7-Day Tented Camp Safari: Big Five & Crater
Sleep in Comfort, Wake Up to the Wild
The Perfect Blend of Adventure and Comfort
Welcome to the safari experience that defines the name Extra Ordinary Safari. Our 7-Day Tented Camp Safari is designed for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the wilderness without sacrificing the comforts of a real bed and en-suite facilities
.This is not your standard camping trip. Stay in spacious, walk-in tented camps nestled in the heart of prime wildlife areas. Fall asleep to the sounds of the bush and wake up to birdsong, then set out in your private 4×4 to track the legendary Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, and Rhino).This 7-day journey through Tarangire, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater is the ultimate wildlife safari for the discerning traveler.
Safari Overview
Tour at a Glance
Destination: Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit
Parks Visited:
Tarangire National Park
Serengeti National Park (Central Seronera)
Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Crater Tour)
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Accommodation: Permanent Tented Camps (En-suite bathrooms, comfortable beds)
Game Drives: Private 4×4 Safari Jeep with Pop-up Roof
Meals: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) including bush meals
Why Choose a Tented Camp Safari?
The Best of Both Worlds
Many travelers ask us: “What is the difference between a lodge and a tented camp?”
A tented camp offers the ultimate sensory experience. Unlike a solid brick lodge, a tented camp places you right on the wildlife path. You are close to the earth, the sounds, and the scents of Africa. Yet, unlike budget camping, you return to a real bed, a flushing toilet, and often a hot shower.
Immersion: Feel the rhythm of the wild from your veranda.
Comfort: Thick mattresses, quality linens, and en-suite facilities.
Atmosphere: Intimate camps with a friendly, personal vibe.
Location: Tented camps are often located in prime, private areas closer to wildlife concentrations.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Elephants and Baobabs
Your Extra Ordinary Safari begins as you meet your guide in Arusha. We drive south to Tarangire National Park, a gem of the northern circuit. Famous for its massive elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, Tarangire offers a beautiful and less crowded introduction to Tanzania.
Enjoy a game drive en-route to your camp. Look out for pythons coiled in trees, flocks of yellow-collared lovebirds, and the ubiquitous zebras and wildebeests. In the late afternoon, you will check into your tented camp for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tarangire Tented Camp (or similar)
Day 2: Tarangire to Lake Manyara
Treetops and Flamingos
After a peaceful breakfast, you have options. Depending on your preferences, you can either enjoy a morning game drive in Tarangire or take a short drive to the shallow soda lake of Lake Manyara National Park. Here, you might see flamingos wading in the water and the famous tree-climbing lions lounging in the branches.
Later, we ascend the Great Rift Valley escarpment and drive to the lush highlands of Karatu, the gateway to the Ngorongoro highlands. Settle into your next tented camp for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Karatu Tented Camp / Eileen’s Trees Inn (Tented Section)
Day 3: Karatu to Serengeti National Park
Into the Endless Plains
Today is a day of epic landscapes. After breakfast, we drive to the Serengeti National Park. The journey takes us through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. At Naabi Hill Gate, you get your first sweeping view of the Serengeti ecosystem—golden savannah stretching to the horizon.
As we descend into the park, the game viewing begins immediately. We take an afternoon game drive through the central Seronera Valley, known for its high concentration of predators. Arrive at your mobile or permanent tented camp in time for a stunning sunset and a gourmet dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Serengeti Tented Camp (Central Serengeti)
Day 4 & 5: Full Days Exploring the Serengeti
Tracking the Big Five
Spend two full days exploring the vast plains of the Serengeti. With a packed lunch, you will venture deep into the park.
Day 4 Focus: Explore the Kopjes (rock outcroppings). These are prime spots to find lions lazing in the sun and leopards hiding in the boulders.
Day 5 Focus: Depending on the season, we will search for the migration herds or explore the riverine forests for elephants and giraffes.
The central Serengeti offers the best chance to see all members of the Big Five in a short amount of time. Return each evening to the comfort of your tented camp, where you can swap stories with fellow travelers around the fire.
Accommodation: Serengeti Tented Camp (Central Serengeti)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)
Day 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
The Highlands and the Crater
Wake up early for one last sunrise game drive in the Serengeti. After breakfast, we depart the plains and travel back to the highlands of Ngorongoro. On the way, you can visit Olduvai Gorge (optional, at own cost), one of the most important paleoanthropological sites on Earth.
We ascend to the cool rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and check into your tented camp. Spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking views of the crater floor below, preparing for the grand finale tomorrow.
- Accommodation: Ngorongoro Tented Camp / Rhino Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Tour to Arusha
A Natural Wonder Finale
Today is the highlight of your Big Five Safari. After an early breakfast, you descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a half-day game drive.
The crater is a natural amphitheater and a permanent sanctuary for over 25,000 animals. It is one of the best places in Tanzania to spot the endangered Black Rhino. Lions are abundant, and hippos splash in the pools. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the famous Hippo Pool.
In the early afternoon, we begin the scenic drive back to Arusha, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) for your departure.
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
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What’s Included
What’s Not Included
Why Book With Extra Ordinary Safari?
Your Gateway to the Wild
Handpicked CampS
We partner only with well-managed tented camps that offer excellent service, food, and location.
Private Vehicle
Enjoy the flexibility of a private vehicle. No minibus crowds—just you and your group with your dedicated guide.
Expert Guides
Our guides are not just drivers; they are wildlife experts who will enhance your understanding of the ecosystem.
Tailor-Made
This itinerary is flexible. We can adjust the pace or add activities like a hot air balloon to make it truly yours.