This 11-day Tanzania safari offers an unforgettable journey through the country’s most iconic national parks and diverse landscapes. Begin your adventure in Tarangire National Park, famous for its majestic baobab trees and large elephant herds, before heading to the endless plains of the Serengeti, where you’ll spend several days exploring its rich ecosystems of grasslands, acacias, volcanic soils, and rocky kopjes teeming with wildlife. Continue to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, a natural wonder filled with an incredible concentration of animals against a backdrop of lakes, forests, and grasslands. The journey then takes you to the beautiful Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions and flamingo-dotted shores, and finally to Arusha National Park, a scenic gem with diverse habitats and views of Mount Meru. The safari concludes in Arusha, leaving you with lasting memories of Tanzania’s extraordinary beauty and wildlife.
Day 1: Tarangire National Park
Your adventure begins with a drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, a scenic reserve known for its vast landscapes dotted with ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds. Enjoy an afternoon game drive along the Tarangire River, where you may spot zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, and various bird species drawn to the water. As the sun sets, settle into your lodge or tented camp surrounded by the tranquil sounds of the wilderness. Overnight in Tarangire.
Day 2–6: Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, journey north to the legendary Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. Over the next five days, explore the park’s sweeping plains, acacia-dotted landscapes, volcanic soils, and rocky kopjes that serve as lookout points for lions and leopards. Enjoy daily game drives across different regions of the Serengeti, encountering wildebeests, zebras, elephants, giraffes, and an incredible variety of predators and birdlife. Each day offers new experiences, from sunrise safaris to sunset views over the endless savannas. Relax each evening at your lodge or tented camp within the park. Overnight in Serengeti.
Day 7: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
After a final morning game drive in the Serengeti, depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, you may visit Olduvai Gorge, an important archaeological site known as the “Cradle of Mankind.” Continue to the crater’s edge, where your lodge offers panoramic views of the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Overnight at the Ngorongoro rim.
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater
Today, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called Africa’s “Eden” for its incredible density of wildlife. The crater floor is a mosaic of lakes, forests, and grasslands, home to lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, and the rare black rhino. Enjoy a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch beside one of the crater’s scenic spots before ascending back to the rim in the evening. Overnight near Ngorongoro.
Day 9: Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, travel to Lake Manyara National Park, nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Known for its lush forests, pink flamingos, and famous tree-climbing lions, the park offers a refreshing change of scenery. Explore the diverse habitats on your game drive, spotting elephants, giraffes, baboons, and abundant birdlife. Overnight in the Lake Manyara area.
Day 10: Arusha National Park
Today you’ll visit Arusha National Park, a small but stunning reserve rich in variety. Its landscapes include the forested slopes of Mount Meru, sparkling crater lakes, and open grasslands. Spot colobus monkeys, buffaloes, giraffes, and waterbirds, and enjoy the serene atmosphere of this less-visited gem. Overnight in or near Arusha National Park.
Day 11: Return to Arusha
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely drive back to Arusha, where your safari comes to an end. Reflect on the incredible wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable moments that defined your journey through Tanzania’s most iconic parks.
