Arusha to Arusha National Park – Immersive Wilderness Walk and Birdlife

The adventure begins on Day 1 of your 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari with a morning pick-up from your accommodation in Arusha at 7:30 AM. After a short drive of approximately 38 kilometers along a well-maintained tarmac road, you arrive at Arusha National Park, a surprisingly diverse sanctuary spanning 552 square kilometers. This park, though compact compared to others on the itinerary, boasts a remarkable biodiversity with over 400 recorded species.

The 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari offers a unique opportunity here: a guided walking safari escorted by an armed ranger lasting approximately four hours. This immersive experience allows you to connect intimately with the landscape and wildlife, offering close encounters with the park’s resident mammals and birds. The walking safari is an excellent chance to appreciate the finer details of Tanzania’s wilderness, from animal tracks and insect life to indigenous flora.

Lake Momella, one of the park’s spectacular features, is renowned for its concentration of waterbirds. Here, you can witness an astonishing variety of flamingos, pelicans, little grebes, herons, ducks, and waders in their natural habitat. The diverse avian population also includes species such as the Hartlaub’s turaco, secretary bird, grey parrot, hammerkop, spur-winged goose, and the rare red-billed oxpecker. Beyond birds, the park supports a variety of mammals including zebra, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, waterbucks, and several monkey species such as Colobus, vervet, and baboons.

Following your explorations, you will retreat to The Charity Hotel in Arusha for an evening of relaxation and dinner. The day’s carefully balanced activities and wildlife viewing provide a perfect introduction to the 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari, setting an exciting tone for the days ahead.

• Main Destination: Arusha National Park
• Accommodation: The Charity Hotel
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks provided

Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Elephant Herds and Birdlife Extravaganza

Day 2 of your 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari begins with a hearty breakfast before embarking on a drive to Tarangire National Park. Known for its high density of elephants and stunning baobab tree landscapes, Tarangire offers one of Tanzania’s most spectacular wildlife viewing experiences. The journey from Arusha takes you through changing scenery until you reach this rich ecosystem.

Tarangire is particularly vibrant during the dry season from June to September, when vast numbers of animals migrate from the dry Maasai Steppe to the life-giving waters of the Tarangire River. Your 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari guide will lead you through herds of wildebeest, buffalo, oryx, zebra, and more, alongside predators like lions and leopards, who closely follow their prey.

In addition to the mammalian wildlife, Tarangire is home to an astonishing bird population exceeding 500 species. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting species such as the rufous-tailed weaver, yellow-collared lovebird, and various eagles and hornbills. The park’s unique landscape of rolling hills, riverine forest, and open plains makes for incredible photographic opportunities.

After an engaging afternoon game drive, you will check into the Farm of Dreams Lodge, a comfortable retreat offering warm hospitality and delicious meals. The lodge’s serene setting and modern amenities provide a welcoming place to relax and review the day’s memorable sightings on your 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari.

• Main Destination: Tarangire National Park
• Accommodation: Farm of Dreams Lodge
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks provided

Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park – Tree-Climbing Lions and Flamingo Spectacle

On the third day of your 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari, after breakfast, you will embark on a short drive to Lake Manyara National Park. This compact but ecologically diverse park is famed for its varied habitats, which include underground water forests, acacia woodlands, open savannah, and the expansive soda lake.

Lake Manyara’s ecosystems support approximately 350 species of birds, making it a hotspot for birdwatchers and nature lovers. The park’s flamingo population is particularly noteworthy, with thousands often adorning the lake’s shores in vibrant pink flocks.

Your game drive will also take you through areas inhabited by tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior unique to this park, and other iconic animals such as hippos, elephants, zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, baboons, and both blue and velvet monkeys. You will witness a rich tapestry of wildlife against a backdrop of impressive landscapes featuring hot springs and verdant forests.

After a day of wildlife viewing, you will enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation at Marera Valley Lodge, a comfortable sanctuary offering great views and warm Tanzanian hospitality. This experience enriches your 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari by combining wildlife, scenery, and relaxation.

• Main Destination: Lake Manyara National Park
• Accommodation: Farm of Dreams Lodge
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks provided

Lake Manyara to Central Serengeti National Park – Entering the Heart of the Safari

Day 4 marks a pivotal transition on your 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari as you journey from Lake Manyara to the vast Serengeti National Park. The drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, offering scenic views of the iconic Ngorongoro Crater rim. The conservation area is also home to the Olduvai Gorge, an archaeological site often called the “Cradle of Mankind,” known for fossil discoveries dating back over two million years. Guests can opt to visit this historic site and deepen their understanding of human evolution.

The Serengeti, spanning over 14,750 square kilometers, is Tanzania’s flagship national park and one of the world’s most renowned wildlife sanctuaries. The plains of the Serengeti serve as the stage for the Big Five and the magnificent wildebeest migration, making this area the heart of your 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari.

Arriving in the Central Serengeti by midday, you will embark on a game drive across the sweeping plains and diverse habitats. Your expert guide will share insights into the behaviors of the abundant predators, prey, and the complex ecosystem that sustains them. As the sun sets, you will settle into the luxurious Intimate Camp Seronera, offering comfortable tented accommodation in the heart of the Serengeti wilderness.

This day balances travel and exploration, immersing you fully into the expansive beauty and thrilling wildlife of the Serengeti, a highlight of the 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari.

• Main Destination: Central Serengeti National Park
• Accommodation: Intimate Camp Seronera
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks provided

Full Day Game Drive in Central Serengeti National Park – Discover Wildlife Riches

On Day 5 of your 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari, you will experience an exhilarating full day of game drives in Central Serengeti National Park. After an energizing breakfast, set off early to explore the Serengeti’s dynamic ecosystem, witnessing the interaction of predators and prey amidst the stunning backdrop of rolling plains, kopjes, and acacia woodlands.

Your expert safari guide will use their deep knowledge of animal behavior and park geography to locate prides of lions, stealthy leopards, cheetahs sprinting after prey, and massive herds of buffalo and wildebeest. This day offers multiple opportunities for close-up wildlife encounters and photography, especially during the early morning and late afternoon when animals are most active.

You may choose to enjoy a picnic lunch out in the wilderness or return to camp for a hot meal, allowing flexibility according to your preference. Afternoon game drives continue until the golden hues of sunset bathe the Serengeti, providing spectacular views and the chance to witness animals preparing for the night.

Returning to Intimate Camp Seronera, you will enjoy dinner and the comfort of your tented camp, reflecting on the extraordinary wildlife of the Serengeti, a cornerstone of the 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari experience.

• Main Destination: Central Serengeti National Park
• Accommodation: Intimate Camp Seronera
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks provided

Serengeti Central to Northern Serengeti – Following the Migration Path

Day 6 brings new excitement as you transfer from Central to Northern Serengeti, the region famous for the annual wildebeest migration’s dramatic river crossings. After breakfast, set off on morning and afternoon game drives to observe the abundant wildlife across changing landscapes.

The Northern Serengeti’s LOBO area is known as the migration’s main thoroughfare, where vast herds of wildebeest and zebra journey in search of fresh grazing. Your guide will take you to strategic vantage points to witness these awe-inspiring movements and the predator-prey dynamics that accompany them.

The evening is spent at Camp Zebra, a comfortable and authentic tented camp providing a restful setting amid the Serengeti’s wilderness. Here, you can unwind and prepare for the exciting day ahead in the heart of the 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari.

• Main Destination: Northern Serengeti National Park
• Accommodation: Intimate Camp Zebra
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks provided

Full Day Game Drive to Mara River Crossing – Witness the Great Migration

On Day 7 of your 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari, you embark on a full-day game drive focused on following the Great Wildebeest Migration as it approaches and crosses the Mara River. After breakfast, depart with a packed lunch and your expert guide to track the herds’ movements.

This extraordinary wildlife spectacle involves approximately 1.5 million wildebeest and 500,000 zebras migrating through the Serengeti ecosystem, confronting the dangers posed by crocodile-infested waters and patient predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. Witnessing the river crossing is a raw, unforgettable experience as thousands of animals plunge into the water, dodging predators and strong currents.

The energy and drama of this event embody the spirit of the 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari, providing rare and spectacular moments that define African wildlife adventures.

In the early evening, return to Camp Zebra for dinner and overnight, where you can rest after a day of intense and thrilling wildlife viewing.

• Main Destination: Northern Serengeti National Park (Mara River)
• Accommodation: Intimate Camp Zebra
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks provided

Northern Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Transition to Crater Highlands

After an early breakfast, your 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari continues with a departure from the Northern Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater Rim. Before leaving, you may enjoy an early morning game drive for last glimpses of Serengeti wildlife.

The journey through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers scenic game viewing en route to the crater’s rim. Upon arrival, settle in at Rhino Lodge, located in the serene highlands overlooking the crater. This lodge provides modern comfort and stunning views, the perfect base for your upcoming exploration of the crater floor.

Dinner and overnight at Rhino Lodge offer a peaceful retreat amidst the rolling landscapes, as anticipation builds for the grand finale of your 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari.

• Main Destination: Ngorongoro Highlands
• Accommodation: Rhino Lodge
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks provided

Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha – Final Safari Day and Departure

On the final day of your 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari, wake early to descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a day filled with breathtaking game drives. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its dense population of wildlife, including all members of the Big Five: rhino, lion, buffalo, elephant, and leopard.

The crater’s diverse ecosystems support a variety of other species such as zebra, hippo, wildebeest, and hyena, alongside hundreds of bird species including vibrant flamingos, geese, and storks. Your safari will include a picnic lunch at the picturesque Ngoitoktok Swamp, a hippo pool surrounded by lush vegetation.

After a final day immersed in one of Africa’s most remarkable landscapes, you will drive back to Arusha, where your safari concludes. Depending on your travel plans, transfers to Kilimanjaro or Arusha airports can be arranged.

This last day perfectly encapsulates the wonder and thrill of the 9-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari, leaving you with cherished memories of Tanzania’s wild heart.

• Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
• Accommodation: None (end of tour)
• Meals & Drinks: Breakfast and lunch included; dinner excluded; non-alcoholic drinks provided