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Home › Tours › 5-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Budget Safari – Authentic Bush Trail Adventure

5-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Budget Safari – Authentic Bush Trail Adventure

Embark on a 5-day, 4-night authentic Tanzanian safari through the iconic Serengeti National Park and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater. Experience thrilling game drives, spectacular wildlife encounters, scenic landscapes, and unforgettable nights in the African bush, complemented by comfortable budget accommodation in Arusha. This adventure offers the perfect blend of wildlife exploration, nature, and authentic African safari experiences.

5 Days 4 NightsGroup SafariBudgeteasyEnglish2 – 100 Guests80
Overview Itinerary Pricing Inclusions Good to Know

Tour Overview

The Authentic Bush Trail is a private, budget-friendly wildlife safari designed for travelers seeking a genuine African wilderness experience. Starting and ending in Arusha, this adventure takes you across the spectacular plains of Serengeti National Park and into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater.

Travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, accompanied by a professional driver-guide who helps you discover Tanzania’s remarkable wildlife and diverse landscapes. Enjoy exciting game drives, scenic highland views, freshly prepared meals, and memorable nights in a combination of budget hotel accommodation and bush camps.

From spotting lions across the savannah to exploring the crater floor in search of elephants, buffaloes, and the elusive black rhino, every day offers a new opportunity to connect with the wild.

Gallery

Tour Gallery

Ngorongoro Crater Tarangire National Park Lake Manyara National Park Ngorongoro Crater Lake Manyara National Park

Itinerary Highlights

  • ✓Exceptional Serengeti wildlife viewing: Explore the famous Serengeti plains in search of lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and the great herds of wildebeest.
  • ✓Ngorongoro Crater exploration: Descend into one of Africa's most spectacular natural landscapes for an extended game drive among diverse wildlife.
  • ✓Authentic bush camping Experience the atmosphere of the African wilderness with nights at designated campsites and a comfortable hotel stay in Arusha.
  • ✓Guided 4×4 safari adventure: Enjoy wildlife viewing from a safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and the support of an experienced local guide.
  • ✓anzanian culture and local life: Discover Arusha's markets, crafts, and cultural attractions before your departure.

Day by Day Itinerary

01DAY

Arrival in Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), you will be welcomed by the safari team and transferred to your hotel in Arusha.

Spend the rest of the day relaxing after your journey. Later, meet your guide for a safari briefing covering the route, daily activities, and essential safety informa

Arusha Town Tanzania

Overnight

Arusha Touristin Hotel

Arusha Tourist Inn is a comfortable and budget-friendly hotel located in the heart of Arusha, Tanzania. It offers a convenient base for travelers exploring the city or preparing for an exciting safari adventure. Guests can enjoy comfortable accommodation, friendly hospitality, and easy access to local restaurants, shops, and transport services. Whether you are arriving before your safari or relaxing after exploring Tanzania’s famous national parks, Arusha Tourist Inn provides a welcoming and convenient place to stay

Arusha

02DAY

ARUSHA TO SERENGETI

Depart Arusha early in the morning and travel through the beautiful countryside and the Ngorongoro Highlands, passing rural communities and Maasai landscapes along the way.

Continue toward the vast Serengeti plains, where your wildlife adventure begins. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Seronera area of central Serengeti, known for its diverse wildlife and opportunities to spot predators.

Look out for lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and, with luck, cheetahs or leopards. As the day ends, enjoy the changing colors of the African sunset before heading to camp.

serengeti national park wildebeest migration

Overnight

Seronera Public campsite

Seronera Public Campsite – Central Serengeti

Seronera Public Campsite is a budget-friendly camping accommodation located in the heart of Serengeti National Park, offering an authentic African wilderness experience. Surrounded by the stunning Serengeti plains, it provides an excellent base for exploring the park’s rich wildlife, including lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and other fascinating animals. The campsite offers basic shared facilities, including communal bathrooms and toilets. Guests sleep in tents and enjoy the unique atmosphere of camping in the African bush, making it an ideal choice for adventurous travelers seeking an affordable safari experience close to nature.

Serengeti National Park

03DAY

SERENGETI TO NGORONGORO HIGHLANDS Morning Game Drive in Serengeti

Rise early for a morning game drive when wildlife is often active. Explore the Serengeti's open grasslands and woodland habitats, observing animals in their natural environment while your guide shares insights into their behavior.

Return to camp for lunch and prepare for the journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy further wildlife viewing as you leave the Serengeti and travel toward the crater highlands.

Arrive at Simba Campsite near the Ngorongoro Crater rim, where you can enjoy the cool highland atmosphere and prepare for the following day's crater adventure.

Lake Manyara National Parkserengeti national park wildebeest migration

Overnight

Ngorongoro Simba campsite

Ngorongoro Simba Public Campsite is a budget-friendly camping accommodation located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania, along the rim of the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. Surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes and cool highland air, the campsite offers an authentic outdoor experience for safari travelers. It provides basic camping facilities, shared bathroom amenities, and space for tents, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious adventurers. Its convenient location allows guests to enjoy an early morning descent into the crater for an unforgettable wildlife safari.

Serengeti National Park

04DAY

Explore the Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, depart with a packed picnic lunch and descend into the remarkable Ngorongoro Crater for an extended game drive.

Discover a dramatic landscape of grasslands, wetlands, woodland, and seasonal lakes. The crater supports a remarkable concentration of wildlife, offering opportunities to search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, and other species. With luck, you may also encounter the endangered black rhino.

Enjoy approximately six hours of wildlife exploration, subject to park regulations and conditions, before travelling back to Arusha for your final overnight stay.

Ngorongoro CraterNgorongoro CraterNgorongoro CraterNgorongoro Crater

Overnight

Arusha Touristin Hotel

Arusha Tourist Inn is a comfortable and budget-friendly hotel located in the heart of Arusha, Tanzania. It offers a convenient base for travelers exploring the city or preparing for an exciting safari adventure. Guests can enjoy comfortable accommodation, friendly hospitality, and easy access to local restaurants, shops, and transport services. Whether you are arriving before your safari or relaxing after exploring Tanzania’s famous national parks, Arusha Tourist Inn provides a welcoming and convenient place to stay

Ngorongoro Crater

05DAY

Arusha City Tour and Airport Transfer

After breakfast, enjoy a guided city tour of Arusha, depending on your flight schedule. Visit the bustling Central Market to discover local produce, spices, textiles, and everyday Tanzanian life.

Continue to the Cultural Heritage Centre to explore African art and crafts, and stop at the famous Arusha Clock Tower for photographs. An optional local lunch can be arranged if time permits.

Afterwards, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport for your onward flight, bringing your Tanzanian safari adventure to a close.

Arusha Town TanzaniaArusha Town Tanzania

Arusha

READY TO PLAN THIS TRIP?

This itinerary can be customized around your travel dates, group size and preferences.

What Is Included & Excluded

✓

Included

  • Park fees
  • All activities (unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Roundtrip airport transfer
  • All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Air Ambulance Service by AMREF Flying Doctors;
  • At least 1 Pair Of Binoculars;
×

Excluded

  • International flights (from/to home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips to your safari guide ($30-50 per day per car).
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • Alcohol drinks
  • Visas and visa fees where relevant
  • Additional activities not offered as scheduled by the accommodation
  • Lunch and dinner in hotel (only before and after safari);

Good to Know

Best time to visit

June to October offers generally dry conditions and excellent wildlife viewing. December to March can be particularly rewarding for the wildebeest calving season, depending on migration movements.

Transport

A 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and a professional driver-guide is included.

Accommodation

xpect a combination of budget hotel accommodation and public bush campsites. Camping facilities are generally basic and may include shared toilets and showers.

Meals and dietary needs

Meals are provided according to the itinerary. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary requirements should be communicated in advance

What to pack

Bring neutral-colored clothing, warm layers for chilly mornings, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera, and your travel documents.

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