Tanzania · Safari

8-Day Tanzania Safari from Arusha with Serengeti and Ngorongoro

8 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Tarangire National Park, home to an unusually large elephant population
02 Witness the Great Migration across the vast plains of Serengeti National Park
03 Marvel at the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest unflooded caldera
04 Look for tree-climbing lions and close-up elephant encounters at Lake Manyara

Embark on an exhilarating 8-day Tanzania safari adventure from Arusha through Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Lake Manyara National Park. Encounter Tarangire's large elephant population and diverse wildlife, explore the iconic Serengeti where the Great Migration unfolds, and discover the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest unflooded and unbroken caldera. The journey ends at Lake Manyara, one of Tanzania's hidden gems, known for its tree-climbing lions and close-up elephant sightings.

Encounter Tarangire's large elephant population and diverse wildlife, explore the iconic Serengeti where the Great Migration unfolds, and discover the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest unflooded and unbroken caldera.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Luxury

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

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

Languages English, French, German, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival at Kilimanjaro and Transfer to Accommodation

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met and transferred to your accommodation to recover from your journey.

Day 02

Safari in Tarangire National Park

Travel to Tarangire National Park, a journey of approximately 3-4 hours. Tarangire is a sanctuary for an unusually large elephant population, and its majestic baobab trees are one of the park's most interesting features. Animals concentrate along the Tarangire River, which provides the only permanent water supply in the area. There is a great diversity of wildlife here, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and up to six thousand elephants. Enjoy an afternoon game drive.

Day 03

Into the Serengeti for Wildlife Viewing

After breakfast, you will commence your drive to one of the most famous game parks in Africa, the Serengeti, taking approximately 4 hours. The Serengeti is home to millions of wildebeest. During the migration across the huge flat plains, you are likely to find lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and many other small predators. Your guide will choose the best wildlife-viewing locations for the time of year. Spend time at the Hippo Pool, watching these enormous animals laze about in the cool water alongside the crocodiles, watch a lion stalking its prey, or be staggered by the scale of the great wildebeest migration. The journey through wide, open plains to the kopjes - volcanic rocky outcrops that provide protection and shelter for a wide variety of animals - creates a diverse and interesting landscape that offers the ultimate game-viewing experience.

Day 04

Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Crater Exploration

Start early in the Serengeti to try and find cats before they retreat from the blazing sun during the day. After a few hours of game viewing, drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you will spend the night. The Ngorongoro Caldera is the largest unflooded and unbroken caldera in the world. At approximately 20 kilometers across and 600 meters deep, the Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtaking natural wonder. The crater is unique because almost all the wildlife lives within its walls, giving you an excellent opportunity to find game easily. You will want to wake early to make the most of your day exploring the crater, where rhinos can be seen regularly, along with prides of lions and other predators such as cheetahs.

Day 05

Lake Manyara National Park and Return

This morning, you will drive to Lake Manyara, taking around an hour. Described as one of the hidden gems of Tanzania, this park is famous for its tree-climbing lions and large herds of elephants, which are not shy about coming straight up to the vehicle. After lunch, you will drive back to Moshi/Arusha, taking approximately 2-3 hours.

Day 06

Departure Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport

Today you will be transferred back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in time for your flight.

Where this trip takes you

Tarangire National Park baobab plains, Serengeti National Park plains and kopjes, Ngorongoro Crater caldera floor, Lake Manyara National Park tree-climbing lions

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 6 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with an open roof
Park fees
Crater fees
18% VAT on tour fees and services, which accounts for nearly 55% of the total cost charged
Budget, medium, or luxury accommodations
Professional English-speaking safari guide and chef
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
1.5 bottles of water per day, plus tea and coffee with meals
Pick-up from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha
Drop-off to Kilimanjaro Airport after the safari from Arusha
Accommodation before and after the safari at Karibu Heritage Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis in Arusha

What's Not Included

Both national and international flights
Medical insurance
Visa cost, which is $50 except for Canadian and USA passport holders, for whom it is $100
Tips for the safari guide and chef
Items of a personal nature
Laundry services
Alcoholic beverages
Extra activities (Serengeti balloon flight: $600 per person; Masai Village: $45 per person)

Know before you go

Bring soft luggage such as a duffel bag, hiking pack, or sports bag. These are ideal for packing in a safari vehicle. Hard suitcases can often be difficult to fit in the vehicles.
Bring a backpack to carry all of your important items, including travel documents, money, camera, medication, etc. You should keep this backpack with you at all times.
Keep luxury items such as hair dryers/straighteners, expensive jewellery, make-up, and bulky toiletries to an absolute minimum. If in doubt, leave them out.
If you plan to bring cash, divide it into different areas of your carry-on luggage, wallet, and money belt, just in case something happens to one of those carry items.
Leave some space in your luggage for the all-important souvenirs that you will probably buy. There are places where you can send packages home via DHL, etc.; however, this can sometimes be an expensive option.
The wildebeest migration in Tanzania is one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the world. It involves the movement of large herds of wildebeest, zebras, and other animals across the Serengeti ecosystem, crossing Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Here are some key points to consider when planning a wildebeest migration safari in Tanzania:
Timing:
Migration Seasons: The wildebeest migration is an annual event, and the timing can vary. The general migration patterns are:
January to March: Calving season in the southern Serengeti.
April to June: The migration moves to the central Serengeti.
July to September: The herds cross into the northern Serengeti and may enter the Masai Mara in Kenya.
October to December: The herds start returning to the southern Serengeti.
Best Time to Witness the River Crossings: The river crossings, particularly the Grumeti River and Mara River crossings, are some of the most dramatic events during the migration. This often occurs between June and August.
Safari Routes:
Northern Serengeti: This area is known for the Mara River crossings. Many safaris are focused on this region during the migration season.
Central Serengeti: The central Serengeti offers a good chance to witness the migration and is a great location for year-round game viewing.
Southern Serengeti: This area is crucial during the calving season and offers a unique experience with young animals.
Accommodation:
Lodges and Camps: There are various lodges and mobile camps strategically located to provide optimal wildlife viewing during the migration.
Mobile Camps: Some operators set up mobile camps that follow the migration, providing a more immersive experience.