What is a “joining group” safari?

A joining group safari means you travel with other guests who have booked the same itinerary. As a result, it is a cost-effective way to enjoy a safari while you meet fellow adventurers.

How fit do I need to be for the Kilimanjaro day hike?

The hike to Mandara Hut is moderate and suits most people with average fitness. It is also a guided day hike with a gradual ascent and descent on well-maintained trails.

What vehicle is used for the safari?

We use a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, so you get the best wildlife viewing and photography opportunities.

Can I extend my stay or customize the itinerary?

Absolutely! You can extend your trip before or after the safari. You can also add activities such as Zanzibar excursions. Just let us know your interests, and we can help arrange it.

5 days joining Group safari and Kilimanjaro Day Hike(Great Migrations in serengeti national park)

This joining group safari is run by Serengeti Wildlife Safaris, a locally based Tanzanian operator. You travel with an experienced local guide, and we plan every detail with you.

Why book this joining group safari with us

First, every joining group safari we run is tailor-made, so we can adjust the dates, accommodation and pace. In addition, our local team supports you from arrival to departure. Before you travel, you can also read about the area on the official Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) website. For more ideas, see our other Serengeti National Park tours.

Embark on an unforgettable 5-day adventure through Tanzania's most iconic landscapes and wildlife-rich parks with Serengeti Wildlife Safaris. This carefully curated joining group safari combines game drives in Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. After that, you enjoy an invigorating day hike on Mount Kilimanjaro via the scenic Marangu Route.

Game drives in the northern parks

First, you explore Tarangire National Park, famous for its majestic baobabs and large elephant populations. Then you travel through the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Conservation Area into the endless plains of the Serengeti. Here you also see an abundance of wildlife and possibly even the Big Five. You also enjoy immersive game drives and overnights at budget-friendly campsites, so you stay close to nature.

A day on Kilimanjaro

Next, you experience the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, your adventure continues with a day hike on Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. First, starting from Marangu Gate, you hike through lush rainforest to Mandara Hut. Along the way, you take in stunning views and vibrant ecosystems.

This 5-day trip suits adventurous travelers who want a rich blend of wildlife, landscapes and a taste of Tanzania’s most iconic mountain. Best of all, you do it on a budget and in the company of like-minded explorers.

Itinerary

Day 01 :

Arusha – Tarangire National Park

Early in the morning, your professional Serengeti Wildlife Safaris guide picks you up from your accommodation in Arusha. Then you join your group and depart for Tarangire National Park, known for its ancient baobab trees and large herds of elephants.

First, enjoy a morning game drive and look for lions, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras and more. Then, around midday, you stop at a designated picnic site for your packed lunch in the heart of the park. In the afternoon, you continue your game drive through the Tarangire ecosystem, taking in more wildlife and stunning scenery.

Later in the evening, you exit the park and head to your budget accommodation in Mto wa Mbu. You typically stay at Ngedere Campsite and Lodges or similar, where you have dinner and spend the night.
Accommodation: Ngedere campsite and lodges (or similar, budget lodge)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 02 :

Mto wa Mbu – Serengeti National Park (via Ngorongoro Conservation Area)

After an early breakfast, you leave Mto wa Mbu with your group and set off for the legendary Serengeti National Park. On the way, you enjoy a scenic drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with sweeping views of the crater and highlands.

When you reach the Serengeti gate, you begin your game drive across the vast savannahs. Here you start to see incredible wildlife such as lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes and possibly even leopards. In the early afternoon, you stop at a designated site for your packed lunch, surrounded by the raw beauty of the park.

Then you continue with an afternoon game drive and explore more of the Serengeti’s rich ecosystem and wildlife corridors. Finally, by sunset, your guide takes you to your budget campsite in the park for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Seronera campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 03 :

Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Wake up early to the sounds of the wild and enjoy a hearty breakfast at camp. Then you head out for another exciting morning game drive in the Serengeti. During the morning, you explore deeper into the park and track wildlife across savannah dotted with acacia trees and rolling grasslands. You may also witness predator-prey interactions, large herds of herbivores and perhaps big cats in action.

In the early afternoon, you pause for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot inside the park. After lunch, you enjoy one final game drive while you make your way toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Meanwhile, you keep spotting wildlife as you cross the vast plains.

By late afternoon, you arrive at Simba Campsite on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Settle in and enjoy the cool highland air. After a delicious dinner, get an early night so you are ready for tomorrow’s crater adventure.
Accommodation: Simba Campsite (Ngorongoro Crater Rim)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 04 :

Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha

Begin your day with an early breakfast. Then you descend into the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Next, enjoy a half-day game drive on the crater floor. Here you can spot animals such as lions, hyenas, hippos, zebras, wildebeests and the rare black rhino. In fact, the crater’s unique ecosystem offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Tanzania. Around midday, you stop at a scenic picnic site near the hippo pool for lunch.

After lunch, you enjoy a final short game drive to capture any last sightings and photos. By late afternoon, you climb out of the crater and drive back to Arusha. Finally, you reach your accommodation in the early evening, and this marks the end of your unforgettable safari.
Accommodation: Karibu Heritage
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 05 :

Mount Kilimanjaro Day Hike – Marangu Route Adventure

Your day begins with an early morning pick-up from your accommodation in Arusha by your professional guide. From there, you enjoy a scenic drive through Moshi town to Marangu Gate, the gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park.

When you arrive at Marangu Gate (1,870m), you complete the park formalities. Then you start your guided hike through the lush rainforest. The trail climbs gradually through rich vegetation, home to colobus monkeys and exotic birdlife. After a few hours, you then reach Mandara Hut (2,700m). Here you take a well-deserved break and enjoy your packed lunch while you take in the scenery.

In the late afternoon, you descend back to Marangu Gate through the forest. Finally, your guide transfers you back to your accommodation in Arusha or to Kilimanjaro airport for your flight home. This ends your 5-day joining budget safari with Serengeti Wildlife Safaris and an unforgettable day on the lower slopes of Africa’s highest peak.