Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Your guide will meet you upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), ready to welcome you to Tanzania and begin your unforgettable africa safari trip. From the airport, youโll be transferred to your hotel in Arusha, the vibrant safari capital of northern Tanzania. After check-in, take some time to relax and unwind after your journey, or if you prefer, head out for an optional short city tour. Arusha offers a fascinating introduction to Tanzanian culture, with bustling markets, craft shops, and panoramic views of Mount Meru. This first evening sets the stage for the adventures ahead on your africa safari trip, blending rest, culture, and anticipation before you head into the wilderness.
Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, you will continue your africa safari trip with a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park for a full-day game drive. With a picnic lunch packed, the day will be spent exploring the parkโs striking landscapes, dotted with towering baobab trees and rolling savannah. Tarangire is best known for its massive elephant herds, often seen gathering near the river, but it is also home to lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, and countless other species that make the park a wildlife haven.
At midday, you will pause for a picnic lunch in one of the parkโs designated areas, taking in the wilderness views and listening to the calls of birds that thrive here. With over 500 recorded bird species, Tarangire is also a paradise for bird enthusiasts. As the day comes to a close, you will exit the park and drive to Karatu, a lush highland town surrounded by coffee plantations. Here, you will enjoy dinner and spend the night at a welcoming lodge, preparing for the next stage of your africa safari trip.
Accommodation: Marera Valley Lodge
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, your africa safari trip takes you deep into the Ngorongoro Crater for a thrilling morning game drive. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the worldโs largest intact volcanic caldera and shelters an astonishing concentration of wildlife within its lush floor. As you descend the steep crater walls, you will find yourself surrounded by breathtaking scenery and diverse habitats ranging from open grasslands to acacia forests and soda lakes. Keep your eyes open for sightings of endangered black rhinos, large prides of lions, massive elephants, and grazing buffalo. The crater is also a haven for flamingos, hippos, and an incredible array of birdlife, making it a highlight of any africa safari trip.
You will enjoy a picnic lunch beside one of the craterโs picturesque lakes, taking in the tranquility of this unique natural wonder. Afterward, ascend the crater rim and continue your journey towards the vast Serengeti National Park. Known for its endless plains and spectacular wildlife migrations, the Serengeti is the very heart of the african safari experience. On arrival, settle into your lodge or tented camp, where dinner and your overnight stay await, surrounded by the sounds of the wilderness.
Accommodation: Kon Tiki Serengeti Camp
Day 4: Serengeti to Karatu
Begin the day with an early morning game drive in Serengeti National Park, one of the most thrilling moments of your africa safari trip. At dawn, the golden light spreads across the endless plains while predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs are at their most active, hunting or patrolling their territories. You may also encounter herds of wildebeests, zebras, and giraffes grazing as the day comes alive, creating unforgettable wildlife photography opportunities.
After returning to camp for a hearty brunch, bid farewell to the Serengeti and start your journey back towards the highlands. By late afternoon, you will arrive in Karatu, a lush town on the slopes of the Ngorongoro Highlands, surrounded by coffee farms and rolling hills. Here, you will relax at Marera Valley Lodge, where you can enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in preparation for the next stage of your africa safari trip.
Accommodation: Marera Valley Lodge
Day 5: Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha
After breakfast, set out for a final game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, a beautiful reserve often described as a hidden gem of Tanzaniaโs northern safari circuit. This park is famous for its rare tree-climbing lions, which can sometimes be spotted resting on the branches of acacia trees, as well as its large and playful baboon troops that dominate the forested areas. The alkaline lake itself attracts flocks of flamingos, pelicans, and other waterbirds, while the surrounding woodlands and open plains are home to elephants, giraffes, hippos, and a rich variety of wildlife.
You will pause for lunch before beginning the drive back to Arusha, reflecting on the unforgettable experiences of your africa safari trip. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off at your hotel, the airport, or your onward destination, marking the end of your incredible journey through some of Tanzaniaโs most iconic parks and landscapes.