9 Days Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari - Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro

ARRIVAL 

Upon landing in Arusha, you will be welcome by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel. Take the day to relax and recover from your journey. Depending on your schedule, you may also receive a briefing about the adventures ahead. Upon landing in Arusha, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel. Take the day to unwind, relax, and recover from your journey while soaking in the sights, sounds and gentle rhythms of this vibrant town. 

Depending on your arrival time, you may also have the opportunity to meet your guide for an introductory briefing about the exciting safari adventures that lie ahead, including tips on wildlife spotting, photography and what to expect during your Tanzanian wildlife experience.

DAY 1: ARUSHA TO TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast in Arusha, you will depart for Tarangire National Park, a park famous for its iconic baobab trees and large elephant herds. The drive takes you through scenic countryside dotted with traditional villages and farmland, offering a glimpse of rural Tanzanian life. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge or camp before heading out on your first game drive.

Spend the afternoon exploring Tarangire varied landscapes, from open plains to riverine forests. Wildlife sightings are abundant, with elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and numerous antelope species frequently spotted along the Tarangire River. This park is especially active during the dry season.

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 2: TARANGIRE TO LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, depart to Lake Manyara National Park, nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. On the way, enjoy the changing scenery as the landscape shifts from dry savannah to lush green forests. Upon arrival, embark on a game drive through the park, which offers a unique combination of dense forests, open plains and acacia woodlands.

Lake Manyara is famous for its tree-climbing lions and abundant birdlife, including flocks of pink flamingos along the lake’s edge. Large herds of elephants and hippos are often seen along the shoreline, while the park’s varied ecosystems allow visitors to witness a rich diversity of wildlife in a relatively compact area. After your afternoon adventure, return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 3: LAKE MANYARA TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast,  travel via the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands to the Serengeti National Park. Stop along the way to admire panoramic views and catch glimpses of wildlife grazing in the rolling highlands. Upon reaching the Serengeti, begin your first game drive in one of the world’s most famous wildlife reserves.

The Serengeti is home to an incredible concentration of animals, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and wildebeest. Depending on the season, you may witness part of the Great Migration. As you explore its endless plains, enjoy the dramatic scenery and the feeling of being immersed in an iconic African wilderness. Return to your lodge  in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 4: FULL DAY GAME DRIVES IN SERENGETI

Spend the day venturing deeper into the Serengeti, where rolling plains and riverine forests create a stunning backdrop for wildlife viewing. Early morning and late afternoon game drives are ideal for spotting predators, including lions, leopards and cheetahs, as well as witnessing large herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles grazing the savannah.

Optional activities such as a hot air balloon ride at sunrise can be arranged for a breathtaking aerial perspective over the plains. Photography enthusiasts will find endless opportunities to capture memorable wildlife encounters and dramatic landscapes. After a full day of exploration, return to your lodge for dinner and rest.

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 5: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, continue your exploration of the Serengeti on morning and afternoon game drives. Today, you may venture into less visited regions of the park, offering a more private and tranquil wildlife experience. Expect to see a wide variety of herbivores and predators, including the Big Five.

The Serengeti’s diverse habitats from open grasslands to wooded areas and riverbanks allow for unique wildlife interactions and excellent photography. Take time to appreciate the vastness of this world famous park and its incredible biodiversity. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 6: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Today, enjoy a final full day of game drives in the Serengeti. Early morning drives are ideal for observing predators in action, while the plains are alive with grazing herbivores and birdlife. Your guide will help track wildlife for optimal sightings throughout the day.

As the sun sets over the Serengeti, witness the golden glow on the vast plains a perfect opportunity for photography and reflection on the remarkable landscapes. Return to your lodge  for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 7: SERENGETI TO NGORONGORO HIGHLANDS

After breakfast, leave the Serengeti and drive toward the Ngorongoro Highlands, a scenic volcanic plateau at the edge of the Great Rift Valley. The highlands are characterized by rolling hills, lush forests and small Maasai villages, offering a peaceful contrast to the Serengeti plains. En route, stop at viewpoints for sweeping vistas and photograph the dramatic landscapes that rise toward the rim of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Wildlife can occasionally be spotted grazing in the highlands, including zebras, wildebeest and various antelope species.

Upon arrival in the highlands, check in at your lodge, which is often located near the crater rim. Spend the afternoon relaxing, enjoying the cool mountain air and taking in the breathtaking scenery. This is also a great opportunity to prepare for the following day’s descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations.

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 8: NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA 

After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. The crater floor supports one of the densest populations of wildlife in Africa, including elephants, lions, buffaloes, black rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, and flamingos. Your game drive will take you across open grasslands, swamps, and forested areas, providing endless opportunities for wildlife photography and close encounters with Africa’s iconic species.

Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor surrounded by breathtaking scenery. As you explore the conservation area, your guide will point out geological features, the crater’s volcanic history, and the Maasai communities living in the highlands. After a rewarding day of wildlife viewing, ascend back to the crater rim and return to your lodge to relax and enjoy dinner.

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 9: NGORONGORO CRATER TO ARUSHA

After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera and a haven for wildlife. Spend the morning on a game drive across the crater floor, spotting lions, elephants, rhinos, zebras, wildebeest and flamingos. The unique topography, with forests, grasslands and swamps in one enclosed ecosystem, makes it one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife destinations.

Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor before beginning the drive back to Arusha. The journey winds through scenic landscapes and traditional villages, giving you a final glimpse of Tanzania’s natural beauty and rural life. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off at your hotel or the airport, concluding your unforgettable 9-day safari adventure.

Meal Plan: Half Board

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
 

Budget: Public Campsites

Mid-Range: Serengeti Safari Lodge + Farm of Dreams Lodge

Luxury: andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas + Ngorongoro Crater Lodge