Arusha National Park + Walking Safari – Start Your Safari Adventure

Your 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari begins with a warm welcome as your guide collects you from your Arusha hotel in the morning. A short scenic drive transports you to Arusha National Park, a small but remarkably diverse park offering spectacular scenery and an intimate wildlife experience. Despite its modest size, Arusha National Park supports a wide variety of animals such as giraffes, Cape buffalo, zebras, black-and-white Colobus monkeys, flamingos, elephants, and many more.

This first day is unique in that it offers a walking safari—an exhilarating way to get close to nature and wildlife, guided by a professional ranger. The walking safari allows you to discover the park’s details from the ground up, observing smaller animals, birds, and the diverse flora that is often missed on vehicle game drives. The walking experience fosters a deeper connection to the environment and a heightened appreciation of Tanzania’s wilderness.

Following a picnic lunch in the park, you will return to Arusha where you spend your first night at Green Mountain Hotel. This comfortable lodge offers a relaxing atmosphere and is a great place to prepare for the adventure ahead. The first day of the 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari sets the tone for an incredible journey, combining the excitement of wildlife with the tranquility of Tanzania’s natural beauty.

• Main Destination: Arusha National Park
• Accommodation: Green Mountain Hotel
• Meals & Drinks: Lunch and dinner included; breakfast not included; drinking water provided

Tarangire National Park – Discover Elephants and Vast Wildlife

On the second day of your 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari, after an early breakfast, you will set off from Green Mountain Hotel to Tarangire National Park. The approximately two-hour drive offers scenic views of traditional Maasai villages and roaming livestock, giving you a glimpse into local culture and daily life.

Tarangire National Park is famed for its dense elephant population, often seen in large herds congregating near the Tarangire River during the dry season. The park’s diverse habitats also support an array of other wildlife including zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, lions, and elusive cheetahs. Your game drive will include a visit to a designated picnic site within the park, where you will enjoy lunch surrounded by nature.

The afternoon game drive continues to explore Tarangire’s baobab-studded plains and riverine forests. As the day ends, you will head to Heart And Soul Lodge, nestled near Lake Manyara, where you can unwind with a refreshing swim in the pool and enjoy panoramic views. The combination of rich wildlife viewing and comfortable accommodation makes Day 2 a highlight of your 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari.

• Main Destination: Tarangire National Park
• Accommodation: Heart And Soul Lodge
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided

Lake Natron + Waterfalls – Remote Beauty

Day 3 of the 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari takes you to the remote and extraordinary Lake Natron. After breakfast, you will journey through expansive Maasai lands characterized by vast open spaces, small pastoral settlements, and majestic mountains such as the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, whose name means ‘Mountain of God.’

Lake Natron is a unique alkaline lake known for its red-hued waters and as a breeding ground for millions of lesser flamingos. The area exudes a primordial, almost otherworldly atmosphere, far from the typical safari circuits. Upon arrival, you will embark on an adventurous guided walk to nearby waterfalls. This excursion offers a refreshing break amid stunning natural scenery and the chance to observe local wildlife and bird species.

After an exciting day exploring the rugged wilderness around Lake Natron, you will spend the night at Natron River Camp, an authentic bush camp providing cozy tents and a peaceful setting to soak in the remote beauty of the area. This day adds a thrilling and off-the-beaten-path element to the 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari, enriching your experience with natural wonders seldom seen on other tours.

• Main Destination: Lake Natron
• Accommodation: Natron River Camp

Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided

Natron to Serengeti National Park – Enter the Legendary Plains

Day 4 sees you depart Lake Natron and venture toward the legendary Serengeti National Park. The drive is a feast for the eyes, with sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai standing proudly on the horizon. The Great Rift Valley is one of the most dramatic geological features on the planet, stretching from the Red Sea in the Middle East all the way through East Africa, and its vastness sets the tone for your entry into the Serengeti’s expansive plains.

Upon reaching Serengeti National Park, your 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari guide will lead you on an exciting game drive en route to Serengeti Wild Camp, where you will enjoy dinner and a night under the African stars. The Serengeti is world-renowned for its vast herds of wildlife and is the heartland of the great wildebeest migration. Here, the richness of the ecosystem is palpable, from predators stalking the plains to graceful antelopes grazing on the savannah.

Your evening at Serengeti Wild Camp provides an authentic safari experience with comfortable tented accommodation and the soothing sounds of the wilderness. This day is pivotal, marking your entrance into one of the most celebrated national parks on your 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari.

• Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
• Accommodation: Serengeti Wild Camp
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided

Serengeti National Park – Full Day Game Drive in the Heart of the Wilderness

Day 5 offers a full day of immersive game drives across the Central Serengeti plains. After a nourishing breakfast, you will explore the varied landscapes, spotting wildlife ranging from grazing wildebeests and zebras to majestic lions and elusive leopards. The Serengeti’s ecosystem supports an extraordinary density of predators and prey, offering excellent opportunities for close wildlife encounters and photography.

Your guide’s expert knowledge will bring the ecosystem alive, explaining the complex relationships between species, migration patterns, and the seasonal changes that define the Serengeti’s rhythms. The landscape itself—marked by iconic kopjes, endless savannah, and acacia groves—provides an unforgettable backdrop.

In the evening, retreat to Serengeti Wildebeest Camp, a tented lodge that offers comfort amidst nature. Here, the rising and setting sun punctuates your day, inviting moments of reflection by the campfire. This full day in the Serengeti is a highlight of your 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari, combining breathtaking scenery with abundant wildlife.

• Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
• Accommodation: Serengeti Wildebeest Camp
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided

Morning in Serengeti, Afternoon in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

On Day 6, enjoy a morning game drive in the Serengeti where the early hours provide spectacular wildlife viewing as animals are most active. The golden morning light illuminates the plains, enhancing the magic of this iconic safari destination.

In the afternoon, your 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari journey takes you to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its volcanic caldera, diverse wildlife, and stunning landscapes. You will overnight at Ngorongoro Wild Camp, located within this pristine conservation area, where natural surroundings and tranquil ambiance await.

This day combines the thrill of the Serengeti with the unique environment of Ngorongoro, enhancing your safari adventure with contrasting yet complementary ecosystems.

• Main Destination: Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Accommodation: Ngorongoro Wild Camp
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided

Ngorongoro Crater – Wildlife Abundance in the World’s Largest Inactive Volcanic Crater

Day 7 is dedicated to exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most spectacular natural wonders and the world’s largest unfilled volcanic caldera. Early morning descent into the crater floor offers unparalleled wildlife viewing, with approximately 25,000 large animals residing here year-round.

Expect to encounter vast herds of zebra, wildebeest, elephants, and the rare black rhinoceros. Predators such as lions and hyenas also roam the crater, making for dynamic and exciting game viewing. The crater’s diverse habitats include grasslands, swamps, and forests, supporting a rich variety of birdlife as well.

In the afternoon, you will travel to Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge, a comfortable base for your next cultural experience. This day highlights the ecological diversity and wildlife richness that make the Ngorongoro Crater a crown jewel of the 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari.

• Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
• Accommodation: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided

Lake Eyasi – Meet the Hadzabe & Datoga Tribes

Day 8 offers a culturally enriching experience as you visit the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes near Lake Eyasi. The Hadzabe are one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes in Africa, living traditionally by hunting and gathering from the bush. Their knowledge of the land and survival skills are fascinating and provide a unique insight into an ancient way of life.

The neighboring Datoga tribe are pastoralists and skilled silversmiths, known for crafting iron tools, knives, and spears which they trade with the Hadzabe in exchange for honey and fruits. This visit offers a rare opportunity to witness traditional craftsmanship and tribal customs.

After this unforgettable cultural immersion, you will return to Heart And Soul Lodge or Eileens Trees Lodge to relax, enjoy the beautiful surroundings, and reflect on the day’s extraordinary experiences. This day adds a vital human element to your 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari, blending wildlife with indigenous culture.

• Main Destination: Lake Eyasi
• Accommodation: Heart And Soul Lodge / Eileens Trees Lodge
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided

Lake Manyara National Park – Tree-Climbing Lions and Flamingos to End Your

Your final day takes you to Lake Manyara National Park, a gem of Northern Tanzania known for its remarkable biodiversity and scenic beauty. Lake Manyara is famous for the rare tree-climbing lions, vast flocks of flamingos along the soda ash lake, and a wide variety of other wildlife including elephants, hippos, and baboons.

You will enjoy game drives throughout the day, interspersed with a picnic lunch at a scenic site within the park. Optional walking safaris with a ranger are available for those who wish to experience the park from a different perspective.

After a rewarding day in Lake Manyara, your 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari concludes as you return to Arusha. Here, transfers to the airport or onward destinations can be arranged, leaving you with lasting memories of Tanzania’s incredible wildlife and culture.

• Main Destination: Lake Manyara National Park
• Accommodation: None (end of tour)
• Meals & Drinks: Breakfast and lunch included; dinner not included; drinking water provided