Big Five & Lake Natron in Tanzania: Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Lake Natron

Mid-range

6-Day Big Five & Lake Natron

The Big Five & Lake Natron is a 6-day private safari in Tanzania covering Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park and Lake Natron. Prices start from $2,350 per person for two or more sharing, with mid-range lodges and tented camps.

From

$2,350 pp

Length

6 days

Route

Ngorongoro › Serengeti › Lake Natron

Stay

Mid-range lodges and tented camps

Best time

Jun to Oct

Your route, day by day

Follow the route across Tanzania.

The Big Five plus a hidden gem: Lake Natron's red waters, flamingos and Maasai country beneath Ol Doinyo Lengai.

Start: NgorongoroReal map of Tanzania

1Day 1

Arusha to Karatu

Drive to the Ngorongoro highlands for an overnight.

NgorongoroArusha
2Days 2-3

Serengeti

Full days of game drives.

Serengeti
3Day 4

Ngorongoro Crater

Crater floor game drive.

Ngorongoro
4Days 5-6

Lake Natron

Head north to the lake for walks, the waterfall and a village visit, then return.

Lake Natron

Know before you go

What you’ll find in Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Lake Natron.

3.17°S, 35.58°E

Ngorongoro Crater

A collapsed volcano about 19 km across whose floor holds grassland, a soda lake and forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where wildlife is easy to find.

Wildlife & sights: Black rhino (with luck), lions, buffalo, elephants, hippos, flamingos and large bull elephants.
Best time: Year-round. Dry months from June to October give the clearest roads; the green season brings fewer vehicles and newborn animals.
Guide tip: Go down early. The crater is busiest mid-morning and animals are most active at first light.

Explore Ngorongoro

2.33°S, 34.83°E

Serengeti National Park

Tanzania's most famous savanna: endless plains, kopjes that lions use as lookouts and the stage for the annual wildebeest and zebra migration.

Wildlife & sights: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, elephants, giraffes and vast herds of wildebeest and zebra.
Best time: Year-round. Calving on the southern plains around Ndutu runs roughly January to March, the western corridor is active around May and June, and the north and Mara River are the focus from about July to October.
Guide tip: Where you sleep matters more than how long you stay: camps near the herds save hours of driving.

Explore Serengeti

2.42°S, 36.00°E

Lake Natron

A red-tinged alkaline lake beneath the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, where lesser flamingos breed and walks and waterfalls replace game drives.

Wildlife & sights: Flamingos, waterbirds, Maasai villages, gorge walks and volcano views.
Best time: Cooler months from June to October are more comfortable for walking; the lake is hot at midday year-round.
Guide tip: Start walks at dawn and carry plenty of water.

Highlights of this 6-day trip

Serengeti and Crater Big Five
Lake Natron and its flamingos
Maasai culture

Your trip is planned by our Arusha-based team, who drive these roads every week. Dates, pace, lodges and extras can all be changed before you confirm, and your written quote lists every park fee and inclusion.

Starting price per person

$2,350

USD, two or more sharing, standard season. Final price depends on dates, group size and accommodation.

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Questions about this trip

How much does the Big Five & Lake Natron cost?

It starts from $2,350 per person for 6 days with two or more travellers sharing. The final price depends on your dates, group size and the accommodation you choose, and is confirmed in a written quote.

What is the best time to do the Big Five & Lake Natron?

Jun to Oct. Year-round. Dry months from June to October give the clearest roads; the green season brings fewer vehicles and newborn animals.

How many days do I need for Ngorongoro and Serengeti?

This itinerary uses 6 days, which is enough to cover 4 key places without rushing the longest drives. Extra nights can be added at any stop.

Is this trip private?

Yes. You travel in your own 4x4 with a dedicated guide, so you set the pace for photography and rest. Group-departure options are available on request.

What will I see in Ngorongoro?

A collapsed volcano about 19 km across whose floor holds grassland, a soda lake and forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where wildlife is easy to find. Look for: Black rhino (with luck), lions, buffalo, elephants, hippos, flamingos and large bull elephants.

What will I see in Serengeti?

Tanzania's most famous savanna: endless plains, kopjes that lions use as lookouts and the stage for the annual wildebeest and zebra migration. Look for: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, elephants, giraffes and vast herds of wildebeest and zebra.