7-8 Days Safari
Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire
- Day 1 – Drive to Lake Manyara for game drive with picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight.
- Day 2 – Breakfast, Drive to Olduvai Gorge with picnic lunch. Proceed to Central Serengeti. Dinner and overnight.
- Day 3 – Breakfast, Full day game drive in Central Serengeti. Picnic Lunch. Dinner and overnight.
- Day 4 – Breakfast, Drive from Central to Northen Serengeti with game on route. Picnic Lunch. Dinner and overnight.
- Day 5 – Breakfast, Game drive along the Mara River for half day then drive back to central Serengeti. Picnic Lunch. Dinner and overnight.
- Day 6 – Breakfast, Proceed to Ngorongoro Crater for game drive with picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight.
- Day 7 – Breakfast, Game drive at Tarangire with picnic lunch. Return to Arusha.
Day 1: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
- Morning: Depart from Arusha and drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a journey of about 2-3 hours (approximately 120 km/75 miles). Lake Manyara is known for its lush vegetation, large population of flamingos, and diverse wildlife, including tree-climbing lions, elephants, and a variety of bird species.
- Midday: Embark on a game drive through the park, which offers a mix of woodland, grassland, and swamp, as well as the iconic soda lake. Look out for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and the unique spectacle of lions lounging in the trees.
- Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch in a designated area within the park, surrounded by the stunning landscape and wildlife.
- Afternoon: Continue exploring Lake Manyara, focusing on spotting the park’s rich birdlife and other animals.
- Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at a lodge or camp near Lake Manyara, offering comfortable accommodations and views of the park.
Day 2: Lake Manyara to Olduvai Gorge and Central Serengeti
- Morning: After breakfast, drive towards Olduvai Gorge, one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world. This area, known as the “Cradle of Mankind,” is where Louis and Mary Leakey made groundbreaking discoveries of early human fossils.
- Midday: Visit the Olduvai Gorge Museum and enjoy a picnic lunch while learning about the prehistoric finds and the history of early human evolution.
- Afternoon: Continue your journey to Central Serengeti, entering the park and beginning to see the diverse wildlife that inhabits this vast area. The Serengeti is famous for its plains, kopjes (rocky outcrops), and diverse animal species, including the Big Five and large herds of herbivores.
- Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at a lodge or camp in Central Serengeti, providing an ideal base to explore the park.
Day 3: Full Day in Central Serengeti
- Morning: After breakfast, head out for a full day of game viewing in Central Serengeti. This area is known for its abundant wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and various antelope species. Depending on the time of year, you may also witness the Great Migration, where thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move across the plains in search of fresh grazing.
- Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch in a scenic spot within the park, maximizing your time for wildlife observation.
- Afternoon: Continue exploring Central Serengeti, visiting the Seronera Valley, a prime location for spotting predators like lions and leopards, as well as various herbivores and bird species.
- Evening: Return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti
- Morning: After breakfast, drive from Central to Northern Serengeti, enjoying a game drive along the way. The Northern Serengeti is less crowded and offers a different landscape, with rolling hills, riverine forests, and the Mara River.
- Midday: Have a picnic lunch en route, surrounded by the stunning scenery and diverse wildlife.
- Afternoon: Continue your journey to the Northern Serengeti, arriving in time to start exploring this less-visited part of the park. The Northern Serengeti is renowned for its river crossings during the Great Migration, where wildebeest and zebras brave the crocodile-infested waters of the Mara River.
- Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at a lodge or camp in Northern Serengeti.
Day 5: Northern Serengeti and the Mara River
- Morning: After breakfast, set out for a half-day game drive along the Mara River. This area is famous for the dramatic river crossings during the Great Migration, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras face the challenge of crossing the river while avoiding crocodiles.
- Highlights: Witness the Great Migration (seasonal) and spot other wildlife such as elephants, lions, and leopards, as well as bird species that thrive near the water.
- Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch by the river or in a scenic spot within the Northern Serengeti.
- Afternoon: After the morning’s excitement, drive back to Central Serengeti, continuing to spot wildlife along the way.
- Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at a lodge or camp in Central Serengeti.
Day 6: Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
- Morning: After breakfast, leave the Serengeti and head towards Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the stunning landscape.
- Midday: Arrive at Ngorongoro Crater and descend into the crater for a half-day game drive. The crater is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including black rhinos, lions, elephants, hippos, and flamingos. The crater floor features open grasslands, acacia forests, and a lake, providing habitats for various animals.
- Lunch: Have a picnic lunch within the crater, taking in the panoramic views and abundant wildlife.
- Afternoon: Continue exploring the crater, spotting the unique wildlife that inhabits this enclosed ecosystem.
- Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at a lodge or camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, offering breathtaking views of the crater below.
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater to Tarangire National Park and Return to Arusha
- Morning: After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, a journey of about 2-3 hours. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and the seasonal Tarangire River, which attracts a wide variety of wildlife.
- Midday: Enjoy a game drive through the park, looking for elephants, lions, leopards, zebras, and various bird species. The park is especially popular during the dry season when animals congregate around the river.
- Lunch: Have a picnic lunch in a designated area within the park.
- Afternoon: Continue exploring Tarangire, taking in the unique landscapes and rich wildlife.
- Evening: After the game drive, begin your journey back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon or evening, depending on traffic and road conditions. The safari concludes with a drop-off at your hotel or the airport.
Optional Day 8: Additional Activities or Departure
- For those who wish to extend the safari, an additional day can be spent exploring more of the Tarangire National Park or relaxing at the lodge before departure. Optional activities such as visiting a Maasai village, hot air balloon rides over the Serengeti, or additional game drives can be arranged.
Key Highlights of the Safari:
- Diverse Ecosystems: Experience the varied landscapes of Northern Tanzania, from the lakes and forests of Manyara to the plains of the Serengeti and the unique ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Great Migration: Witness one of nature’s most spectacular events as millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move across the Serengeti and brave river crossings, depending on the season.
- Abundant Wildlife: See a wide range of animals, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), as well as cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, and numerous bird species.
- Cultural Insights: Visit Olduvai Gorge to learn about early human history and evolution and interact with local Maasai communities if time permits.
- Scenic Beauty: Enjoy breathtaking views of the Ngorongoro Crater, the iconic baobab trees of Tarangire, and the open plains of the Serengeti.
This 7–8-day safari provides a comprehensive experience of Northern Tanzania’s top wildlife destinations, offering a perfect blend of wildlife viewing, cultural insights, and scenic landscapes. It’s ideal for travellers seeking an in-depth exploration of Tanzania’s natural wonders and iconic wildlife migrations.