Tanzania Simba Safari – 5 Days

The heart of this trip is two nights in Serengeti National Park, where the plains seem to run forever and each game drive brings a fresh chance at lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, and huge herds. You also get an early game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, one of Tanzania’s great wildlife settings.

I like the private guide and the fact that lodging, meals, 4×4 transport, and park fees are bundled into the price. I also like the variety: the long ride from Arusha, an afternoon Serengeti outing, a full day in the park, and a final crater drive.

The catch is the mileage. The trip includes a roughly seven-hour, 335-kilometer drive to Serengeti, followed by several long days in the vehicle. At $2,897.06 per person, this is a serious purchase, so you should be comfortable trading some road time for access to two of northern Tanzania’s best-known parks.

Key points to know before booking

• Private 4×4 safari: Your group travels with its own Toyota Cruiser and driver-guide rather than joining a large shared vehicle.
• Two nights in Serengeti: The schedule gives you an afternoon drive on arrival and a full wildlife day after it.
• Ngorongoro Crater visit: You reach the crater area on Day 4 and make an early morning game drive inside the crater on Day 5.
• Long transfer from Arusha: The journey to Serengeti is listed at seven hours and 335 kilometers, so this is an active road trip, not a quick park hop.
• Most major costs are included: Lodging, park fees, meals listed in the plan, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and water on game drives are covered.
• Guide quality matters: Guides named in past feedback include Adrian, Goodluck, Musa H., Louis, Celvin, and Abisai Mbasha. Guide assignment is not guaranteed, but the company places great weight on driver-guides.

Why this five-day route works

This safari focuses on a compact slice of northern Tanzania rather than trying to pack in every park. You spend the bulk of your time in Serengeti, then finish at Ngorongoro Crater. That gives you a clear wildlife rhythm: arrive, search, spend a full day watching, then change scenery for one final morning.

I like this design for a first safari. Serengeti is famous for its open plains and large predator population, while Ngorongoro offers a very different setting inside a volcanic crater. You are not simply repeating the same game drive each day.

The price is $2,897.06 per person. That is not a budget outing, but the number needs to be read alongside what is included: a private vehicle, a driver-guide, four nights of safari lodging, one night in Arusha, park fees, and most meals. International and domestic flights, visas, insurance, staff tips, lodge drinks, and laundry cost extra.

The private format is especially important. You can ask your guide to spend more time at a sighting, adjust the pace for your group, and get explanations tailored to your interests. A family with children, a couple focused on photography, and older visitors who need a little extra help can all benefit from this setup. One past safari party specifically praised a guide named Adrian for being helpful and accommodating to a visitor in their seventies.

Day 1: A simple arrival in Arusha

Your trip begins at Arusha Airport, where a driver-guide meets you and takes you to your selected Arusha hotel. The stated plan includes one night in Arusha on a half-board basis.

This is a useful buffer before the long drive west. You can arrive, settle in, and meet the person who will take you into the parks. The arrival day is not packed with sightseeing, so do not book it expecting a full city tour. The description says your guide will introduce you to Arusha and Tanzania, but the main purpose of the night is rest and preparation.

Because the airport transfer and hotel details can shape your first impression, I would confirm the exact hotel, arrival procedure, and meal arrangement before departure. The information provided does not name the hotel.

Day 2: The long road to Serengeti National Park

Day 2 is the biggest transfer day. The listed journey from Arusha to Serengeti takes about seven hours and covers roughly 335 kilometers. That is a substantial stretch of road, and the trip becomes more enjoyable if you treat the drive as part of the safari rather than dead time.

The route lets you watch Tanzania change as you move west. The description points to changing colors and local character along the way, followed by lunch and an afternoon game drive after you reach the park.

The first sight of Serengeti’s open plains is one of the trip’s main rewards. The scale can feel almost unreal. A guide such as Goodluck, Louis, or Musa H. may add much more than simple animal names by explaining the animals, plants, and scenery around you. Guide assignments vary, so you can request a preferred guide but should not assume a specific person will lead your departure.

The drawback is easy to understand: after seven hours on the road, you may reach the afternoon drive tired. The first outing may also be shorter than the full-day schedule that follows. Still, an afternoon in the park is far better than spending the entire day traveling without seeing any wildlife.

Day 3: A full day among Serengeti wildlife

Day 3 is the strongest day for wildlife time. After breakfast, you set out for a morning game drive, pause for a picnic lunch, then continue searching through the afternoon before returning to the lodge for dinner.

The schedule lists about 12 hours for the day. That does not mean twelve nonstop hours of driving. It means a long day built around early and late wildlife watching, with time in the vehicle between sightings and a picnic break in the park.

This is where the private format earns its keep. If your guide spots a pride of lions, a leopard, a herd of elephants, or Cape buffalo, you can focus on the moment instead of following a fixed group timetable. The Big Five are a central goal of the safari, but no responsible operator can promise all five. Rhinos, in particular, are not guaranteed.

The strongest guide feedback centers on animal spotting and interpretation. Adrian was praised for noticing animals from a long distance and for explaining the region. Goodluck was singled out for teaching about wildlife and the plants around it. Abisai Mbasha was praised for finding multiple lion prides, leopards, and cheetahs. Those details matter because a skilled guide can turn a distant shape in the grass into a meaningful sighting.

You should also expect a long, tiring day. Bring sun protection, a camera with spare batteries, and patience. Wildlife does not follow a timetable, and some stretches may be quiet. That quiet is part of the setting, but it can test anyone expecting constant action.

Day 4: One last Serengeti drive, then toward Ngorongoro

The morning begins with another Serengeti game drive, listed at about four hours. This gives you one more chance to search for animals in changing light before leaving the park.

After a picnic lunch, you drive east toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The second transfer is also listed at about four hours. By evening, you settle into the lodge while dinner is prepared.

This day gives you a helpful change of setting. Serengeti is defined by broad plains and open views, while Ngorongoro offers a more enclosed volcanic setting. You do not enter the crater until the following morning, so the lodge night near the conservation area is well placed.

The main tradeoff is that Day 4 is split between game viewing and transport. You will not get a full Serengeti day, and the precise amount of wildlife time depends on the morning start and road conditions. Still, it avoids rushing straight from Serengeti to the airport and gives you a proper morning in the crater before flying home.

Day 5: An early game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater

The final morning begins with an early game drive in Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is often described as a wonder of the world, and its appeal comes from the concentrated setting: a large enclosed area where many animals can be seen against striking volcanic scenery.

The timing is smart. Early morning gives you a better chance of seeing animals when the day is beginning, and it leaves time for a picnic lunch inside the crater before the drive to the airport.

The schedule lists about four hours for this portion. After lunch, you return to the airport for your flight home. Since this is departure day, you should confirm the flight time carefully. The provided plan does not state the airport name, flight departure time, or a guaranteed transfer duration.

There is one meal detail worth checking. The day’s notes say breakfast and lunch are included but dinner is not, which makes sense for an airport departure. Elsewhere, the package lists four breakfasts, four dinners, and four lunches, alongside four nights on safari plus one half-board night in Arusha. Ask the operator to confirm exactly which meals are covered on your dates.

What the Toyota Cruiser setup means for you

Transport is by 4×4 Toyota Cruiser with a driver-guide. The vehicle is not just a way to reach the parks. It is your viewing platform, your classroom, and your shelter during long stretches in the sun.

The private vehicle means only your group participates. That is a major advantage for couples, families, and small friend groups. You can ask questions freely and spend extra time at a sighting without coordinating with strangers.

Soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water are provided on game drives. All other lodge drinks are excluded, as are laundry services. You should budget for those extras instead of assuming every drink is covered.

The driver-guide is the key human element. Names praised in connection with the company include Adrian, Goodluck, Louis, Musa H., Celvin, Harry, Dennis, Everest Mboy, Gerald, and Abisai Mbasha. The company does not promise a particular guide in the supplied details, so request one early if you have a strong preference.

Meals, lodging, and the real cost

The package includes one night in Arusha on half board and four nights on safari on full board, plus park fees. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are listed as included in the package summary, but the Day 5 note excludes dinner. That small contradiction is easy to solve with a written confirmation before you pay.

Lodging is included, but the properties are not named. That means you should ask whether each night is in a lodge, tented camp, or another type of accommodation, and whether the selected property can handle dietary needs.

At $2,897.06, the trip offers good convenience if you want one company to handle the vehicle, guide, accommodation, park access, and meals. It is less attractive if you want to control every hotel choice or travel on the cheapest possible schedule.

The package does not include flights, visas, travel insurance, medical insurance, tips, drinks at the lodges, or laundry. Those costs can add up, particularly if you are flying into Arusha and out of another airport. I would price the whole trip, not just the advertised safari rate.

Who should book this safari

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a private northern Tanzania safari with two headline parks and little planning work on your side. It suits first-time safari visitors who want a clear route and a guide dedicated to their group.

It also fits families. The private vehicle lets you manage your own pace, and the company’s guide feedback includes examples of warm, patient support for older visitors and families.

You should think twice if long road transfers wear you down. The seven-hour journey to Serengeti is real, and the trip includes more driving on Day 4. A longer itinerary with fewer transfer hours per day could feel more relaxed, but that option is not this five-day plan.

This is also not the right choice if your top priority is luxury detail. The package names the parks, vehicle, meals, and guide service, but it does not identify the lodges or describe room standards. Ask those questions first.

Booking details worth checking

Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within seven days of departure, confirmation is expected within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Pickup is offered, and the listed starting point is Arusha Airport in Arusha, Tanzania. Group discounts are available, and the activity uses a mobile ticket.

Most people can take part, and the tour is private. Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation within 24 hours is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Should you book the Tanzania Simba Safari?

Book it if you want a private Serengeti and Ngorongoro route with the major practical pieces handled for you. The best parts are the full Serengeti wildlife day, the early crater drive, and the chance to work with a driver-guide whose animal spotting can shape the whole trip.

Before booking, confirm the lodge names, meal count, airport transfer details, and guide availability. If you accept the long road days and the nearly $2,900 price, this is a strong five-day introduction to Tanzania’s northern parks. If you need a slower pace or highly specified luxury lodging, ask for a custom plan instead.

FAQ

Where does the safari start?

The safari starts at Arusha Airport in Arusha, Tanzania.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately five days.

Is this a private safari?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

How do I travel between the parks?

You travel in a 4×4 Toyota Cruiser with a driver-guide.

How long is the drive from Arusha to Serengeti?

The journey is listed at about seven hours and 335 kilometers.

How many nights are spent in Serengeti?

The plan includes two nights in Serengeti National Park.

Does the safari visit Ngorongoro Crater?

Yes. You travel to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on Day 4 and take an early morning game drive in the crater on Day 5.

Are park fees included?

Yes. Park fees are included in the package.

Are meals included?

The package includes meals during the stay, with one night in Arusha on half board and four safari nights on full board. The Day 5 details specify breakfast and lunch but not dinner, so confirm the exact meal schedule before booking.

Are flights and insurance included?

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