5-Day Tanzania Family Safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti

The Tanzania family safari begins when you are met at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) located about 50km from Arusha. This is followed by a two-hour drive (130 km) in a private 4x4 safari vehicle to Tarangire National Park. While there you will partake in an afternoon game drive along the Tarangire River and swamps where you are likely to see large herds of elephants (which can number up to 300 in peak dry season, June-October), giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, lions, and less commonly leopards, as well as over 550 species of birds including the yellow collared lovebird and lilac breasted roller. After a packed lunch at the park’s picnic site near the entrance, your expert guide will take you through this 2,850 km² baobab tree dotted park before checking into Tarangire Safari Lodge which is a real family-friendly tented camp with en-suite tents overlooking the river where you will enjoy freshly cooked dinner and spend the night with the sounds of the bush.

Activities: Afternoon game drive
Animals to See: Elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, lions, leopards (rare), yellow-collared lovebirds, lilac-breasted rollers
Accommodation: Tarangire Safari Lodge
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Soak in the dazzling scenery as you have breakfast at Tarangire Safari Lodge and get up for a morning game drive at Tarangire National Park. Here you will be able to spot elephants, ambling giraffes, zebras, Lions along with Ostriches near the riverbeds and various bird species. After lunch, set off for a drive towards Serengeti National Park, distinguished for its game drives and a UNESCO World Heritage site spread over 14,763 km². Post lunch, you will go on an afternoon game drive across the Seronera region. Along the way you will have the opportunity to spot the big five along with hippos, and crocs. A guided education tour led by a specialized driver about the area will make it all the more enjoyable as you relish the scenery. Afterward you will return to Serengeti Sopa Lodge—a family friendly hotel with vast rooms which is located near the park- where you will have dinner and rest under the stars of Serengeti.

Activities: Morning game drive (Tarangire), afternoon game drive (Serengeti)
Animals to See: Elephants, giraffes, zebras, impalas, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, wildebeests (seasonal)
Accommodation: Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start your day at Serengeti Sopa Lodge with a full-day adventure in the Serengeti, where activities include an optional hot air balloon safari (offered by licensed operators, pre-booking required) over the plains to see wildebeest herds (seasonal), zebras, gazelles, and ostriches from above, followed by a bush breakfast, or a sunrise game drive to spot lions (common on kopjes), leopards (in acacia trees), cheetahs (on open plains), and hyenas, then a full-day game drive exploring the Seronera Valley and Grumeti River areas for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, and antelopes like topi; after a picnic lunch at a designated site, return to the lodge for an evening of relaxation with dinner, offering kids a chance to enjoy the lodge’s family amenities and adults a sundowner with views of the vast savanna.

Activities: Optional hot air balloon safari, full-day game drive
Animals to See: Wildebeests (seasonal), zebras, gazelles, ostriches, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, topi
Accommodation: Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start with a game drive in the morning to see the big cats—lions, cheetahs, and elusive leopards—and other wildlife at the Serengeti Sopa Lodge. Get ready to spot elephants, giraffes, and seasonal hyenas, then drive 3 hours, about 145 kilometers Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping for lunch at Olduvai Gorge where you can view the archaeological site. Go on a 4–5-hour afternoon game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, descending 600 meters to view the diverse wildlife, such as black rhinos—roughly thirty of them are here—alongside a dense lion population, along with hyenas, buffalo, zebras, and seasonal Lake Magadi flamingos. While elephants and leopards are less frequently spotted, these magnificent creatures can also be glimpsed. Drive back up to check in at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge located on the crater rim. This family-friendly hotel features en-suite rooms and served us dinner graciously positioned overlooking the natural wonder, while we feasted on gourmet meals.

Activities: Morning game drive (Serengeti), afternoon game drive (Ngorongoro Crater)
Animals to See: Lions, cheetahs, leopards (rare), elephants, giraffes, wildebeests (seasonal), hyenas, black rhinos, buffalo, zebras, flamingos
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast is served at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. After having breakfast, we take part in optional activities like a guided nature walk around the crater rim which needs to be arranged beforehand, or a cultural Maasai village visit (which also needs to be arranged beforehand) for children to watch goats and sheep while learning about traditional dances. We do not go on a game drive today, but instead immerse ourselves in culture. After lunch which is either at a local restaurant or a picnic site with a view, we set out for a 4-hour drive, around 190km, back to Arusha. We arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon around 4 or 5 PM and you can be transferred to either your hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport. All of this is considered to be part of the family safari adventure, and we do hope that you cherish these memories.

Activities: Optional crater rim nature walk or Maasai village visit
Animals to See: Birds, small mammals (walk), goats, sheep (village)—no game drive animals today
Accommodation: None (Departure Day)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch