African Big Cats Safaris

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$5,029 pp (USD)

2 travelers   on   Start date
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Age at the end of the tour
*This tour does not accept children under 4.
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Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

  • You'll be collected from the airport.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1

Arusha

Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport, your private driver-guide will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your accommodations. Relax and enjoy your first evening in Tanzania as you prepare for the exciting adventures ahead.

The following day, you will begin your cultural journey with a visit to Materuni Village, where you will explore waterfalls, learn about local coffee traditions, and experience the beauty of the Chagga community.

Main Destination:
Kilimanjaro Airport
Activities:
  • No wildlife-viewing activities on this day
Accommodation:
Airport Planet Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located at Arusha Airport
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 2

Arusha - Materuni Waterfalls

Arusha - Materuni Waterfalls

After breakfast, depart for Materuni Waterfalls, located on the lush slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, about a one-hour drive from Arusha. Along the way, you will pass through scenic coffee and banana plantations and the charming village of Marangu. Enjoy a guided hike through the beautiful countryside to the spectacular waterfall, where you can relax and take a refreshing swim in the natural pool if you wish.

Afterwards, visit a traditional Chagga village to experience the local coffee-making process, from freshly picked beans to a delicious cup of coffee. You’ll also enjoy a traditional Chagga lunch while learning about the culture and daily life of the local community.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your accommodations in Arusha.

Main Destination:
Materuni Waterfalls (Highlight)
Activities:
  • Game drive (pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle)
Accommodation:
Under the Shade Safari Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinks not included

Day 3

Arusha - Tarangire National Park

Arusha - Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, you will depart for Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s most scenic wildlife destinations. Named after the Tarangire River that flows through the park, this area attracts large numbers of animals, especially during the dry season. The park is famous for its elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, diverse landscapes, and rich birdlife.

Enjoy an afternoon game drive in search of elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, lions, leopards, and other wildlife before heading to your lodge for dinner. Later in the evening, experience an exciting night game drive, exploring the park after dark to discover nocturnal species such as porcupines, civets, genets, leopards, and other animals rarely seen during the day. After this unique adventure, return to the lodge for your overnight stay.

Main Destination:
Tarangire National Park
Best Time To Visit July to November (Animals come to the Tarangire River)
High Season June to October (The park is full of visitors)
Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Tarangire NP

ElephantAbundant
GiraffeCommon
LionCommon
BuffaloAbundant
ZebraAbundant
WildebeestAbundant
Show more
HippoCommon
HyenaOccasional
Wild DogVery Rare
Activities:
  • Game drive (pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle)
Accommodation:
Honeyguide Tarangire Camp
  • Luxury tented camp located inside Tarangire NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4

Tarangire National Park - Central Serengeti National Park

Tarangire National Park - Central Serengeti National Park

After an early morning breakfast, we will depart for Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is truly spectacular, famous for its vast open grasslands, which allow for excellent wildlife sightings. It is Tanzania’s oldest national park and one of the oldest ecosystems on Earth. Its climate and vegetation have remained largely untouched for millions of years.

While the Serengeti boasts abundant wildlife, it is perhaps best known for the annual Great Migration. Vast numbers of wildebeest, accompanied by large numbers of zebras and antelope, move in an annual pattern, constantly seeking fresh grazing. The precise timing of the migration depends entirely on the rainfall patterns each year.

Main Destination:
Central Serengeti National Park
Best Time To Visit January to February and June to October (Different areas are best at different times)
High Season July to March (The Seronera area is crowded)
Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)

Wildlife in Serengeti NP

ElephantCommon
LionCommon
CheetahCommon
BuffaloAbundant
ZebraAbundant
WildebeestAbundant
Show more
GiraffeCommon
HippoCommon
HyenaCommon
LeopardOccasional
Black RhinoVery Rare
Wild DogVery Rare
Activities:
  • Game drive (pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle)
Accommodation:
Anantya Camp
  • Luxury tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5

Central Serengeti National Park - Northern Serengeti National Park

Central Serengeti National Park - Northern Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, we will head towards the far northern reaches of Serengeti National Park, also known as the Wagakuria area, enjoying a game drive en route. As we head north, we may see giraffes, plains game, herds of buffalo, and elephants.

While the Serengeti boasts abundant wildlife, it is perhaps best known for the annual Great Migration. Vast numbers of wildebeest, accompanied by large numbers of zebras and antelope, move in an annual pattern, constantly seeking fresh grazing. The precise timing of the migration depends entirely on the rainfall patterns each year.

From late July to September, the migration can be found in the Northern Serengeti, where the herds cross the Mara River in search of the greener pastures of the Masai Mara, providing the river’s resident Nile crocodiles with an annual feast.

Main Destination:
Northern Serengeti National Park
Activities:
  • Game drive (pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle)
Accommodation:
Serengeti Ark Safari Lodge
  • Luxury lodge located inside Northern Serengeti NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6

Northern Serengeti National Park - Central Serengeti National Park

Northern Serengeti National Park - Central Serengeti National Park

After an early morning breakfast, you will head south through the Northern Serengeti on an en-route game drive toward the Central Serengeti, also known as the Seronera area. The Seronera Valley offers abundant wildlife throughout the year, including carnivores such as hyenas, lions, leopards, and cheetahs, which can often be found on and around the large rocky outcrops. These outcrops provide excellent vantage points for spotting prey across the plains. Other wildlife in the area includes ungulates such as buffalo, giraffes, hippopotami, impalas, topi, warthogs, and zebras.

Main Destination:
Northern Serengeti National Park
Activities:
  • Game drive (pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle)
Accommodation:
Anantya Camp
  • Luxury tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7

Central Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater

Central Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast in the morning, we will continue our game drive through Serengeti National Park before departing for the Ngorongoro Crater. When you first see the crater, it looks like a forgotten world. Concealed by steep volcanic walls is a pristine wilderness of sweeping savannah, pockets of acacia woodland, glistening lakes, and swamps.

The crater was formed when a large volcano erupted and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago. It is famous for both its geological features and its role as a natural reserve, home to some of the densest large mammal populations on the African continent. The drive down into the crater is an adventure in itself. Once you reach the crater floor, you will find yourself among large numbers of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and more than 500 bird species. The crater also offers one of the best chances of seeing the endangered black rhino, which can sometimes be spotted in the open grasslands.

Main Destination:
Ngorongoro Crater
Best Time To Visit June to October (Wildlife viewing is best)
High Season Most of the year – July to March (Expect crowds)
Best Weather June to October (Rainfall is little to none)

Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater

LionCommon
BuffaloAbundant
ZebraAbundant
WildebeestAbundant
HyenaAbundant
Show more
ElephantCommon
HippoCommon
White RhinoOccasional
LeopardOccasional
Activities:
  • Game drive (pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle)
Accommodation:
The Retreat at Ngorongoro Lodge
  • Luxury lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8

Ngorongoro Crater - Mto wa Mbu - Arusha

Ngorongoro Crater - Mto wa Mbu - Arusha

After breakfast, you will drive to Mto wa Mbu village, a vibrant multicultural community located between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Home to more than 120 different tribes, the village offers a wonderful opportunity to experience Tanzania’s rich cultural diversity and traditions.

Accompanied by a local guide, explore the village with visits to banana plantations, farms, markets, and traditional workshops. Learn about local farming practices, discover different banana varieties, and gain insight into the community’s daily life. You may also enjoy local food experiences and interact with villagers as you discover this authentic side of Tanzania.

After the cultural experience and a delicious local lunch, continue your drive back to Arusha for your airport transfer or drop off at your accommodations, marking the end of your Tanzania safari adventure.

Main Destination:
Mto Wa Mbu (Town)
Activities:
  • Game drive (pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • You'll be dropped off at the airport.

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Request a Quote

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  • Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
  • If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
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Your request will be sent directly to the operator

If preferred, you can contact the operator directly

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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by African Big Cats Safaris, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.