Safari Overview
This 8-day safari offers a chance to witness the Great Migration. During this season (from December to April), the Migration occurs in Ndutu, which is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, as well as in the Southern Serengeti. Tanzania is a nation teeming with natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and some of the most hospitable people you will ever encounter. This safari presents numerous opportunities to observe and gain insights into Tanzania’s abundant wildlife, including Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu, Serengeti, and beyond.
Safari Highlights
- Spotting the Big Five (Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo)
- Witness hundreds of thousand of wildebeest in Serengeti
- Canoeing in Lake Manyara
- Birdwatching
- Tree Climbing Lions In Lake Manyara
Itinerary
Welcome to Tanzania! You will be picked up from the airport by our representative and driven to your accommodation in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you will hopefully have time to relax and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!
Busy Arusha is an essential part of safari life here in northern Tanzania and most travellers pass through at some stage
Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge or Equivalent
Meals & Drinks: at own expense
Your Safari guide will collect you from your accommodation after breakfast. This morning, you will drive to Tarangire National Park. The transit drive is approximately two and a half hours on good tarmac roads. The Park is named after the Tarangire River which runs through it. This ‘river of warthogs’ is the only source of water for wildlife in the region during the dry season. The Park is well known for its elephant families, which can often be seen congregating by the river. You may also see giraffe, bushbuck, and hartebeest. These animals are closely followed by a range of predators, including lions and leopards. There are more breeding species of birds found in Tarangire than anywhere else on the planet! The huge and ancient Baobab trees can be seen here. Some of them are said to have lived for more than a thousand years.
Lunch will be at a picnic site inside the Park. After your game drive, you will transit to your accommodation in Karatu.
Accommodation: Embalakai Serengeti Camp or Equivalent
Meals & Drink: All meals included, Drinks not included
After breakfast, you will drive up into the cooler regions of Ngorongoro Conservation Area. There will be a chance to stop and see the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. You will then transit through Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Serengeti, entering at the South of the Park.
The Serengeti is truly spectacular. It is famous for its vast open grasslands which allow for excellent sightings of wildlife. The Serengeti boasts an abundance of wildlife such as impala, buffalo, crocodile, and hippo. In addition to the iconic landscapes, you have a good chance of encountering predators and you may see lion, cheetah and leopard.
Accommodation: Embalakai Serengeti Camp or Equivalent
Meals & Drink: All meals included, Drinks not included
Another day set aside for game drives in the Serengeti. It is possible to have a more relaxed pace, and do early morning and late afternoon game drives, returning to your accommodation for lunch and some relaxation.
Every day is different in the Serengeti and there is always plenty to explore.
Accommodation: Embalakai Serengeti Camp or Equivalent
Meals & Drink: All meals included, Drinks not included
After breakfast, you will wend your way through the Serengeti towards Ndutu, stopping off to experience more wonder on the way! Whilst it boasts abundant wildlife, it is perhaps best known for the annual Great Migration. Vast numbers of wildebeest; zebra and antelope move in an annual pattern, constantly seeking fresh grazing. The migration can be found during any given month; you just need to know where to look! At this time of year, the Migration is normally in Southern Serengeti / Ndutu (Ndutu is actually part of Ngorongoro Conservation Area). One of the main features of this area is Lake Ndutu. It is an alkaline lake (like most of the other Rift Valley Lakes) and is a treasured source of water.
Overnight will be a Mid-Range seasonal Tented Camp.
Accommodation: Serengeti Heritage Ndutu or Equivalnet
Meals & Drink: All meals included, Drinks not included
After a hearty breakfast, you will head out to enjoy a full day’s game drive in Ndutu. You will explore the range of different habitats found here including swamps, woodland and savannah. With luck, you will see vast crowds of wildebeest, zebra and antelope, sometimes stretching to the horizon. The sound of the wildebeest gently mooing is hauntingly beautiful.
During a short time frame (normally in February), many of the female wildebeest give birth to their young, dropping over half a million young in this incredible act of synchronized birthing. The grass provides little cover and the young are easy pickings for a variety of predators (cheetah, lion, hyena, and leopard). Wildebeest calves can run minutes after they are born and within 3 days they are normally strong enough to keep up with the herd.
After a full day’s exploration, you will return to your Tented Camp in time for dinner.
Accommodation: Serengeti Heritage Ndutu or Equivalent
Meals & Drink: All meals included, Drinks not included
This morning, you will gently wend your way through Ngorongoro Conservation Area, seeing more animals only the way (it is common to see a journey of giraffe on the lush slopes). You should reach the Crater by lunch time.
When you first see Ngorongoro Crater, it looks like a forgotten world. Concealed by the steep volcanic walls is a pristine wilderness including sweeping savannah, pockets of acacia woodland and glistening lakes and swamps. The Crater was created when a large volcano exploded and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago. The drive down into the Crater is an adventure in itself and when you reach the Crater floor, you quickly find yourself amongst large numbers of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and more than 500 bird species. The Crater provides you with the best chance of seeing the endangered black rhino, which can sometimes be spotted in the open grasslands.
After an afternoon game drive, you will drive to your accommodation in Karatu.
Accommodation: Eileen’s Tree Inn or Equivalent
Meals & Drink: All meals included, Drinks not included
This morning, you will drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Your final destination on this epic safari! Manyara is a small but diverse park 120km west of Arusha. Everything you’ll see here is on a different scale. It is both compact (this is one of the narrowest parks in Africa) and epic (the Great Rift Escarpment towers over Lake Manyara’s western boundary). The park’s namesake is a shallow, salt lake. It covers a large area of the park, flooding and drying with the seasons and is home to thousands of wading birds (including flamingos and over 500 other bird species). You may see baboon and elephant in the park’s thick evergreen forest, and watch for the tree-climbing lions that have become famous throughout Africa.
You will enjoy a picnic lunch inside the Park.
After your game drive, you will be dropped off at a place of your choosing e.g. Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport.
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drink: Breakfast & Lunch, Drinks not included
What's Included
- Park fees(For non-residents)
- All activities(Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation(Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation(Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks(As specified in the day-by-day section)
What's Not Included
- International flights(From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips(Tipping guideline US$15.00 pp per day)
- Personal items(Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Most Asked Safari Questions
Many travelers ask us when the best time is to visit Tanzania. The answer is … there is not one right answer. It depends on what you want to see, where you want to go, your budget and interests. Please find a comprehensive guide on when is the best time to visit Tanzania here.
Dry Season (June to October & December to February): These months are ideal for safaris and beach visits due to the pleasant weather and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. However, expect higher hotel rates and more crowded parks and attractions.
Mid Season (March & November): This period offers a balance of moderate hotel rates and fewer tourists. The weather can be variable, and some attractions might have limited availability (due to rains), but you still get great wildlife sightings and a more relaxed safari experience.
Wet Season (April & May): Perfect for budget-conscious travelers, the low season features the lowest hotel rates and the least crowded parks. The heavy rains make the scenery vibrant and lush, but travel plans can be affected by the weather.
Our safaris in Tanzania offer an opportunity to explore the country’s incredible wildlife and stunning landscapes. We specialize in private safaris, which means you have a 4×4 Landcruiser or jeep all to yourselves. You have the flexibility to decide when the safari starts and ends, and our experienced guides can help you make that decision on the day of your adventure. Whether you want to witness the animals at their most active during sunrise and sunset when temperatures are pleasant, or if you fancy ending the day by the pool, it’s entirely up to you. Tanzania’s diverse wildlife is active at various times of the day, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to spot the animals in action.
At Tanzania Specialist, we’re all about co-creating your perfect journey. When you plan your Tanzania adventure with us, you’re not just booking a trip; you’re embarking on a personalized experience. We start by understanding your wishes and preferences, and we won’t stop until every aspect of your journey aligns perfectly with your vision. Our team works closely with you to ensure that your entire trip is tailor-made to your satisfaction. And for added convenience, we offer a selection of our most popular Tanzania trips and safaris as a starting point for your consideration.
Absolutely, Tanzania is renowned as one of the prime destinations to encounter the Big Five. These magnificent creatures—lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo—can be observed in their natural habitats, making Tanzania a preferred choice for wildlife enthusiasts.
Absolutely, Tanzania is a safe and welcoming destination for travelers. The country offers a hospitable environment, especially in tourist areas like Arusha, and you can explore its beautiful landscapes and wildlife with confidence. Local people are friendly, and safety measures, such as keeping an eye on your belongings, are always advisable, just as you would in any other part of the world. Tanzania’s natural beauty and the warmth of its people make it a fantastic place to visit.
