Day 1: Arusha – Tanzania

Your Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari begins at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha. Lying at the base of Mount Meru, Arusha is the gateway to the popular Tanzania Northern Safari Circuit as it is conveniently positioned close to the major national parks. It is a flourishing town with vibrant marketplaces, a rich cultural legacy, and modern facilities.

On arrival meet your driver-guide who will look after you throughout your Tanzania safari adventure. Your guide transfers you to the Il Boru Safari Lodge (or equivalent), on the slopes of Mount Meru, for check-in and a briefing about your African safari. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure, relaxing at the hotel or exploring busy Arusha.

About Il Boru Safari Lodge in Arusha

Il Boru Safari Lodge is set on five acres of lush gardens, including a huge outdoor pool, in a bustling residential area on the outskirts of Arusha. The well-appointed rooms are designed for comfort and come with air conditioning, mosquito netting, a private bathroom, a cosy seating area, and a private balcony that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. There is complimentary Wi-Fi, a mini-bar, and tea/coffee-making facilities.

The main restaurant serves a blend of local and international cuisine, prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Guests can enjoy their meals in the indoor dining area or on the outdoor terrace, which provides lovely views of the garden. Il Boru Safari Lodge also boasts a well-stocked bar, a swimming pool, a boules set, and a spa offering rejuvenating treatments.

Day 2 & 3: Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Tanzania

After breakfast, head out to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The first wildlife destination on our Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari, this area protects both African wildlife and the traditional Maasai pastoralist way of life. The drive takes you through the stunning scenery of the Great African Rift Valley characterised by vast plains, volcanic hills, and impressive escarpments with views as far as the eye can see. The Ngorongoro Crater lies at the centre of the Conservation Area, It is a massive crater formed by an ancient volcano that collapsed, resulting in a large 260 square kilometre (100 square miles) amphitheatre packed with an incredible diversity of wildlife.

You arrive at Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge (or similar), at the gate to the crater, in time for lunch. This will be home for the next two days. The afternoon is spent at your leisure enjoying the serenity of the lodge setting. You can join an optional Maasai Village Tour (at extra cost). The Maasai are a semi-nomadic tribe known for their distinctive dress. They are traditionally cattle herders, known for their strong cultural traditions, including distinctive rituals like the “adumu” or the “jumping dance.” This cultural visit will give you insight into their traditional way of life in harmony with their surroundings.

Day 3 of your Northern Tanzania adventure is spent on a Ngorongoro Crater Safari. Head out early to descend the crater’s steep sides for a day spent crisscrossing the crater floor in search of Africa’s Big 5 – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo – and the many other animals found in the Ngorongoro Crater.

Often referred to as “Africa’s Garden of Eden,” Ngorongoro Crater is a contender for the next Seven Wonders of the Natural World. This vast, intact crater boasts an exceptionally high concentration of wildlife. Home to nearly every species of animal found in East Africa, including vast herds of plains game, one of Africa’s most dense predator populations, and the critically endangered Black Rhino, this is one of Africa’s top game viewing areas. Stop at a scenic picnic spot to enjoy a packed lunch before continuing your safari drive through the afternoon. As the daylight begins to fade, our Tanzania Wildlife Safari takes us back to the lodge to spend a relaxing evening under the stars.

• Included Activities: Ngorongoro Crater Safari Drive
• Optional Activities: Maasai Village Visit
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner x2

About Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge at Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge is a charming tented lodge at the gateway to the Ngorongoro Crater. The lodge offers luxurious tented rooms nestled under a canopy of indigenous trees. Each tent is elegantly furnished and features comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms. Some tents come with an outdoor shower as well as an indoor one. There is a private veranda where you can relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest.

The homey lounge and dining area have a cosy “log cabin” feeling. Enjoy meals made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients in the dining area boasting spectacular views, or by the campfire in the outdoor boma under the stars. Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge also features a bar where guests can unwind with a refreshing drink after a full day of exploring. After dinner relax by the campfire and occasionally a local dance group of the Irawq tribe will come to entertain. For those seeking relaxation, there is a jacuzzi and a spa where you can indulge in a range of treatments inspired by traditional African healing rituals.

Day 4 & 5: Serengeti National Park – Tanzania

After a hearty breakfast, your Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari heads northwest through the Great Rift Valley towards the famed plains of Serengeti National Park. You will have a picnic lunch along the way. En route, we will stop at the ‘Cradle of Mankind’, Ol Duvai Gorge, made famous by Louis and Mary Leakey. It is one of the world’s most important paleoanthropological sites, renowned for its rich fossil deposits providing crucial insights into early human evolution dating back 2 million years.

Enjoy your first game drive in Serengeti National Park as we head to Serengeti Kati Kati Camp (or similar). Arrive by late afternoon, in time for a hearty safari dinner and relax by the campfire.

Day 5 of your Tanzania Safari will be spent on safari in the iconic Serengeti National Park, named “Siringet” by the Maasai, meaning “endless plain.” Spanning 14,800 square kilometres (5,700 square miles), this park borders the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the east and Kenya’s Masai Mara to the north, offering diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. It is most famous for the Great Migration which sees millions of ungulates, notably wildebeest and zebras, migrate through the area on their route to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, just across the border (see our notes about the Great Migration below).

You’ll have ample opportunities to spot wildlife, including the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) and a host of other African animals. Lions, giraffes, and antelope roam freely over the vast savannahs, while rhinos prefer the cover of forest vegetation, and leopards and cheetahs may be spotted resting in the branches of acacia trees. Over 500 bird species have been identified, including ostriches, bustards, and secretary birds.

You can take a hot-air balloon safari (at extra cost) for an unforgettable aerial perspective of the wildlife and the Serengeti plains. After a fantastic day on safari in Serengeti, return to camp to spend one more evening beneath the stars in this amazing location.

• Included Activities: Full-Day Serengeti Safari
• Optional Activities: Hot Air Balloon Safari
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner x2

About Serengeti Kati Kati Camp in Serengeti National Park

Serengeti Kati Kati Camp is a seasonal camp that offers a true African safari experience in the heart of the Serengeti National Park. The solar-powered camp features luxurious, spacious tented accommodations with comfortable beds, mosquito nets and en-suite bathrooms with bucket showers and eco-friendly flush toilets. The tents also feature a private veranda where you can enjoy the breathtaking views over the Serengeti plains.

The safari camp’s dining area is a cosy tent where the camp’s skilled chefs prepare delicious meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. There is also a lounge area where you can relax with a book from the library or a refreshing drink. Evenings at Serengeti Kati Kati Camp are spent by the campfire enjoying the serenity of the incredible Serengeti wilderness under starry skies.

Day 6: Serengeti to Lake Manyara – Tanzania

Day 6 sees your Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari take one last drive in Serengeti National Park before moving on to Lake Manyara in the southeast. This stunning lake is a glittering expanse of alkaline water in a cleft of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, attracting a diverse range of bird species, including pink-hued flamingos.

Arrive at Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp (or similar) in time for lunch and a siesta, before heading out on a game-viewing drive in Lake Manyara National Park, a lush belt of grassy floodplains and acacia woodlands that surrounds the lake and is home to a variety of wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, and hippos. The park is particularly known for its unique tree-climbing lions, often seen hanging in the branches of the acacia trees. It is thought that the lions developed this tendency to escape bothersome biting insects.

As the sun sets behind the horizon, head back to the safari camp for a delicious meal and a relaxing evening in this tranquil setting.

• Included Activities: Lake Manyara Safari Drive
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

About Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp in Lake Manyara National Park

Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp is a luxurious tented camp in Lake Manyara National Park. The safari camp features spacious and elegantly furnished tents with comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers, and private verandas overlooking the lake.

The Eserian restaurant serves a variety of delicious meals made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy your meals in the dining tent or al fresco in the outdoor boma, under the African sky. Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp also features a cosy lounge area with a TV where you can relax with a book or enjoy a drink from the bar. There is an infinity pool for cooling off or soaking up the sunshine.

Day 7: Lake Manyara to Arusha – Tanzania

Return to Arusha lying on the slopes of Mount Meru with another breathtaking drive through the Great Rift Valley of Africa. Arrive at the airport around lunchtime, do some last-minute shopping and bid farewell to your dedicated Tanzania guide. Here you’ll catch your onward flight, bringing our memorable Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari to a close.

We recommend catching a domestic flight to Zanzibar Island to round off your Tanzania wildlife safari with a tropical beach vacation.

A Typical Day on Tanzania Safaris:

• Before dawn: Wake up and enjoy a hot coffee or tea in the cool morning hours.
• Sunrise to around 9 am: Morning game drives. Bundle up and hop into the open vehicle with your camera ready. Your expert safari guide will navigate the bush, seeking out lions, elephants, giraffes, and other animals as the sun rises and paints the landscape. Every turn promises a discovery, perhaps a pride of lions with cubs, a majestic herd of elephants, or a cheetah on the hunt. The game drive lasts about two hours but can vary depending on the wildlife sightings.
• Around 9 am: Breakfast at camp. Return to the lodge and enjoy a delicious breakfast to refuel after your exciting wildlife adventure.
• Mid-morning: Take some time to relax after the early start. You can unwind by the pool, catch up on sleep, or participate in optional activities offered by the lodge, such as nature walks, cultural visits to nearby villages, or bike rides.
• Around 1 pm: Lunch is usually served at the lodge or camp. Except on full-day game drives, when you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness.
• Late afternoon: Afternoon game drives. As the day heats up, head out again on another game drive, searching for animals you might have missed earlier. Your guide will help you spot a variety of wildlife.
• Early evening: Sunset and return to camp. Enjoy a breathtaking sunset as we return to the camp for a refreshing shower and refreshments.
• Evening: Dinner and relaxation. Indulge in a delicious dinner, followed by drinks and conversation around a crackling campfire, sharing stories of your African safari adventures. Retire early, well-rested and filled with anticipation for the next day’s exploration.

Throughout your Tanzania safari, your knowledgeable driver-guide will be your companion and resource. They’ll share their expertise on the local wildlife, traditions, and history, ensuring a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable wildlife experience.

Flexibility: While the schedule offers a general structure, your guide will consider your preferences and adjust the timings whenever possible. The priority remains adhering to park regulations and ensuring safe travel within the time constraints. Your safari guide will provide expert recommendations but is always open to hearing your interests.

Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari Notes

All Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari tours are conducted on a private departure basis. A minimum of 2 clients is needed to guarantee a tour departure.

The accommodation listed in this itinerary is subject to availability. Should the listed establishment not be available, a similar lodge of the same standard will be booked. This will be conveyed to you at the time of booking.

The cost of any optional activities will be confirmed on request.

Customise your Tanzania Wildlife Safari

Zanzibar Beach Add-on

This Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari combines well with our 4-Day Zanzibar Beach Resort Package. Zanzibar Island, located off the coast of Tanzania, is renowned for its stunning white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, rich cultural heritage, and historic Stone Town, making it a paradise for relaxation and exploration. On the Zanzibar beach trip, you decide how much or how little you wish to do in this tropical paradise. The Zanzibar beach resort caters to all tastes with watersports, land-based activities, spa treatments, three beautiful restaurants, many bars, and various facilities. It is surrounded by a white-sand beach and features one of Zanzibar’s largest swimming pools, complete with a pool bar. To learn more about Zanzibar Island, arrange excursions at the beach resort, which include spice tours and a visit to Stone Town, speak to your travel advisor to add this Zanzibar beach package to your Tanzania safari package.

Tanzania Safari Flights

Note that flight costs are not included in the Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari and must be booked separately. Our friendly travel advisors will be able to advise on your options and make bookings on your behalf through our flight partners.

Pre and Post-Tanzania Safari Accommodation

Talk to one of our friendly travel experts if you would like us to arrange accommodation before and/or after your Tanzania safari package.

The Great Migration Explained

Please note that the Great Migration of Kenya’s Masai Mara & Tanzania’s Serengeti is seasonal. As a natural wildlife phenomenon, it is fluid and unpredictable. For this reason, it must be understood that seeing the Great Migration cannot be guaranteed.

The wildebeest and other wild herbivores migrate between Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania. These herds move in a massive circular route covering some 1200 miles (1931km). It is a continuous movement of wildlife that can be seen in different areas at different times of the year. During certain phases of this annual trek, the animals disperse or slow down, whilst at other times the migration picks up speed, with the herds becoming larger and denser. Not only does the Wildebeest Great Migration vary from place to place and season to season but the movement of these large wildlife herds varies from year to year.

Please talk to a travel expert from African Budget Safaris about seeing the Wildebeest Great Migration on your safari to find out more. Also, see our detailed article about the Great Migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara.