Arusha Safari Review: 5 Thrilling Days in Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro

So, you’re thinking about doing a safari near Arusha, are you? It’s almost definitely a good decision! A five-day trip that hits Tarangire, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater – that’s quite the popular circuit. What can you really expect, though? What could the highs possibly be? And, of course, maybe more importantly, are there potential lows to watch out for? Very well, I’ll take you through my own experience to give you what I think is an honest look at this very exciting adventure.

First Stop: Tarangire National Park – Elephant Paradise

Okay, Tarangire. It usually is the first stop on this kind of safari, is it not? This national park definitely has a nickname that it seems to have earned, “elephant paradise.” I can certainly tell you that is accurate. We’re talking big herds. Like, *really* big. We, as a matter of fact, saw hundreds in one spot, just grazing and doing their elephant thing. It’s quite the sight to see.

There’s way more there than just elephants, I probably should add. You also get giraffes, zebras, wildebeest… basically, a solid mix of the animals you picture when you think “African safari.” The landscape tends to be pretty different from the Serengeti, too. It’s noticeably hillier, and those baobab trees – seriously, they are something to behold! So it looks like you’re walking through a movie scene, almost.

The Mighty Serengeti: Endless Plains and Big Cats

Now then, the Serengeti. What could I even say? Maybe “iconic” isn’t a strong enough word. That is just miles and miles of open grassland. The kind of place where you feel like you could, conceivably, see the whole world. Of course, it’s especially known for its big cats. I really, really wanted to see lions, and boy, did the Serengeti deliver. We found a whole pride lounging near some rocks, looking supremely unbothered by anything. Apparently they know who’s boss.

If you’re visiting at the right time, you can even catch the Great Migration. I actually missed it by a few weeks, but that, clearly, is supposed to be unbelievable: huge herds of wildebeest and zebras moving across the plains. It’s arguably one of the planet’s great natural events. A bit of advice, though: the Serengeti is huge. Really huge. Be prepared for long drives. It’s kind of part of the experience, admittedly, but maybe bring a book or something!

Ngorongoro Crater: A World Unto Itself

The Ngorongoro Crater, arguably, is a different story completely. I believe it’s often described as a “natural wonder,” and I definitely get the idea. It’s basically a giant volcanic caldera, and the whole thing is teeming with wildlife. You’re talking lions, rhinos (if you are incredibly lucky), hippos, flamingos… just about everything all living in this very compact space.

The descent into the crater that’s quite something, by the way. The views, anyway, are spectacular, that is, I’d say, before you even get down to the bottom. One thing that caught me a little off guard – it can get quite chilly down there! So, perhaps layers are a good plan, is it not? It definitely isn’t the same heat you get on the plains. Still, though, I’d say if there’s one thing you absolutely can’t miss on a northern Tanzania safari, the Ngorongoro Crater tends to be very, very high on that list.

Planning Your Trip: Things to Keep in Mind

Right then, a few things I picked up along the way that might actually assist you. Picking a good tour operator? Super key. Get some references, check out some reviews, and so on. I had a pretty amazing guide who actually knew the parks like the back of his hand. So that really can do quite a bit to boost your whole trip.

About the accommodations – very well, they can definitely vary. You could find pretty bare-bones campsites to pretty very posh lodges. Personally, I stayed in a mix, and actually enjoyed having both experiences. Camping means you get to hear the sounds of the bush at night, which tends to be really something. Just maybe bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper, right?

One of the best experiences might just be talking with your driver. You potentially can learn so much about the area and also Tanzanian culture. Do keep in mind the time of year. The dry season tends to be better for seeing wildlife, yet it also means more tourists. Prices probably rise, then, also. The rainy season usually sees fewer crowds and often lower prices, yet the grass is higher, so you might have a slightly tougher time spotting animals. Okay?