Serengeti Safari Packages5 Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Private Safari
This 5 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro private safari is a listing from Savannah Explorers on Viator, priced at $2,845 per person and rated 5 from 384 reviews. It starts with a pickup at Kilimanjaro airport, sleeps in a Karatu lodge at each end and spends two nights in a Serengeti tented camp between game drives and a day on the Ngorongoro crater floor. The booking needs a minimum of 2 adults and every sale is final. This page sets out what the price covers, what it leaves out and who should look at a different listing among the Serengeti safari packages on the site. Compare it with the other Serengeti safari packages compared.
About This Tour
Savannah Explorers runs this private 5-day safari from Kilimanjaro airport through Karatu, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. A professional driver-guide drives your group in a 4x4 jeep with complimentary drinks and mineral water. Days 2 and 3 are full Serengeti game drive days and day 4 descends to the crater floor with a picnic lunch. The listing calls the option Big Five Safari. Game drives run early in the morning, and the animals decide what you see.
The trip books as a private party of 2 to 7 adults aged 16 to 85. All sales are final, so there is no refund for any cancellation. The listing does not state whether park fees are in the price, so confirm that with the operator before you pay.
$2,845 per person, with AMREF Flying Doctors cover, meals as listed, two Karatu lodge nights, two Serengeti tented camp nights, airport transfers and a private 4x4 with guide
5 days and 4 nights, with two full Serengeti game drive days and one crater floor day
Pickup at Kilimanjaro airport and a transfer of about 2 hours to Karatu
Farm of Dreams, Marera or Kudu Lodge in Karatu on nights 1 and 4, and Tanzania Bush, Kenzan or Mbugani Tented Camp in the Serengeti on nights 2 and 3
International flights are excluded. Park fees are not stated, and neither are tips, drinks at camp, the visa or insurance, so confirm park fees with the operator before booking
All sales final. No refund is available for cancellations at any point
Check Dates and Availability
Departure times are set per booking, so check availability to see the starting times for your dates. A minimum of 2 adults per booking applies.
You'll confirm the exact date and time on the secure booking page.
Quick answer The short answer
The 5 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro private safari from Savannah Explorers costs $2,845 per person for 5 days, runs privately for 2 to 7 adults aged 16 to 85 and starts at Kilimanjaro airport. All sales are final, so a cancellation gets no refund.
Key takeaways
- The price covers airport transfers, two Karatu lodge nights, two Serengeti tented camp nights, meals as listed, AMREF cover and a private 4x4. Park fees are not stated, so ask before you book. See what the price covers.
- International flights are excluded. For a cheaper private trip with free cancellation, compare the 3-Day Private Serengeti Safari.
- Day 4 descends into the Ngorongoro crater, a caldera 610 metres deep, with a picnic lunch. Read the Ngorongoro Crater guide.
- This is one listing among many. Compare all Serengeti safari tours before you commit to a non-refundable booking.
What the Price Actually Covers
The inclusions list on the Viator listing names AMREF Flying Doctors cover and meals. The rest of what the price buys comes from the itinerary and the operator description, and one big question stays open.
What Is in the $2,845
The listing states AMREF Flying Doctors insurance for air medical evacuation within a 500 km radius, plus meals. The itinerary and description add airport transfers, the Karatu lodge nights at the start and end, the two Serengeti tented camp nights, a private 4x4DW jeep with a professional driver-guide, complimentary drinks and mineral water on the jeep, and a picnic lunch in the crater. Meals run as dinner on all days plus breakfast and lunch on days 2 to 4, and breakfast only on day 5.
The honest note here is that the listing does not say whether park fees are in the price. The inclusions list names medical cover and meals only. Email the operator and get the park and crater fee position in writing before you pay, because those fees are a real cost on any Serengeti itinerary.
| Line | In the price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport transfers | Yes | Pickup at Kilimanjaro airport and drop at Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport |
| Accommodation | Yes | Karatu lodge nights 1 and 4, Serengeti tented camp nights 2 and 3 |
| Meals | Mostly | Dinner daily, breakfast and lunch days 2 to 4, breakfast only on day 5 |
| Private 4x4 and driver-guide | Yes | Complimentary drinks and mineral water on board |
| AMREF medical evacuation | Yes | 500 km radius air evacuation cover |
| Park and crater fees | Not stated | The inclusions list does not name them, so confirm with the operator |
| International flights | No | Listed as excluded |
| Tips, drinks at camp, visa, insurance | Not stated | Not mentioned anywhere on the listing |
What to Settle Before You Pay
Ask the operator three questions in writing. First, are Serengeti and Ngorongoro park and crater fees included? Second, what happens if you need to cancel, given all sales are final?
Third, which of the named lodges and camps you will actually get, since Farm of Dreams, Marera and Kudu Lodge in Karatu and Tanzania Bush, Kenzan and Mbugani Tented Camp in the Serengeti are interchangeable. If a non-refundable booking does not suit you, the 4-Day Serengeti Mid-Range Safari runs with free cancellation 24 hours ahead.
Sources: TANAPA tariff
A leopard in a tree in the Serengeti. Photo: David Berkowitz, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Route Day by Day
The listing's own itinerary runs from Kilimanjaro airport through Karatu and the Ngorongoro Highlands to the Serengeti, then back to the crater floor and out. Durations come from the listing's own day entries and include game drives.
Five Days, Two Parks
Day 1 is a 2 hour transfer from Kilimanjaro airport to Karatu, with an optional stop at local markets. Day 2 is the long drive day: about 10 hours for the day, crossing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Highlands to the Serengeti gate and starting the game drive on the way to the tented camp. Day 3 is a full day of game drives in Serengeti National Park, a park of about 14,750 km².
Day 4 drives back and descends into the Ngorongoro crater for a game drive with picnic lunch, then climbs out to a Karatu lodge. Day 5 is a relaxed morning and a 2 hour transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport.
| Day | Route | Night at |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kilimanjaro airport to Karatu, about 2 hours | Farm of Dreams, Marera or Kudu Lodge |
| 2 | Karatu through Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Serengeti gate, about 10 hours including the game drive | Tanzania Bush, Kenzan or Mbugani Tented Camp |
| 3 | Full day game drives in Serengeti National Park | Tanzania Bush, Kenzan or Mbugani Tented Camp |
| 4 | Drive to Ngorongoro, descend to the crater floor with picnic lunch | Farm of Dreams, Marera or Kudu Lodge |
| 5 | Relaxed morning, transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport, about 2 hours | Not applicable, trip ends |
What the Route Means in Practice
Day 2 is the longest travel day, listed at about 10 hours including the start of the game drive. The reward is two nights inside the Serengeti instead of one, so day 3 has no transfers at all. Early morning game drives are part of the stated plan.
Nobody can promise a sighting of any animal, and the listing's own Big Five name is no guarantee. For more on what lives in the park, read the guide to Serengeti animals.
Ngorongoro, #1 Safari Tanzania!? Travel Guide to the Crater and Great Migration
A Ngorongoro Crater travel guide with the Great Migration around it. Third-party video by Wout of the World. This site did not shoot it and has no relationship with the creator.
Who This Trip Rules Out
The stated limits are real and worth reading before you fall for the 5 star score. Some of them rule out more travellers than any other private listing here.
The Stated Limits
The age band runs 16 to 85 and the child and youth bands allow zero travellers, so it books as adults only. A minimum of 2 adults per booking applies, up to a maximum of 7. All sales are final, so there is no refund if your plans change for any reason, including illness.
Day 2 is listed at about 10 hours and the Serengeti game drives start early, so this is not a relaxed pace. Park fees are not stated, and the price is per person, so a couple pays twice the headline figure.
| Limit | The rule | Look at instead |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 16 to 85, no child or youth places | 5-Day Serengeti Camping Safari |
| Minimum group | 2 adults per booking | 4-Day Serengeti Mid-Range Safari |
| Refunds | All sales final, no refund for cancellation | 3-Day Private Serengeti Safari with free cancellation 24 hours ahead |
| Drive time | About 10 hours on day 2, including the game drive | Serengeti Fly-In Safari lands in the park on day 1 |
| Park fees | Not stated in the listing | 3-Day Serengeti Big Five Safari with all park fees listed as included |
Who It Does Suit
It suits a couple or small group of adults who already have flights booked, who want a private 4x4 with a driver-guide, and who are comfortable carrying the cancellation risk themselves. The two Serengeti nights and the crater day in 5 days are a solid shape, and the 5 score across 384 reviews shows most buyers were happy with that trade.
Ngorongoro Crater seen from the rim. Photo: PLBechly, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Season, Fees and Paperwork
All of this comes from published research sources, not from the operator. The rain decides the wildlife, and the paperwork takes a bit of planning.
When to Go and Where the Herds Are
SafariBookings puts the Serengeti dry season from June to October and the wet season from November to May, with the heaviest rain in March and April, and high season running July to March. Daytime highs average about 27°C with chilly nights. Wikipedia counts more than 1.5 million wildebeest in the migration and SafariBookings gives an 800 km loop (Eos says roughly 500 km a year), and it moves with the rain, so no month is certain.
Calving usually falls between January and March, though another source runs it from December to May, and the Mara River crossings are usually July to September, with some sources saying October. This 5-day itinerary stays central, so time your dates against the herd calendar on the guide to the Great Migration and the best time to visit Serengeti.
Fees You May Pay on Top
Because the listing does not state park fees, here is what the published TANAPA tariff sets. The Serengeti conservation fee for non-East African adults aged 16 and over is US $70 per day in peak season and $60 in low season, VAT exclusive, with peak running from mid May to mid March. Ngorongoro crater entry is separate and set by the NCAA.
SafariFind and Duma Explorer both publish mid-range safari rates of $450 to $800 per day, a yardstick to use once the operator confirms what is in the $2,845.
| Fee | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Serengeti conservation fee, adult, peak | $70 per day, VAT exclusive | TANAPA tariff 2023/24 |
| Serengeti conservation fee, adult, low | $60 per day, VAT exclusive | TANAPA tariff 2023/24 |
| Single-entry tourist visa | $50 single entry, valid up to 90 days (Duma Explorer says US passport holders pay $100 for a multiple-entry visa) | SafariFind |
| Driver-guide tip | $10 per person per day (Duma Explorer suggests $50 per vehicle per day) | Tanzania Specialist |
Health and Packing
Check the Tanzania visa rules before you fly, and talk to a travel clinic about health requirements for your routing. Pack light summer clothing for midday heat and warm layers for cool mornings and nights, and avoid white and bright colours. The full safari packing list covers the rest.
Since all travel here is by road, there is no light-aircraft soft-bag rule to worry about.
Day by Day Itinerary
The listing gives day numbers and approximate drive durations. Game drive times inside each day are not stated beyond early morning starts.
-
Day 1
Kilimanjaro airport to Karatu
Pickup at Kilimanjaro airport and a transfer of about 2 hours to Karatu. Stop at local markets if time allows, otherwise relax at the lodge. Dinner included. Night at Farm of Dreams, Marera or Kudu Lodge.
-
Day 2
Karatu to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and cross the Highlands to the Serengeti gate, about 10 hours for the day including the game drive. The game drive starts at the gate and ends at camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Night at Tanzania Bush, Kenzan or Mbugani Tented Camp.
-
Day 3
Full day in the Serengeti
A full day of game drives inside Serengeti National Park, starting early. The park covers about 14,750 km². Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Second night at the tented camp.
-
Day 4
Serengeti to the Ngorongoro crater floor
Drive back to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the crater for a game drive with a picnic lunch, about 10 hours for the day. The crater floor sits 1,800 metres above sea level and covers 260 km². Climb out to Karatu for dinner and the night at Farm of Dreams, Marera or Kudu Lodge.
-
Day 5
Karatu to the airport
Breakfast at the lodge, then a relaxed morning or shopping in town if time allows. Transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport, about 2 hours.
Pros and Cons
An honest read of the listing, including the parts the operator would rather you skipped.
What we genuinely like
- Private 4x4 with a driver-guide and complimentary drinks and mineral water on board for your group of 2 to 7
- Two nights inside the Serengeti, so day 3 has no transfers and runs as pure game drives
- Airport transfers and Karatu lodge nights at both ends are included, so the trip is door to door from Kilimanjaro airport
- AMREF Flying Doctors air evacuation cover within 500 km is listed as included
- A 5 rating across 384 verified reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor
The honest downsides
- All sales are final, so a cancellation at any point gets no refund
- Park fees are not stated, and on a 5-day itinerary covering two parks they are a serious cost, so confirm before booking
- Adults only, 16 to 85, with no child or youth places
- Day 2 is listed at about 10 hours including the start of the game drive
- International flights, tips, camp drinks, the visa and insurance are all outside the $2,845
Who it's NOT for: Not for families with children under 16, solo travellers, anyone who might need to cancel, or anyone who wants every fee agreed in writing up front.
Questions About This Tour
How much does this 5 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro private safari cost?
$2,845 per person for 5 days, with a minimum of 2 adults per booking. Park fees are not stated in the inclusions, so confirm them with the operator, and check the fee guide on Serengeti safari packages to see what the parks charge.
Is the price refundable if I cancel?
No. All sales are final and no refund is available for cancellations at any point. If that risk does not suit you, the 3-Day Private Serengeti Safari offers free cancellation 24 hours ahead.
Can children join this safari?
No. The age band runs 16 to 85 and the child and youth bands allow zero travellers, so it books as adults only. The 5-Day Serengeti Camping Safari takes all ages.
Where does the trip start and end?
It starts with a pickup at Kilimanjaro airport and ends with a transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport on day 5. Both transfers are included. Compare road and air options on the page about getting to the Serengeti safari packages.
Which lodges and camps will I stay in?
Nights 1 and 4 are at Farm of Dreams, Marera or Kudu Lodge in Karatu, and nights 2 and 3 are at Tanzania Bush, Kenzan or Mbugani Tented Camp in the Serengeti. The operator chooses, so ask which one applies to your dates.
Will I see the Big Five and the migration?
Nobody can promise a sighting. The Serengeti-Maasai Mara ecosystem holds more than 3,000 lions and the crater floor holds a high density of animals, but the wildlife decides. The herds move with the rain, and this itinerary stays central, so read the Great Migration guide before picking dates.
Is a 5-day trip the right length?
It is a good shape if you want two Serengeti nights plus the crater without a long holiday. If you want to chase the Mara River crossings in the north instead, the 8-Day Serengeti Migration Safari spends two nights at Heritage Mara Camp in the northern Serengeti.
Prices, availability and terms are set by the operator and confirmed at checkout.
We may earn a commission if you book through one of our links, at no extra cost to you. Full affiliate disclosure