This carefully curated 8-day safari itinerary offers the full northern Tanzania experience — combining world-renowned national parks, varied landscapes, cultural encounters, and incredible wildlife viewing. From elephant herds in Tarangire to pink flamingos at Lake Manyara, dramatic scenery in the Ngorongoro Highlands, and unforgettable wildlife encounters in the Serengeti, this journey delivers an iconic African safari.
Activities: Airport pickup and transfer to lodge
Overnight: Arusha lodge or hotel
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be met by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha, the safari capital of northern Tanzania. Relax after your journey and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Highlight: Optional visit to Arusha Coffee Lodge or a local market if time allows.
Drive time: ~2.5 hours (120 km)
Activities: Game drive
Overnight: Tarangire National Park or nearby lodge
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, famed for its towering baobab trees, seasonal swamps, and huge herds of elephants. The park is home to abundant game, including giraffes, zebras, lions, and over 500 bird species.
Highlight: Elephant herds moving across the riverbanks beneath ancient baobab trees.
Drive time: ~1.5 hours
Activities: Afternoon game drive
Overnight: Lake Manyara area lodge
Travel north to Lake Manyara National Park, a compact but biodiverse park tucked between the Rift Valley escarpment and the lake itself. Explore the groundwater forests, acacia woodland, and lakeshore for elephants, flamingos, and the famous tree-climbing lions.
Highlight: Flamingos wading in the lake and troops of baboons in the forest.
Drive time: ~2 hours
Activities: Scenic drive, cultural or nature walk
Overnight: Ngorongoro Highlands lodge
Journey into the lush Ngorongoro Highlands, an area of fertile farmland and forested volcanic slopes. This afternoon, take an optional cultural tour or walk along the crater rim for a taste of local life and sweeping views.
Highlight: Experience Maasai culture or take in sunset views from your highland lodge.
Activities: Full-day crater tour
Overnight: Ngorongoro or Serengeti lodge (depending on timing and location)
Descend early into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Spot the Big Five, including rhinos, lions, elephants, and buffalo in this 600m-deep volcanic caldera.
Highlight: Game viewing in a truly unique ecosystem with incredible wildlife density.
Drive time: ~4–5 hours (including stops)
Activities: Game drive en route and in central Serengeti
Overnight: Central Serengeti lodge or tented camp
After lunch, travel to the heart of the Serengeti National Park, where you’ll start your wildlife adventure on the endless plains. Explore the Seronera Valley, rich in resident wildlife and predators.
Highlight: Afternoon safari among acacia-dotted plains filled with big cats and game.
Activities: Morning and afternoon game drives
Overnight: Serengeti lodge or mobile migration camp (location depends on season)
Spend the day following the path of the Great Migration, depending on the time of year:
Highlight: Witnessing wildebeest herds thundering across the plains — with predators in pursuit.
Options:
Overnight: Optional extra night in Arusha or transfer to airport
Enjoy a final early morning game drive before your departure. Depending on your schedule, you’ll either fly or drive back to Arusha, arriving in time for your international flight or an optional post-safari overnight.
Highlight: Last glimpses of Serengeti wildlife as your safari concludes.
