Experience the very best of Northern Tanzania with a combination of iconic wildlife safaris, breathtaking landscapes, and luxury accommodations. Witness the Big Five, explore the Serengeti during the great migration season, enjoy a hot air balloon adventure, and descend into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater—all in comfort and style.
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania / Arusha City
Arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport aboard your afternoon flight. Met by your safari manager, assisted to board your 4×4 wheel drive safari land cruiser and transferred to your hotel which is located in Arusha City. Afternoon at leisure to relax. Dinner on own account.
Overnight stay at Mount Meru Hotel (Executive Rooms) / similar.
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast.
Day 2: Arusha / Tarangire National Park- Approx. 2.5 hrs driving time
Our first day starts early in the morning with breakfast being served from 0630 hrs. Check out by 0800 hrs, depart the lodge in Arusha and driven in your private 4×4 safari land cruiser to Tarangire National Park. Often overshadowed by the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire has immense concentrations of game in the peak months of July through to October. With a game viewing area that is roughly ten times the size of nearby Manyara, the park is most famous for its elephant migration, birding and quiet authentic safari atmosphere in a unique surrounding of baobab trees. We will enjoy en route game drive exploring the park as you head to your lodge. Lunch will be served at the lodge. In the afternoon, another game drive in the park. Leisure time,
Dinner and overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge / similar.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park
Breakfast will be served at your lodge. Check out by 0800 hrs, board your 4×4 wheel drive safari land cruiser and drive to Lake Manyara National Park, with a scenic drive through local villages and the Rift Valley. Check in at your lodge from 1200 hrs followed by lunch. This afternoon, you will enjoy game drives in this park, home to the famed Tree Climbing Lions, Giraffes, Elephants, Baboons, Hippos among many other mammal and bird species.
Overnight stay at Lake Manyara Kilima Moja Lodge / Similar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4: Lake Manyara / Northern Serengeti National Park- Approx. 7.5 hrs driving time
Breakfast at your lodge. Check out by 0730 hrs, collect picnic lunch and driven to northern Serengeti National Park. The scenic drive takes you through the famous Ol Duvai gorge museum where archaeological collections by Louis and Mary Leakey are preserved insitu (you can visit and pay locally) and Ndutu area in southern Serengeti, before heading north, leading you to your strategically located camp near the Mara River. You will enjoy en route game viewing arriving at your luxury camp in the evening for check in.
Overnight stay at Ole Serai Luxury Camp- Kogatende / similar.
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner.
Day 5: Serengeti
You will spend the day exploring the northern part of the Serengeti as you search for major wildlife sightings. This is where you can witness the great migration between June and October as they graze in the savannah woodlands and along the banks of the crocodile infested Mara River with frequent River crossings between the south and north being witnessed regularly. After the calving season in southern Serengeti between February and March, the migration moves to Central Serengeti between April and May, before arriving north from June. Big predators like Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, and scavenging opportunists like jackals, hyenas, vultures, Marabou Storks are always trailing the migration so you also have a chance of catching them in action.
Dinner and overnight stay at Ole Serai Luxury Camp (Kogatende) / similar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 6: Hot Air Balloon Flight in Northern – Drive to Central Serengeti
Early morning pick up from your camp by the hot air balloon crew and transfer to the balloon launching sight. You will take off at sun rise and enjoy a wonderful flight that lasts about 1 hour. On landing, you will enjoy a champagne toast and then a ‘full English’ breakfast under a tree. You will then be returned to your lodge or at a mutually agreed location where you will meet your guide and proceeding with the day’s game viewing activities.
A Hot air balloon safari is a fantastic way to fully immerse yourself in the remarkable ecosystems and wildlife of the Serengeti while adding a thrilling aerial adventure to your experience.
The experience of flying over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon is nothing short of breathtaking. The gentle breeze and the panoramic views of the plains and wildlife below create a sense of awe and wonder. As you drift silently above the savannah, you’ll have a bird’s-eye view of the herds of wildebeest and zebras on their annual migration, as well as other wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, and lions.
Check out and depart for central Serengeti with en route game viewing with your picnic lunch enjoyed at a site in the park. The game drives will cover different habitats and geographical features as you search for Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, Buffalo, Hippos and other wildlife that the Serengeti is famous for. Check in at your luxury tented camp in the evening.
Overnight stay at Ole Serai Luxury Camp – Turner Springs (Luxury Tent) / similar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 7: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area- Approx. 4.5 hrs drive
Breakfast at your lodge. Check out with picnic lunch by 0730 hrs, board your safari jeep and driven to Ngorongoro. On arrival, descend down the steep walls of the caldera, and enjoy game drives on the crater floor. The crater enjoys one of the highest concentration of Lions in Africa. It is also home to some of the biggest Elephant Bulls on the continent and one of the best places to see a Black Rhino. Besides an amazing wildlife viewing experience, the conservation area offers scenic views and history of human evolution.
After game drives, you will be Driven up to your lodge which is located in Karatu (Ngorongoro Highlands) in the early evening for check in.
Overnight stay at Endoro Lodge / similar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 8: Ngorongoro – Arusha – Kilimanjaro Airport – Departure
Breakfast will be served at your lodge. Check out by latest 1000 hrs and begin your drive to Arusha. If time allows, you may visit the Arusha Cultural and Heritage Centre where you can buy souvenirs and have lunch- all payable directly. You will then be transferred to Kilimanjaro International airport on time to board your international outbound flight to your next destination, having had an amazing Tanzania safari experience.
Meals: Breakfast.
- Arrival and departure transfers in private vehicles
- 7 nights’ luxury accommodation (bed & breakfast or full board as indicated)
- Private 4×4 safari land cruiser with experienced English-speaking driver-guide
- Park entrance fees and concession fees
- Guided game drives in all parks
- Picnic lunches where indicated
- Hot air balloon flight with champagne breakfast
- Bottled mineral water in vehicle
- AMREF Flying Doctor Emergency Medical Evacuation (for clients with valid travel insurance)
- International and domestic flights
- Visa and inoculations
- Personal expenses: drinks, laundry, phone calls, tips (highly recommended), optional activities
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Travel or medical insurance (highly recommended)