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$3,520 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Welcome Arusha Tanzania
Welcome Arusha Tanzania
Karibu! Welcome to the untamed soul of Tanzania with Meru Slopes Tours & Safaris on our captivating 8-day Wildebeest Calving Season Safari. Hakuna matata (No worries). If you arrive early and have time to explore before or after your main journey, Arusha offers delightful natural and cultural gems without venturing far.
Stroll the bustling streets to visit the iconic Clock Tower, a central landmark marking the halfway point between Cairo and Cape Town, perfect for a photo with a Swahili twist: say "mambo vipi?" (how's it going?) to locals. Dive into the Tanzanite Experience, where you'll learn about the rare blue gem found only here; watch artisans craft jewelry and pick a piece as a souvenir. The Cultural Heritage Centre is a must, wander galleries filled with vibrant African art, sculptures, and artifacts, or browse the on-site museum for insights into Tanzania's rich history.
- Main Destination:
- Arusha (City)
- Accommodation:
- Under the Shade Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park
Kick off Day 2 with a scenic drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, covering about 160 km in roughly 2-2.5 hours. This journey winds through lush landscapes, arriving by mid-morning for an immersive game drive in one of Tanzania's wildlife gems, famed for its massive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and over 500 bird species. Spot lions, giraffes, and zebras amid the seasonal Tarangire River.
Prefer a closer encounter? Opt for a guided walking safari (2-3 hours, extra fee), explore on foot with an expert ranger, tracking animal prints and learning bush lore in safe, designated areas. It's thrilling and educational!
After an exciting afternoon game drive, return to your vehicle for the late-afternoon transfer to Karatu (approx. 120 km, 2-3 hours via Mto wa Mbu). Relax en route through rolling hills.
Fancy more action? Stay overnight inside the park to add a night game drive, spot nocturnal wonders like leopards under the stars (Extra cost. Your choice!
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- Main Destination:
- Tarangire National Park
- Accommodation:
- Farm of Dreams Lodge
Wildlife in Tarangire NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Karatu to Central Serengeti National Park
Karatu to Central Serengeti National Park
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at your Karatu lodge, fueling up for the adventure ahead. By mid-morning, depart for Central Serengeti via the stunning Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoy scenic views of the crater rim and possible wildlife glimpses along the way.
The drive covers about 230 km and takes 4-6 hours (depending on road conditions and brief stops), passing through Naabi Hill Gate into the Serengeti. Your expert driver-guide will make it comfortable, with opportunities for photos.
Arrive in the heart of Central Serengeti (Seronera area) by early afternoon for an exhilarating game drive, scan for the Big Five, cheetahs on the prowl, and endless plains teeming with wildebeest and zebras. It's prime territory for dramatic sightings!
As the sun dips low, head to your accommodation for relaxation. Unwind with sundowners, savor a delicious dinner under the stars, and overnight in luxury tents or lodges, lulled by the bush sounds.
- Main Destination:
- Central Serengeti National Park
- Accommodation:
- Friends - Serengeti Camp
Wildlife in Serengeti NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Morning in Central Serengeti & Transfer to Ndutu
Morning in Central Serengeti & Transfer to Ndutu
Rise early for a nourishing breakfast at your Serengeti lodge, then embark on a thrilling morning game drive in Central Serengeti (Seronera region). Spot lions, leopards, and vast herds of wildebeest against the iconic acacia-dotted plains, prime time for action as animals stir!
By late morning, pack up and head south to Ndutu, the southern Serengeti gateway. The drive spans about 80-100 km, taking 2-3 hours on mostly gravel tracks (conditions vary with rain). Your guide will navigate via Naabi Hill Gate, with possible en-route wildlife sightings in the transition zone.
Arrive in Ndutu by early afternoon, ready for more exploration in this migration hotspot, think calving grounds and predator ambushes. Settle into your camp for relaxation, followed by optional game viewing, dinner, and overnight under starry skies.
- Main Destination:
- Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)
- Accommodation:
- Sero Tented Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Full game in Ndutu
Full game in Ndutu
After a delicious breakfast at your Ndutu camp, set out early for an immersive full-day game drive in this southern Serengeti jewel. Ndutu's short-grass plains and soda lakes are alive with the Great Migration's calving season (peak Jan-Mar) witness thousands of wildebeest births, playful calves, and zebras grazing amid acacias. Keep eyes peeled for predators: cheetahs stalking, lions in prides, and hyenas scavenging. Picnic lunch by Lake Ndutu, spotting flamingos and hippos.
Optional: Add a hot air balloon ride at dawn with extra cost for aerial views of the spectacle.
Return late afternoon to relax, enjoy sundowners, a bush dinner, and overnight, stars twinkling over the plains.
- Main Destination:
- Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)
- Accommodation:
- Sero Tented Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Ndutu Game Drive & Ngorongoro Highlands Exploration
Ndutu Game Drive & Ngorongoro Highlands Exploration
Fuel up with breakfast at your Ndutu camp, then launch into a morning game drive across the plains, chase the migration's drama with cheetahs, hyenas, and newborn wildebeest calves in this predator paradise. Picnic lunch en route as you spot flamingos on Lake Ndutu.
By early afternoon, transfer to the lush Ngorongoro Highlands (about 90 km, 2-3 hours via scenic NCA tracks, winding through forests and views of the crater rim). Along the way, choose an optional stop: Visit a vibrant Maasai boma for cultural insights, meet warriors, learn traditions, and see their cattle herds or head to Olduvai Gorge, the "Cradle of Mankind," for a guided tour of fossil sites where early human remains were discovered (extra).
Arrive at your highland's accommodation by late afternoon for relaxation, dinner, and overnight, perhaps with volcano vistas and fresh mountain air. Kindly note that accommodation can be change due to availability especially for Ngorongoro.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Highlands
- Accommodation:
-
Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Grand Finale in Ngorongoro Crater & Return to Arusha
Grand Finale in Ngorongoro Crater & Return to Arusha
Begin your last day with an early breakfast at your Ngorongoro Highlands lodge, then descend into the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural wonder. This 5-6hours game drive (included permit) reveals a lost world: black rhinos, hippos wallowing in Lake Magadi, flamingos, elephants, and the Big Five amid lush grasslands and acacia groves. It's a bucket-list spectacle!
By mid-morning, ascend the steep crater rim and head back to Arusha. The drive covers about 180-190 km (112-118 miles) via the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Maasai Steppe, taking 3-4 hours on paved and gravel roads, perfect for reflecting on your safari highlights with your guide.
Arrive in Arusha by early Evening around 5 to 6 pm for drop-off at your hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Accommodation:
- Under the Shade Safari Lodge
Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Arusha Exploration & Leisure Options
Arusha Exploration & Leisure Options
Savor a relaxed morning breakfast at your Arusha hotel, reflecting on your epic safari memories with views of Mount Meru or Kilimanjaro on the horizon. Today, choose your adventure to cap off the trip, tailored to your energy!
Prefer waterfalls? Head to Materuni or Chemka Hot Springs (1-2 hours' drive each, full day): At Materuni, hike 2 hours to cascading falls amid banana plantations, with Chagga cultural insights and coffee tasting. Chemka offers a refreshing dip in natural pools surrounded by palms, swim, relax, and picnic.
Or keep it light with an Arusha city tour (2 hours Stroll markets for Maasai crafts, visit a tanzanite gem mine, or tour a coffee plantation, immerse in local vibes and flavors.
Whichever you pick, return by evening for dinner and overnight, or airport transfer. What sounds best?
- Main Destination:
- Arusha (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
