8-Day Tanzania Safari with Lake Eyasi and Big Five Game Drives

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by a driver and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure - rest in your room, relax in the manicured gardens, enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool, or explore Arusha and the surrounding areas on one of our day tours. The choice is yours.

Get ready as your safari adventure begins tomorrow morning.

You will be staying overnight at the Njiro Legacy.

After breakfast, you will drive to Tarangire National Park for a full-day game drive. Tarangire is one of Africa's little-known gems and should be on the itinerary of all lovers of wilderness and solitude. Its name originates from the Tarangire River, which crosses through the park and is the only source of water during the dry season.

Tarangire's landscape is incredibly diverse, with a mix not found anywhere else on the northern safari circuit. It is dotted with ancient baobab trees, which the Maasai people believe are the first tree in creation, and large termite mounds. The dry season sees the harsh sun suck the moisture from the landscape, baking the earth a dusty red, while the wet season brings dense bush and luscious high grasses. Famous for its large elephant population, it is also home to zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, waterbuck, baboons, dwarf mongoose, impala, buffalo, antelope, and fringe-eared oryx. Predators include lions, cheetahs, and leopards. The swamps are shared by flocks of birds: green wood hoopoes, lovebirds, tallish herons, white-bellied go-away birds, and giant kingfishers. On drier ground, you will find the kori bustard and the heaviest of the flying birds, the ostrich.

In the late afternoon, you will drive to Eileen's Trees Inn, where you will spend the night. The lodge is located at the edge of the Great Rift Valley, specifically in the Karatu area of Tanzania, providing stunning views over Lake Manyara National Park. It sits on an escarpment, making it an ideal spot for breathtaking landscapes.

Today, you will travel to Serengeti National Park, one of Africa's premier game parks. Driving through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area toward Serengeti National Park, you will begin to experience the vastness of this territory and marvel at the multitude of animal and bird life while cruising through this acacia-spotted savannah.

You will visit a Maasai village in the Ngorongoro Highlands (optional), where you will meet the Elders, Warriors, women, and children and learn about the culture, beliefs, and traditions of Tanzania's last nomadic tribe.

You will game drive en route before arriving in the Serengeti in time for a half-day game drive. The Serengeti is Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a year-round destination, and each season has its own special highlight, with the most famous being the annual wildebeest migration, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

You will spend the night at Serengeti Wildebeest Camp for a comfortable stay in the park, hearing the birds whispering and the roaring of lions before you are immersed in a full day in the wilderness the next day.

Today, prepare for an unforgettable adventure as you immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife of the Serengeti. After an early breakfast, you'll set off on a full-day game drive, exploring the vast savannahs, woodlands, and riverine forests that make this park so renowned.

Throughout the day, your experienced guide will lead you to prime wildlife viewing areas, where you'll have the chance to observe the Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros - as well as a myriad of other animals like cheetahs, giraffes, and zebras. Keep your camera ready, as this is a photographer's paradise.

You'll enjoy a picnic lunch in a scenic spot within the park, allowing you to soak in the beauty of your surroundings while keeping an eye out for passing wildlife. As the sun begins to set, the golden light will provide the perfect backdrop for more incredible wildlife sightings.

After a day full of exploration and adventure, you'll return to your accommodation in the Serengeti for a well-deserved evening of relaxation. Share stories of the day's adventures over dinner as you listen to the sounds of the African night.

Overnight: Serengeti accommodation (lodge or tented camp). Serengeti Wildebeest Camp.

Today, you will be rewarded with a full-day game drive in the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and is one of the only places on earth where mankind and wild animals co-exist in harmony. The Ngorongoro Crater is famous for Africa's best game viewing, as there is an ever-present abundance of wildlife due to the permanent water supply on the crater floor.

Upon arrival at the crater rim, you will descend 610 meters into the crater, where your safari truly begins. Spot the endangered black rhino as well as wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, eland, Grant's and Thomson's gazelle, and, of course, giant tusked elephants. The crater also has the largest known population of lions, and you will also find leopards and cheetahs, as well as scavengers such as spotted hyenas, jackals, and rare wild dogs. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, including white pelicans and flamingos.

In the late afternoon, you will return to Eileen's Trees Inn, where you will spend the night.

Today, you will visit Lake Manyara National Park for a full-day game drive. Stretching along the base of the Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara is home to giant fig trees, acacia woodlands, mahogany trees, and grassy flood plains. The contrasts of this area are simply breathtaking, with its open plains, huge escarpment, soda lake, dense woodlands, and distant volcanic peaks coming together in an area best described by Ernest Hemingway as "the loveliest I had seen in Africa." Animals such as large buffalo, wildebeest, giraffes, mongoose, dik-dik, and zebra herds congregate on the grassy plains, while the narrow belt of acacia woodland is home to the legendary tree-climbing lions and tusked elephants. Lake Manyara provides the perfect introduction to Tanzania's bird life, with more than 400 species recorded. Highlights include thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large waterbirds such as pelicans, cormorants, and storks.

You'll enjoy a picnic lunch in a scenic spot within the park, surrounded by the sounds of nature.

After lunch, continue your exploration, capturing photos and enjoying the breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Around 7:00 PM, you will be taken into the wild for 2.5 hours of a night game drive. Around 10:15 PM, you'll conclude your visit and return to your accommodation, reflecting on the day's adventures and the stunning beauty of Lake Manyara.

Overnight: Lake Manyara accommodation.

After an early breakfast, you will meet your local guide, and together, you will meet the Hadzabe Bush People and Datoga Tribe. Join them as they go about their daily activities, such as hunting and gathering. You will visit the area where they collect fruits and roots and find water during the dry season, as well as the caves they call home.

After lunch, you will return to the Njiro Legacy, Arusha, where you will spend the night.

On your final day, you'll have some time to relax and reflect on your incredible journey. After breakfast, you'll check out of your accommodation and prepare for your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

If time permits, we recommend exploring Arusha with a couple of optional activities. You can visit the vibrant Masai Market, where you can shop for authentic souvenirs, including handcrafted jewelry, textiles, and traditional artifacts. It's a great opportunity to interact with local artisans and immerse yourself in the local culture.

Alternatively, consider taking an Arusha City Tour, where you can visit notable landmarks, including the Arusha Declaration Museum and the lively central market. This tour offers a glimpse into daily life in the city and allows you to sample local cuisine.

After your chosen activity, you will head to the airport, filled with wonderful memories from your adventure. Safe travels, and we hope to welcome you back to Tanzania in the future.