7 Days Big Five Budget

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Welcome to the vibrant heart of Tanzania, where your Big Five budget safari adventure begins! As you step off your flight at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll immediately feel the warm embrace of East Africa and the excitement building for your wildlife adventure. Your experienced safari guide will be waiting to greet you with a warm smile and transfer you to your comfortable budget hotel in Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania's most spectacular wildlife destinations. This charming town, nestled at the base of the majestic Mount Meru, offers the perfect introduction to your African adventure. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax in the lush hotel gardens, take a refreshing shower to wash away the travel fatigue, or explore the vibrant local markets where you'll find colorful Maasai crafts and fresh tropical fruits. In the evening, your guide will provide a comprehensive briefing about the incredible journey ahead, sharing insights about the three magnificent parks you'll visit, the Big Five you'll encounter, and the comfortable budget accommodations that await you. This is your chance to ask questions about tracking the Big Five, discuss any special interests, and get excited about the affordable but comprehensive wildlife experience that lies ahead.

Accommodation: Green Mountain Hotel or similar
Meals: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

Awake to the sounds of Africa as the sun rises over Arusha, signaling the beginning of your Big Five budget safari adventure! After a hearty breakfast featuring fresh local fruits, eggs, and traditional Tanzanian coffee, you'll board your comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle and begin the scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, the first jewel in your safari crown. This magnificent park, often called the "Elephant Playground," is famous for its massive herds of elephants that roam freely among the iconic baobab trees that dot the landscape like ancient sentinels guarding the secrets of the savanna. As you enter the park, you'll immediately notice the dramatic change in scenery - from the lush highlands to the golden savanna where thousands of animals gather around the life-giving Tarangire River. Your full-day game drive will take you through diverse habitats where you'll search for the Big Five, starting with the magnificent elephants that give this park its nickname. You'll also spot graceful giraffes browsing on acacia trees, watch playful baboons, and marvel at the incredible variety of birdlife that calls this park home. The baobab trees, some over 1,000 years old, create a mystical atmosphere as they tower over the landscape. Your expert guide will share fascinating insights about animal behavior, conservation efforts, and the delicate balance of this ecosystem. Lunch will be a delightful picnic in the heart of the park, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African wilderness. As the sun begins to set, you'll arrive at your carefully selected budget lodge where you'll enjoy a comfortable night's rest and a delicious dinner prepared with fresh local ingredients.

Accommodation: Tarangire Safari Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Tarangire – Serengeti National Park

Rise with the dawn chorus as the African wilderness comes alive around your lodge! After a delicious breakfast prepared by your lodge staff, you'll pack up and begin the journey to the legendary Serengeti National Park, the crown jewel of Tanzania's wildlife destinations and the heart of your Big Five adventure. The drive takes you through the breathtaking Ngorongoro Highlands, where you'll stop at the crater rim to take in one of the most spectacular views in Africa - the vast Ngorongoro Crater stretching out below you like a natural amphitheater teeming with life. Your guide will explain the geological history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and point out the diverse wildlife that calls this unique ecosystem home. Continuing your journey, you'll enter the Serengeti through the Naabi Hill Gate, where the endless plains stretch as far as the eye can see, earning the park its name from the Maasai word "Siringet," meaning "endless plains." This is the land of the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles follow ancient migratory routes in search of fresh grazing. Your first game drive in the Serengeti will introduce you to the incredible diversity of wildlife that makes this park world-famous. Keep your eyes peeled for prides of lions, elusive leopards, graceful cheetahs, and the countless other species that thrive in this pristine wilderness. As evening approaches, you'll arrive at your comfortable budget lodge in the heart of the Serengeti, where you'll enjoy a relaxing evening and a hearty dinner.

Accommodation: Serengeti Safari Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4-5: Big Five in Serengeti

These two extraordinary days are dedicated to tracking and observing the Big Five in their natural habitat, making this the highlight of your budget safari adventure! Each morning, you'll wake up with the dawn chorus and embark on full days of exploration across the vast Serengeti plains, where the Big Five roam freely in one of Africa's most pristine wilderness areas. Your expert guide will use their intimate knowledge of the park and animal behavior to track the movements of these magnificent creatures, sharing fascinating insights about their hunting patterns, social structures, and survival strategies. The Serengeti is home to some of Africa's most impressive predators, and you'll spend time searching for prides of lions as they rest in the shade of acacia trees or hunt across the plains, solitary leopards lounging in the branches of trees where they can survey their territory, and the lightning-fast cheetahs that can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. You'll also encounter massive herds of elephants, powerful buffalo that travel in protective groups, and if you're incredibly lucky, the critically endangered black rhinoceros that still finds sanctuary in the Serengeti's protected environment. The Great Migration (seasonal) provides the perfect backdrop for your Big Five encounters, as the massive herds of wildebeest and zebras attract predators and create one of nature's most dramatic displays. Your guide will share fascinating insights about animal behavior, social structures, and the complex relationships between different species in this delicate ecosystem. Each day will bring new Big Five encounters, from watching lions on the hunt to observing elephants as they move majestically across the plains. Return to your budget lodge each evening for hearty dinners and comfortable nights' rest, sharing stories about the day's incredible wildlife encounters.

Accommodation: Serengeti Safari Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

Bid farewell to the Serengeti as you enjoy one final morning game drive through this magnificent park, taking in every last moment of the incredible Big Five encounters that have made this journey so special. Your guide will take you to some of their favorite spots, perhaps for one more chance to see that elusive leopard or to witness a pride of lions on the hunt. As you exit the Serengeti, you'll travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a unique landscape where wildlife and traditional Maasai communities coexist in harmony, creating a fascinating blend of natural and cultural heritage. You'll have the option to visit a traditional Maasai village (at an additional cost), where you can learn about the fascinating culture and traditions of these proud pastoralists who have lived in this region for centuries. The village visit offers a rare opportunity to see traditional Maasai homes, learn about their customs, and perhaps even participate in a traditional dance or ceremony. Continuing your journey, you'll arrive at your comfortable budget lodge perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. This is one of the most breathtaking locations in Africa, offering panoramic views over the crater floor where thousands of animals roam freely in this natural amphitheater. As you settle in, you'll be treated to one of the most spectacular sunsets you'll ever witness, with the golden light painting the crater walls in brilliant colors. Tonight's dinner will be particularly special as you dine with the vast crater stretching out below you, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Ngorongoro – Arusha (Departure)

Your final day begins with an early descent into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most unique wildlife viewing experiences in Africa, providing the perfect grand finale to your Big Five budget safari adventure! This ancient volcanic caldera, formed over two million years ago, creates a natural enclosure that supports an incredible density of wildlife, making it one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five in a single day. As you descend the steep crater walls, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the crater floor stretching out below you, dotted with lakes, forests, and grasslands that provide habitat for an astonishing variety of animals. The crater is home to one of the highest densities of lions in Africa, and you'll have excellent opportunities to observe these magnificent predators in their natural environment. You'll also search for the critically endangered black rhinoceros, which finds sanctuary in the crater's protected environment, as well as large herds of elephants, buffalo, and countless other species. The crater's alkaline lakes attract thousands of flamingos, creating a spectacular pink spectacle against the backdrop of the crater walls. Your expert guide will share fascinating insights about the crater's geology, ecology, and the conservation efforts that protect this unique ecosystem. After a memorable picnic lunch in the heart of the crater, you'll begin the journey back to Arusha, reflecting on the incredible Big Five encounters and comfortable budget accommodations that have made your safari so special. Upon arrival in Arusha, your safari officially ends, but the memories of your affordable Big Five adventure will stay with you forever. We can arrange additional accommodation in Arusha or transfers to the airport, ensuring your journey concludes as smoothly as it began.

Accommodation: No accommodation (end of tour)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport or your Arusha hotel.