Duration: 12 Days
Destinations: Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Ruaha National Park, and Selous Game Reserve

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

• Arrival: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Meet your safari guide and transfer to your luxury lodge in Arusha.
• Accommodation: Stay at Arusha Coffee Lodge, surrounded by lush coffee plantations.
• Activities: Relax and prepare for the adventure ahead.

The adventure begins with arrival in Arusha, where you will be welcomed by a representative and transferred to your lodge for relaxation after a long flight. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the town or enjoy a guided cultural tour. The evening will be spent at a comfortable lodge, preparing for the exciting days ahead.

Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

• Travel: Drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees.
• Accommodation: Stay at Tarangire Treetops Lodge, offering unique elevated suites.
• Activities: Afternoon game drive to spot wildlife such as lions, zebras, and giraffes.
• Highlights: Experience the park’s distinct landscapes and vibrant wildlife.

After an early breakfast, the journey heads toward Tarangire National Park, a gem known for its giant baobabs, large elephant herds, and diverse wildlife. A full-day game drive will introduce you to lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and numerous bird species. The Tarangire River attracts countless animals, making for an action-packed safari experience. You will spend the night at a charming lodge inside or near the park.

Day 3-4: Serengeti National Park

• Travel: Drive to the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s most famous wildlife reserve.
• Accommodation: Stay at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti or Serengeti Migration Camp.
• Activities: Enjoy daily game drives in search of predators, the Great Migration (seasonal), and diverse wildlife.
• Highlights: Explore the vast plains teeming with life and iconic African scenery.

Next, you will drive toward the Serengeti National Park, enjoying scenic views along the way. After entering the park, game viewing begins immediately, with sightings of predators, grazing herbivores, and stunning landscapes. The central Serengeti, also known as Seronera, is particularly rich in wildlife and offers excellent photographic opportunities. The evening will be spent at a luxury tented camp in the heart of the Serengeti.

You will spend two full days in Serengeti National Park, exploring different regions depending on the season. If traveling during the Great Migration, you may follow massive herds of wildebeest and zebras as they cross rivers and grasslands. Predators like lions and cheetahs are often spotted hunting. You will enjoy both morning and afternoon game drives, returning to camp in the evening for a relaxing night under the African stars.

Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

• Travel: Drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Accommodation: Stay at the luxurious Ngorongoro Crater Lodge.
• Activities: Afternoon at leisure or a visit to a Maasai village.
• Highlights: Spectacular views of the Ngorongoro Crater from your lodge.

Leaving the Serengeti behind, you will embark on a scenic drive toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping for wildlife sightings along the way. Spend the afternoon exploring the vast landscapes, visiting local Maasai villages, or taking a guided nature walk in the highlands. In the evening, embark on a guided walking safari along the crater rim or in the surrounding forests, where you can spot wildlife, learn about local flora, and enjoy breathtaking sunset views. Dinner and overnight at a lodge.

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Exploration

• Activities: Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive. Explore its unique ecosystem, home to the Big Five, flamingos, and other wildlife.
• Accommodation: Return to your lodge for a relaxing evening.
• Highlights: Experience one of the most concentrated areas of wildlife in the world.

Start your day early with a scenic drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you’ll descend into the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera. The crater is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including the Big Five—lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and the rare black rhino. As you explore the vast plains, acacia forests, and soda lakes, you’ll witness large herds of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles, along with an abundance of birdlife such as flamingos and crowned cranes.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at the hippo pool, surrounded by breathtaking views of the crater walls. In the afternoon, continue your game drive while learning about the area’s rich ecosystem and Maasai heritage. As the sun sets, ascend back to the crater rim for one last panoramic view before heading back to your lodge.

Day 7: Fly to Ruaha National Park

• Travel: Fly from Manyara airstrip or Arusha airport to Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest national park.
• Accommodation: Stay at Jongomero Camp or Ruaha River Lodge.
• Activities: Afternoon game drive or sundowner experience.
• Highlights: Discover the park’s rugged wilderness and abundant predator populations.

The adventure shifts to Tanzania’s southern circuit, with a short flight from Arusha to Ruaha National Park. This remote wilderness is famous for its dramatic landscapes, towering baobabs, and high predator concentration. After arrival, you will embark on a game drive to explore the rugged terrain and spot elephants, lions, leopards, and African wild dogs. The night will be spent at an intimate safari lodge inside the park.

Day 8-9: Full Days in Ruaha National Park

• Activities:
  • Morning and afternoon game drives to explore the park’s diverse landscapes.
  • Guided walking safaris to get up close to the flora and fauna.
• Accommodation: Same as the previous nights.
• Highlights: Encounter elephants, lions, and rare antelope species in a less crowded setting.

The two full days in Ruaha National Park allows for immersive wildlife viewing. The park is known for its untouched beauty and fewer tourists, offering a more exclusive experience. Morning and afternoon game drives will take you through open plains, rocky hills, and riverbanks teeming with hippos and crocodiles. You may also embark on a guided walking safari to track animals on foot and learn about the park’s unique ecosystem. The night will be spent at the last nights safari lodge.

Day 10: Fly to Selous Game Reserve

• Travel: Fly to Selous Game Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Accommodation: Stay at Sand Rivers Selous or Beho Beho Lodge.
• Activities: Afternoon game drive or a boat safari along the Rufiji River.
• Highlights: Explore Tanzania’s largest reserve, known for its diverse ecosystems.

Departing from Ruaha, you will take a short flight to Selous Game Reserve, one of Africa’s largest and most remote wildlife reserves. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a boat safari along the Rufiji River, where hippos, crocodiles, and elephants can be seen along the riverbanks. This is a unique way to experience wildlife from a different perspective while enjoying the breathtaking scenery. After the boat safari, you will check in to your lodge for an overnight stay.

Day 11: Full Day in Selous Game Reserve

• Activities:
  • Morning walking safari with expert guides.
  • Afternoon boat safari to spot crocodiles, hippos, and birdlife.
  • Evening game drive to seek nocturnal wildlife.
• Accommodation: Same as the previous night.
• Highlights: The combination of game drives, walking, and boat safaris offers a unique and immersive experience.

The day is dedicated to exploring the vast Selous Game Reserve on a full-day game drive. Unlike the northern parks, Selous offers a completely different safari experience with its wetlands, woodlands, and rolling savannahs.

Walking safaris in Selous are a thrilling way to track wildlife up close and learn about animal behavior, footprints, and plants. The reserve is home to a healthy population of African wild dogs, as well as large herds of buffalo, giraffes, and zebras. In the evening, you will have the option to take a night game drive, where nocturnal animals such as leopards and hyenas become more active or you will also have time to relax at your lodge, enjoying the serene surroundings. The night will be spent in the same accommodation, savoring the last moments in the African wilderness.

Day 12: Departure from Dar es Salaam

• Travel: Fly from Selous to Dar es Salaam for your international departure.
• Activities: Relax at a day-use hotel or explore the city before your flight.

The safari slowly comes to an end with a morning game drive in Selous before taking a scenic flight back to Dar es salaam. Upon arrival, you will have time to explore the city, or simply relax before your final departure. A day-use room at a hotel will be arranged for freshening up before your transfer to Julius Nyerere International Airport for your flight home.