9-Day Tanzania Safari with Lake Eyasi Culture and Kilimanjaro Excursion

9 Days Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater on Northern Circuit game drives
  • 02 Watch for elephants, big cats, wildebeests, zebras, and black rhinos across Tanzania's top parks
  • 03 Visit Lake Eyasi for canoeing and cultural encounters with the Hadzabe and Datoga communities
  • 04 Hike to Materuni Waterfalls, learn about local coffee production, and unwind at Kikuletwa Hot Springs
  • 05 Discover Arusha's local markets, Maasai market, Cultural Heritage Centre, and city museum

This 9-day Northern Circuit safari explores some of northern Tanzania's best-known wildlife and cultural destinations. Spend time in Tarangire, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater on game drives, then continue to Lake Eyasi for canoeing and cultural encounters with the Hadzabe and Datoga communities. The journey also includes Arusha city sightseeing and a full-day excursion to Materuni Waterfalls, a local coffee farm, and Kikuletwa Hot Springs in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. With camping and lodge stays along the way, this itinerary combines wildlife, culture, and outdoor adventure.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, Lake Eyasi
Languages English, French, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Airport Pickup and Arusha City Sightseeing

We will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to Karibu Heritage House. A city sightseeing tour is included on day 1, with visits to the local markets, Maasai market, Cultural Heritage Centre, and Arusha City Museum.

Karibu Heritage House

  • Budget hotel located in Arusha (City)

Meals & Drinks:

  • Meals at own expense
  • Drinks not included
2
Day 02

Journey to Tarangire, Home of Elephants

On this day, soon after breakfast, you will start the journey to Tarangire, the home of elephants. You will definitely see many elephants throughout the park. It is also a great park to spot wild cats, as lions, cheetahs, and leopards are all present, along with various herbivores. The game drive will take you close to the animals, and at midday you will have lunch at the Tarangire River picnic site, where small monkeys may try to scare you away from your meal.

Fig Tree Lodge

  • Budget hotel located 1-2 hours' drive from Tarangire NP

Meals & Drinks:

  • Lunch & dinner (breakfast not included)
  • Drinking water, beer, and wine (other drinks not included)
3
Day 03

Ngorongoro Viewpoint to Central Serengeti

After breakfast, you will head to Ngorongoro, which serves as the transit route to Serengeti National Park. In Ngorongoro, you will stop at the viewpoint to enjoy the beautiful view and take pictures, then continue the journey to Serengeti National Park. We will arrive in the afternoon, enjoy lunch, and then head out for an evening game drive. Later, we'll camp at Seronera Campsite.

Budget camping

  • Inside Central Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water, beer, and wine (other drinks not included)
4
Day 04

Sunrise Game Drive in Serengeti National Park

On this day, after an early breakfast, you will set out on an early game drive to see the sunrise, then continue to explore various parts of the park depending on where the animals have migrated. Expect to see many wildebeests and zebras in a strategic partnership for their survival. A lot of big cats are present in the park, and if you're lucky enough, you may witness a hunt in action.

Budget camping

  • Inside Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water, beer, and wine (other drinks not included)
5
Day 05

Serengeti Game Drive and Transfer to Ngorongoro

After an early breakfast, we will embark on a game drive through various parts of the park. We will then return to camp for lunch and prepare for the journey back to Ngorongoro, where we will spend the night at Simba Campsite, right on the crater rim. Here, we'll get ready for an early descent the following morning.

Budget camping

  • Inside Ngorongoro Crater

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water, beer, and wine (other drinks not included)
6
Day 06

Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Lake Eyasi Sunset Canoeing

After an early breakfast, we will descend into the crater on a journey to find the black rhinos. Rhinos are the hardest animals to spot in this beautiful crater, while most other animals are easier to see because it is a floor crater. After lunch, we will continue with a game drive and then ascend the crater. You will then drive on to Lake Eyasi, where you can refresh with canoeing as the sun sets.

Fig Tree Lodge

  • Budget hotel located 1-2 hours' drive from Ngorongoro Crater

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water, beer, and wine (other drinks not included)
7
Day 07

Lake Eyasi Cultural Encounters and Return to Arusha

The region around Eyasi is home to the Hadzabe and Datoga communities, who continue their ancient lifestyles of hunting-gathering and pastoralism respectively. Visits to the villages give you a personal, intimate look into the daily lives of these people. You may be impromptu invited into their homes, learn about family structures, participate in traditional dances, join the women in bead making, take part in traditional early-morning small-game hunting and gathering with the Hadzabe tribesmen, make bows and arrows, and much more. Afterwards, enjoy an early evening drive to Arusha for your overnight stay.

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water, beer, and wine (other drinks not included)
8
Day 08

Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Farm, and Kikuletwa Hot Springs

Be immersed in Tanzania's great outdoors on this full-day tour to Materuni and Kikuletwa, ideal for adventure, cultural, and active travellers in the region. Start with a hike to Materuni Waterfalls and enjoy a refreshing dip. Next, head to a local farm to learn more about Tanzania's coffee industry before finally unwinding in the Kikuletwa Hot Springs. Afterwards, clients will be taken back to the hotel.

Karibu Heritage House

  • Budget hotel located in Arusha (City)

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water, beer, and wine (other drinks not included)
9
Day 09

Hotel Pickup and Airport Drop-off

You will be picked up from the hotel at your preferred time and dropped off at the airport.

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast (lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
6 cities · 9 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Park fees (for non-residents)
  • All activities (unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation (unless listed as an upgrade)
  • Camping equipment
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
  • All taxes/VAT
  • Round-trip airport transfer
  • Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinks (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Sleeping bag
  • Bath towels

What's Not Included

  • International flights (from/to home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (tipping guideline: US$20.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees
  • Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)

What to bring

  • Lightweight, neutral-colored clothing for hot days
  • Warm jacket or fleece for early mornings and evenings
  • Comfortable closed walking shoes
  • Hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen
  • Scarf or buff for dust and wind protection
  • Binoculars for wildlife viewing
  • Camera with extra batteries or power bank
  • Insect repellent
  • Personal medication and basic first aid items
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Daypack for game drives and excursions

Know before you go

  • Early starts are standard for game drives.
  • Distances between locations can be long, and travel is slow.
  • Wildlife sightings depend on the season and movement patterns, especially during the migration.
  • Cultural visits may include Maasai communities; please respect local customs and guidance.
  • Lake Natron is very alkaline; swimming is not allowed in most areas.
  • Weather changes quickly between hot afternoons and cool mornings.
  • Limited mobile signal and internet are available in remote areas.
  • Staying in the vehicle is required during game drives except in designated spots.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Arusha, Tanzania
End of the journey

Your 9 days finish where they began.

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