Overview
Experience the ultimate Northern Tanzania safari on this 7-day journey through Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, and the scenic Lake Manyara National Park. From large elephant herds and endless plains to lush forests and crater wildlife, this safari offers excellent opportunities to spot the Big Five while enjoying diverse landscapes, expert-led game drives, and comfortable stays – perfect for a complete and unforgettable Tanzania wildlife experience.
Safari Highlights
- Track the Big Five across Tanzania’s top national parks
- Large elephant herds and baobab landscapes in Tarangire National Park
- Two full days in Serengeti National Park for prime wildlife viewing
- Explore the wildlife-rich floor of the Ngorongoro Crater
- Visit the scenic and diverse Lake Manyara National Park
- High chances of spotting predators including lions, leopards, and cheetahs
- Professional, knowledgeable safari guide
- Optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at the lodge, enjoy the surroundings, or take an optional short city tour.
In the evening, your guide will provide a detailed safari briefing, including what to expect during game drives, safety guidelines, and answers to any questions you may have.
Accommodation: Planet Lodge Arusha
Meals: Dinner
After an early breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, a scenic drive of approximately 2–3 hours. Tarangire is renowned for its large elephant herds, iconic baobab trees, and seasonal swamps that attract diverse wildlife.
Enjoy a full-day game drive along the Tarangire River, the park’s lifeline, where animals gather to drink. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, and possibly predators such as lions and leopards.
A picnic lunch will be served inside the park at a designated site. In the late afternoon, exit the park and drive to Karatu, a lush highland town near Ngorongoro.
Accommodation: Farm of Dreams Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, begin your journey toward Serengeti National Park, passing through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of the Ngorongoro Crater and vast highland landscapes.
Upon entering Serengeti via Naabi Hill Gate, begin your first game drive. The Serengeti is famous for its vast open plains and incredible concentration of wildlife. You may encounter lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, and large herds of wildebeests and zebras.
Arrive at your camp in the late afternoon, where you can relax and enjoy the peaceful wilderness atmosphere.
Accommodation: Tukaone Weavers Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today is dedicated to exploring the incredible ecosystems of Serengeti National Park. You will embark on a full-day game drive with picnic lunch, covering different areas of the park based on wildlife movements.
Your guide will track wildlife and take you to prime viewing spots where you may witness predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs in action. The Serengeti is also home to thousands of herbivores, creating a rich and dynamic ecosystem.
Depending on the season, you may have the chance to witness part of the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the most spectacular wildlife events on Earth.
Return to camp in the evening for dinner and relaxation under the African sky.
Accommodation: Tukaone Weavers Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning game drive in Serengeti, offering one last opportunity to spot wildlife before leaving the park.
Later, begin your journey toward the Ngorongoro Highlands. This scenic drive takes you through rolling hills, Maasai villages, and beautiful landscapes, providing a different perspective of Tanzania’s natural beauty.
Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon, where you can unwind and enjoy panoramic views over the highlands.
Accommodation:Ngorongoro Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After an early breakfast, descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater.
This natural caldera is one of Africa’s most concentrated wildlife areas, offering a high probability of spotting the Big Five in a single day. The crater supports a year-round population of animals due to its permanent water sources.
Enjoy a game drive with picnic lunch near the hippo pool. Common sightings include lions, elephants, buffalo, flamingos, hyenas, and possibly the rare black rhino.
In the afternoon, ascend the crater walls and drive to Karatu.
Accommodation: Farm of Dreams Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, visit Lake Manyara National Park, a compact yet diverse park.
The park features groundwater forests, acacia woodlands, and a soda lake often filled with flamingos. It is well known for tree-climbing lions and large troops of baboons.
Enjoy a morning game drive before returning to Arusha or transferring to the airport for departure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Safari Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for optimal game viewing
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- All park entry and conservation fees
- Ngorongoro Crater service fees
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- Full-board meals during safari (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
- Game drives as per itinerary
- Government taxes and levies
Safari Excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania visa fees
- Tips and gratuities (guide, cook, and lodge staff)
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, souvenirs, etc.)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Frequently Asked Questions
This safari operates year-round. However, the best wildlife viewing is typically during the dry season from June to October, when animals gather around water sources. The green season (November to May) offers fewer crowds and beautiful landscapes.
This safari includes midrange lodge or tented camp accommodation (or camping if requested), as outlined in the itinerary. All stays are carefully selected for comfort, location, and service quality.
Yes, there is a high chance of spotting the Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino-especially in Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.
This itinerary is typically offered as a private safari, meaning you will have your own vehicle and guide. Group options may be available upon request.
You will travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle (usually a Land Cruiser) with a pop-up roof, designed for comfort and excellent wildlife viewing.
Yes, all meals are included during the safari (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner), except where specified otherwise (e.g., arrival day if applicable).
This safari is not physically demanding. It mainly involves game drives, with minimal walking, making it suitable for most travelers, including families and older guests.
We recommend comfortable clothing in neutral colors, a light jacket, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, camera, and binoculars. A detailed packing list can be provided upon booking.
Yes, this safari can be fully customized based on your preferences, budget, travel dates, and accommodation level.
You can book by contacting Tembelea Asilia Adventures directly. Our team will assist you with availability, pricing, and secure booking arrangements.
