African Big Cats Safaris

5.0/5 – 455 Reviews

$3,113 to $3,377 pp (USD)

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*This tour does not accept children under 3.
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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

Arrival in Arusha

Arrival in Arusha

On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) which caters for domestic flights, you will be met by an African Big Cats Safaris representative who will drive you to your accommodation in Arusha. Your overnight will be at Mtoni River Lodge.

Main Destination:
Arusha (City)
Accommodation:
Mtoni River Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 2

Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Arusha to Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, we will depart for Tarangire National Park. The park is named after the Tarangire River which runs through it. This ‘river of warthogs’ is the only source of water for wildlife in the region during the dry season. In some places, the vegetation is quite dense, including elephant grass. The park is well known for its elephant families, which can often be seen congregating by the river. You may also see giraffes, bushbucks and hartebeests. These animals are closely followed by a range of predators, including lions and leopards. There are more breeding species of birds found in Tarangire National Park than anywhere else on the planet. Tarangire is the best place to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat—from the adorable calves all the way up to the intimidating bulls. Late in the afternoon, drive to Ngorongoro highlands. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at Eileen's Tree Inn.

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
Accommodation:
Eileen's Trees Inn
  • Mid-range lodge located in Karatu (Town)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 3

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park

After an early breakfast, drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and on to Serengeti National Park with game viewing en-route. Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequalled for its natural beauty and scientific value. It has the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa. It is the migration for which Serengeti is perhaps most famous. Over a million wildebeest and about 200,000 zebras flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November. Then they swirl west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. So strong is the ancient instinct to move that no drought, gorge or crocodile-infested river can hold them back. Serengeti is truly home to the legendary great wildebeest migration. The Serengeti National Park is where safari-goers come to truly experience an African safari. Dinner and your overnight stay are at Embalakai Camp.

Main Destination:
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
Accommodation:
Embalakai Serengeti Camp
  • Luxury tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Day 4-5

South Serengeti (Ndutu)

South Serengeti (Ndutu)

After breakfast, we will head towards the far south of the Serengeti National Park, also known as the Ndutu.
Lake Ndutu area, situated in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is part of the southern Serengeti ecosystem. Lake Ndutu is alkaline, like most of the other Rift lakes, however, the water is still drinkable and used by a wide array of local wildlife. The majority of the wildebeest migration can normally be found on the short-grass plains from December to April. The area is usually heavily populated with elephants, birds and resident game. The Ndutu Region forms part of the northern section of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and stretches to the unfenced southern reaches of the Serengeti National Park, a meeting point between these two incredible wilderness areas. After lunch and an extensive game drive, you will spend two nights at your Tented Camp.

Main Destination:
Southern Serengeti National Park
Accommodation:
Intimate Camp Zebra
  • Luxury tented camp (with rustic facilities) located inside Serengeti NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Day 6

Ndutu to Ngorongoro

Ndutu to Ngorongoro

Early morning after breakfast, we will continue with our en-route drive in the Ndutu area before we depart to Ngorongoro. When you first see Ngorongoro Crater, it looks like a forgotten world. Every December, the Ndutu plains begin to stir. Wildebeests arrive in their hundreds of thousands. Scraggy resident predators prepare for three months of abundance. The safari experience baffles the imagination and its superb value. Concealed by the steep volcanic walls is a pristine wilderness including sweeping savannah, pockets of acacia woodland and glistening lakes and swamps. At the heart of the South Serengeti lies the world-famous Ndutu. Offering consistently the best wildlife viewing during the green season, Ndutu is strategically situated at the centre of the southern plains although the immediate area is blanketed with a forest of acacia trees. Arriving at our accommodation in the late evening, we will have our dinner and overnight at Rhino Lodge.

Main Destination:
Ngorongoro Highlands
Accommodation:
Rhino Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located on the crater rim of Ngorongoro Crater
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 7

Ngorongoro Crater to Karatu

Ngorongoro Crater to Karatu

After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro Crater for a game viewing drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s most famous sites and is said to have the highest density of wildlife in Africa. Sometimes described as an ‘eighth Wonder of the World’, the crater has achieved world renown status, attracting an ever-increasing number of visitors each year. You are unlikely to escape other vehicles here, but you are guaranteed great wildlife viewing in a genuinely mind-blowing environment. There is nowhere else in Africa quite like Ngorongoro! One of the best places in the country to see the endangered black rhinoceros, the park is home to the entirety of the Big Five and is a particularly good place to see lions, herds of wildebeest, zebras and Cape buffalo all year round. A packed lunch will be served at a picnic site. Late in the afternoon, drive to Ngorongoro highlands. Dinner and your overnight stay are at Eileen's Tree Inn.

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
LeopardOccasional
Accommodation:
Eileen's Trees Inn
  • Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Day 8

Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha

Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha

Have breakfast in the morning and continue with a short drive to Lake Manyara National Park for game viewing drives where your first encounter will be spotting large troupes of baboons. Established specifically to protect the elephant herds that have made the area renowned, the park provides an amazing wildlife experience. Elephants are not the only animals that Lake Manyara is famous for. Tree climbing lions are occasionally sited. The alkaline soda of Lake Manyara is home to an incredible array of birdlife that thrives on its brackish waters. Pink flamingos stoop and graze by the thousands of colourful specks against the grey minerals of the lake shore. Even reluctant bird-watchers will find something to watch and marvel at within the national park. A packed lunch will be served at a picnic site. Later in the afternoon, drive back to Arusha in time for your flight back home or a flight to Zanzibar.

Main Destination:
Lake Manyara National Park
Best Time To Visit June to October (Easier to spot animals)
High Season July to March (The northern section gets crowded)
Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Manyara NP

ElephantCommon
GiraffeCommon
BuffaloCommon
ZebraCommon
HippoCommon
Show more
LionOccasional
HyenaOccasional
Wild DogVery Rare
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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  • If preferred, you can contact the tour 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.