Review: 5 Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari – Is It Worth It?

Okay, so you’re dreaming of Africa, maybe conjuring up mental images of endless plains teeming with wildlife. Perhaps you’re seriously considering a 5-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safari. Very understandably, you’re wondering if that short but sweet amount of time is enough to truly experience these two incredible places. We get it! Picking a safari can seem, at first glance, like something that’s just super difficult and overwhelming. Let’s break it down to see if this action-packed adventure is a good fit for what you are thinking of doing.

What You Can Really Expect From a 5-Day Safari

What exactly can someone pack into a 5 day period? Really, this is the question, you know? This kind of trip is structured to give you highlights of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. It’s almost like a taster menu – enough to experience some incredible sights and get you hooked, maybe? So, expect lots of game drives! Think early mornings and late afternoons trying to find those amazing animals in their habitats. Usually, that means the Big Five are there. But, that too means the tons of other fascinating creatures and gorgeous landscapes, just to add to the experience. Expect things to be somewhat fast-paced with travel between locations. However, that too offers different views and some unique opportunities to see Tanzania. This can mean observing the locals and different types of environments. Is that interesting to you?

What exactly are some drawbacks? Keep in mind that the short time frame really can mean longer travel times on certain days. Spending hours in a vehicle is probably something to factor into how that plays out. Now, it can get tiring. It’s usually understood that wildlife sightings, naturally, just can’t be guaranteed. This really should be obvious but with animal behavior being the way it is it can be very unpredictable. So you will need some flexibility. So really, be prepared for some early starts as well. So much so that you will maximize your chances of seeing the animals at their peak times. To make the most of your 5 day visit, this will need to happen. To make the whole trip a great thing it is really a give and take situation!

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Karatu

Let’s imagine: The plane lands. You step off, and the Tanzanian air immediately greets you – basically, a warm, maybe even a slightly humid hug. As a matter of fact, you will be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and whisked away to Karatu, a little, peaceful town located close to the Ngorongoro Crater. Often, the drive there could be around three to four hours, just providing a view of the landscape. So, you are driving through coffee plantations and seeing local life happening right outside the window. As I was saying, after you get to your lodge in Karatu, that you relax. Then take it easy, get ready for your adventures over the next few days. This day’s really all about travel and gearing up.

Day 2: Exploring the Ngorongoro Crater

Right, picture this: A really, really early start. It might even be before sunrise! Why? We’ll, to get down into the Ngorongoro Crater as early as possible. Apparently, this is a breathtaking wonder. It really is often described as being like nature’s amphitheater! It is home to an astonishing range of wildlife. You can see everything, or almost everything, in one concentrated location. The descent into the crater usually takes around 45 minutes down a pretty steep and winding road. This alone might be kind of thrilling for a person. As soon as you are on the crater floor, it’s pretty much a full-day game drive. As I was saying, that includes seeking out lions, elephants, rhinos (if you’re very, very fortunate), zebras, wildebeest, and flamingos, usually around the soda lake. Naturally, your guide will provide their insight. The inside info to see how the crater formed and insight on how it supports so many animals is going to really interesting. Maybe enjoy a picnic lunch right in the crater, basically. That really gets you immersed in the nature surrounding the experience, just you know. You will head back up to Karatu for the night, basically.

Day 3: Serengeti National Park – Central Serengeti

First, you pack your bags. Then start early, it’s usually a pretty scenic drive to the Serengeti National Park. Obviously this takes around four to six hours! Of course it depends on the road conditions and any potential wildlife sightings along the route, typically. The drive by itself is an introduction to what the Serengeti is all about, kind of, just giving you some views of the endless plains that have rolling landscapes. We usually enter the Serengeti through the Naabi Hill Gate. Here you get that elevated view point, maybe offering that classic iconic Serengeti panorama. Very nice! The central Serengeti is really, well, know as Seronera. This is basically well known for its plentiful wildlife, usually all year round. Start off on an afternoon game drive, really trying to seek out predators that are like lions, cheetahs, and leopards, not to mention the herds of zebras and wildebeest. Maybe, just maybe, you check into your tented camp. Typically, you would enjoy dinner in the bush! Then fall asleep while listening to the sounds of the Serengeti at nighttime.

Day 4: Serengeti Exploration and Transfer to Ngorongoro Highlands

For example, get an early start. Go for one last game drive deep into the Serengeti. Apparently this offers one final chance to see those animals you maybe missed earlier, arguably. Since you will want to experience the savanna during that time of morning. It can often offer different lighting and usually even more activity. Just maybe, after lunch, you’ll begin your drive to the Ngorongoro Highlands. Obviously en route you will appreciate seeing so much more wild life. It gives you an opportunity to enjoy things differently than you might earlier have. As I was saying, the highlands feature some great views of the crater below. Getting to relax and maybe enjoy the more cooler mountain air makes it feel special as well. Again, you could spend the night at a lodge, basically close to the crater rim. And that could provide stunning views.

Day 5: Departure

Right, that’s the end of the safari. Usually this is all about the transfer day. Get a relatively leisurely breakfast. That really might just depend on your flight schedule, right? Then, so too, you’re going to drive back to Kilimanjaro International Airport, usually, for your flight home. Possibly you can squeeze in a last-minute stop for souvenirs on the way. Basically, that might depend. Possibly the airport itself has what you are looking for as well. You’ll get to thinking about all the fantastic views and experiences you had as you depart back home.

Is a 5-Day Safari Enough? Things to Keep in Mind

As a matter of fact, a 5 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safari can, in a way, be worth it if time or cost is maybe something to consider. You can also have a short but really incredibly eventful snapshot of Tanzania’s fantastic wildlife and gorgeous landscapes, right? To be sure, it could possibly feel rushed for someone if you like going slower or love spending lots of time watching animals. Really you do need to go into this knowing you may have to pick breadth over the detail. Also you could do it in luxury if the cost wasn’t the issue!

Choosing the Right Safari Operator

Okay, but which operator is that one I pick? Now, finding one who really understands the experience you desire is very key! Obviously read through reviews and go comparing itineraries in depth. It’s almost important to make certain that they are going to use experienced guides, and that their vehicles are decent, for you. What, with things going sideways when your out in the bush?! Also make certain that they’re focusing to use environmentally conscious things as part of operating, potentially, to keep Tanzania good! Is it going to make the trip? We, that will be your personal expectations and interests!