Day 1
Day 1
Arrival in Arusha
Arrive and check into your luxury lodge, with an optional city tour.
Overnight in lodge / campD
5 Day Private Luxury Safari
5-Day Luxury Ngorongoro Retreat
Five slow, luxurious days in the highlands: crater-view sundowners, a private Ngorongoro game drive with champagne bush lunch, and a guided hike into the flamingo-filled Empakaai Crater.
5 daysArusha · Ngorongoro · EmpakaaiPrivate departure
Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Regions
Arusha · Ngorongoro · Empakaai
Group
Private, max 6 guests
Best time
Year-round
Style
Ultra-Luxury · Honeymoon
Vehicle
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser
Overview
Spa afternoons, a private crater safari and a walk into Empakaai.
Five slow, luxurious days in the highlands: crater-view sundowners, a private Ngorongoro game drive with champagne bush lunch, and a guided hike into the flamingo-filled Empakaai Crater.
Private crater safari
Champagne bush lunch
Empakaai Crater hike
Spa and nature walks
Ultra-LuxuryHoneymoon
Why this journey
Why we built this itinerary the way we did
Combines Arusha, Ngorongoro and Empakaai in a single, well-paced itinerary.
Accommodation is deliberately at the top of the market - owner-run camps and lodges where the guiding, food and sense of place match the price.
5 days is enough to see the core Northern Circuit without rushing between camps. We favour longer stays in fewer camps over a checklist mentality.
Who it's for
Is this the right journey for you?
Honeymooners
Couples wanting private tented suites, plunge pools, sundowners set up in the bush and a slower rhythm between game drives.
Discerning travellers
Guests who value owner-run camps, senior guides, superb food and a light footprint over hotel-brand safaris.
Day by Day
The itinerary
Day 2
Day 2
To the Ngorongoro Highlands
Early transfer to the highlands, followed by spa treatments, a nature walk and crater-view sundowners at your lodge.
Overnight in lodge / campB, L, D
Day 3
Day 3
Private crater safari
A private Ngorongoro Crater game drive with a champagne bush lunch on the crater floor.
Overnight in lodge / campB, L, D
Day 4
Day 4
Empakaai Crater
Visit Empakaai Crater for a guided hike with an armed ranger, with an optional visit to a Maasai community.
Overnight in lodge / campB, L, D
Day 5
Day 5
Return to Arusha
A final highland morning before the drive back to Arusha.
Overnight in lodge / campB
In the field
Wildlife you can realistically expect
Arusha
A short-drive-from-town park good for a first-day acclimatiser: giraffe, buffalo, black-and-white colobus in the montane forest, and the Momella Lakes with flamingo against Mount Meru.
Ngorongoro
Africa's densest concentration of large mammals inside the crater floor - all Big Five bar giraffe, plus black rhino, flamingo on Lake Magadi, and consistent lion and hyena sightings within a two-hour drive.
When to travel
Best time for this route
January - March
Green season. Ndutu is the star - the wildebeest calving peaks in early February. Predators are everywhere; light is dramatic. Lower rates and fewer vehicles.
June - October
Peak dry season. Game concentrates around water. River crossings in the northern Serengeti build from July, peak August-September, and taper by late October.
November - December
Short rains. Landscapes turn green, migratory birds arrive, and lodges are quieter. Excellent value with vibrant photography.
April - May
Long rains. Some seasonal camps close but the parks stay open, prices are lowest, and photographers who don't mind afternoon storms find them uniquely rewarding.
Included
What's covered
- All park & conservation fees
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- All meals on safari (B, L, D)
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- Airport transfers
- Government taxes & VAT
Not Included
Extras & optionals
- International flights
- Tanzania visa (US$50 pp)
- Travel & medical insurance
- Personal expenses & drinks (unless stated)
- Optional activities (balloon safari, cultural add-ons)
- Tips & gratuities
Where you stay
Handpicked lodges & camps
We tier accommodation to match your travel style - from atmospheric tented camps to unfussy comfortable lodges to owner-run luxury retreats. Below are typical properties on this itinerary; alternatives are always available on request.
Arusha
Tented camp with plunge pool
Ngorongoro
Rim lodge with valley views
Empakaai
Riverside luxury tent
Extend your journey
Optional add-ons
Hot air balloon safari
Sunrise flight over the Serengeti or Tarangire (approx. US$650-750 pp) ending with a champagne bush breakfast. Book at time of confirmation - allocations fill 6+ months out.
Walking safari with an armed ranger
Available in Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Highlands and select Serengeti concessions. 2-4 hours; different scale of engagement with tracks, plants and small game.
Cultural visits (Maasai, Hadzabe, Datoga)
We route through community-owned programmes only - fees go directly to the households you meet. Half-day to full-day.
Zanzibar beach extension
3-7 nights on the north coast (Kendwa, Nungwi, Matemwe) or the quieter east (Michamvi, Pongwe). Direct flights from Arusha or Kilimanjaro. Ideal decompression after safari.
Kilimanjaro trek add-on
6, 7 or 8-day routes (Machame, Lemosho, Rongai). We recommend a minimum 7-day itinerary for summit success and proper acclimatisation.
Practical
Packing essentials
- Neutral safari clothing (khaki, olive, stone) - 3-4 layers, one warm fleece for early morning drives
- Wide-brim hat, high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, polarised sunglasses
- Sturdy closed shoes for walks + one comfortable pair for camp
- Small daypack, refillable water bottle, headlamp with red-light mode
- Camera body + one telephoto (200-400mm for wildlife), spare batteries, dust blower
- Binoculars per person (8x42 is the sweet spot)
- Basic medical kit: anti-malarial (consult your GP), rehydration sachets, plasters, personal medication
- Soft duffel bag (max 15kg for internal flights) rather than a hard-shell suitcase
Guide's notes
Travel tips from our team
- Yellow fever certificate is required only if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission - not for direct arrivals from Europe or the Americas. Bring the card if you have it.
- Cash matters. Small US dollar bills (2018 series or newer, undamaged) cover tips and curio purchases. ATMs work in Arusha and Moshi; the parks have none.
- Sunrise game drives are non-negotiable. First light between 06:15 and 09:00 is when predators are still active and light is at its softest. We wake you with coffee at the tent.
- Bring binoculars per person - a good 8x42 pair transforms your safari. Sharing one pair is the single most common regret.
- Charge in the vehicle. Every Karis Land Cruiser has inverters and 12V outlets, so cameras and phones stay topped up between camps.
- Neutral colours only for walking safaris and cultural visits - no bright blue (attracts tsetse), no camouflage (reserved for military).
Questions, answered
FAQ
Is the 5-Day Luxury Ngorongoro Retreat itinerary private?+
Yes. Every Karis journey is a private departure - your own guide, your own Land Cruiser, your own pace. You do not share the vehicle with strangers.
When is the best time to book?+
8-10 months in advance for June-October travel; 4-6 months for green season. We can occasionally place late bookings when a camp releases inventory.
How much of the price is fixed vs flexible?+
Park fees, vehicles and guides are fixed. The main lever is the accommodation tier - swapping a luxury camp for its midrange sister camp can change the price by 25-35% without losing park time.
What wildlife will we realistically see on the 5-day route?+
Across Arusha, Ngorongoro, Empakaai we expect the Big Four (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard) as a strong likelihood, with cheetah and rhino depending on the parks visited. Your guide radios sightings with a trusted network of colleagues; nothing is chased or crowded.
Can you accommodate dietary requirements?+
Every camp handles vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and children's diets given advance notice at booking. We double-confirm 14 days before travel.
What is your cancellation policy?+
30% deposit at confirmation, balance 60 days before travel. Free date changes up to 45 days out subject to camp availability. Beyond that we work with each camp's individual policy.
How safe is safari travel in Tanzania?+
Tanzania is politically stable and one of the safer safari destinations in Africa. Our vehicles carry satellite communications; every itinerary has a 24/7 duty phone; guides are STCW/first-aid certified.
