As soon as I decided to travel to Tanzania safari from south africa, it was clear that, in addition to visiting Zanzibar , I wanted to do a four or five day safari that would allow me to get to know at least the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. I ended up extending the experience to six days - and it was a good decision.
So, for a safari that combines Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti, I would say that five days is enough to have a rich and diverse experience from Arusha. However, having availability, time and budget, I suggest you take a longer safari. This is because, of course, the longer you stay in nature parks, the more likely you are to see rare situations (like hunting, for example). And the days are always different!
When is the best time to go on a safari in Tanzania?
The answer is not linear and depends on the objective of the Tanzania safari from south africa. June and July are good months to see lions in Serengeti, including offspring, because it is very dry and “lions like it” (my guide's words). There are many lions in the park at that time, concentrated by the ponds - so it is easy to spot them. The same applies to cheetahs.
That said, since there are no particular reasons for the safari (such as watching the wildebeest birth or crossing the Mara River during migration), probably the best time to go on a safari in the Serengeti is the month of February . It is a time when it does not rain much and when the great migration is easily accessible, in the south of Serengeti.
Because of migration, there is plenty of food (wildebeest chicks) and it is a good time for animals like cheetahs to have chicks. The chances of watching a hunt are greater. Even hyenas become hunters (it is very easy to hunt wildebeest).
Contrary to what the name might suggest, the expression big five does not refer to the largest land animals on African savannahs. It refers, rather, to the five large wild mammals most difficult to be hunted by man. Namely: lion, leopard, African elephant, African buffalo and rhino. The expression is still used today in the context of the observation of wild animals.
Is it easy to see the big five ?
Yes and no. I would say that lions, elephants and buffaloes are 100% guaranteed; but leopards and rhinos don't. It depends on luck, the look of those who go in the jeep and the length of your Tanzania safari from south africa (there it is, the longer you have, the greater the chances). I was lucky to see all the big five ; although rhinos are only far away and only a leopard (hanging from a tree, but without prey). I also saw part of the great migration, although not the iconic image of crossing the Mara River.
What I missed seeing - and that was part of my imagination - was a hunt for lions and a leopard with a prey hanging from a tree (but fortunately I saw lions eating and that leopard).
By the way, out of curiosity, my favorite animal was not one of the big five . Seeing a cheetah planning a hunt was one of the highlights of my safari in Tanzania (I had to abort the attempt because the gazelles ran away, but it was worth those long minutes of anticipation and tension)!