Tanzania Simba Safari – 5 Days

Serengeti mornings set the tone fast. This 5-day Tanzania Simba Safari pairs game drives in Serengeti with an iconic Ngorongoro Crater visit, starting with an Arusha airport welcome and ending with a crater sunrise before you fly home. It is built for people who want the classic parks, but also prefer a smooth, organized plan.

I really like two things about this trip. First, you travel with your own driver-guide in a 4×4 Toyota Cruiser, and past guests highlighted how well their guides spot animals and read the landscape. Second, the package includes park fees, lodging, and meals, so you are not doing mental math every time you stop for food or entry.

One consideration: you will spend long stretches in the vehicle and follow tight timing, especially with early starts for game drives. If you hate being in transit or your body needs frequent breaks, plan for that up front.

Key reasons this safari earns 5 stars

• Private driver-guide focus, with guidance tailored to your group
• Serengeti game drives across multiple parts of the day, not just one quick outing
• Ngorongoro Crater early drive, when the area is at its most active
• Meals and park fees included, which adds real value for 5 days
• 4×4 Toyota Cruiser transport, with water, coffee/tea, and soft drinks on drives
• Guides praised by name like Adrian, Goodluck, Emil, Louis, Celvin, and Abisai Mbasha

A 5-Day Big Five Chase Through Serengeti and Ngorongoro

This safari is designed around two places that reward patience and timing. Serengeti is about wide open plains and animals moving through them, while Ngorongoro Crater is the dramatic “jaw-drop” moment, where wildlife can feel unusually close because the setting is so concentrated.

The Big Five are part of the goal (lions, leopards, Cape buffalo, elephants, and rhinos). Of course, no one can promise specific animals on specific days, but the itinerary gives you several shots at wildlife with morning and afternoon driving when sightings are often best.

Also, this is a private tour, meaning it is only your group. That matters because the driver can adjust the day to your pace and interests instead of herding you with strangers.

Day 1: Arusha Airport Welcome and a Half-Board Hotel Night

Your first step is simple: you land at Arusha Airport, and one of the experienced driver-guides meets you for a warm welcome. From there, you are escorted to Arusha and your chosen hotel, where you can get your bearings and settle in before safari proper starts.

This package includes one night in Arusha with half-board (HB), so you get breakfast and dinner. That is a practical win in East Africa, where arranging meals last minute can be stressful when you are tired from travel.

What I like most about starting in Arusha is that it gives you a cushion. You are not rushing straight into long drives without sleep, and you can start Day 2 ready for the big road trip west to Serengeti.

Day 2: The 335km Road to Serengeti and Your First Afternoon Game Drive

Day 2 is the “cross into safari country” day. The drive is about 7 hours (335km) heading west from Arusha toward Serengeti. On the way, you get that slow build feeling, watching Tanzania’s colors and character shift as you leave the city behind.

Once you arrive, you enjoy lunch and then jump into an afternoon game drive. This timing is smart for first impressions. The light has a different look later in the day, animals become more active, and you start building your own mental map of where wildlife tends to show up.

If you are thinking about photos, this is also a good day to get your rhythm down. Early on, you often learn how your guide parks, how often you will stop, and how long you may sit and scan.

One small tip: use the car time to rest. By afternoon, the day already feels long, and the best sightings usually happen when you are alert, not when you are trying to power through exhaustion.

Day 3: Morning and Afternoon Serengeti Drives With Picnic Lunch

Day 3 is where Serengeti starts to feel like a real place, not just a destination. After breakfast, you begin with a morning game drive, and you are out during the hours when wildlife can be easiest to spot.

The itinerary plans for a picnic lunch in the Serengeti, then you head back out again for another stretch of driving and scanning. That structure matters because it gives you multiple chances across the day, not just one short outing.

This is also where the driver-guide’s style becomes a big deal. Guests have specifically praised drivers for spotting wildlife from far away, including names like Emil, Adrian, Louis, and Goodluck. When someone can read animal behavior early, you spend more time watching and less time searching.

By the end of the day, you return to the lodge for dinner and rest. After two solid game-drive blocks, that downtime is not optional. You will feel the benefit of sleeping well for the next move to Ngorongoro.

Day 4: Serengeti Early Light, Then Ngorongoro Crater Country

Day 4 keeps the rhythm going, with a morning game drive in Serengeti again, then a drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The afternoon shift is a key part of why this itinerary works. You get one last push in Serengeti before the crater day, instead of cutting it too short.

After lunch, you drive east toward Ngorongoro. When you arrive, you settle in at the lodge, and you get dinner as part of the included meal plan.

This move is worth respecting. Even if you are excited, you still want your energy for the crater sunrise the next day. Some people treat the transfer as time to work on their sleep schedule, not as an extra sightseeing day. That mindset usually makes the crater day better, because you are fresh for it.

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater at Sunrise, Picnic Lunch, Fly Home

Day 5 is built around one major event: an early morning game drive at Ngorongoro Crater. The timing is not random. A crater environment concentrates wildlife and creates a feeling that the action is closer than you expected.

After the drive, you have a picnic lunch inside the crater. Then you head back to the airport for your flight home. It is a satisfying finish, because you end with the most iconic scenery and wildlife moment rather than a long drive with nothing to look forward to.

One note to plan around: the package states that breakfast and lunch are included, but dinner is not included on this departure day. If your flight is later, you might want to budget for an airport meal or plan your timing so you do not end up hungry in transit.

The Private 4×4 Setup, Guide Style, and What It Means for You

You ride in a 4×4 Toyota Cruiser with a driver-guide, and the trip includes water, coffee/tea, and soft drinks during game drives. That sounds basic, but it matters on safari, where comfort affects how long you can stay focused.

The biggest difference-maker here is the guide. Multiple guests singled out a specific ability: spotting wildlife early and helping them understand what they were seeing. Names that came up include Adrian (praised for confidence and accommodating support for an older traveler), Emil (praised for finding animals from far away), Louis (praised for finding good spots and shortcuts), and Abisai Mbasha (praised for finding multiple prides of lion and other big cat activity).

If you have preferences, this is where you can steer the experience. When you book, tell them what you care most about, lions, leopards, elephants, or just learning how to read tracks and behavior. In practice, that is how guides decide where to scan and when to wait.

Also, because it is private, your guide can adjust stops and pacing for your group. That can help if someone in your party gets tired, wants more time at a sighting, or needs breaks for comfort. You still follow the route plan, but you are not trapped in a rigid group schedule.

Price of $2,897.06, and How the Inclusions Change the Value

At $2,897.06 per person for a 5-day safari, the first thing to do is look past the headline number and examine what is already covered.

This package includes:

• Lodging (1 night in Arusha HB, plus safari nights with full board)
• Park fees
• Meals across the trip (breakfasts, lunches, and dinners where included)
• Transport in a 4×4 Toyota Cruiser
• Driver-guide service
• Coffee/tea, water, and soft drinks on game drives

What is not included is the big stuff that can swing safari budgets: international and domestic flights, visa, travel or medical insurance, and tips. Drinks and laundry at the lodges/camps are also not included.

So where does the value come from? Mostly from reducing add-on surprises. Park fees and most meals are baked in, which is exactly what you want on a short trip. If you tried to price it all separately, you would likely find it harder to control costs and harder to keep the timing tight between parks.

If you want best value, this itinerary is a strong match for people who want Serengeti plus Ngorongoro without adding extra transfers or extra planning stops. You are paying for a coordinated plan, not just a car and a ticket.

Who This Safari Fits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)

This safari makes sense if you:

• Want Serengeti and Ngorongoro in a compact 5-day window
• Prefer a private experience where the driver-guide can focus on your group
• Like the idea of having meals and park fees covered
• Are traveling as a family or group and value a guide who can support different comfort levels

It may not be your best choice if you:

• Hate long days in a vehicle and quick transitions between regions
• Need every meal and drink fully included, not just water, coffee/tea, and soft drinks on drives

Because the itinerary includes multiple game drives plus transfers, your best experience comes from going with the flow. Think of it as guided viewing time, not a “sit in the lodge and relax all day” vacation.

Should You Book This Tanzania Simba Safari?

If you want classic Tanzania parks with minimal friction, I would seriously consider booking this one. You get the two big hit areas, Serengeti plus Ngorongoro Crater, and the structure gives you multiple chances at wildlife without needing extra planning days.

My main caution is timing and stamina. You will be out on the road and in the vehicle more than you might expect, especially with an early crater morning and the long drive into Serengeti on Day 2. If you are ready for that, this itinerary is a solid, no-drama way to experience Northern Tanzania.

Finally, pay attention to the guide selection. Since guests have praised drivers by name, ask what guide you can be assigned and share your interests upfront. When you match the right guide to your priorities, the whole safari feels smoother.

FAQ

Where does the safari start?

The tour starts at Arusha Airport, Arusha Tanzania. You are welcomed there and then escorted to Arusha and your chosen hotel.

What parks and areas are included?

You visit Serengeti National Park for game drives and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, including a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater.

How long is the safari?

The duration is 5 days (approx.).

Is transportation included during the safari?

Yes. The package includes a 4×4 Toyota Cruiser and a driver-guide for the game drives and transfers.

Are meals and park fees included?

Yes. The package includes accommodation and park fees, plus breakfasts, lunches, and dinners as listed. It also includes soft drinks, coffee/tea, and water on game drives.

What meals are included on the departure day?

On Day 5, breakfast and lunch are included, but dinner is not included.

Are flights and visa costs included?

No. International and domestic flights, visa, and travel and medical insurance are not included.

Are tips included?

No. Tips for guide and hotel staff are not included.

Is this a group tour?

This is a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount you paid will not be refunded.