Arusha
Arusha
Mid range
Wildlife, Cultural visits, Photography
Families, Couples, Small groups
Drive in and drive out
Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater
Northern Tanzania packs an unusual range of environments into a relatively compact safari circuit, and this itinerary gives enough time to experience those contrasts properly without spending entire days on the road. From the giant baobabs and elephant country of Tarangire to the groundwater forests of Lake Manyara, the program gradually shifts toward the open grasslands of Serengeti before ending inside the Ngorongoro Crater. Wildlife viewing changes noticeably from one destination to another, which keeps the safari engaging from start to finish.
Today Begins With A Morning Departure From Arusha, Heading Southwest Toward Tarangire National Park, An Area Covering Roughly 2,850 Sq Km And Best Known For Its Large Elephant Concentration And Ancient Baobab Trees. The Drive Itself Shifts From Busy Town Traffic To Open Countryside Before Reaching The Park Gate Around Late Morning. Once Inside,
The Game Drive Starts Almost Immediately, With Chances Of Spotting Giraffes, Buffaloes, Zebras, And Large Elephant Herds Gathering Near The Tarangire River, Particularly During The Dry Season. A Picnic Lunch Is Served At One Of The Designated Sites Within The Park Before Continuing With Afternoon Wildlife Viewing. Toward Evening, The Drive Proceeds To The Lodge Or Camp For Dinner And A Good Night Sleep After The First Full Safari Day.
Lunch And Dinner
Tarangire Area Lodge Or Tented Camp
Today Follows A Shorter Driving Schedule, Allowing More Time Inside Lake Manyara National Park, A Compact But Ecologically Varied Area Sitting Beneath The Great Rift Valley Escarpment. The Park Covers About 325 Sq Km, With A Large Section Occupied By The Shallow Soda Lake That Attracts Seasonal Flocks Of Flamingos And Other Water Birds.
The Morning Game Drive Passes Through Groundwater Forest Supported By Underground Springs Flowing From The Escarpment Above, Creating A Noticeable Contrast From Tarangire. Baboons Are Commonly Seen Near The Forest Sections, While Elephants, Hippos, And Tree Climbing Lions Occasionally Appear Deeper Into The Park. Lunch Is Taken At A Picnic Site Before Continuing With A Relaxed Afternoon Game Drive. Later In The Day, The Route Continues Toward Karatu For Dinner And Overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner
Karatu Lodge
An Earlier Departure Is Vital Today Due To The Longer Drive Toward Serengeti National Park, Passing Through The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Along The Way. The Road Opens Into Endless Grasslands As The Journey Continues Deeper Toward Central Serengeti, Known Locally As Seronera, One Of The Most Reliable Wildlife Areas Within The Ecosystem.
Covering Nearly 14,763 Sq Km, Serengeti Holds One Of Africa’s Largest Concentrations Of Predators And Plains Game, With Sightings Often Beginning Long Before Reaching Your Lodge. A Packed Lunch Is Usually Taken En Route Before Continuing With An Afternoon Game Drive Through The Seronera Valley. Lions Are Regularly Seen Resting Near Kopjes, While Cheetahs And Hyenas Frequently Appear In The Open Plains. By Evening, Arrival At The Lodge Allows Time For A Hot Meal And A Peaceful Night Surrounded By Distant Wildlife Sounds.
Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner
Central Serengeti Tented Camp Or Lodge
The Day Is Spent Exploring Different Parts Of Central Serengeti, Allowing Flexibility Depending On Recent Wildlife Activity And Seasonal Animal Movement. Some Travellers Choose An Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari, Which Requires Advance Booking And Starts Before Sunrise, Followed By A Bush Breakfast After Landing. For The Standard Program, The Morning
Game Drive Focuses On The Seronera Plains And Nearby River Systems Where Resident Wildlife Remains Active Throughout The Year. Picnic Lunch Is Served During The Day Before Continuing With Game Viewing Into The Afternoon. Besides Lions And Elephants, The Area Often Offers Sightings Of Leopards Resting In Acacia Trees And Large Groups Of Hippos Gathered Along River Pools. Returning To Camp Later In The Day Leaves Enough Time For Dinner, Small Talk Around The Fire, And Reviewing Photographs From The Day’s Sightings.
Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner
Central Serengeti Tented Camp Or Lodge
There Is No Need To Rush This Morning, Which Allows A Slower Start Before Continuing With A Final Game Drive Through The Park While Heading Toward The Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Wildlife Activity Is Often Rewarding During The Cooler Morning Hours, When Predators Remain Active Longer Before The Midday Heat Kicks In.
The Drive Gradually Leaves The Flatter Grasslands Behind And Gains Elevation Toward The Highlands Surrounding Ngorongoro. A Picnic Lunch Is Served Along The Route Before Continuing Toward The Lodge. Depending On Arrival Time, The Late Afternoon May Allow Time To Relax At The Property, Enjoy Views Over The Highlands, Or Simply Rest After Several Days Inside The Parks.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Ngorongoro Highlands Lodge
Today Focuses On The Ngorongoro Crater, Formed After The Collapse Of A Massive Volcanic Mountain Estimated To Have Stood Higher Than Kilimanjaro Millions Of Years Ago. The Crater Floor Covers Roughly 260 Sq Km And Supports Year Round Wildlife Due To Permanent Water Sources And Relatively Stable Grazing Conditions.
The Descent Into The Crater Starts Early Enough To Take Advantage Of The Quieter Morning Hours Before Vehicle Traffic Increases Later In The Day. Wildlife Sightings Commonly Include Buffaloes, Zebras, Hyenas, Lions, Hippos, And Large Numbers Of Wildebeest Spread Throughout The Grasslands. Picnic Lunch Is Taken Near The Crater’s Designated Picnic Area Beside The Hippo Pool Before Continuing With More Wildlife Viewing During The Afternoon. By Late Afternoon, We Exit The Crater And Continue Toward Karatu For Dinner And Overnight.
Breakfast And Dinner
Karatu Lodge
The Final Day Follows A Lighter Schedule With Breakfast At The Lodge Before Departing Karatu And Returning Back To Arusha. Depending On Departure Schedule, There May Be An Opportunity To Stop At A Cultural Centre, Coffee Shop, Or Local Craft Market Along The Route Before Reaching The City. Arrival In Arusha Is Expected Around Afternoon Hours, With Drop Off Either At The Hotel Or Airport For Onward Travel Arrangements.
Breakfast
