Itinerary
Overview
On this amazing 7-day safari, you will experience the very best that Tanzania has to offer! Your journey includes spending two magical nights inside the world-famous Serengeti National Park, plus an unforgettable night staying right on the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater Rim. You will get to see breathtaking wildlife up close while traveling through some of the most beautiful and changing landscapes in Africa.
Every single day will bring wonderful surprises. You might get to see unique lions resting high up in the tree branches, large elephant families traveling through the wild bush, and thousands of different animals living safely inside a massive collapsed volcano. You will visit the iconic Serengeti, which is home to over three million wild animals. Your trip will be filled with countless “wow” moments, and with a little bit of safari luck, you will get to see all of the famous Big Five animals on this incredible adventure!
Itinerary
Day to day
Day 1 Arrival in Arusha
Welcome to Tanzania! As soon as you land at the airport, a friendly person from Natural Serenity will be waiting to meet you. They will help you with your bags and drive you to your comfortable hotel in Arusha.
If your flight arrives early, you will have plenty of time to unpack, rest, and relax by the pool. It is the perfect time to get ready for the amazing African adventure of a lifetime! The bustling city of Arusha is an essential part of safari life here in northern Tanzania, and most travelers pass through this vibrant town at some stage of their trip.
Day 2 Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After a delicious breakfast, your friendly Natural Serenity Safari guide will pick you up from your hotel to start your drive to Tarangire National Park. The trip takes about two and a half hours on smooth, paved roads. The park gets its name from the Tarangire River that flows right through it, which translates locally to the "river of warthogs." During the dry season, this river becomes the only source of water in the entire region, turning it into a busy meeting place where thousands of animals gather to drink.
Tarangire is world-famous for its massive, loving elephant families that you can easily spot playing and resting safely by the river banks. As you explore the open landscapes, you will also see tall giraffes, pretty bushbucks, and hartebeests, which are closely followed by powerful predators like lions and leopards hiding nearby. If you enjoy bird watching, this park is a true paradise because it has more nesting bird species than any other place on Earth! You will also be amazed by the giant, ancient baobab trees that look like they are growing upside down, with some living for more than a thousand years. After a wonderful picnic lunch surrounded by nature and an exciting day of exploring, your guide will drive you to your comfortable hotel in Karatu to relax for the evening.
Day 3 Karatu to Serengeti National park
After breakfast, you will drive up into the cooler regions of Ngorongoro Conservation Area. There will be a chance to stop and see the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. You will then transit through Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Serengeti, entering at the South of the Park.
The Serengeti is truly spectacular. It is famous for its vast open grasslands which allow for excellent sightings of wildlife. Whilst it boasts abundant wildlife, it is perhaps best known for the annual Great Migration. Vast numbers of wildebeest; zebra and antelope move in an annual pattern, constantly seeking fresh grazing. The migration can be found during any given month; you just need to know where to look! Depending on what time of year you come, you may get a chance to witness one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Natural World’.
You will have a picnic lunch and will overnight at a Tented Camp in Central Serengeti.
Day 4 Serengeti National Park
You are going to have an incredible day today! This entire day is set aside for exciting safari drives deep inside the Serengeti. The park is home to a amazing number of wild animals, and you will easily spot beautiful impalas, large buffaloes, and hippos and crocodiles resting in the water.
Along with the beautiful scenery, today gives you an excellent chance to spot big cats in action, including proud lions, fast cheetahs, and quiet leopards hunting or playing in the shade! Depending on where the Great Migration herds are moving, your guide can even take you away from the central area to see this famous natural wonder up close. It is a truly beautiful, life-changing experience that you will remember forever!
Day 5 Serengeti to Ngorongoro
This is going to be a beautiful morning! You will get to enjoy your very final, unforgettable sunrise over the endless Serengeti plains. After a relaxing morning safari drive, you will slowly make your way through the Serengeti and into the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
As you drive, you will feel the air get delightfully cooler as you head toward the famous Ngorongoro Crater. Tonight, you will stay at a cozy mid-range lodge located just a short distance from the Crater Rim, perfectly placed for tomorrow's big adventure. You will get to see so many wonderful sights along the way, and a warm, delicious dinner will be waiting for you when you arrive!
Day 6 Ngorongoro Crater
After a fresh breakfast, you will slowly make your way toward the famous Ngorongoro Crater, enjoying beautiful wildlife views along the way.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a hidden paradise. Millions of years ago, a giant volcano exploded and collapsed in on itself, creating a massive bowl protected by steep walls. Today, this beautiful bowl shelters a safe world filled with open grasslands, pretty acacia forests, quiet swamps, and shiny lakes.
The drive down into the crater floor is an exciting adventure all by itself. As soon as you reach the bottom, you will quickly find yourself surrounded by thousands of wild animals, including large groups of wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes, along with many species of beautiful birds. This unique place is also your absolute best chance to spot the rare, endangered Black Rhino grazing safely out in the open grass. After a full, wonderful afternoon inside the crater floor, your guide will drive you to your comfortable hotel in Karatu to rest and enjoy a hot dinner.
Day 7 Lake Manyara National Park
This morning, you will drive to Lake Manyara National Park for the final stop on your safari adventure. This park is special because it is a thin strip of land with the giant walls of the Great Rift Valley rising up on one side and a shallow saltwater lake on the other.
The lake is famous for attracting thousands of bright pink flamingos and many other colorful birds. As you explore the thick green forest, you will see families of playful baboons and elephants moving through the trees. Keep a close look out for Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions, which love to rest high up in the acacia branches.
You will enjoy a tasty picnic lunch surrounded by nature inside the park. After your safari, your guide will drive you to your preferred drop-off point, such as Arusha Town, Arusha Airport, or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back home. We hope you loved your adventure with Natural Serenity!
What's Included?
- Accommodation: 4 nights in luxury tented camps and lodges.
- Meals: Full-board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) throughout the safari.
- Transport: 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for game viewing, including airport transfers.
- Professional Guide: Services of an experienced, English-speaking safari guide.
- Park Fees: All national park entrance fees, including the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Game Drives: Daily game drives as per the itinerary.
Drinking Water: Bottled water during game drives. - Maasai Village Visit: A cultural visit to a Maasai village (if time permits on Day 7).
- Internal Flights: Domestic flight from Arusha to Serengeti (if applicable).
What's Excluded?
- International Flights: Flights to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Visas: Entry visas for Tanzania.
- Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel and medical insurance.
- Gratuities: Tips for guides, drivers, and lodge staff.
- Personal Expenses: Items of a personal nature such as souvenirs, additional beverages, and laundry services.
- Optional Activities: Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary (e.g., hot air balloon safari).
- Alcoholic Beverages: Alcoholic drinks at lodges and camps unless otherwise stated.