15 Five-Day Trips in Africa That Repay the Early Start

1.5 Days Group Camping Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 730 reviews · from $1,100Our pick

Join Suricata Safaris for five days across Tanzania’s top parks, with a private guide, 4x4, camping, and all meals. Look for elephants in Tarangire, flamingos at Manyara, big cats in the Serengeti, and crater wildlife at Ngorongoro. Guides including Max and Amiri have earned praise for sharp animal spotting and smooth organization.

“Safari meraviglioso con la compagnia Suricati. La nostra guida Max e il nostro cuoco Salim meravigliosi. Cibo abbondante e ottimo, tende molto comode. Ovviamente è un campeggio in Africa quindi non un resort ma l’esperienza è indimenticabile. Grazie di tutto. Compagnia super consigliata.”

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2.5-Day Egypt Highlights Private Tour with Flights

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 338 reviews · 5 days · from $1,900

This five-day Egypt tour links Cairo, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Abu Simbel, and Alexandria by private car, domestic flights, and a two-night Nile cruise. Expect Egyptologist guides, a sunrise balloon flight if weather allows, four-star hotels, and daily WhatsApp support from the operator. Confirm flight baggage rules and pickup times before departure.

“For the first and second day of my tour both of my tour guides are knowledgable both in ancient Egypt, the people and culture. I had a great time in Alexandria and in The Pyramids. My tour guide in the Pyramids was on another level of hospitality, a true expert in her field, so kind and I had a fantastic time the whole day. A wondeful experience I will treasure all my life.”

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3.5-Day Highlights mid-Range Crater, Serengeti, Tarangire

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 296 reviews · from $2,327

Spend five days on a private Northern Circuit safari with Lion King Adventures, using open-roof safari vehicles and lodge or tented-camp stays. You’ll see Tarangire elephants, Ngorongoro wildlife, Serengeti predators, and Lake Manyara birds. Guides including Enouk, Shaban, Suleiman, and Mwita have earned strong praise for their care, animal spotting, and flexibility.

“This trip was an unforgettable experience for me. The experience in Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti was the best, and I would have regretted not going to Chemka Hot Springs and Serval Wild Life. And thanks to the staff who helped me Read more”

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4.5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari – Best of South Africa Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 291 reviews · from $575

Travel from Cape Town through Route 62, Oudtshoorn, Addo, Jeffreys Bay, Tsitsikamma, Knysna, and Wilderness. You’ll share a minivan with up to 25 people, sleep in changing accommodation, and mix included visits with optional bungy jumping, ziplining, surfing, horseback riding, and safari drives. Guides such as Isaac, Maudi, and Uriel are known for careful planning and local insight.

“The itinerary was excellent and well planned out with a variety of options. Pick up and drop off were easily arranged and the accommodation was good throughout. I think I would if repeated splash out on the deluxe accommodation as they looked amazing. The driving was a lot as there was so much to see and do ....if im honest this was a slight negative but just a personal thing. What made the tour was our guide Neville. What a great guide and a great guy. He looked after us like we were family he was knowledge and enthusiastic and nothing was too much trouble for him he worked so…”

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5.Egypt: Private 5-Day Tour, Nile Cruise, Flights & Balloon

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 248 reviews · 5 days · from $1,400

See Egypt’s major sights in five busy days, from the Pyramids and Egyptian Museum to Luxor’s tombs, Abu Simbel, and Old Cairo. You’ll fly between cities, spend two nights on a 5-star Nile cruise, and rise early for a hot air balloon ride. Guides may include Jasmine, Nada, Damiana, or Ahmed, depending on availability.

“Omar was fantastic, an exceptional photographer as well! Moved us around allowing plenty of time to see each sight. Highly recommend”

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6.5 Days Camping Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro crater & Visiting Maasai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · from $1,254

Spend five days on a private, small-group camping safari from Arusha, with game drives in Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, plus a Mto wa Mbu village visit. Expect long drives, early starts, simple camps, a guide and cook, unlimited water, jeep Wi-Fi, and accommodation before and after the safari.

“I recently returned from a 5-day/4-night safari, conducted by Meru Slopes Tours and Safaris, to Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. The parks are absolutely spectacular—the vistas divine and the animals mesmerizing. Our guide was professionRead more”

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7.5 Days Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Naivasha Budget Joining Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · from $810

Travel in a small group of up to seven from Nairobi through the Great Rift Valley, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Hell's Gate. Expect long road days, tented budget stays, game drives, optional Maasai village and Crescent Island visits, and guides such as Francis, Joseph, Dennis, Evans, and Kush.

“I did the tour over Maasai Mara, Nakuru and Naivasha and it was great! Our driver was Kenn, great driver and great guide, he did everything to show us the big 5 and he succeeded on it. Always the correct information about place and animals. It’s amazing as he is in contact with lot of people to know where and when to drive. It was great, totally worth it.”

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8.5-Day Best of Garden Route and Addo Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 221 reviews · 5 days · from $675

Travel from Cape Town in a small group of up to 13, with an English-speaking guide such as Uriel, Isaac, TK, or Maudi depending on departure. Expect about 1,900 kilometers of scenic driving, four nights’ lodging, Route 62 wine tasting, Cango Caves, Addo Elephant National Park, Tsitsikamma, Knysna, and a private-reserve 4x4 safari.

“5 wonderful days with so many lovely activities! The itinerary was packed with amazing things to do- ziplining, horse riding, bungee jumping, safaris, wine tasting, ostrich farm and many more! Isaac is an unbeliavably nice guide! He drives smoothly, he gives info about places we pass by, he is friendly and relaxed, he is polite and discreet and simultaneously always available to give solutions and advice with everyting! All accommodation places were either very nice or supurb! We were given actually the glamping upgrade in Baffelsdrift - it was such an amazing luxurius and beautiful stay, beyond any expectation! The private safari in Botlierskop was unexpectedly beautiful and our guide…”

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9.Tanzania Simba Safari – 5 Days

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 217 reviews · from $2,897

Travel from Arusha to Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater in a private 4x4 Toyota Cruiser. You’ll have a driver-guide, game drives, lodging, meals, park fees, and drinks on safari. Guides named in past trips include Adrian, Goodluck, Harry, Dennis, and others, though your assigned guide is confirmed later.

“If you’re planning a safari in Tanzania you must use Easy Tour! From start to finish everything was perfect for me and my family of 4 on our private 5 day tour. All logistics were taken care of almost before we even thought to ask about them. Easy Tour has tons of experiencRead more”

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10.Our Exceptional 5 days Cairo, Luxor and Abu Simbel Tour Package

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 212 reviews · from $1,438

See the Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Abu Simbel, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, and Karnak in five busy days. You will fly between Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor, sleep in five-star hotels, and travel with an Egyptologist guide. Guides such as Omar Haridi, Samar Nagi, and Mahmoud Hassan are praised for clear explanations and friendly help.

“We booked the ultra luxury hotel package for Aswan and stayed at the Old Cataract Hotel, everything was amazing. The only con was that we only arrived late at 10pm and we had to check out at 5.30am, so we did not enjoy the facilities nor dRead more”

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11.5 Days Budget Private Safari, Tanzania

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 191 reviews · from $0

You’ll travel privately from Arusha through Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara. Guide Praise is praised for his animal-spotting skill, while the camp chef prepares all included meals. Expect long drives, early starts, two camping nights, and a busy route built for first-time safari visitors.

“Where do you start My guide Praise was the animal whisperer, they came We saw everything I've been home in UK now for a week and I'm still struggling to express how amazing this trip was Please trust this company, My jaw is still so dropped I can't Express The food was amazing I saw a black rhino 🦏 Lions feeding Leopard Cheetah Baby elephant Everything Just everything You must go ❤️❤️❤️”

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12.5-Day Private Northern Tanzania Safari from Arusha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 182 reviews · from $2,780

This private five-day safari takes you from Arusha to Tarangire, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater before returning you to Arusha. Expect a dedicated guide, full-day game drives, included meals, lodging, park fees, and long road days. Guides such as Laban, Enoch, Andrew, William, and Calvin have been praised for wildlife spotting and calm, attentive service.

“We did a five day safari trip with Gosheni Safaris and with Laban as a guide. Amazing experience. They really take care of absolutely everything, for you to focus only on enjoying the safari. Accommodation, food, beverage, whatever you need, is Read more”

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13.5 Days Best of Tanzania Luxury Safari Northern Circuit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 174 reviews · from $3,744

Spend five days on Tanzania’s northern safari circuit in a private vehicle with a professional guide. See Tarangire’s elephants, descend into Ngorongoro Crater, search the Serengeti for lions and leopards, and finish among Lake Manyara’s flamingos and monkeys. Guides may include Simon, Shafino, Macha, Nelson, or others assigned by Lion King Adventures.

“Couldn’t have had a better trip! It was short, only four days, but we had an absolute blast. We saw everything we could’ve imagined, and Macha was the best Guide. Couldn’t recommend highly enough.”

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14.5-Day Nile Cruise to Aswan with Balloon Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 168 reviews · 5 days · from $1,200

Travel from Luxor to Aswan aboard a four-night Nile cruise, with Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, Abu Simbel, a felucca ride, and a sunrise balloon flight. You’ll have an English-speaking Egyptologist, private transfers, onboard meals, and WhatsApp support, though entry fees, drinks, and some cruise quality details require care.

“Great tour that gives you the opportunity to see beautiful Egypt and its history in just a few days. Perfect organization, all days were nicely filled with tours and local experiences (be ready to pay extra if you want souvenirs from the different shops you visit), but also enough time to rest and enjoy the beautiful views from the boat. Zeinab has been very helpful all along to make sure we always knew our program and answer all our questions. Special thanks to Ahmed, our guide in Luxor, for his enthusiasm and knowledge sharing. And also thank you to the great cruise staff. I definitely recommend to others who wish…”

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15.5-Day Private midrange Tour in Arusha with Airport Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 160 reviews · from $3,600

Travel by private 4x4 from Arusha through four major wildlife areas in five days. Your guide leads game drives for elephants, lions, hippos, giraffes, and possibly the Big Five. The route includes two UNESCO World Heritage sites, full board, airport transfers, and midrange lodging. Guides named in guest feedback include Mandela, Ezekiel, Elias, Amiri, Lewis, and Freddie.

“The trip was amazing and much more than I ever expected! Amazing landscape, thousands of animals near by, extraordinary camps, good organisation and a very helpful guide & driver. Thank you so much for this unique and stunning experience!”

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