$2,770 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival in Arusha
Arrival in Arusha
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by your safari guide who will transfer you to your lodge in Arusha, the safari capital of northern Tanzania. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at your lodge or explore Arusha town. Optional activities include a visit to the Cultural Heritage Centre with Tanzanite displays and African art galleries, or a tour of a local coffee plantation where you can learn about the coffee-making process. This is a restful day meant to help you acclimate before the start of your safari adventure.
- Main Destination:
- Arusha (City)
- Accommodation:
- Summit Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Arusha to Tarangire NP
Arusha to Tarangire NP
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park (about 2 hours' drive). This park is often overlooked but is a hidden gem, especially during the dry season (June–October) when thousands of animals gather along the Tarangire River. You'll enjoy a full-day game drive among large herds of elephants, wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, and a variety of antelopes. Look out for tree-climbing pythons, baobab trees, and over 500 bird species. Your guide will help you spot predators like lions and leopards. In the evening, settle into a lodge or tented camp located just outside or within the park.
- Main Destination:
- Tarangire National Park
- Accommodation:
- Ngare Lodge
Wildlife in Tarangire NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Lake manyara
Lake manyara
Today you’ll head to Lake Manyara National Park, a small but diverse ecosystem situated beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The park is best known for its tree-climbing lions, flocks of flamingos, hippos, and a rich variety of birdlife. As you drive through groundwater forests and acacia woodlands, you’ll see baboons, blue monkeys, elephants, and more. Optional experiences today include a treetop canopy walk for a bird’s-eye view of the forest or a cultural tour of Mto wa Mbu village, where you can meet local artisans, farmers, and taste traditional Tanzanian food. Overnight in Karatu, a peaceful highland town on the way to Ngorongoro.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Accommodation:
- Fig Tree Lodge & Camp
Wildlife in Lake Manyara NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Lake Natron
Lake Natron
After an early breakfast, drive northeast to the remote and dramatic landscape of Lake Natron (approx. 4–5 hours on rough roads). This alkaline lake is located in the shadow of the active Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, sacred to the Maasai people. The area is a breeding site for thousands of lesser flamingos, and you’ll often see them lining the bright red shoreline. In the afternoon, take a short hike to Ngare Sero Waterfalls, a refreshing walk through a shady gorge. You can also visit a local Maasai community to learn about their traditions and way of life. This region offers a raw, off-the-beaten-path safari experience. Overnight in an eco-lodge or tented camp near the lake.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Natron
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Nothern Serengeti
Nothern Serengeti
Today’s journey takes you to the Northern Serengeti, specifically the Kogatende or Lamai region, close to the Mara River (drive takes around 6–7 hours, depending on conditions). This region is a key location for viewing the Great Wildebeest Migration, especially from July to October when herds attempt to cross the crocodile-filled river. Along the way, enjoy game viewing through increasingly wild landscapes. Upon arrival, take a short afternoon game drive to begin spotting wildlife like lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and possibly a dramatic river crossing. Spend the night in a mobile migration camp or luxury tented lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Serengeti National Park
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
Wildlife in Serengeti NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Full-Day Safari in Northern Serengeti
Full-Day Safari in Northern Serengeti
Today is dedicated to exploring the Northern Serengeti, one of Africa’s most untouched safari areas. You’ll spend the day following the movements of the migrating herds—sometimes numbering in the hundreds of thousands—and watch for predators that follow them, including crocodiles waiting at the Mara River, cheetahs, and hyena clans. The landscape here is more open than the central Serengeti, with sweeping plains, rocky kopjes, and scattered riverine forests. Enjoy a packed lunch in the bush and return to camp for sunset and dinner under the stars.
- Main Destination:
- Northern Serengeti National Park
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Central Serengeti – Big Cats & Classic Savannah
Central Serengeti – Big Cats & Classic Savannah
After breakfast, head south toward the Central Serengeti, the Seronera Valley, known for some of the best wildlife concentrations in Africa. This area offers excellent chances of seeing resident lions, leopards lounging in acacia trees, cheetahs, and large hippo pools. Along the way, you’ll encounter various ecosystems and spot different species that thrive in each. The central Serengeti is the iconic postcard image of African safari, with its golden plains, dramatic skies, and rich animal life. Stay in a central lodge or tented camp and enjoy a relaxed evening around the campfire.
- Main Destination:
- Central Serengeti National Park
- Accommodation:
- Marera Valley Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Journey to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Journey to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After a morning game drive, begin your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. En route, consider a stop at Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, where the oldest human fossils were found. You may also pass Maasai herders grazing cattle alongside wild animals—one of the few places in Africa where this co-existence is protected. Arrive in the late afternoon at your lodge on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, offering panoramic views of the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Highlands
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Ngorongoro Crater – The Big Five in One Place
Ngorongoro Crater – The Big Five in One Place
Rise early for a spectacular day exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, often called the Eighth Wonder of the World. Descend 600 meters into the crater for a game drive among its estimated 25,000 animals, including endangered black rhinos, elephants, lions, buffalos, and hippos. The crater floor includes lakes, forests, and grasslands, making it a microcosm of East African wildlife. Enjoy a packed picnic lunch at a hippo pool, and continue exploring before returning to your lodge on the crater rim for a final evening in the bush.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Accommodation:
- Farm of Dreams Lodge
Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Maasai Village & Return to Arusha
Maasai Village & Return to Arusha
On your final day, visit an authentic Maasai cultural village near Ngorongoro to experience traditional Maasai lifestyle. Engage in song and dance, tour their bomas (huts), and learn about their customs, cattle culture, and beliefs. After this enriching cultural experience, begin your drive back to Arusha (approximately 4–5 hours). Depending on your flight schedule, you’ll be transferred either to your Arusha hotel or to Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure, carrying unforgettable memories of your Tanzanian adventure.
- Main Destination:
- Maasai Village (Cultural Village)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
