6-Day Serengeti Big Cats, Balloon Safari & Ngorongoro Big Five Experience
Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire
6 Days / 5 Nights
From $2,000.00
Overview
Designed for wildlife photographers, safari enthusiasts, and luxury travelers alike, the 6-Day Serengeti Big Cats, Balloon Safari & Ngorongoro Big Five Experience delivers an extraordinary journey through East Africa's most famous parks. Built around high-density predator tracking and immersive bush experiences, this itinerary features two full days inside Serengeti National Park, the world capital for lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
Highlighting your expedition is a dawn Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari, floating silently over the Seronera Valley as the sun rises over the savannah, followed by a traditional champagne toast and bush breakfast under an acacia canopy. Driven by expert 100% local naturalists from Tanzania Kili Adventures in private 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs, you will also explore the giant baobabs and elephant herds of Tarangire National Park, the lush forest habitats of Lake Manyara, and the enclosed volcanic sanctuary of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Highlighting your expedition is a dawn Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari, floating silently over the Seronera Valley as the sun rises over the savannah, followed by a traditional champagne toast and bush breakfast under an acacia canopy. Driven by expert 100% local naturalists from Tanzania Kili Adventures in private 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs, you will also explore the giant baobabs and elephant herds of Tarangire National Park, the lush forest habitats of Lake Manyara, and the enclosed volcanic sanctuary of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park Game Drive
Your safari begins with a morning pickup from your hotel in Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by your Tanzania Kili Adventures guide. Depart for Tarangire National Park, famous for its giant baobab trees and Africa’s highest concentration of elephants.
Spend the day exploring the Tarangire River circuit, where large elephant herds, zebras, giraffes, and wildebeests gather to drink. Keep an eye out for tree-climbing pythons and lions resting in the shade. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch inside the park before transferring to your lodge in Karatu for dinner and relaxation.
Spend the day exploring the Tarangire River circuit, where large elephant herds, zebras, giraffes, and wildebeests gather to drink. Keep an eye out for tree-climbing pythons and lions resting in the shade. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch inside the park before transferring to your lodge in Karatu for dinner and relaxation.
2
Day 2: Lake Manyara Game Drive & Transfer to Central Serengeti
After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park, situated at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Drive through lush groundwater forests inhabited by baboon troops, blue monkeys, and colorful hornbills before opening up to the shores of Lake Manyara, home to flamingos, hippos, and tree-climbing lions.
Following a morning game drive and lunch, ascend the escarpment and travel across the Ngorongoro Highlands toward Serengeti National Park. Enter through Naabi Hill Gate and enjoy an late afternoon game drive en route to your luxury central Serengeti tented camp.
Following a morning game drive and lunch, ascend the escarpment and travel across the Ngorongoro Highlands toward Serengeti National Park. Enter through Naabi Hill Gate and enjoy an late afternoon game drive en route to your luxury central Serengeti tented camp.
3
Day 3: Sunrise Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari & Big Cat Game Drive
Rise early for the peak highlight of your safari. You will be transferred to the launch site for safety briefings before ascending into the dawn sky aboard a Hot Air Balloon. Float over the Seronera Valley as the golden sun illuminates the vast savannah and wildlife moving below.
Upon landing, celebrate with a chilled champagne toast followed by a full gourmet bush breakfast prepared under an acacia tree. Spend the remainder of the day on private 4x4 game drives tracking big cats searching for leopards along the Seronera River, lions on granite kopjes, and cheetahs scanning the open grasslands.
Upon landing, celebrate with a chilled champagne toast followed by a full gourmet bush breakfast prepared under an acacia tree. Spend the remainder of the day on private 4x4 game drives tracking big cats searching for leopards along the Seronera River, lions on granite kopjes, and cheetahs scanning the open grasslands.
4
Day 4: Full-Day Central Serengeti Big Cats & Wildlife Tracking
Spend a second full day exploring the heart of Serengeti National Park. With flexible full-day game drives, your guide will track resident prides, migratory herds, hippos at the Retina Hippo Pool, and abundant bird species.
Enjoy lunch in the bush or return to camp during the midday heat. Re-emerge in late afternoon when predators become active again, capturing evening light across the infinite plains before returning for dinner by the campfire.
Enjoy lunch in the bush or return to camp during the midday heat. Re-emerge in late afternoon when predators become active again, capturing evening light across the infinite plains before returning for dinner by the campfire.
5
Day 5: Serengeti Morning Game Drive to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti capturing dawn light and predator activity. After a late breakfast at camp, drive out of the Serengeti toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Optionally stop at Olduvai Gorge or visit a traditional Maasai village for a cultural encounter. Reach the Ngorongoro Crater rim (2,300 m) in late afternoon to witness panoramic sunset views over the crater floor.
Optionally stop at Olduvai Gorge or visit a traditional Maasai village for a cultural encounter. Reach the Ngorongoro Crater rim (2,300 m) in late afternoon to witness panoramic sunset views over the crater floor.
6
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Floor Big Five Safari & Return to Arusha
Rise early and descend 600 meters down onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to over 25,000 large animals living within an intact volcanic caldera.
Spend 5 to 6 hours tracking black rhinos, golden jackals, hyenas, large prides of lions, and massive tuskers. Enjoy a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool on the crater floor. In the afternoon, ascend the crater walls and enjoy a smooth transfer back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight connection.
Spend 5 to 6 hours tracking black rhinos, golden jackals, hyenas, large prides of lions, and massive tuskers. Enjoy a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool on the crater floor. In the afternoon, ascend the crater walls and enjoy a smooth transfer back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight connection.
Trip Info
Duration6D / 5N
DestinationSerengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire
SafetyProfessional Guides
You May Also Like
$3,950.00
3-Day Luxury Fly-In Serengeti Safari & Hot Air Balloon
Fly directly into world-class luxury with Tanzania Kili Adventures on our elite 3-Day Serengeti Fly-In & Hot Air Balloon Safari. Avoid long dusty roads and maximize your time tracking the Big Five before soaring over the endless savannah at sunrise in a magnificent hot air balloon. Ultimate African luxury packed into three unforgettable days.
$3,500.00
2-Day Express Ngorongoro Crater & Tarangire Big Five Safari
Experience the highlights of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit in just 48 hours. This action-packed 2-day express safari pairs Tarangire National Park’s giant elephant herds and iconic baobabs with an unforgettable Big Five game drive on the Ngorongoro Crater floor. Guided by expert local naturalists from Tanzania Kili Adventures, it’s the ultimate short wildlife extension.
$3,600.00
5-Day Classic Big Five Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Immerse yourself in Tanzania’s premier wildlife sanctuaries on this comprehensive 5-day classic safari. Journey through Tarangire’s elephant-rich baobab valleys, Lake Manyara’s flamingo-lined shores, the vast plains of the Central Serengeti, and the volcanic caldera of the Ngorongoro Crater. Guided by 100% local naturalists from Tanzania Kili Adventures, this itinerary delivers maximum Big Five viewing, luxury tented camp stays, and unhurried wildlife tracking.