8 Days Tanzania Safari, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire

This 8-day Tanzania safari takes you through the best wildlife destinations on Tanzania’s Northern Circuit, including Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. The itinerary is designed for travellers who want a classic wildlife safari with game drives, Big Five viewing, Serengeti plains, baobab landscapes, the Great Rift Valley and a Maasai cultural experience. You will explore elephant-rich Tarangire, search for tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara, follow wildlife across the Serengeti and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s best natural wildlife areas.

Safari Highlights

• Day 1, Transfer from Arusha to Tarangire National Park
• Day 2, Morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park
• Day 3, Drive to Serengeti National Park with evening game drive
• Day 4, Full day Northern Serengeti safari and Mara River area
• Day 5, Full day Central Serengeti game drive and kopjes
• Day 6, Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Olduvai Gorge and Maasai Boma visit
• Day 7, Ngorongoro Crater game drive and Lake Magadi visit
• Day 8, Return to Arusha for departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Arusha to Tarangire National Park Safari

Depending on your location in Arusha, meet your safari driver guide at around 7 am for a short briefing before starting your journey to Tarangire National Park. The drive from Arusha to Tarangire takes about 2 to 3 hours. On arrival, begin your first game drive in a park famous for large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and seasonal wildlife concentration around the Tarangire River. During the game drive, look out for elephants, zebras, hartebeest, waterbucks, gazelles, oryx, giraffes, buffalo, lions and a variety of bird species. Tarangire is especially rewarding in the dry season when animals gather near the river and swamp areas. After the game drive, transfer to your lodge in Karatu for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Twiga Safari Lodge for budget, Lake Manyara Heritage Lodge for mid-range, Lake Manyara Kilimanjaro Lodge for luxury

Day 2, Lake Manyara National Park Game Drive

After an early breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a morning game drive. Lake Manyara lies at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and is known for its mix of groundwater forest, open plains, lake shore and rich birdlife. During the game drive, you may see elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, buffalo, impalas and baboons. The park is also known for tree-climbing lions, although sightings depend on luck and movement within the park. The lake area attracts flamingos, pelicans and other water birds depending on the season and water levels. After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge or enjoying the surrounding views before dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation As above.

Day 3, Drive to Serengeti National Park and Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, check out of the lodge and begin your journey to Serengeti National Park. Travel through scenic landscapes towards the Serengeti, with lunch served en route. On arrival, enjoy an afternoon or sunset game drive across the plains, depending on arrival time. Serengeti National Park is one of Tanzania’s most famous safari destinations, known for open savannah, predator sightings and large herbivore herds. During the game drive, you may see lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, hyenas and, with luck, leopards or cheetahs. The Serengeti is also part of the Great Migration route, where wildebeest and zebras move between Tanzania and Kenya following seasonal rainfall and grazing conditions. Proceed to your lodge or camp for dinner and an overnight stay. Accommodation Serengeti Heritage Luxury Camp for  mid-range, Tukaone Serengeti Camp for budget, Mbali Mbali Soroi Serengeti Lodge for luxury

Day 4, Northern Serengeti Safari and Mara River Game Drive

After an early breakfast, take your packed lunch and head out for a full-day game drive in the Northern Serengeti, especially around the Mara River area. This region is one of the best places to follow the Great Migration during the right season. Depending on the movement of the herds, you may see wildebeest and zebras gathering near the river before crossing towards or from the Masai Mara in Kenya. River crossings are seasonal and unpredictable, but the area remains excellent for wildlife viewing. Spend the day searching for hippos, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, lions, hyenas, cheetahs, antelopes, hartebeest and zebras. The Mara River area is also known for crocodiles, riverine vegetation and dramatic predator activity during migration season. Enjoy lunch in the wilderness before continuing with your afternoon game drive. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 5, Central Serengeti Safari and Simba Kopjes

After an early breakfast, collect your packed lunch and meet your driver guide for a full day game drive in Central Serengeti. Starting early gives you a better chance of seeing predators when they are still active. Lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas are often easier to spot in the cooler morning hours before the heat of the day increases. Explore the Serengeti plains in search of zebras, impalas, elephants, giraffes, gazelles, hippos, serval cats, jackals and many other species. You will also drive around the kopjes, including areas such as Simba Kopjes, where lions often rest on the rocks and scan the plains for prey. These rocky outcrops are important habitats for reptiles, birds and smaller mammals. Depending on the season, you may also see wildebeest herds moving across the plains as part of the wider Serengeti migration cycle. In the evening, enjoy the sunset as your guide drives you back to the lodge.

Day 6, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Olduvai Gorge and Maasai Boma Visit

After breakfast, check out of the lodge with a packed lunch and drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy scenic views along the route, with possible stops for photography across the highlands and open landscapes. Visit Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important archaeological sites in East Africa, known for discoveries connected to early human history. After your picnic lunch, continue to a Maasai Boma for a cultural experience. During the visit, you will learn about Maasai traditions, cattle keeping, homestead life, dress and community lifestyle. Later, proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Tloma Lodge for  mid-range, Hhando Coffee Lodge for budget, Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge for luxury

Day 7, Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive and Lake Magadi

After breakfast, descend about 600 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day game drive. The crater is one of the best wildlife viewing areas in Tanzania because of its high animal density and varied habitats. During the game drive, you may see lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, warthogs, hippos and different antelope species. Visit Lake Magadi, a shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern part of the crater. Depending on the season, the lake attracts flamingos and other bird species. You may also see hippos around the crater’s wetland areas. Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the crater before continuing with more wildlife viewing. Later, ascend from the crater and return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8, Return to Arusha for Departure

After breakfast at leisure, check out of the lodge and begin your drive back to Arusha. Enjoy lunch en route, depending on your schedule. On arrival in Arusha, your driver guide will drop you off at your hotel, Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight. This marks the end of your 8-day Tanzania classic wildlife safari.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions

• Pick-up and drop-off in Arusha
• All park entry fees
• Ngorongoro Crater fees
• Concession fees and transit fees
• Accommodation as per the itinerary
• 4×4 safari vehicle and fuel
• Full-time English-speaking driver guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Vehicle entrance fees
• Bottled mineral water while on safari
• Activities mentioned in the itinerary

Exclusions

• International and domestic flights
• Tanzania visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, alcoholic drinks and soft drinks
• Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
• Tips and gratuities
• Anything not included in the itinerary