Day 1: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
Your Tanzania tour begins with a transfer from Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park. After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will brief you before the scenic drive to the park. On arrival, enjoy lunch and set out on your first afternoon game drive. Lake Manyara is known for its shallow soda lake that attracts large flocks of flamingos and other bird species. The park is also home to elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, and the famous tree-climbing lions that make this destination so unique. As evening approaches, head to Farm of Dreams Lodge for dinner and your first overnight stay.
Accommodation: Farm of Dreams Lodge
Day 2: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, your journey continues through the highland farmlands of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before descending into the legendary Serengeti plains. Known as the crown jewel of Tanzania tours, Serengeti National Park offers vast savannahs teeming with wildlife. En route to your lodge, enjoy game viewing opportunities with chances to spot wildebeest herds, giraffes, lions, and hyenas. By lunchtime, you’ll arrive at your accommodation, followed by an afternoon game drive that sets the tone for your stay in the Serengeti. Return for dinner and overnight at Tanzania Bush Camp, located within the park.
Accommodation: Tanzania Bush Camp
Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
Day three of your Tanzania safari tour is dedicated to a full-day game drive across the Serengeti. After breakfast, set off along the Sogore River circuit, a water-rich area that draws numerous animals. Here, you may encounter lions basking in the sun, cheetahs sprinting after gazelles, and topis grazing on the plains. Thompson’s gazelles, elephants, and large herds of wildebeest are also common. You’ll have the choice of a picnic lunch in the park or a midday rest at camp, before continuing with an afternoon drive. As the sun sets, return to Tanzania Bush Camp for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Tanzania Bush Camp
Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, depart the Serengeti and drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, make a stop at the world-famous Olduvai Gorge, an important archaeological site where Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey discovered early human fossils. Arriving at the Ngorongoro area in time for lunch, you’ll have a chance to relax before exploring the rim and taking in the stunning views of the crater below. Known as one of the best wildlife destinations on all Tanzania tours, the Ngorongoro area is rich with lions, elephants, buffalo, and more. Dinner and overnight follow at Ngorongoro Lodge.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Lodge
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Your final day on this Tanzania tour begins early with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” This vast volcanic caldera hosts more than 25,000 large animals, making it one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five in a single day. Expect close encounters with black rhinos, lions, elephants, leopards, and buffalo, along with hippos, zebras, and hyenas. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the crater floor before ascending the crater walls and driving back to Arusha or Moshi for your evening departure. Overnight stay can be arranged at Maridadi Hotel upon request.
