custom 4×4 safari vehicles equipped with pop-up roofs for optimal viewing.
  • Airport Transfers: Included in most packages. Specify your arrival details when booking.
  • Domestic Flights: Available for remote safari destinations or to connect with Zanzibar.

7. Accommodations

  • Options: Pyana Travel and Tours offers luxury lodges, tented camps, and budget-friendly accommodations.
  • Amenities: Most lodges provide modern amenities such as en-suite bathrooms, hot showers, and electricity

8. Local Culture

  • Languages: Swahili and English are widely spoken.
  • Tipping: Common practice to tip your guides, drivers, and lodge staff. Suggested amount: $10–$20 per day for guides.
  • Community Visits: We offer optional cultural tours to interact with local tribes like the Maasai and Hadzabe.

9. Payment and Booking

  • Payment Methods: We accept major credit cards, bank transfers, and mobile money.
  • Deposits: A 30% deposit is required to secure your booking, with the balance due 30 days before departure.
  • Cancellations: Check our cancellation policy for details.
9-Day Big Five Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Beyond.

Make your dream trip come true with Pyana Travel & Tours

At Pyana Travel & Tours, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

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9-Day Big Five Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Beyond.

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