Day 1: Welcome to Arusha, the Gateway to Safari Adventure

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your guide will greet you with a warm “Jambo na Karibu Tanzania” – “Hello and welcome to Tanzania.” Your first stop is a luxurious haven nestled within a coffee plantation in Arusha. Beyond just accommodation, it offers an immersive experience with vibrant gardens, local flora, and the serene sounds of nature.

Relax in comfort before your adventure begins. Refreshed, you’ll be ready for a private safari the next day, with a personal vehicle to explore the wilderness at your own pace and capture unforgettable wildlife moments.

Day 2: Discover Tarangire National Park

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel in Arusha before embarking on an exciting journey to Tarangire National Park. Your guide will provide a quick briefing on the day’s activities. Upon arrival at your lodge, settle into your comfortable tented room and enjoy lunch. Head out for a game drive in the afternoon to explore the park’s diverse wildlife. As the sun sets, return for dinner with views of the nearby waterhole, where animals gather. Afterwards, relax in your accommodation, surrounded by the tranquil sounds of nature, and enjoy a peaceful night’s rest.

Day 3: Tarangire National Park – Walking Safari & Game Drive

Begin your day with an immersive walking safari in Tarangire, guided by a knowledgeable park ranger and your experienced driver-guide. As you venture through the wilderness on foot, you’ll sharpen your senses to the sounds, scents, and sights of the bush, learning to identify animal tracks, droppings, and termite mounds. This close-up encounter with nature offers an enriching experience, allowing you to connect with the environment.

Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing lunch before embarking on an afternoon game drive. Explore Tarangire’s diverse landscapes, including riverine woodlands, grasslands, and the iconic acacia and baobab trees that provide essential refuge for wildlife during the dry season. As you traverse the park, expect to encounter large mammals such as elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and lions, along with various bird species like the white-bellied go-away bird and the vibrant Madagascar bee-eater. Return to the lodge in the evening, where you can unwind over dinner and reflect on the day’s adventures before settling in for the night.

Day 4: Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, embark on a scenic journey from Tarangire to the iconic Serengeti National Park, passing through the breathtaking Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive, about 145 kilometres, offers a glimpse of Tanzania’s diverse landscapes before arriving at the Serengeti, where the adventure truly begins. Upon arrival, enjoy a relaxing lunch and head out for your first game drive across the vast, wildlife-rich plains. The Serengeti’s endless horizons and thriving wildlife evoke a sense of awe as herds of grazers move across the savannah and predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards lie in wait. Each game drive presents new surprises, from the sight of a lone cheetah scanning the horizon to the intensity of a lion pride in action.

As the sun sets, return to the lodge in the heart of the Serengeti wilderness, where you’ll enjoy dinner and fall asleep to the captivating sounds of nature, surrounded by the raw beauty of this incredible park.

Day 5: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti

Wake to the breathtaking sunrise over the Serengeti and embark on a full-day safari adventure. Your guide will take you through different park regions, offering unique wildlife experiences. Witness the great migration (seasonal) or explore the diverse wildlife, from towering giraffes to herds of wildebeest. Break for a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your journey in the afternoon.

For an unforgettable experience, you can opt for a sunrise hot air balloon safari to get a bird’ s-eye view of the Serengeti plains.

Day 6: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti

Begin your day with a sunrise breakfast before embarking on another exciting game drive through the Serengeti. The early morning hours offer excellent chances to spot big cats like lions, cheetahs, leopards, and herds of elephants, buffalo, and giraffes moving across the plains.

Enjoy a picnic lunch amid the park’s breathtaking scenery, then continue your afternoon safari, where the cooler temperatures often bring out more wildlife activity. Keep your eyes open for predators on the prowl or large herds through the savannah. As the sun dips below the horizon, return to the lodge for dinner and a peaceful evening surrounded by the natural sounds of the Serengeti.

Day 7: Journey to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After enjoying a morning game drive in central Serengeti and a packed lunch, you will set off for the remarkable Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the afternoon. This ancient natural wonder, formed by a massive volcanic eruption over two million years ago, is one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes. Upon arrival at your lodge, take some time to unwind and enjoy a delightful dinner. Prepare for the next day’s adventure, which promises exceptional wildlife viewing in the world-famous crater.

Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater Safari Tour

Following breakfast, descend into the iconic Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable game drive, with a scenic lunch stop. This ancient volcanic caldera, formed over two million years ago, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations.

The crater’s fertile soil and permanent water sources create a haven for a remarkable array of wildlife, including lions, zebras, buffaloes, and the rare black rhino. As you explore the crater floor, you’ll be immersed in the beauty of this unique ecosystem, where animals roam freely against a backdrop of towering crater walls. After a day filled with incredible wildlife encounters, return to your lodge in the late afternoon for a relaxing dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: Departure from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have a free day to relax or explore the surroundings. Your driver will escort you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your return journey.

If nine days in Tanzania felt too short, why not extend your adventure with a relaxing beach escape? Tanzania offers pristine beach destinations like Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia, ideal for unwinding after your safari. Reach out to our travel experts to customise your perfect Tanzanian safari extension.