This ultimate Tanzania safari visits the wildlife highlights of the north of the country, experiencing the Serengeti migration and big cats from the comfort of sustainable lodges.
Your trip begins in Tarangire - a land of elephants, where hundreds spill from the forests to the river in their daily routine. Tree-climbing lion, leopard, cheetah, Cape buffalo, Thomson’s gazelle, plains zebra, giraffe, warthog, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal and even African wild dog can all be encountered here.
Leaving Tarangire you head west – towards the Great Rift Valley, enjoying some free time at Gibb's Farm where activities range from hiking, riding, gardening or spa treatments. Next you visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) where thousands of plains game roam the volcanic crater. Highlights include buffalo, giraffe, and zebra, whilst the swamps and soda lake attract thousands of flamingos. In Serengeti, you follow the incredible wildlife spectacle of the migration, as you witness great herds of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra (November to June), and search for cheetah, leopard and tree-climbing lions.
The itinerary makes use of lodges that are built from locally sourced sustainable products, employ local people and are conscious on where they source their food from. Staying in these remarkable and unique lodges throughout, you can support community and conservation projects, whilst receiving excellent service at your various bases to match the quality and personalised guiding. If you would like to learn more about conservation projects and have some involvement during your trip, please contact our team.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK & arrive in Kilimanjaro
On arrival in Kilimanjaro, you are met and transferred to your hotel for the night.
Accommodation: Rivertrees Country Inn, 1-night
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Day 2:
Transfer to Tarangire National Park & afternoon safari
This morning, you are collected from the hotel and transferred to Arusha Airstrip. From Arusha Airport, your short flight to Kuro Airstrip will afford you fantastic aerial views of Tarangire.
You are met on arrival at Kuro by your guide, who will be with you throughout your safari. Once you have been introduced, you gently make your way to Kuro Camp, taking in Tarangire and its wildlife on the way.
After you have settled into camp and enjoyed some lunch, you will soon be setting off on your first afternoon safari.
Accommodation: Kuro Tarangire, 3-nights
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Days 3-4
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Safari in Tarangire National Park
Over the next two days, you explore Tarangire on a series of morning and afternoon safari drives. The bush is scattered with ancient baobab trees, this land’s standing stones, and spread amongst them are herds of elephants and buffalo, often in their hundreds.
The habitat is rich and varied: great grassy swamps, dense woodland, tall grass and the snaking Tarangire River, home to a plethora of animals and birdlife.
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Day 5:
Transfer to Gibb's Farm & afternoon at leisure
You will certainly pass some wildlife on your way out of Tarangire National Park before you reach the faster roads which take you to Karatu, your next destination. The drive is approximately four hours, and you should arrive in time for lunch at Gibb's Farm.
This afternoon is at leisure here, you can relax in the lush surroundings of the farm, explore its various trails or enjoys some of its various activities (some of which are an additional cost).
Accommodation: Gibb's Farm, 2-nights
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Day 6:
Free day at Gibb's Farm
You have another day at leisure at Gibb's Farm, there are many activities to choose from, including hiking, riding and gardening or relaxing into a spa treatment.
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Day 7:
Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Leaving the low-lying Gibb's Farm, you follow the road, climbing upwards to the Ngorongoro Crater rim. As you ascend, make sure you take in the scenery, as the views of Lake Manyara from this drive are fantastic. Once you reach the top and pass through the park entry gates, you have your first views of this veritable Eden.
Accommodation: Entamanu Ngorongoro, 2-nights
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Day 8:
Safari in Ngorongoro
An early start, with a picnic breakfast, takes you down the inner road of the Ngorongoro Crater. Wildlife does not stay at the crater floor only, so keep your eyes open for animals as you descend. The morning light is spectacular as you begin your safari.
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Day 9:
Transfer to the Serengeti
Following the natural topography, you sweep down from the Ngorongoro Crater to the rolling Serengeti Plains below. Passing Masai villages along the way, the herds of cattle gradually transition into wildebeest and zebra.
At this time of year, the grasses are lush in the southern Serengeti and the wildebeest have been calving since January. Vast herds of female wildebeest and their young follow the rain. Zebra, eland and gazelles do the same and the predators thrive in this time of plenty.
Accommodation: Serengeti Safari Camp, 2-nights
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Day 10:
Safari in Serengeti National Park
During your time at Serengeti Safari Camp, you have morning and afternoon drives across the plains, through scrubby woodlands and along the banks of Lake Ndutu to see wildlife. Witness the Great Migration and search for the predators which rely on it such as cheetah, lion and hyena.
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Day 11:
Transfer to the Northern Serengeti
Whilst you are staying in the Serengeti, the distance between camps is not small and much of your day will be spent transferring to the north.
Accommodation: Lamai Serengeti, 3-nights
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Days 12-13
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Safari in the Northern Serengeti
Whilst at Lamai you have a number of morning and afternoon safaris. There is an abundance of wildlife amongst the kjopes, plains and rivers of this spectacular location, with fantastic leopard sightings available here.
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Day 14:
Depart Tanzania
This morning, you are transferred to Kogatende for your scenic flight to Kilimanjaro. If the weather is clear, you may have good views of the Ngorongoro mountains.
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Day 15:
Arrive UK
Please note: Wildlife sightings may vary depending on the time of year. Please contact us for further details.
