Tanzania Classic Safari
Duration: 8 Days | Route: Arusha -> Tarangire -> Ngorongoro -> Serengeti -> Arusha
Itinerary Outline
- Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro and transfer to lodge in Arusha
- Day 2: Drive to Tarangire National Park and afternoon game drive
- Day 3: Full day safari in Tarangire with picnic and lodge stay
- Day 4: Transfer to Ngorongoro region via Rift Valley
- Day 5: Full day game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 6: Drive to Serengeti with stop at Olduvai Gorge
- Day 7: Full day safari in Serengeti National Park
- Day 8: Morning safari and flight to Arusha for departure
Tour Overview
This 8 day Tanzania safari covers three of the country’s most well known wildlife areas in one smooth route. The journey begins in Tarangire, known for large elephant herds and baobab landscapes, then moves to the Ngorongoro Crater where wildlife is concentrated within a compact area. The final part of the safari takes you to the Serengeti, with wide plains and strong predator sightings.
The tour suits travellers who want a balanced safari with good wildlife viewing and varied landscapes. You experience river systems, crater ecosystems and open savannah, along with guided game drives and comfortable lodge stays throughout.
Highlights
- Game drives in Tarangire with large elephant herds and baobab trees
- Ngorongoro Crater safari with high chances to see the Big Five
- Serengeti plains with strong predator sightings including lions and cheetahs
- Scenic drive through the Rift Valley and Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Optional stop at Olduvai Gorge, known for its historical importance
- Scenic flight over Serengeti during return to Arusha
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro and Transfer to Lodge
Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport where you are met and transferred to your lodge near Arusha. The drive is short and gives you a first look at the landscape.
Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy dinner at the lodge and rest before your safari begins.
Day 2 and 3: Wildlife Safaris in Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and baobab trees. The park has a mix of river, woodland and open areas which attract a wide range of wildlife.
Over the next two days, enjoy game drives across different parts of the park. You can see elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo and antelope species like oryx and kudu. Birdlife is also rich in this region.
One day includes a picnic lunch inside the park, while another offers lunch back at the lodge with views over the Tarangire River. Evenings are spent at the lodge with dinner and views of the surrounding landscape.
Day 4: Transfer to Ngorongoro Highlands
After an early morning safari in Tarangire, drive towards the Ngorongoro region. The route passes through Lake Manyara area and climbs up the Rift Valley escarpment.
Arrive at your lodge near Karatu, located close to the crater. The lodge offers wide views of the surrounding hills and valley. Spend the afternoon at leisure with options like short walks or relaxing at the property.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive
After breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day game drive. This area is known for high wildlife density within a compact space.
You can see elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo and good chances of spotting rhinos. The crater floor includes grasslands, wetlands and forest patches. Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the crater before continuing your drive.
Return to the lodge by evening.
Day 6: Transfer to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area towards Serengeti National Park. The route is scenic and passes through Maasai areas.
You can stop at Olduvai Gorge, known for its importance in human history. Continue to Serengeti and enter through Naabi Gate.
On arrival, enjoy your first game drive in the park before reaching your camp or lodge. This region is known for large predator populations and open plains.
Day 7: Full Day Safari in Serengeti
Spend the day exploring Serengeti with game drives across different habitats. The park includes open plains, rocky kopjes and woodland areas.
You can see lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and large herds of herbivores. Depending on the season, you may also witness part of the Great Migration.
Return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Morning Safari and Flight to Arusha
After an early morning game drive, transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Arusha. The flight offers aerial views of the Serengeti and surrounding landscapes.
On arrival, you are transferred to a lodge for lunch before heading to the airport for your onward journey.
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Places You Will Visit
Where You’ll Stay
Travel Information
Inclusion
- Accommodation in lodges and camps throughout the safari
- All meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Game drives in Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti
- Park entry fees and conservation charges
- Private safari vehicle with experienced driver guide
- Picnic lunch during full day safaris
- Scenic flight from Serengeti to Arusha
- All transfers between parks and airstrips
- Airport pick up and drop at Kilimanjaro and Arusha
- All applicable taxes and on ground support
Exclusion
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry and phone calls
- Tips and gratuities for lodge staff and guides
- Any optional activities not included in the itinerary
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions section
Customization options
Safari vehicle options (standard 4×4, private upgrades if relevant)
- Standard option includes a shared 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof.
- Private 4×4 vehicles can be arranged for exclusive use throughout the itinerary.
Lodge options (budget, mid-range, high-end)
- Accommodation can be arranged at budget camps, mid-range lodges, or high-end lodges in Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro region, and Serengeti.
- Upgrades depend on availability within each park and proximity to key wildlife areas.
Game drive flexibility (timings if applicable)
- Game drives follow park regulations, typically starting early morning and continuing in the afternoon.
- Full-day game drives with picnic lunches are included in Tarangire and Ngorongoro.
- In the Serengeti, both full-day and split morning/afternoon game drives can be arranged.
Add-on experiences (based on itinerary)
- Hot air balloon safari is available in Serengeti National Park.
- Additional cultural visits in Arusha can be included before departure.
- Extended learning visits at Olduvai Gorge can be arranged with a guide.
Flexibility in number of nights per location
- Additional nights can be added in Tarangire or Serengeti to allow more game viewing time.
- Ngorongoro stays can be extended depending on lodge location and permit availability.
Flexible departure options
- Departure can be arranged by domestic flight from Serengeti to Arusha as per the itinerary.
- Alternative departure routes or extended stays in Arusha can be arranged based on flight schedules.
Cancellation Policy
- If cancellation requested before 120 days (or more) prior to departure, Full refund.
- If cancellation requested before 60 days (or more) prior to departure – 75% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 45 to 59 days prior to departure – 50% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 30 to 44 days prior to departure – 25% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 15 to 29 days prior to departure – 10% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested less than 15 days prior to departure, No Show – No Refund.
Further Information
Best time to visit (based on regions in the itinerary)
- June to October is suitable for wildlife viewing in Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park due to dry conditions and easier animal sightings.
- December to March offers good visibility in the Serengeti, especially for calving season in the southern plains.
- April and May have heavier rains, which may affect road conditions, particularly when traveling between parks.
Optional activities (relevant to locations in the outline)
- Cultural visits can be arranged in Arusha on arrival or before departure.
- A visit to Olduvai Gorge includes a short museum stop and guided explanation of the site.
- In the Serengeti, an early morning hot air balloon safari is available, followed by a bush breakfast.
- Short guided walks may be available in selected lodges in the Ngorongoro region, depending on location and permissions.
Who this tour suits (based on pace, parks, and travel type)
- This tour suits travelers looking for a structured safari covering multiple northern Tanzania parks within a limited timeframe.
- It is suitable for first-time safari visitors due to the inclusion of major wildlife areas.
- The itinerary involves several long drives between parks, so it fits travelers comfortable with road travel and fixed daily schedules.
