8 Days of Tanzania Safari

Tour Overview

Summary

This 8-day Tanzania safari adventure takes you through three of the country’s most iconic wildlife destinations: Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater. Begin in Tarangire National Park, famous for its vast elephant herds and baobab trees. Here you’ll enjoy classic game drives in a quieter, less crowded wilderness.

Your journey continues into the legendary Serengeti National Park, where endless savannahs set the stage for game drives in search of Africa’s Big Five and the Great Migration herds. With multiple days in Serengeti, you’ll have time to enjoy full-day safaris, optional hot-air balloon rides, and authentic cultural experiences.

Next, travel to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Conservation Area, home to the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, where diverse ecosystems support an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, from lions and elephants to endangered black rhinos.

With carefully selected lodges and tented camps, this safari balances comfort, adventure, and cultural experiences. It’s an ideal choice for travelers seeking an unforgettable East African experience that combines world-class game viewing with Tanzania’s most spectacular landscapes.

Accommodation Options

• Tarangire – Tarangire Kati Kati/ Maramboi Tented Lodge or Tarangire Sopa Lodge/ Tarangire Treetops Lodge

• Serengeti – Serengeti Katikati / Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge or Sametu Camp/ Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge

• Ngorongoro – Ngorongoro Farm House Valley/ Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / Lion’s Paw /Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge

Activities: Game viewing, photography, nature walks sightseeing, birding, and cultural visits

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha – Transfer to Tarangire (Approx. 2.5 – 3 hours)

Pick up from your Arusha hotel in the morning or airport on arrival and depart for Tarangire. Arrive with a short introductory game drive en route to the lodge for check-in and lunch. Rest and later enjoy a game drive at 3 or 4 p.m.

Overnight: Tarangire Kati Kati/ Maramboi Tented Lodge or Tarangire Sopa Lodge/ Tarangire Treetops Lodge

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Tarangire National Park – Full Day

Have morning & afternoon game drives on this day. Alternatively, have a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch.
Tarangire is a less crowded park well known for huge herds of elephants and baobab trees.

Overnight: Tarangire Kati Kati/ Maramboi Tented Lodge or Tarangire Sopa Lodge/ Tarangire Treetops Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Serengeti (Approx. 4-5 hours)

Have early breakfast and depart Tarangire for Serengeti to arrive in time for lunch. The afternoon game drive is at 3 or 4 p.m.
Serengeti National Park is a vast wilderness of approximately 14,750 square kilometers, well known for its breathtaking savannah landscapes, home to large herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles that migrate annually in search of fresh grazing grounds. The park is also home to the iconic African “Big Five” – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinoceroses – as well as a wide variety of other wildlife such as cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, and much more.

Overnight: Serengeti Katikati / Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge or Sametu Camp/ Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 & 5: Serengeti – Full Days

Spend these two days with full-day game drives in the Greater Serengeti- home to Africa’s Big Five. There will be a picnic lunch during the day.

Alternatively, have morning and afternoon game drives. Spend part of the day exploring the camp facilities and nature walks.

Optional activity: Hot Air Balloon Ride, Maasai Village Visit, Bush breakfast or dinner

Overnight: Serengeti Katikati / Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge or Sametu Camp/ Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Serengeti – Transfer to Ngorongoro (Approx. 3 hours)

After breakfast, depart for Ngorongoro Crater with a short stop at Olduvai Gorge. Enjoy an introductory game drive on the crate rim as you head to the lodge. There will be no other game drive so spend the remaining hours at leisure enjoying walking around the surrounding areas and exploring the lodge’s facilities.

Ngorongoro is a conservation area known for its breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecosystem. The area is centered around the Ngorongoro Crater, which is the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. The Crater is home to an incredibly diverse array of wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros, and cape buffalo, although some can be hard to find. In addition to wildlife, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is also home to the Maasai people, who have been living in the area for centuries and continue to maintain their traditional way of life.

Overnight: Ngorongoro FarmhouseValley/ Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / Lion’s Paw/ Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Crater Tour

After breakfast, drive to the crater floor with packed picnic lunch for a tour of the crater floor, which is home to numerous plains game. Spend the morning at the foot of the crater and have lunch at one of the famous picnic spots in the park. Return to the lodge in the evening for overnight and dinner.

Overnight: Ngorongoro Farm House Valley/ Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / Lion’s Paw /Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 8: Ngorongoro – Transfer to Arusha

After breakfast, check out and drive to Arusha. You will have lunch in Arusha and thereafter, our driver will drop you off at the airport for your out bound flight or at your hotel in Arusha.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch.

Notes

• Accommodation is subject to availability

Inclusive of;

• All government taxes/VAT

• Pick up and drop off in Arusha or Kilimanjaro

• Park fees to all the parks + Ngorongoro Crater fees

• Concession fees

• 7-night accommodation on a full board basis

• Bottled drinking water.

• Transport and game drives in customized 4/4 Land Cruisers with a pop-up roof to facilitate game viewing and photography.

• Services of a professional tour driver/guide

• Lunch on the last day

• AMREF Flying Doctors Emergency Evacuation

Exclusive of;

• International flights from home and back
• Tips & porterage
• Visa fees (if applicable)
• Travel Insurance
• Other personal items
• Optional Activities: Hot Air Balloon ride($578 per person), a visit to Maasai Village ($30 per person)
• Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions and itinerary