9-Day Tanzania Luxury Safari with 4 Nights in the Serengeti

9 Days Round trip from Arusha Moderate pace

View all 9 photos

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore four of northern Tanzania's most iconic safari destinations
02 Experience Tarangire's impressive elephant herds and ancient baobabs
03 Spend 4 nights in the Serengeti ecosystem with time to follow predators
04 Search for the Big Five, including a chance to spot endangered black rhino
05 Descend approximately 600 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater
06 Look out for Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lions and large troops of baboons
07 Opportunity to encounter the Great Wildebeest Migration, depending on season
08 Optional Serengeti hot-air balloon safari

Discover Tanzania at a slower, more rewarding pace on this 9-day private luxury safari, a private journey through some of Africa's most spectacular wildlife landscapes. Beginning and ending in Arusha, this itinerary combines the elephant-rich wilderness of Tarangire, the beautiful Rift Valley landscapes of Lake Manyara, the legendary endless plains of the Serengeti, and the remarkable wildlife sanctuary of the Ngorongoro Crater. Four nights in the Serengeti form the heart of the journey, giving you time to venture beyond the most travelled safari routes, follow predators across the plains and, depending on the season, search for the immense herds of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Throughout the safari, travel privately in a customized 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, accompanied by your own professional safari driver-guide and staying at carefully selected luxury lodges and intimate tented camps.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Luxury

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Tarangire Among Elephants and Baobabs

Start: Your luxury Tanzanian safari begins in Arusha, where your private driver-guide will collect you from your hotel, residence, or the airport.
Transport: Settle into your customized 4x4 Land Cruiser and journey through the countryside toward Tarangire National Park.
Landscape: The scenery changes as you enter a wilderness defined by open savannah, seasonal wetlands, and enormous baobab trees.
Wildlife viewing: Enjoy your first game drive in search of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, and antelopes, while keeping watch for lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
Accommodation: Later, arrive at your luxury lodge or tented camp and enjoy a relaxed evening surrounded by the wilderness.
Overnight: Tarangire
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 02

A Full Day Exploring Tarangire

Morning: Wake up surrounded by the sounds of the African bush and enjoy breakfast before heading out for a full day of exploration.
Game viewing: Follow the river and explore quieter areas of the park while searching for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and predators.
Birding: Tarangire is also an outstanding birding destination, with hundreds of recorded species.
Lunch: Return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation, or remain in the park with a picnic lunch for extended game viewing.
Afternoon: Later, enjoy an afternoon game drive as temperatures cool and wildlife becomes increasingly active.
Evening: Return to your lodge for another peaceful evening in the wilderness.
Overnight: Tarangire
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 03

Tarangire to Lake Manyara Through Rift Valley Scenery

Transport: After breakfast, leave Tarangire and travel toward the spectacular Great Rift Valley.
Park: Enter Lake Manyara National Park, a compact but remarkably diverse wildlife destination tucked beneath the towering Rift Valley escarpment.
Game viewing: Explore groundwater forests, open floodplains, and lakeshore habitats.
Wildlife: Look out for elephants moving through the forest, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest, and large troops of baboons.
Wildlife: Manyara is also historically famous for its tree-climbing lions, although sightings are unpredictable.
Birdlife: The park supports exceptional birdlife, and depending on seasonal conditions and water levels, flamingos and other waterbirds may be seen around the lake.
Accommodation: After your game drive, continue to your luxury lodge and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight: Lake Manyara / Karatu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 04

Lake Manyara to the Endless Plains of the Serengeti

Transport: Enjoy breakfast before beginning your journey through the spectacular Ngorongoro highlands toward Serengeti National Park.
Landscape: As you descend from the highlands, the landscape opens dramatically into the seemingly endless savannah that has made the Serengeti one of the world's most celebrated wildlife destinations.
Game viewing: Enjoy game viewing as you travel toward your luxury lodge or tented camp.
Wildlife: Look out for giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, and gazelles while your guide searches for the Serengeti's famous predators.
Accommodation: Arrive at your accommodation and settle into the peaceful surroundings.
Evening: As evening falls, enjoy your first sunset over the Serengeti.
Overnight: Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 05

Serengeti Big Cats and Endless Savannah

Morning: Wake early and venture onto the plains when predators are often most active.
Wildlife: The Serengeti is famous for its remarkable population of lions, but you'll also be searching for cheetahs scanning the grasslands and leopards resting among acacia trees.
Game viewing: Spend the day exploring different habitats and following the best wildlife activity.
Private safari: Your private safari means the day belongs to you. If you find an exceptional sighting, there is no need to rush away simply because a schedule says so.
Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness or return to your lodge for a leisurely meal and afternoon break.
Afternoon: Continue your game drive later in the day before returning to camp for dinner.
Overnight: Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 06

Full Day in the Serengeti Following Wildlife Movements

Game viewing: Today is another full day dedicated to exploring the Serengeti.
Seasonal focus: Depending on the season, your guide will focus on areas offering the best opportunity to encounter the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Migration: The migration is a year-round natural cycle involving vast numbers of wildebeest, zebras, and other grazers moving through the greater Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of fresh grazing and water.
Migration: From the calving grounds in the south to the dramatic river country of the north, the location of the herds changes throughout the year according to rainfall and natural conditions.
Wildlife: Even when the main migration herds are elsewhere, the Serengeti remains exceptional thanks to its abundant resident wildlife.
Return: Spend the day following wildlife across the plains before returning to your camp.
Overnight: Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 07

Serengeti Safari at Your Own Pace

Game viewing: Your fourth day in the Serengeti offers something especially valuable on safari - time.
Game viewing: There is no need to chase every sighting or hurry toward the next destination.
Game viewing: Explore areas you may not have visited during previous days, return to particularly productive wildlife locations, or simply allow your guide to follow fresh tracks and recent sightings.
Optional: Optional hot-air balloon safari
Optional activity: For an extraordinary perspective of the Serengeti, begin your morning with an optional sunrise hot-air balloon safari.
Optional activity: Float silently above the plains as the sun rises, taking in the vastness of the landscape and watching wildlife from above.
Afternoon: Spend your final afternoon enjoying the Serengeti before returning to your luxury camp for a memorable final evening on the plains.
Overnight: Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 08

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Through the Crater Highlands

Morning: Enjoy breakfast followed by a final game drive as you begin leaving the Serengeti.
Transport: Travel toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, watching the landscape gradually change from open plains to rolling volcanic highlands.
Optional: An optional visit to Olduvai Gorge can be arranged along the way.
Optional: This internationally important archaeological area has played a significant role in our understanding of early human evolution.
Accommodation: Continue toward the Ngorongoro highlands and arrive at your luxury lodge.
Views: Depending on your selected accommodation, enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding highlands or across the Ngorongoro landscape.
Evening: Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for tomorrow's final safari experience.
Overnight: Ngorongoro / Karatu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 09

Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Return to Arusha

Morning: After an early breakfast, travel to the crater rim and descend approximately 600 metres into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater.
Game viewing: Spend the morning exploring its grasslands, wetlands, and woodland habitats.
Wildlife: Search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, jackals, and numerous antelope species.
Wildlife: Ngorongoro is also one of Tanzania's important habitats for the endangered black rhino, giving you an opportunity to complete your Big Five experience.
Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the spectacular crater scenery.
Return: Later, ascend the crater walls and begin your journey back to Arusha.
Drop-off: Upon arrival, your private guide will transfer you to your hotel, residence, or the airport.
End: Your 9-Day Tanzania Luxury Safari comes to an end after nine extraordinary days immersed in some of Africa's greatest wilderness landscapes.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 5 cities · 9 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Private customized 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
Professional private Tanzania safari driver-guide
Arusha pick-up and drop-off
8 nights luxury safari accommodation
Accommodation: 2 nights in Tarangire
Accommodation: 1 night in Lake Manyara/Karatu
Accommodation: 4 nights in the Serengeti
Accommodation: 1 night in Ngorongoro/Karatu
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Tarangire National Park entrance fees
Lake Manyara National Park entrance fees
Serengeti National Park entrance and applicable conservation fees
Ngorongoro Conservation Area fees
Ngorongoro Crater descent/service fees
Private game drives throughout
Picnic lunches where indicated
Bottled drinking water during safari drives
Applicable government taxes and safari levies included in the confirmed quotation

What's Not Included

International and domestic flights unless specifically included
Tanzania visa and entry requirements
Travel and medical insurance
Optional Serengeti hot-air balloon safari
Optional Olduvai Gorge visit
Optional cultural experiences
Alcoholic and premium beverages unless included by the selected lodge
Tips and gratuities
Laundry, souvenirs, and personal expenses
Arusha accommodation before or after the safari unless included
Activities not specifically mentioned as included

Know before you go

Optional: Optional Serengeti hot-air balloon safari.
Optional: An optional visit to Olduvai Gorge can be arranged along the way.
Exclusion note: International and domestic flights unless specifically included.
Exclusion note: Tanzania visa and entry requirements.

Logistics