$6,039 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival in Arusha
Arrival in Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), you will be met by your safari guide and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha. The remainder of the day is dedicated to relaxation, allowing you to settle in and recover from your journey. Your guide will conduct a thorough safari briefing, covering the itinerary details, safety procedures, and what to expect during the next ten exciting days. Arusha, often called the gateway to the Northern Safari Circuit, provides a pleasant base to prepare for the start of your adventure the following morning. You'll enjoy dinner and a peaceful overnight stay, ready for the early start.
- Main Destination:
- Arusha (City)
- Accommodation:
-
Outpost Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Arusha to Ngorongoro Game Drive and Empakaai Crater
Arusha to Ngorongoro Game Drive and Empakaai Crater
The journey begins with an early drive from Arusha towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). The drive will take approximately three hours to reach the gate, followed by a descent into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive. This natural wonder is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting a high concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five, and offering unparalleled photographic opportunities. After a picnic lunch on the crater floor, you will ascend the crater wall and continue driving through the Ngorongoro Highlands to the remote Empakaai Crater. Upon arrival at the rim, our camping crew will set up camp at the Empakaai campsite. You’ll sleep in large tents (bigger than 3x3m) with real beds, a private veranda, and your own bathroom with a toilet, shower, and sink. Our friendly camp crew will handle all the camp chores so you can just relax and enjoy the experience.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Empakaai Trekking and Trek to Naiyobi to Acacia Campsite
Empakaai Trekking and Trek to Naiyobi to Acacia Campsite
Today is dedicated to an immersive walking safari experience. Starting at Empakaai, you will descend into the crater floor, often accompanied by an armed ranger. The crater holds a soda lake, frequently dotted with pink flamingos, providing a breathtaking contrast against the green hills. After trekking and exploring the crater, you will ascend and continue the walk, trekking toward the Maasai village of Naiyobi. This trek offers stunning views of the vast NCA landscape and close encounters with the Maasai, allowing insight into their traditional way of life. You’ll sleep in large tents (bigger than 3x3m) with real beds, a private veranda, and your own bathroom with a toilet, shower, and sink. Our friendly camp crew will handle all the camp chores so you can just relax and enjoy the experience.
- Main Destination:
- Empakaai Crater (Ngorongoro Highlands)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Trek from Acacia Campsite to Lake Natron
Trek from Acacia Campsite to Lake Natron
The final leg of the walking safari is a challenging but rewarding trek descending the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Starting from Acacia Campsite, the route offers dramatic, ever-changing scenery. As you descend, the landscape transitions from highland scrub to the dry, hot, and arid environment of the Rift Valley floor. Throughout the walk, you will have increasingly impressive views of Ol Doinyo Lengai, the active "Mountain of God," and the vast, shimmering expanse of Lake Natron. Your vehicle will meet you at the bottom, from where you will be driven to your permanent camp near Lake Natron for a well-deserved shower and rest.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Natron
- Accommodation:
- Africa Safari Lake Natron Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Lake Natron Exploration
Lake Natron Exploration
A full day is set aside to explore the unique ecosystem and spectacular landscapes surrounding Lake Natron. The lake is one of the most serene areas in Africa, known for its significant population of Lesser Flamingos, which use the highly alkaline lake as their primary breeding ground. Activities include a guided walk to the lake's edge to witness the flamingos (best viewed in the early morning) and a hike to the refreshing Ngare Sero waterfalls in the nearby gorge. Optional activities include a challenging midnight climb of Ol Doinyo Lengai. The day concludes with a scenic sunset walk, soaking in the views of the Rift Valley and the volcano.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Natron
- Accommodation:
- Africa Safari Lake Natron Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Lake Natron to Serengeti National Park Game Drive
Lake Natron to Serengeti National Park Game Drive
After an early breakfast, you will embark on a scenic and rugged drive from the Lake Natron area to the central plains of the Serengeti National Park. This journey is a safari in itself, as you pass through remote Maasai lands and eventually enter the vast plains. The drive takes you into the heart of the Serengeti, where the afternoon is spent on an exhilarating game drive. Depending on the time of year and the location of the Great Migration, your game drive will focus on areas promising maximum wildlife viewing. You will then proceed to your camp in the Serengeti for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Serengeti National Park
- Accommodation:
- Serengeti Wild Camp
Wildlife in Serengeti NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Serengeti National Park Full-Day Game Drive
Serengeti National Park Full-Day Game Drive
You'll enjoy a full day exploring the endless plains of the Serengeti, Tanzania's most famous national park. Your game drives will be conducted in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, offering excellent vantage points for photography and viewing. The Serengeti is globally renowned for the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, but it also offers exceptional resident wildlife, including large prides of lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, and giraffes. Your guide will expertly navigate the park, seeking out key areas of animal activity. A picnic lunch is usually taken out in the bush to maximize time spent on game viewing.
- Main Destination:
- Serengeti National Park
- Accommodation:
- Serengeti Wild Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Serengeti Half-Day and Drive to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Serengeti Half-Day and Drive to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
You'll start the day with a final early morning half-day game drive in the Serengeti. This is a prime time for predator sightings as they are often still active before the heat of the day. Following the game drive and brunch, you will begin the drive back towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive will take you past the Olduvai Gorge, an important paleoanthropological site, where a brief stop may be made. The destination for the night is a lodge or camp situated directly on the Ngorongoro Crater rim, offering spectacular, panoramic sunset views over the caldera.
- Main Destination:
- Serengeti National Park
- Accommodation:
- Ngorongoro Wild Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Ngorongoro to Tarangire National Park Game Drive
Ngorongoro to Tarangire National Park Game Drive
After a leisurely breakfast, you will leave the Ngorongoro region and drive southeast toward Tarangire National Park. This journey, typically taking a few hours, offers a chance to observe the changing landscape and local life. Upon arrival at Tarangire, you will immediately embark on an extensive game drive. Tarangire is famous for its massive elephant population and the iconic baobab trees that dominate its landscape. The park is excellent for viewing predators, as well as unique species like the oryx and the long-necked gerenuk. You will spend the night at a camp or lodge just outside or inside the park.
- Main Destination:
- Tarangire National Park
- Accommodation:
- Nyikani Camp Tarangire
Wildlife in Tarangire NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Tarangire National Park Game Drive and Drive Back to Arusha
Tarangire National Park Game Drive and Drive Back to Arusha
The final full day of the safari features an early morning game drive in Tarangire, a fantastic opportunity for photography as the sun rises over the baobabs. Tarangire’s diverse habitats, from riverine woodlands to swamps, support a wide array of wildlife and over 550 bird species. After the game drive and lunch, you will begin the comfortable drive back to Arusha. Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be checked into your accommodation, where you can relax, have dinner, and reflect on the incredible adventure before your departure tomorrow.
- Main Destination:
- Arusha (City)
- Accommodation:
- Forest Hill Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Transfer to the Airport and Coffee Tour for Departure
Transfer to the Airport and Coffee Tour for Departure
Your final day in Tanzania. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have the opportunity for a memorable final activity: a local coffee plantation tour near Arusha. This cultural experience provides a fascinating insight into the process of coffee-making, from bean to cup, and an opportunity to meet local farmers. Following the tour, or directly from your hotel, your guide will provide a private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your international departure, marking the end of your 11-day Tanzanian safari and trekking adventure.
- Main Destination:
- Kilimanjaro Airport
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
