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This 9-day safari follows the annual calving season, focusing on the wildebeest herds as they gather in the Ndutu area between December and January. The tour begins in Arusha before heading into Tarangire for two nights, offering a mix of elephant sightings and sweeping savannah. From there, the route passes through Mto wa Mbu village for a cultural walk and traditional lunch before continuing to Ngorongoro for two nights, including a day inside the crater.
The trip then shifts to the Serengeti, flying north and driving down to the southern plains for two full days with the herds during the calving period. The safari concludes with a return to Arusha for lunch and an international departure.
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During the safari you will have a private 4 x 4 safari Land Cruiser driven by a professional and well experienced local English speaking safari driver guide who will take you and show you all the animals that you have ever dreamed of the small & the big. Your jeep will have a photographic roof thatch to assure good pictures from any angle. Accommodation will be standard mid-range lodges & tented camps.
Northern Tanzania
Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Highlands, Mto wa Mbu, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park
Yearly around
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by a safari representative and assisted through customs and luggage collection. From the airport, you will travel to your hotel in Arusha. Accommodation is at Gran Melia Arusha, a modern hotel with spacious rooms and a quiet garden setting that offers a calm introduction to the city. The hotel provides comfortable facilities, including a pool and dining options.
Later in the day, our safari manager will meet you for a briefing on the upcoming safari and to confirm that all necessary travel arrangements, including insurance, are in place. The remainder of the day is free for relaxation and adjusting to the surroundings.
Meals Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Drive to Tarangire National Park, after breakfast, arriving in time for lunch at Nimali Camp. The camp blends modern comfort with an intimate connection to the surrounding landscape, featuring spacious tents with private decks and views over the Tarangire plains.
In the afternoon, the first game drive introduces the park’s signature wildlife. Expect to see large herds of elephants moving between baobab-studded landscapes, giraffes browsing acacia trees, and a variety of birds along the Tarangire River. The open savannah and seasonal waterholes attract a range of species, providing excellent wildlife observation. Return to the camp in the early evening for dinner and overnight, taking in the quiet of the park at night.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner
The day begins with an early breakfast before setting out for a full-day game drive across the park. Tarangire is best known for its high concentration of elephants, often seen grazing near the Tarangire River, as well as herds of zebras and wildebeest across the open plains.
The riverbanks and seasonal waterholes attract predators, including lions and leopards, providing opportunities for observation. Birdlife is abundant, with species ranging from hornbills to kingfishers. During the day, a picnic lunch is served in a scenic spot within the park, offering a chance to rest while surrounded by wildlife. The afternoon continues with exploration of savannahs dotted with baobab trees and quiet forests. Return to Nimali Camp in the early evening for dinner and overnight, enjoying the calm of the park as night falls.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner
After breakfast at Tarangire, you drive toward the Ngorongoro Highlands, pausing at Mto wa Mbu Village for a guided cultural walk. The village visit offers insight into local traditions and farming practices, followed by a lunch featuring fresh, locally prepared dishes. Continuing to the highlands, you arrive at Gibb’s Farm, a long-established property set on a working coffee estate.
The farm has warm hospitality, comfortable cottages with verandas, and an atmosphere that feels personal and grounded. It is an inviting base for visiting the crater the next day. Ngorongoro Serena Lodge is available as an alternative stay.
This morning you descend to the floor of Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often described as one of the most remarkable wildlife areas in Africa. Formed from a collapsed volcano, the crater is home to an estimated 25,000 large animals.
It is one of the few places in East Africa where the Big Five – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos, can be seen in a single day. The grasslands and wetlands also attract wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, hippos, and an impressive range of birdlife, including flamingos at Lake Magadi. Game viewing here is relatively easy, with wildlife concentrated within the crater’s 260 square kilometers. After the morning drive, return to the lodge for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure with the option of a guided walk. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner
An early breakfast is followed by a transfer to Lake Manyara Airstrip for the flight to the northern Serengeti. Your guide meets you on arrival for a game drive towards Lemala Mara & Ndutu Tented Camp, where lunch will be served.
The camp is seasonal, positioned to follow the migration herds, with spacious tents, comfortable interiors, and dining areas under canvas. The setting allows close access to game-rich areas while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere. In the afternoon, set out for a game drive across open plains, returning to camp for dinner and overnight.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner
These two days are solely dedicated to full-day activities in Serengeti, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose name means “endless plains” in Maa. Depending on the season, game drives are focused on tracking the Great Migration or following predators across its acacia-dotted golden plains. Wildlife is never scarce here, with lions, cheetahs, leopards, and large herds of antelope among the highlights.
On the first morning, you may choose a hot air balloon safari, drifting above the plains before landing for an alfresco breakfast in the bush. Midday is ideal for a relaxed bush lunch, followed by an optional sundowner at day’s end. Return to the lodge in the evenings, where the mix of comfort and natural views encourages unwinding after long game drives.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner
The day begins with the option of a hot air balloon safari, drifting over the plains as the sun rises, followed by a bush breakfast. You may also choose an early game drive with a packed breakfast to catch wildlife at their most active. Alternatively, take a slower morning at the lodge and enjoy breakfast before heading into the park for a late morning game drive.
Central Serengeti is a year-round haven for predators, with lion prides spread across the plains and cheetahs often spotted on the go. The area’s open grasslands, seasonal rivers, and scattered kopjes create varied habitats that attract a wide range of wildlife. Lunch may be packed for the field, or you can return to camp and unwind until later in the evening when a sundowner rounds off the day.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner
Enjoy an early breakfast followed by a short drive to the nearby airstrip for your flight back to Arusha. On arrival, a representative will transfer you to Mount Meru Hotel, where day rooms are available for freshening up and relaxing before your onward journey.
The hotel offers spacious grounds, a pool area, and excellent views of Mount Meru rising above the city, providing a fitting backdrop to reflect on your safari. Lunch will be served at the hotel restaurant. In the afternoon, you will be driven to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your evening departure, bringing your safari to a close.
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
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