Your journey at a glance
This 10-day safari combines the diverse cultures of Tanzania alongside the spectacular great wildebeest migration for a slow-paced adventure with fewer crowds. Initiate your trip with a walking safari in Arusha National Park at the foothills of Mount Meru and later Tarangire teeming with elephants. Partake in cultural cycling and walking tours at Mto wa Mbu and the Rift Valley, and join the Hadzabe Bushmen for a hunting experience at Lake Eyasi. Discover the Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, and view the migrating herds on the endless plains of the Serengeti. This itinerary offers mid-range semi-luxury stays, blending wildlife, tradition, and nature, and culminating in a flight from the Serengeti for a seamless departure or Zanzibar extension.
Why Choose This Safari?
This 10-day itinerary offers a unique blend of Tanzania’s cultural heritage and the great migration phenomenon. From the hiking trails in Arusha to Tarangire’s elephants, village life in Mto wa Mbu, tribal customs in Lake Eyasi, the crater of Ngorongoro, and the migration in Serengeti– it’s an unhurried, fully absorbing escape. Accompanied by expert guides, mid-range / semi-luxury stays, and culminating in a flight, this adventure guarantees maximum enjoyment and minimal crowds.
Karibu Tanzania! Welcome to Tanzania! Your adventure starts at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where a charming representative meets you with a name sign, conveniently located 40 minutes east of Arusha. They will smoothly transport you to the stylish African Tulip Hotel in Arusha, a chic boutique jewel, known for its modern furnishings, bathrooms, and views of the tropical gardens. Situated 1,400s feet in the air, the temperature is extremely gentle, which suggests that the refreshing drink at the cozy bar, poolside, or in-room is perfect for chilling. As such, this embrace aids your cultural journey in combination with rest from the journey.
Accommodation: African Tulip Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast Included
After enjoying fresh fruits and Tanzanian coffee at the African Tulip Hotel, drive for 30 minutes (25 kilometers) to the Arusha National Park located in the foothills of Mount Meru (4,566 meters). A slice of nature just 30 minutes away from the city, the park is a 137 square kilometer jewel. Upon entering the park, explore the bushlands and gentle peaks on a walking safari while accompanied by a skilled guide. During the trek to Tululusia Waterfall, marvel at the stunning views of Meru, spot black and white colobus monkeys, buzzards, baboons, and even giraffes and buffalo. In the late afternoon, set out in a 4x4 vehicle for a wildlife viewing drive around the lakes and forests, followed by a return trip in the evening to recharge for the next day.
Accommodation: African Tulip Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Wake up with us at African Tulip Hotel for breakfast - after all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.’ And then at 0800 hours, we depart on our 2.5-hour (120 kilometers) drive to Tarangire National Park. The elephant paradise. This 2850 square kilometer park features nine types of vegetation zones and giant baobab trees. Elephants are one of the animals we get to see over two days. Full day game drives featuring herds of elephants of up to 300 elephants and even greater towards the Tarangire River and Silale Swamp from July to October, when migratory species like wildebeest and zebras return to permanent water sources. Also see Giraffes, buffalo, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and lovebirds, and over 550 other birds. Spend the nights at Burunge Tswana Park tented lodge, which offers en-suite tents with verandas overlooking the bush. Wholesome local meals are served for dinner during the evening under the open skies, laden with stars.
Accommodation: Lake Burunge Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Birds singing greet you while you enjoy a camp breakfast at Lake Burunge, and after, take a 1.5-hour drive (70 km) to Mto wa Mbu in the Great Rift Valley. This cultural town allows for a walk through the town where you meet and greet with Maasai tribe members and Chaga people, then ride your bike through the banana and farm plantations to a waterfall dropping over the rift’s cliff, the view is stunning. After a late lunch, drive for 2 hours to Lake Eyasi (100 km). Arrive at approximately the same time as dinner is served and relax at Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge, a set of peaceful rooms, waterside. This retreat is ideal for relaxing.
Accommodation: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up before the sun at Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge for an early breakfast, then take part in a morning hunt with the Hadzabe Bushmen, a tribe of fewer than 1,500 people. Accompany them into the scrubby hills and witness their proficiency in tracking and capturing small animals like dik-diks with bows and arrows. With the help of a translator, get introduced to their captivating world of clicks and learn some words. Afterward, observe Datoga blacksmiths as they create tools and participate in a dance-like rhythm. Following lunch at the lodge, embark on a 3-hour (130 kilometer) drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Once there, you will find Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge, which is located on the crater rim. This warm and inviting lodge boasts en-suite rooms with views looking into the forest, creating a tranquil atmosphere for guests to enjoy dinner filled with hot and flavorful dishes.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After having breakfast at Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge, drive down 610 meters into Ngorongoro Crater with a packed lunch for a half-day tour. This 304 square km caldera is the world’s largest unbroken and unflooded caldera. lords over wildlife with its lions, hyenas, wildebeest and zebras, with a few rare black rhinos near the swamps, and leopards by the forest rim. More than a hundred bird species can be spotted as well, including Lake Magadi’s flamingoes. Your guide happens to be very knowledgeable about its volcanic history, which you will enjoy during your exploration. You will have to ascend after lunch, followed by a drive of 3 hours (145 km) to central Serengeti, passing by Olduvai Gorge (optional), which is a famous archaeological site with a museum on human evolution. Arrive at Embalakai tented camp, which offers en-suite tents at Seronera. Dinner is served in the bush sounds.
Accommodation: Embalakai Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
On the 8th morning, we take breakfast at Embalakai Tented Camp. Then we do a morning game drive looking for the big cats (lions, leopards, and cheetahs) in the Seronera area of central Serengeti. After lunch, drive 100 kilometers to the northern Serengeti, which has its peak migration from July to October. Over two days at Tanzania Bush Camp Northern Serengeti, enjoy unlimited game drives over 14,763 square kilometers, witnessing over a million wildebeests, 400 thousand zebras cross the Mara river, chased by predator reptiles and hunters. The crocodile plains allow for unobstructed views of the predator spectacle. En suite tents provide ample comfort while dinners featuring fresh meals served beneath the stars foster relaxation after a long day of adventure. Accommodation: Tanzania Bush Camp, Northern Serengeti
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Indulge in the final breakfast at Tanzania Bush Camp, followed by a last game drive in northern Serengeti, relishing the breathtaking migration spectacle of herds either thundering across the plains or resting close to the Mara River. Drive to Kogatende Airstrip, which is 30 minutes away, and take a scenic flight back to Arusha, which offers aerial views over the Serengeti (flight times 1-2 hours). Upon landing, a representative will meet you and take you to a hotel in Arusha for a farewell hot lunch, which could include Tanzanian stews or grilled meat, and relax for a short while. Afterwards, a 1-hour drive (40 kilometers) takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport to coincide with your international flight or connection to Zanzibar.
Accommodation: None (departure day)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Transfers to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Stays at Zawadi House, Safari Lodge, Valley Lodge, Ndutu Lodge.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner as listed.
- Private game drives with a guide.
- Park entry fees for Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti.
Cost Excludes
- Flights to and from Kilimanjaro.
- Tanzania visa and travel insurance.
- Personal items like souvenirs.
- Tips for guides and lodge staff.
- Optional flight from Serengeti to Arusha.
