Take in all the major wildlife highlights and contrasting locations of northern Tanzania on this excellent value, classic safari. Highlights include flamingoes in the Ngorongoro Crater, predators and plains game in Serengeti National Park, and getting off the beaten track in Tarangire National Park.
This suggested itinerary makes a perfect introduction for the first-time visitor to Tanzania, or even Africa. However, not even the most experienced safari-goer can fail to be excited by the sheer variety and quantity of animals, as well as the exceptional beauty of the locations to be experienced, on this outstanding itinerary.
Day2: Arrive Arusha, drive to Lake Manyara; vehicle safari
On arrival in Arusha, transfer by road to Lake Manyara National Park (approximately three hours' drive) and, after checking in into your lodge, head out on an afternoon vehicle safari.
Early this morning morning you can choose to do an optional ethno-botanical walk accompanied by a local Masai guide on the wall of the rift valley. After breakfast you'll board your vehicle again and drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation to the Serengeti plains, with a stop en route at Olduvai to visit the Leakey museum. There are plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing en route.
Over the next couple of days there will be daily vehicle safaris exploring the wide-open spaces of Serengeti National Park, visiting different habitats and following the ebb and flow of life in its seasonal movements.
Today you head to the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, one of the seven wonders of Africa, for a wildlife viewing feast. The drive takes approximately three hours, arriving in time for an afternoon vehicle safari to see the flamingos from Lake Magadi and some of the 25,000 animals living in the large volcanic caldera.
In the early morning you return to the crater for another remarkable vehicle safari with a packed lunch, before transferring to Tarangire National Park.
The following day, a full day vehicle safari will reveal the sand rivers, woodlands and amazing baobab forests of Tarangire with its outstanding birdlife, large herds of elephant, plains game and predators.
After your last vehicle safari in Tarangire National Park, it is a hour's drive back to Arusha where you can have lunch at Shanga House, a community project employing people with disabilities, before transferring to the airport.
Day10: Arrive UK
Key info
Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 10 daysfrom £4,995 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 8 daysfrom £3,995 pp
The Serengeti supports Africa’s greatest concentration of plains game. Its ranges include wooded highland, grass plains, acacia savannah and rivers. With an estimated three million large animals, most of which take part in a seasonal migration, you can experience one of nature’s greatest wonders.
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Where: Northern Tanzania
Ideal for viewing: Burchell’s zebra, cheetah, leopard, lion, white-bearded wildebeest
Excellent for: Walking safaris, Wildlife photography, Photography tours With Nick Garbutt, Vehicle safaris
The Ngorongoro Crater is a natural amphitheatre and one of the most dramatic settings in Africa. Its swamps, forests and soda lake attract thousands of flamingos and other waterfowl, and the plains enclose the largest concentration of game – the predator prey balance is so precise that animals seldom leave.
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Where: Crater Highlands Region
Ideal for viewing: black rhino, African elephant, greater flamingo, spotted hyena, lion
Excellent for: Wildlife photography, Photography tours With Nick Garbutt, Vehicle safaris
Tarangire National Park is one of Africa’s best kept secrets. Dominated by the Tarangire River, the landscape is a rich mix of trees, grassland plains, swamps and rocky outcrops providing habitats for superb wildlife. There are vast herds of elephants and Cape buffalo here, and the area is also excellent for birds of prey.
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Where: Northern Tanzania
Ideal for viewing: African elephant, fringe-eared oryx, kori bustard, warthog, wild dog
Often seen as just a stopping off point on the popular Northern Circuit, this small park definitely warrants a visit in its own right. Mahogany and sausage trees are abundant and well laden with fruit for the wildlife to feed upon, and it is a sanctuary for its most famous residents – the tree climbing lion.
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Where: Manyara District
Ideal for viewing: African elephant, hippo, leopard, lion, augur buzzard
Excellent for: Walking safaris, Vehicle safaris
Suggested accommodation options are shown below.
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On the edge of the Rift Valley, this property is conveniently situated for exploring Lake Manyara, Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater. There are 27 tented rooms, plus two honeymoon suites and two family cottages; activities include walks with Masai guides, fly camping in the forest and mountain biking.
Find Out More about Kirurumu Manyara Lodge
This is a small and intimate luxury mobile camp set in one of the most strategic and beautiful areas in the Ngorongoro Highlands, not far from Empakai, famous for its flamingos and outstanding beauty. Accommodation consists of seven customised safari tents, and the level of attention and service is always excellent.
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Kirurumu Serengeti offer two luxury and intimate mobile camps consisting of just seven well-appointed safari tents, a dining tent and a relaxing campfire area. The camps move on a seasonal basis, taking advantage of wildlife movements in the vast Serengeti, particularly the great migration.
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Kirurumu Tarangire sits in an elevated position at the northern tip of Tarangire National Park, offering ten tented cottages with stunning views over a waterhole into the park. Ideally located close to Tarangire's main gate, key attractions at the camp are walking safaris and short night drives.
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This classic mobile safari camp consists of eight spacious and comfortable tents, each with a king size bed, en suite bathroom and private verandah with a stunning view over the Serengeti. To ensure superb wildlife at all times, Olakiri tracks the migration and changes location twice a year:
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