5-Day Budget Safari Tanzania | Affordable Wildebeest Migration & Wildlife Adventure

Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

Begin your affordable Tanzania safari with a scenic drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, famous for its ancient baobab trees and large herds of elephants. A full-day game drive introduces you to the diverse wildlife of the region, including lions, giraffes, zebras, and various bird species. Tarangire is also home to lesser-seen species like the fringe-eared oryx and gerenuk. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park, and later settle into a cosy budget lodge or campsite near the park. This first day is the perfect soft introduction to Tanzania’s wilderness.

Day 2: Tarangire – Central Serengeti

After breakfast, travel through the picturesque Ngorongoro Highlands en route to Central Serengeti, part of the expansive Serengeti ecosystem. Along the way, you’ll see local villages, rolling hills, and grazing livestock. By afternoon, you’ll enter the Serengeti for your first taste of its wide plains and resident wildlife. Known globally for the Great Wildebeest Migration, the Serengeti hosts massive herds of wildebeest and zebras, along with predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Depending on the time of year, you may witness parts of the migration as the herds traverse the Serengeti in search of greener pastures. Overnight at a budget-friendly tented camp inside the park, with the sights and sounds of the wild right outside your canvas walls. For an upgrade, consider a hot air balloon safari (optional).

Day 3: Full Day in Serengeti

This day is dedicated to uncovering the depths of the Serengeti national park. With both morning and afternoon game drives, your chances of encountering the Big Five increase. The budget Serengeti safari experience doesn’t cut corners—you’ll have a highly knowledgeable guide navigating the ecosystem’s best-kept secrets. Keep your eyes peeled for hippos wallowing in watering holes, lion prides resting under acacia trees, and perhaps even a leopard lounging in the branches. If your trip coincides with the peak migration season (usually June–October in the Northern Serengeti or December–March in the South), you’ll have the rare opportunity to witness the mass movement of thousands of wildebeest and zebras. Return to camp for dinner under the stars.

Day 4: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

After a light breakfast and a final morning drive through the Serengeti, begin your journey towards the Ngorongoro Crater, descending in the afternoon for one of the most spectacular safari experiences on Earth. Often referred to as Africa’s Eden, the crater offers an unparalleled opportunity to spot endangered black rhinos, herds of buffalo, eland, and more. The crater’s natural enclosure means game is abundant and easier to spot. Your Ngorongoro Crater budget safari concludes with dinner and overnight at a budget lodge in Karatu or just outside the crater rim.

Day 5: Ngorongoro – Arusha

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before heading back to Arusha. En route, there is an option to stop by a traditional Maasai village for a cultural visit (at additional cost), where you can gain insight into the customs and traditions of one of Tanzania’s most iconic tribes. By mid-afternoon, arrive in Arusha for your onward journey or overnight stay.

This 5-day Tanzania safari itinerary blends natural wonders with accessible pricing, designed to make a cheap African safari tour feel like anything but basic. It’s proof that with the right planning and local knowledge, you can enjoy affordable Tanzania safari packages without compromising on wildlife, comfort, or safety. Ready to experience it for yourself? Get in touch with us to start planning your safari today. 

see more packages in our home page and our safari packages