Is this six-day safari right for you?
A private six-day safari gives you flexibility over game-drive pacing, stops and accommodation category. It does not automatically mean luxury lodging; you can book a dedicated vehicle with well-chosen mid-range stays.
The trip at a glance
| Planning question | What you should know |
|---|---|
| Travel duration | 6 days, 5 on-trip nights (unless a flight/hotel arrangement is explicitly amended) |
| Who it suits | Families, couples, friends and photographers who value a private guide and vehicle more than the lowest available group-seat price. |
| Transport | Dedicated safari 4×4 and driver-guide for your confirmed party; optional flight sectors require a separate quotation. |
| How the price is agreed | Private safari prices depend strongly on how many people share the vehicle. We quote by actual group size, room configuration and lodge level, not a misleading generic price for every traveler. |
Your six-day safari itinerary, explained
This is a suggested six-day route, not a guarantee of any animal sighting or an unchangeable flight schedule. Capable Africa Tours confirms overnight properties, the departure point, park entries and any air sectors when preparing your quotation. Here is how the time is actually used:
Day 1 — Tarangire, at your pace
Your driver-guide meets you at your Arusha hotel. A private vehicle lets you stop for elephants, birdlife and the dramatic baobab landscape without waiting for another group to agree. Lunch and the length of the drive can be planned around the ages and stamina of your travelers. Sleep near Karatu for the next stage.
Overnight: Karatu or Mto wa Mbu lodge.
Travel and timing: Approximately 2–3 hours from Arusha to Tarangire, plus time in the park.
Day 2 — Ngorongoro highlands to Serengeti
Leave after breakfast and drive through the highlands toward Serengeti. The distance is considerable, even in a private car; we cannot turn a transfer into a full game-drive day. The reward is an evening at a camp in central Serengeti, ready for two proper wildlife days without changing lodges.
Overnight: Central Serengeti camp.
Travel and timing: Long road journey; exact arrival depends on gate formalities and stops.
Day 3 — Serengeti wildlife, chosen around your interests
This day belongs to your group. Some guests like to start before breakfast; others prefer more rest. Tell your guide which animal behaviors interest you so they can choose the best permitted tracks. We can arrange a picnic so a memorable sighting is not interrupted by a fixed return-to-lodge lunch.
Overnight: Central Serengeti camp.
Travel and timing: Full wildlife day, flexible within park regulations.
Day 4 — Second Serengeti day
Use the day to explore a different section within practical reach of camp. A second full day increases your opportunity to observe wildlife under changing light and weather; it is not a promise of Big Five sightings. If you are traveling with children, we can allow time to rest without inconveniencing other travelers.
Overnight: Central Serengeti camp.
Travel and timing: Another wildlife-focused day.
Day 5 — Serengeti to Karatu
After a final Serengeti morning, travel back toward the Ngorongoro highlands. The driver plans comfort stops and checks arrival time with the lodge. We recommend staying at Karatu or a suitable nearby property so tomorrow starts near the crater rather than far across the park.
Overnight: Karatu lodge.
Travel and timing: A long combination of en-route wildlife and transfer.
Day 6 — Ngorongoro Crater, then Arusha
Enter the crater early for a game drive through its forest, marsh and open grassland. Lions, buffalo and other wildlife are possible, while black rhino sightings remain uncertain. Return to Arusha after the crater. If you need to catch a flight, we confirm the timings before committing to a full crater visit.
Overnight: Ends at your agreed Arusha location.
Travel and timing: Crater safari followed by the road to Arusha.
What private guiding actually changes
Private means your own booked safari vehicle and guide, not the promise that no other vehicles will be in the national parks. Sightings can attract several safari cars, and the guide must always follow park regulations. Within those limits, you decide whether to spend time on birds, cats, landscapes or a slower meal break.
Ask about the seating plan before booking, especially with camera equipment or children. A family of four with extra bags has different comfort needs from six adults. Capable can explain usable seats and help choose a camp location that reduces unnecessary late-day drives.
What travelers should ask before booking
Is the vehicle really only for our family?
Yes, when a private safari is booked. Capable quotes a dedicated 4×4 and guide for your named group, with the number of usable window seats stated in advance.
Can we change accommodation without losing the private vehicle?
Usually yes. You can select budget, mid-range or premium lodges subject to availability; a private transport arrangement is separate from your chosen comfort level.
Can we change the itinerary after booking?
Many small adjustments are possible, but park fees, cancellation conditions, flights and lodge commitments may limit major route changes. The confirmed plan is the booking reference.
What makes the quotation accurate
Private safari prices depend strongly on how many people share the vehicle. We quote by actual group size, room configuration and lodge level, not a misleading generic price for every traveler.
Tell Capable Africa Tours your dates, group size, children’s ages if relevant, preferred comfort level and start/end locations. We will identify the accommodation category and confirm the transfer route rather than quote a low number that quietly assumes unavailable rooms or missing flights. If you have fixed international departures, we will check whether your final safari day leaves a safe connection.
Your final itinerary is coordinated by our Tanzania team: the confirmed vehicle, guide, lodges or camps, park activities, planned meals, and agreed transfers are combined into one written proposal. You will receive the actual services and their conditions before paying a deposit.
Inclusions and exclusions — check your written quote
Included when listed in your package
- 4×4 safari transport and driver-guide for the itinerary as quoted
- Accommodation category and five nights shown in the confirmed program
- Meals explicitly listed for each day
- Park and conservation fees specifically included on the invoice
- Game drives and agreed local pickup/drop-off services
Not included unless expressly quoted
- International flights unless the quotation includes them
- Domestic flights or airstrip transfer not itemized as included
- Visa, insurance and personal medical expenses
- Tips, laundry, drinks or personal shopping unless written as included
- Optional balloon rides, added cultural visits and itinerary extensions
A private vehicle is not automatically part of a group-joining fare, and a photographed lodge is not a guaranteed property assignment. Capable will state the service basis that applies to your booking.
Questions before you travel
Can I use this route at any time of year?
The route is possible in different seasons, but wildlife distribution, road access and available accommodation vary. We confirm the order of parks and overnight areas against your month of travel.
Can I finish in Zanzibar or at an airport instead of Arusha?
Usually a different endpoint is possible, but it can involve a separate domestic flight or a longer transfer. Capable will price it transparently and check the real connection before confirmation.
Ask Capable Africa Tours to put your trip together
You do not need to decide every lodge and transfer before contacting us. Share the dates, number of people and what matters most to you. We will reply with a route, accommodation basis and itemized inclusions you can evaluate. If a day has too much driving for your group, tell us; it is better to revise the plan before booking than to discover the problem on safari.
Request Your Six-Day Safari Quote
Send Capable Africa Tours your travel plans. We will use the details to prepare the appropriate safari quotation.