Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Tanzania
Your budget-friendly Private Tanzania Safari begins when your guide collects you from your Arusha hotel at 08:00 am. Head southwest to Tarangire National Park, a hidden gem known for its dense wildlife, vast elephant population, and iconic baobab trees.
During the dry season (June-September), the park attracts thousands of animals, including elephants, buffalo, giraffes, wildebeest, kudu, and the rare oryx, drawn from the dry Masai Steppe to the waters of the Tarangire River. Predators like lions and leopards follow in search of easy pickings, promising unforgettable wildlife sightings. With over 550 bird species and fewer tourists than other northern Tanzania parks, Tarangire offers a serene and wildlife-rich safari experience.
Enjoy your first game drive in the magnificent Tarangire before settling into your first safari camp, located close to the park gates.
- Included Activity: Tarangire Safari Game Drive
- Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Honeyguide Tarangire Camp (or similar)
About Honeyguide Tarangire Camp
Honeyguide Tarangire Camp, located just 15 minutes from the Tarangire National Park gate, offers an exclusive safari experience in a stunning savannah setting. With only ten spacious, well-separated tents with comfortable beds and ensuite bathrooms, the camp ensures privacy with private verandas that offer spectacular views of the Manyara escarpment. Enjoy sundowner drinks by the campfire in an unfenced wilderness where the wildlife roams freely. Known for its intimate atmosphere, comfortable accommodations, delicious food, and warm hospitality, the camp combines luxury with adventure, promising a quintessential African safari experience.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park – Tanzania
Day 2 of your Private Tanzania Safari is devoted to exploring the Tarangire National Park. Traverse the park’s iconic landscapes of towering baobab trees and sweeping savannahs, encountering herds of elephants, zebras, and giraffes grazing near the Tarangire River. Predators like lions and leopards may be spotted stalking their prey, while vibrant birdlife, including hornbills and lilac-breasted rollers, adds splashes of colour to the scenery. Driving around every bend reveals new surprises, from playful baby elephants or unique wildlife such as kudu or the elusive oryx to dramatic sunsets painting the sky. At the end of an eventful day, retreat to camp for a hearty dinner under the stars, as the sounds of the African night surround you.
- Included Activity: Tarangire Safari Game Drives
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Honeyguide Tarangire Camp (or similar)
Day 3: Tarangire to Lake Natron – Tanzania
Today our Private Tanzania Safari heads north of Tarangire. A half-day drive brings you to Lake Natron, a unique salt and soda lake in northern Tanzania near the Kenya border. The lake is a Ramsar Site of international significance and the sole regular breeding ground for 2.5 million lesser flamingos on seasonal evaporite islands, while greater flamingos breed on nearby mudflats. The flamingos gather here around August to December each year. For the next two nights, you will stay in a beautiful tented safari camp set in this dramatic landscape.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Lake Natron Camp (or similar)
About Lake Natron Camp
Lake Natron Camp is an eco-friendly retreat set in a stunningly dramatic landscape between Lake Natron and Ol Doinyo Lengai, the world’s only active carbonatite volcano. Home to over one million flamingos (seasonal), abundant wildlife, and significant historical sites like the Hominid footprints, the camp offers a blend of adventure and relaxation. The camp features 10 beautifully designed tents, including a family unit, with mosquito nets, dry toilets, and warm showers. Walkie-talkies are provided to call Maasai security at night. Staffed by the local Maasai community, the camp also boasts strong WiFi and delicious food.
Day 4: Lake Natron – Tanzania
Enjoy a leisurely day exploring the area around the camp. Activities available include visiting the nearby Hominid footprints and walking along Lake Natron to see flamingos. Hike to scenic waterfalls, unwind at camp with a drink, cool off in the natural pools outside your tent or enjoy a massage from a local Maasai. End the day with a sundowner and soak in the breathtaking sunset views.
For the fit and adventurous, there is an option to climb Ol Doinyo Lengai, the only active carbonatite volcano on Earth. Known as “The Mountain of God” by the Maasai and Sonjo people who consider it sacred, the peak is a symmetrical cone standing 1,800 meters above the Rift Valley. This is an exhilarating one-day hike (5 hours up and 5 hours down) which is a must-do challenge for those seeking adventure. Note: an extra day is required for this optional safari activity.
- Optional Activity: Lake Natron walk, Visit Hominid Footprints, Climb Ol Donya Lengai (note: additional day needed), and more
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Lake Natron Camp (or similar)
Day 5 to 8: Serengeti National Park – Tanzania
Your Private Tanzania Safari proceeds to world-renowned Serengeti National Park today, where you will spend the next four blissful nights on safari in one of the world’s most famous wildlife destinations.
Home to over three million large mammals, the Serengeti offers incredible wildlife interactions. Depending on the time of year that you travel, we aim to offer the best chance possible to witness the incredible annual wildebeest migration. 1.25 million wildebeest traverse the vast plains in search of grazing, and in their wake, predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards prowl to take advantage of the plentiful prey. The park also boasts abundant zebra, buffalo, giraffe, and a host of other animals and birds. Your guide will lead you to the best wildlife viewing opportunities, on game drives or closer encounters near camp. Your safari vehicle features enlarged windows, 360-degree viewing hatches, and ample legroom ensuring comfortable and unforgettable wildlife viewing.
From January to March, the herds are typically found in the southern Serengeti plains, where calving occurs. From June to August, the wildebeest begin their migration north and west toward the Mara River, with dramatic river crossings in the Grumeti and Mara regions. In September and October, many wildebeest have reached the Masai Mara in Kenya. By November and December, the herds begin their return to the southern plains, completing the migration cycle.
Between game drives, relax and enjoy the warm hospitality at your intimate Serengeti safari camp. You will stay at a Serengeti safari camp, or a combination of camps, chosen based on the migration’s location at the time of your visit. Serengeti North Camp, near the Mara River, is ideal for witnessing dramatic river crossings of the crocodile-infested Mara River (July to October). Serengeti Central Camp in central Serengeti provides tranquillity and excellent game viewing from late March to June and November to mid-December. Ndutu Camp in the southern Serengeti coincides with the calving season and offers a cosy stay in the heart of the bush. All camps feature attentive staff, delicious meals, and a warm, welcome.
While on your Serengeti Safari, you may also opt to take an optional Hot Air Balloon Safari over this iconic landscape. The excursion promises an experience like no other. Float above the vast plains, taking in the sweeping views of the wildlife-filled wilderness below. The adventure starts at dawn and culminates in a delightful champagne breakfast in the bush, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
- Included Activity: Serengeti Safari Game Drives
- Optional Activity: Hot Air Balloon Safari
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Depending on the time of year, either Serengeti North Camp (July to October), Serengeti Central Camp (late March – June, Nov – mid-Dec) or Ndutu Camp, or a combination of these camps.
About Serengeti North Camp
Serengeti North Camp is a seasonal safari camp in the northern Kogatende area of the Serengeti, near the famed Mara River. This location is prime for witnessing the vast herds of wildebeest and zebras cross the crocodile-infested waters of the Mara River between July and October of the Great Migration. Set amidst beautiful rolling hills, open plains, and lush riverine woodlands, the camp provides an unparalleled wildlife experience.
North Camp offers ten spacious tents, including a 4-bed family tent, with comfortable beds, en suite facilities and a private verandah for relaxation. Powered by solar energy, the camp provides modern comforts like a central dining tent, a lounge with a small library, and a recharging station for electronic devices. All meals and local drinks are included. Its proximity to the Kogatende airstrip ensures convenience for fly-in safaris, making it an excellent choice for travellers seeking adventure and seclusion.
About Serengeti Central Camp
Serengeti Central Camp is a luxurious yet intimate safari camp in the heart of the Serengeti, located at Nyabagoti, east of the famous Seronera region. The Seronera region is considered the “big cat capital” of the Serengeti, known for some of the highest predator concentrations in the Serengeti. It features a mix of open savannahs, acacia woodlands, and the Seronera River, providing an excellent year-round water source. The camp offers exceptional year-round game viewing, including sightings of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the resident herds of grazers.
Central Camp features just ten spacious safari tents, including a family tent. Each tent is en suite with flushing toilets and bush showers, complemented by a private verandah for relaxation. Enjoy gourmet meals in the central dining tent, unwind in the cosy lounge tent with a small library and games, and savour sundowners around the evening campfire. All meals and local drinks are included. Central Camp offers optional balloon safaris, bush breakfasts, and fly-in packages for those seeking a seamless safari adventure. The camp’s prime location allows easy access to the Seronera airstrip, just a 30-minute drive away.
About Ndutu Camp
Ndutu Camp is a charming seasonal tented camp situated in the southern Ndutu area of the Serengeti ecosystem It is open from December to March to align with the spectacular wildebeest calving season. Set under shady acacia trees on a private site, the camp offers an intimate safari experience with ten well-spaced tents, including a 4-bed family tent. Each tent features en-suite facilities and solar-powered lighting. The Ndutu area’s short-grass plains and seasonal lakes draw the Great Migration during this time, making it an unparalleled destination for witnessing the birth of thousands of wildebeest, along with an abundance of predators on the prowl and diverse birdlife. The area also features some unique ecosystems ranging from soda lakes to woodlands.
Ndutu Camp offers warm hospitality and delicious, homely meals—often served al fresco beneath the starlit African skies. Unwind in the central lounge and bar area, share stories around the campfire, or simply revel in the tranquil ambience. All meals and local drinks are included. Whether arriving by road from Arusha or flying into the nearby Ndutu airstrip, Ndutu Camp provides a perfect base for experiencing the magic of the Serengeti during its most dynamic season.
Day 9: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater – Tanzania
Day 9 of your affordable Private Tanzania Safari sees you bid farewell to the Serengeti to continue your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation area. The drive takes you through the historic Olduvai Gorge, known as the ‘cradle of humankind,’ where the discovery of a 1.8-million-year-old hominid skull in 1959 preceded other significant finds dating back to 3.7 million years.
Continue to the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the Natural Wonders of the World, for exceptional game viewing on the crater floor. The crater is the caldera of an extinct volcano, surrounded by lush forested walls, known for the incredible diversity and density of its wildlife. It is home to four of the Big Five and a diverse range of birdlife. Enjoy a memorable safari game drive around the crater, stopping for a picnic lunch surrounded by stunning scenery. After an epic day of wildlife viewing, ascend the crater walls once more and head for your overnight accommodation, just 10 minutes away on the eastern rim of the crater.
- Included Activity: Ngorongoro Crater Visit
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Ngorongoro Lions Paw Camp (or similar)
About Lions Paw Camp
Nestled beneath a grove of red thorn acacia trees on the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, Lions Paw Camp offers privacy and stunning panoramic views of the Ngorongoro Highlands. The suites at Lion’s Paw offer a luxurious sanctuary with bespoke Tanzanian furnishings, spacious bathrooms, comfortable beds, and large balconies with breathtaking views overlooking the crater. Enjoy locally sourced, authentic meals in a serene setting, and from the lounge and bar you may even spot large tusked elephants (and possibly even the highly endangered black rhinos) in the distance.
Day 10: Ngorongoro to Arusha – Tanzania
After breakfast, say goodbye to the camp staff and the breathtaking Ngorongoro scenery as you begin your journey back to Arusha by road. This excellent value 10-day Private Tanzania Safari to Tarangire, Lake Natron, Ngorongoro & the Serengeti comes to an end on your arrival back in Arusha.
- Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Private Tanzania Safari Notes
- This affordable Private Tanzania Safari offers daily departures with a minimum of 2 people.
- If you wish to climb Ol Donya Lengai, we will add an additional night at Lake Natron onto this Tanzania safari itinerary. Speak to our friendly travel advisors to discuss the options for this climbing adventure.
Zanzibar Holiday Add-on
This budget-friendly Private Tanzania 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 both relaxation and exploration. For this tour, 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 a variety of 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 tour to your Tanzania safari.
For more details contact African Budget Safaris
The Great Migration Explained
Please note that the Great Migration is seasonal. As a natural wildlife phenomenon, it is fluid and unpredictable. For this reason, 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 1,200 miles (1,931km). 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.
To learn more, please talk to a travel expert at African Budget Safaris about seeing the Wildebeest Great Migration on your safari. Also, check out our detailed article about the Great Migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara.
