Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Gateway to Your Safari

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be greeted by our professional driver-guide, who will assist with luggage and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. The scenic drive takes you through lush coffee and banana plantations, dotted with small villages. On a clear day, views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru offer a dramatic welcome to Tanzania.

Once at your lodge, settle in and enjoy a relaxed dinner while absorbing the atmosphere of Arusha, a city that serves as the starting point for safaris across northern Tanzania. Your guide will brief you about the itinerary, answer questions, and ensure you are ready for the adventure ahead.

Accommodation: Arusha Serena Hotel (or similar)
Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park, approximately a 2.5-hour drive. Though small in size, Manyara is famous for its diverse landscapes: lush groundwater forests, alkaline soda lakes, and open plains. The park’s varying habitats support a rich diversity of wildlife, including tree-climbing lions — a rare sight in Africa — as well as large herds of elephants, buffalo, and giraffes.

Afternoon Game Drive

Your afternoon game drive begins along the park’s winding tracks. You’ll encounter flocks of flamingos along the lake shore, hippos lounging in freshwater pools, and monkeys swinging gracefully through the trees. The unique tree-climbing lions, resting lazily on branches, provide a thrilling photo opportunity.

Accommodation & Meals

• Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, perched on the Rift Valley escarpment with stunning views of the lake below.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive toward Serengeti National Park, a journey of several hours that passes through picturesque villages, farmland, and rolling savanna landscapes. Along the way, enjoy game drives en route, spotting zebras, wildebeest, and gazelles grazing across the plains.

Arrival & Sunset Safari

Arriving at your Serengeti lodge or tented camp, you’ll have the opportunity to relax before a sunset game drive, capturing the golden African light on the endless plains. Serengeti’s expansive ecosystems make it one of the best places to observe predators, large herbivore herds, and unique birdlife.

Accommodation: Serengeti Sopa Lodge / Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 & 5: Serengeti National Park – Wildlife Extravaganza

Spend two full days exploring the Serengeti’s vast plains. Morning and afternoon game drives maximize wildlife encounters, offering chances to see:

• Big Cats: Lions, leopards, and cheetahs in action.

• Elephants & Buffalo: Roaming in large family groups.

• Grazing Herds: Wildebeest, zebras, and Thompson’s gazelles creating classic safari vistas.

• Birdlife: Including Secretary birds, lilac-breasted rollers, and vultures circling above.

Optional Activities

• Hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti plains at dawn, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush.

• Photographic safaris for professional or amateur photographers seeking the perfect wildlife shot.

Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive while exiting Serengeti, taking in the last vistas of roaming wildlife. Continue toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping at Olduvai Gorge for an optional cultural and historical visit. Known as the “Cradle of Mankind,” Olduvai is an archaeological site where some of the earliest human fossils were discovered.

Afternoon Arrival

Upon arrival at your lodge near the Ngorongoro Crater rim, enjoy panoramic views of the crater and the surrounding highlands. The evening is for relaxation and soaking in the scenery.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu

Descend early into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest unbroken caldera and home to a dense concentration of wildlife. The crater floor is teeming with lions, black rhinos, elephants, hippos, zebras, and thousands of flamingos along the lakeshores.

After a half-day safari, ascend the crater walls and drive to Karatu, a small town nestled between Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara. This area is known for its coffee plantations and scenic farmland. Enjoy a relaxed evening at your lodge.

Accommodation: Acacia Farm Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Karatu – Arusha – Departure

After breakfast, drive back to Arusha. Depending on your flight schedule, you may stop at local shops or markets for souvenirs, including Maasai beadwork, carved wooden statues, and Tingatinga paintings. Your driver-guide will then transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Safari Inclusions

• Airport transfers (arrival & departure)

• Accommodation as per itinerary (lodges/tented camps)

• Meals as indicated (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)

• Transport in 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof

• Professional English-speaking driver/guide

• Park entry fees and game drives

• Bottled drinking water during safari

Safari Exclusions

• International flights & visas

• Travel insurance

• Optional activities not included in itinerary

• Tips & personal expenses (laundry, drinks, phone calls)

Prices include accommodations, meals, park fees, game drives, and professional guiding. International flights, visas, and personal expenses are excluded.

Travel Guidelines & Important Notes for Tanzania Safaris

We want your Tanzania safari experience to be smooth, safe, and memorable. Please note the following:

1. Flexibility of the Itinerary

The itinerary is a sample program that can be adjusted according to your preferences — extend your stay, change activities, or upgrade accommodations. Changes may occur due to weather, road conditions, or operational requirements.

2. Seasonal Activities & Advance Booking

Certain experiences, like the Great Migration, depend on seasonal animal movements. Peak periods (Christmas, Easter, and school holidays) require early booking to secure lodges and activities.

3. Accommodation Options

We offer luxury, midrange, and budget lodges/camps, carefully selected for comfort, location, and service standards.

4. Park Rules & Respect for Nature

• Follow your guide’s instructions at all times

• Do not feed or disturb animals

• Maintain a safe distance for wildlife safety

• Respect park opening hours and regulations

5. Health & Safety Guidelines

• Yellow Fever vaccination may be required for travelers from risk countries

• Stay up-to-date with routine vaccinations

• Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended

• Carry personal medical kits and prescription medicines

6. Travel Documents & Visa Requirements

• Passport with at least 6 months validity

• Tourist visa (e-visa or on arrival)

• Copy of travel insurance policy

7. What to Pack

• Neutral-colored, lightweight clothing

• Warm jacket for early mornings and evenings

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen

• Insect repellent

• Camera and binoculars

• Swimwear for lodges with pools

• Reusable water bottle

8. Money & Payments

• Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) and USD widely accepted

• Carry small denominations in clean, newer USD notes

• Credit cards accepted at lodges