Living Among Lions

The best feature of Living Among Lions is its smart use of five days: you see three very different wildlife areas without treating the Serengeti like a quick drive-through. I especially like the full day at Lake Manyara and the unhurried Serengeti day, when you can choose between split game drives or one long outing with a picnic lunch.

I also like that this is a private safari, so your group can discuss wake-up times and game-drive plans with the guide. The main caution is the long road time, especially between Lake Manyara, the crater highlands, and the Serengeti. At $3,872 per person, this is a major purchase, and you should confirm the exact lodging, vehicle arrangements, pickup time, and guide before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Three famous safari areas in five days: Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater each offer a different setting and wildlife mix.
• Two nights in the Serengeti: This gives you a real chance to see the plains at different times of day instead of making only a brief pass.
• A flexible full day: You can choose morning and afternoon drives with a break, or stay out all day with a picnic lunch.
• A strong chance of Big Five sightings: Guides such as Emmanuel, Arnold, Wilson, Cleopa, Losioki, and Habibu have been praised for animal spotting, safe driving, and personal attention.
• Meals are built in: Five lunches, five dinners, and four breakfasts are included.
• Private touring: Only your own group participates, which makes the pace more personal and useful for families or couples.

Why this five-day route works

Tanzania’s northern safari circuit is not one single type of park. Lake Manyara is compact and green, the Serengeti spreads across enormous open plains, and Ngorongoro feels enclosed and concentrated. This trip gives you a taste of all three.

That variety is the real reason to choose this route. You might watch monkeys in forest near Lake Manyara, scan the Serengeti horizon for a lion or cheetah, then finish with hippos and flamingos below the steep walls of Ngorongoro Crater.

The timing is tight but not frantic once you arrive in the parks. Day 1 is a full safari in Manyara. Day 2 is largely a transfer into the Serengeti, Day 3 is devoted to game viewing, and the final two days focus on Ngorongoro. The price includes meals and park admission where stated, but not international flights, visas, meals outside the safari, or guide tips.

A recommended tip is $10 per person per day for the guide. For five days, that works out to about $50 per person if you follow the recommendation. Bring this in cash unless the operator gives you another method.

Lake Manyara: forest, monkeys, and a small park with variety

Pickup is listed for 8 a.m. on the first day, while the general meeting information gives a 6 a.m. start. That difference matters. Contact the operator before departure and get your pickup time in writing.

From Arusha, the route crosses the Great Rift Valley before reaching Lake Manyara National Park. The journey itself is part of the experience, with changing views as you leave the city and reach the park area.

Manyara is small compared with the Serengeti, covering about 205 square miles, but it packs several habitats into a short visit. Acacia woodland, giant figs, and mahogany trees give the park a shaded, leafy character. Baboons and blue monkeys are common subjects for the camera, and you may also see giraffes, elephants, impalas, and large herds of buffalo.

The lake adds another layer. Hippos gather in the water, while flamingos may appear along the shore. Birdlife includes the ground hornbill and crested eagle, so bring binoculars if birds interest you. A safari here is not only about large mammals.

Manyara is also associated with tree-climbing lions. Seeing one resting in a tree is never guaranteed, but the possibility gives the park a special hook. Keep your expectations sensible: wildlife moves freely, and no guide can promise a particular sighting.

The benefit of spending a full day here is that you are not forced to rush through the park. The drawback is that Manyara may feel less dramatic after the wide Serengeti plains. I would treat it as an important change of pace, not as a smaller version of the Serengeti.

The road to the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro rim

Day 2 begins after an early breakfast. The drive to the Serengeti is long, but it offers one of the trip’s most memorable views: a stop at the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.

From above, the crater looks vast and almost self-contained. The walls rise about 2,000 feet, and the crater covers roughly 102 square miles. Even a short stop gives you a useful sense of the geography before you later descend to the floor.

After the rim, the route continues toward the Serengeti. The park covers about 6,900 square miles, and the open plains explain its name, which means endless plains in the local language.

This transfer is the hardest part of the tour for anyone who dislikes long drives. You spend much of the day moving rather than stopping for extended wildlife viewing. Still, the changing scenery and first sight of the Serengeti make the effort worthwhile.

The Serengeti is famous for the Great Migration, involving roughly two million wildebeests along with large numbers of other grazing animals. The migration changes location through the year, so your exact sightings depend on the season and where the herds are moving. The park is also home to the Big Five and many other species.

Two nights in the Serengeti

Two nights give this safari a better rhythm than a single overnight stop. You have time to reach the park, settle in, and then spend a separate full day looking for wildlife.

The accommodation details are not specified in the tour information, so ask exactly where you will stay and what style of camp or lodge is included. Previous departures have included attractive lodges and nights out on the savanna, but the exact property can affect comfort, location, and the amount of driving required.

Day 3 is the trip’s most flexible day. You can take a morning game drive, return to camp for lunch and rest, then go out again in the afternoon. Or you can spend the entire day in the park with a picnic lunch.

I prefer the split-drive option if you want a shower, quiet meal, and break from the vehicle. The full-day option makes more sense if your main goal is wildlife and you are willing to spend many hours on rough park roads.

Your guide helps set the schedule, including wake-up time and drive periods. This flexibility is especially useful for families, couples celebrating a honeymoon, or anyone who has a particular interest in photography. It also lets you respond to conditions. If animals are active early, an early drive may be best. If a sighting is unfolding, you can choose to stay out longer.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Emmanuel has been praised for thoughtful advice on a honeymoon, while Arnold is associated with long experience in the northern circuit. Wilson has a reputation for positioning the vehicle well for photographs, and Cleopa has been noted for calm driving and patience while searching for animals.

Other named guides connected with this operator include Losioki, Habibu, Morris, Walter, James, Dennis, Edward, Lawrence, Omari, Julius, and Stanley, also called Njere. Ask for your assigned guide before departure if a particular style matters to you. A guide who explains animal behavior may suit you better than one focused mainly on finding sightings quickly.

Ngorongoro Crater: a concentrated final act

Day 4 suggests a very early start for a morning Serengeti drive and sunrise. This is one of the best practical ideas in the program. Animals are often more active early, and the first light over the plains can be spectacular.

After the drive, you return to camp for brunch before continuing toward Ngorongoro. The schedule makes this a long day, listed at about 12 hours, so rest whenever you can.

Day 5 begins with another early start and a descent into the crater floor. Ngorongoro is famous for its high concentration of wildlife. The enclosed setting makes it easier to see many species in one day, although sightings are still never guaranteed.

The crater is one of the rare places in East Africa where you may see the black rhinoceros. Elephants, hippos, and flamingos are also possible, along with other animals native to the region. A picnic lunch near the hippo lake adds a pleasant pause, but keep your attention on the surroundings and follow your guide’s instructions around wildlife.

After lunch, there is time for a shorter game drive before ascending the crater and leaving the conservation area for Arusha. The planned return is around 5 p.m., with some flexibility if you have a flight or another fixed commitment.

Do not schedule an important evening flight without confirming the actual return plan. A safari vehicle can be delayed by road conditions, wildlife sightings, park procedures, or the needs of your group.

How much value do you get for $3,872?

At $3,872 per person, this is not a budget safari. The value depends heavily on what level of lodging and transport is included, details that are not provided here.

The package does cover a substantial amount: five lunches, five dinners, four breakfasts, the listed park admissions, private touring, pickup, and five days of guiding and transport. You also get two Serengeti nights instead of a rushed one-night visit, plus a full day at Lake Manyara and a full crater visit.

A private tour can cost more than a shared departure, but it gives you control over the pace. That matters when one person wants photography, another wants a midday rest, or children need a less rigid schedule.

Before booking, ask these questions:

• What exact lodges or camps are included?
• Is the price based on one person in a private vehicle or a private group?
• What type of safari vehicle is used?
• Is airport pickup included, or only hotel pickup in Arusha?
• Are drinks, laundry, and extra meals separate?
• What happens if park conditions change the route?
• Is the $3,872 price seasonal or fixed?

The tour offers group discounts, which could improve the value for families or friends booking together. Still, compare like with like. A cheaper safari may include fewer park hours, shared transport, simpler lodging, or only one Serengeti night.

Food, pace, and practical comfort

Five lunches, five dinners, and four breakfasts are included. That covers the main safari days, but meals outside the safari are not included.

The meal plan is useful because the route spends long stretches away from towns. Lunch may be served at camp or as a picnic during a full-day drive. The supplied information specifically includes a picnic near the hippo lake in Ngorongoro.

Bring a refillable water bottle, sun protection, a light jacket for early drives, and clothes that can handle dust. Keep your camera ready, since a sighting can happen between planned stops.

The schedule includes several early mornings. You will get more out of the parks if you accept that wildlife viewing often begins before breakfast. On the other hand, the private format gives you a chance to ask for a later start when you need one.

The tour is suitable for most people, and only your own group participates. The long drives and uneven roads are the main physical consideration. Anyone with mobility, back, or medical concerns should discuss the route with the operator before booking.

Who should choose Living Among Lions?

I would recommend this safari to someone visiting northern Tanzania for the first time who wants the major names without adding a longer circuit. You get forest, open plains, and a crater in one compact trip.

It is also a good fit for couples and families who value a private vehicle and flexible timing. The personal attention from guides such as Wilson, Arnold, Emmanuel, and Cleopa can make a real difference when you want help with photography, animal identification, or a special celebration.

This is less suitable if you want a relaxed holiday with little time in a vehicle. Day 2 is long, and Days 4 and 5 require early starts. It is also not the right choice if you need guaranteed sightings. Lions, rhinos, leopards, elephants, and buffalo are wild animals, not scheduled performers.

The route may also feel too short for someone determined to follow a specific stage of the Great Migration. Migration locations change, and two Serengeti nights may not be enough if your entire trip depends on seeing a particular crossing or herd movement.

Booking advice before you commit

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. That makes pre-trip questions especially important.

Confirm the pickup time because the information gives both 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. as possible starting times. Confirm your lodging, assigned guide, airport transfer arrangements, and return timing before payment.

I would also ask how the operator handles your preferred Serengeti schedule. The tour allows a morning and afternoon pattern or a full-day drive, but your guide will help decide the practical timing.

The strongest part of this trip is the combination of private guiding, flexible game drives, and three distinct parks. The main weakness is the amount of road time packed into five days, along with the high price if the lodging does not match your expectations.

Should you book this safari?

Book Living Among Lions if you want a private, wildlife-focused introduction to northern Tanzania and can handle long drives and early mornings. The two Serengeti nights, full Manyara day, and concentrated Ngorongoro visit make good use of limited time.

I would not book it until the operator confirms the accommodation and pickup details. If those match the standard you expect, the route offers a strong balance of variety, wildlife time, and personal guiding. If you prefer slower travel, add more Serengeti nights rather than trying to see even more parks.

FAQ

Where does the Living Among Lions safari start?

The safari starts in Arusha, Tanzania, with pickup offered from your hotel. The general meeting information gives a 6 a.m. start, while the first day specifies hotel pickup at 8 a.m., so confirm your exact pickup time before departure.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately five days.

Which national parks and conservation areas are included?

The route includes Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Is the safari private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the private tour or activity.

How many nights are spent in the Serengeti?

The tour includes two nights in the Serengeti.

What meals are included?

The package includes five lunches, five dinners, and four breakfasts. Meals outside the safari are not included unless specifically mentioned.

Is the Big Five guaranteed?

No. The tour is designed to give you opportunities to see the Big Five and other wildlife, but sightings depend on wild animals and cannot be guaranteed.

Are guide tips included?

No. Tips are not included. The recommended amount for the guide is $10 USD per person per day.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking.