12 Days 11 Nights Safari (Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro)
Overview
Day 01: Kilimanjaro International Airport– Arusha
After arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted by our driver, who will assist with your luggage. You’ll then enjoy a private transfer to Malkia Trees Lodge in Arusha, a scenic drive of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours through the lush countryside and vibrant local communities. A briefing on the upcoming safari in Tarangire National Park will be provided in the evening, followed by dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge (it depends on the time you land at the airport).
Accommodation
Day 02: Arusha - Tarangire National Park
On this day, you will be picked up in the morning from your hotel in Arusha and driven to Tarangire National Park. This park is spectacular during the dry season, when many migratory wildlife species return to the permanent waters of the Tarangire River. Huge herds of wildebeest, zebras, elephants, elands, and Oryx gather to stay in Tarangire until the onset of the rain, when they migrate again to good grazing areas. In the evening, we drive to Tarangire View Tented Lodge, which is within the park, for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Tarangire View Tented Lodge
Day 03: Tarangire National Park
Extend your adventure with one more unforgettable day in Tarangire National Park, where the golden savannah comes alive with large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and a rich diversity of wildlife along the Tarangire River. Take your time to explore hidden corners of the park, enjoy a relaxed game drive, and soak in the peaceful rhythm of nature away from the crowds. In the late afternoon, you’ll embark on a scenic drive toward Lake Manyara National Park, arriving at Ikumbi Safari Lodge, perfectly set for a restful evening surrounded by lush greenery and the sounds of the wild, ready for the next day’s adventure.
Accommodation
Ikumbi Safari Lodge
Day 04: Lake Manyara National Park
After the golden savannahs of Tarangire National Park, your journey continues to the lush, scenic beauty of Lake Manyara National Park, a stunning contrast that feels like stepping into a new world. Here, you’ll trade baobab-dotted landscapes for groundwater forests, shimmering lake views, and the chance to spot tree-climbing lions, flocks of flamingos, and playful troops of monkeys. It’s the perfect next chapter of your safari, diverse, vibrant, and full of surprises at every turn. In the evening, we drive to Ikumbi Safari Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Ikumbi Safari Lodge
Day 05: Lake Natron
You will depart early in the morning for Lake Natron, journeying through the dramatic and remote landscapes of northern Tanzania, with views of the Great Rift Valley and the striking Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano along the way. Upon arrival in the Lake Natron area, you will stay at the Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge. In the evening, you will enjoy a guided walk through the narrow gorge to reach the cascading Ngarasero Waterfalls, which offer a refreshing oasis with a natural swimming pool and serve as a popular, cool retreat after hiking the nearby active
volcano.
Accommodation
Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge
Day 06 : Lake Natron – Serengeti National Park
On this day, before departing for the Serengeti through the lesser-known Klein’s Gate, you will first visit the shores of Lake Natron. Here, you can witness its unique alkaline waters and observe the flocks of flamingos that gather around the lake. After enjoying the flamingos at Lake Natron, you will set off for the Serengeti, embarking on a scenic and adventurous journey along the less-traveled Klein’s Gate. This remote route provides a more exclusive, off-the-beaten-path experience, allowing you to pass through vast, untouched landscapes, Maasai grazing lands, and rolling savannahs, with opportunities to spot wildlife along the way.
As you enter Serengeti National Park, the game drive begins. You will continue with a leisurely game drive en route to Serengeti Kimbilio Camp, preparing for the river crossing migration the following day.
Accommodation
Day 07: Northern Serengeti National Park
You will spend a full day exploring the Northern Serengeti, focusing on the Mara River area, renowned for the dramatic river crossings of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Accompanied by your experienced driver-guide, you will set out early with a picnic lunch to maximize your chances of witnessing this extraordinary natural spectacle, as herds of wildebeest and zebras gather along the riverbanks and, at times, make the daring crossing through crocodile-infested waters. The day will be filled with thrilling wildlife viewing, including predators such as lions and cheetahs that follow the migration. In between sightings, you will enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the northern plains before returning to Heritage Mara Migration Camp in the late afternoon for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation
Heritage Camps and Lodge
Day 08: Central Serengeti
After breakfast, you will depart from the Northern Serengeti and enjoy a scenic game drive en route to the Central Serengeti (Seronera area), known for its year-round abundance of wildlife. The journey will take them across vast plains and diverse landscapes, offering continuous opportunities to spot animals such as elephants, giraffes, lions, and large herds of plains game along the way. With picnic lunches provided, the
drive will be unhurried, allowing for wildlife viewing and photography stops. Upon arrival in the Central Serengeti in the late afternoon, the clients will proceed to Signature Serengeti Luxury Tented Safari Camp for check-in, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in the heart of the park.
Accommodation
Day 09: Central Serengeti National Park
On this day, you will wake up and spend the rest of the day exploring the central part of this icon of the Tanzania safari. The day starts with a bush breakfast and later a wonderful game drive within this spectacular park. We are completely flexible with your preferences, and this day will be organized according to your wishes. Every day of the safari, we will discuss with you the best timings for you, including the game drives and the wake-up time. For example, on this day, you could do a morning game drive, return to the camp for lunch and relaxation, and finish with an afternoon game drive, or you could do a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch. The accommodation will still be at Signature Serengeti Luxury Tented Safari Camp.
Accommodation
Day 10: Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro and Maasai Boma
Your day begins with a scenic game drive from the Serengeti National Park toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area, offering excellent wildlife viewing along the way. You’ll enjoy a stop at the historic Olduvai Gorge and other beautiful viewpoints across the plains. In the afternoon, visit a traditional Maasai Boma for an authentic cultural experience. You will continue to the Ngorongoro Wild Camp for a relaxing overnight stay
surrounded by nature.
Accommodation
Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha
The day starts with a drive from the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater, and descends into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive inside the crater. This is the best place in Tanzania to see black rhinos as well as the pride of lions, including the magnificent black-manned males. There are lots of colorful flamingos and a variety of water birds. Other games that you can see include leopard, cheetah, hyena, other members of the antelope family, and small mammals. In the evening, drive back to Malkia Trees Lodge in Arusha for an overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation
Day 12: Fly back home
On this day, depending on the time your flight departs, you will be dropped off at the Airport to catch up with your flight back home.