African Big Cats Safaris

5.0/5 – 353 Reviews

$4,576 to $5,203 pp (USD)

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*This tour does not accept children under 5.
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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. Overnight will be at Arusha Planet Lodge.

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

Day 2

Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park

After breakfast, we collect you from your hotel in Arusha and drive to the Arusha National Park. The park has an incredible variety of fauna and flora. Hollywood chose this region to film the movie “Hatari” in which Hardy Kruger starred alongside the legendary John Wayne. Your trip includes a visit to the Ngurdoto Crater. Buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, zebras and baboons can be seen all year round, as well as many bird species. The park is also known for the black and white colobus monkeys. These monkeys have no thumbs and are good at tree-climbing and jumping from branch to branch. Only a few other national parks in Tanzania give you such an opportunity and it is something that should not be missed.

Lunch will be taken at a picnic site. After plenty of time allocated for you to observe the wildlife, we will drive you back to your accommodation in Arusha for dinner and overnight at Ilboru Safari Lodge.

Main Destination:
Arusha National Park
Best Time To Visit June to October (Animals are easier to spot)
High Season July to March (The park can get busy)
Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Arusha NP

GiraffeCommon
BuffaloCommon
ZebraCommon
HippoCommon
ElephantOccasional
WildebeestOccasional
Show more
HyenaRare
LionNone
Accommodation:
Ilboru Safari Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located outside Arusha NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 3

Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Arusha to Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, we 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 places, the vegetation is quite dense, including elephant grass and acacia woodlands. You may also see giraffe, bushbuck and hartebeest. These animals are closely followed by a range of predators, including lion, cheetah and leopard. There are more breeding species of birds found in Tarangire National Park than anywhere else on the planet. Home to Tanzania's largest population of elephants, 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. Head to Lake Burunge Tented Lodge for dinner and overnight.

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:
Lake Burunge Tented Camp
  • Mid-range lodge located just outside Tarangire NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Day 4

Tarangire National Park to Karatu

Tarangire National Park to Karatu

After an early breakfast, you will continue with your game-viewing inside Tarangire National Park with a lot of opportunities to capture the images of the African wild. Your private safari guide will take you to the most incredible places, taking into consideration the beauty of the park and all it has to offer in terms of landscape, flora and fauna.

Main Destination:
Tarangire National Park
Accommodation:
Eileen's Trees Inn
  • Mid-range lodge located in Karatu (Town)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Day 5-6

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park

After an early breakfast, we 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, unequaled 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 zebra flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November. They then 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. You will have dinner and overnight at Serengeti Heritage Luxury Tented 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:
Central Serengeti Luxury Camp
  • Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Day 7-8

Explore Serengeti National Park for More Game-viewing

Explore Serengeti National Park for More Game-viewing

After breakfast, we drive toward western Serengeti on a game-viewing drive. 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 zebra flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November, and then 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. The wildebeest travel through a variety of parks, reserves and protected areas, and through a variety of habitats. Explore the different forms of vegetation and landscapes of the Serengeti ecosystem and meet some of their most fascinating inhabitants. Head to Mbalageti Safari Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination:
Serengeti National Park
Accommodation:
Mbalageti Serengeti
  • Mid-range lodge located inside Western Serengeti NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Day 9

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After breakfast, depart from the Serengeti and proceed to the Ngorongoro Crater with a game-viewing drive en-route. It is home to the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth - the great migration of wildebeest and zebra. The resident population of lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and birds is also impressive. There’s a wide variety of accommodation available, from luxury lodges to mobile camps. The park covers 5,700 sq miles (14,763 sq km). It is larger than Connecticut, with at most a couple of hundred vehicles driving around. A packed lunch will be served at a picnic site. In the late afternoon, we continue our drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, arriving at Rhino Lodge for dinner and overnight.

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 10

Ngorongoro Crater to Karatu

Ngorongoro Crater to Karatu

After breakfast, descend into the 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" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the crater has achieved world renown and attracts 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 entire Big Five and is a particularly good place to see lions and Cape buffaloes year-round. A packed lunch will be served at a picnic site. Late in the afternoon, drive to the Ngorongoro Highlands for your dinner and overnight 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 in or near Ngorongoro Crater
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Day 11

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, continue on a short drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Your first encounter on the game-viewing drive will be the large troops of baboons.

Lake Manyara National Park is a protected area in Tanzania's Arusha and Manyara regions, situated between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley. Lake Manyara National Park boasts a spectacular array of diverse terrain as well as plant and animal species. 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 also seen occasionally. A packed lunch will be served at a picnic site. Late afternoon, continue on a short drive to the Ngorongoro Highlands for dinner and overnight at Eileen's Tree Inn.

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:
Eileen's Trees Inn
  • Mid-range lodge located in Karatu (Town)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Day 12

Karatu to Arusha

Karatu to Arusha

You will wake up in the morning for a hot cup of tea/coffee and enjoy your breakfast. You will have some time to relax, before packing your belongings. Proceed for the drive in the private safari Land Cruiser directly to Arusha. This marks the end of your epic "Golden Photography" adventure with a certificate in hand for the accomplishment of this incredible and unique package. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home or for a flight to Zanzibar.

Main Destination:
Arusha (City)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

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.