Arusha › Tarangire › Karatu › Serengeti › Ngorongoro
This comprehensive expedition hits the must-see highlights like the Serengeti and the almighty Ngorongoro Crater, but also ventures into the region's quieter, hidden corners. Discover the baobab-tree-dappled landscapes of Tarangire National Park—a premier destination for elephant lovers—and the rural heartland of Karatu. You will experience a unique tuk-tuk tour through vibrant Mto Wa Mbu and stay at a working farm that supports local communities. Add in a visit to the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ at Olduvai Gorge, and you have the recipe for an epic Tanzania wildlife holiday.
Welcome to Tanzania! Your first day is designed for total ease; you’ll be greeted at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and whisked away to your boutique lodge for some much-needed post-flight R&R. Nestled in a lush forest glade, this is the perfect place to acclimate to the tropical air and prepare for your upcoming East African safari.
Accommodation
Nestled within an active coffee farm on the shores of Lake Duluti, this boutique lodge offers a peaceful garden setting perfect for relaxing after your flight.
1 Night · Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Your first full day of exploration awaits. Meet your expert guide and set off on a three-hour drive to Tarangire National Park, where you’ll spend two nights. This one-of-a-kind wilderness is a land of giant baobab trees, marshlands, and the vast Masai Steppe, all teeming with classic East African mammals. Your wildlife-seeking adventure begins the moment you enter the gates, so keep a keen eye on the acacia plains for signs of movement. After a hearty lunch and time to settle in, head back out for a focused afternoon game drive.
Accommodation
Located amidst the ancient baobabs, this lodge provides excellent access to Tarangire's elephant-rich plains and a comfortable retreat in the wild.
1 Night · Full Board
Today is a classic safari day, venturing into the park as the sun rises to watch the wild world wake, followed by a midday break and a golden-hour drive in the evening. Tarangire is a hidden gem, meaning your elephant sightings here are often wonderfully quiet compared to the more crowded northern parks. Capturing that iconic photo of an elephant family seeking shade beneath an ancient baobab tree is a highlight for many photographers. You may also choose to book an optional sunrise hot-air balloon flight for an aerial view of the steppe.
Accommodation
Return to the lodge during the midday heat to relax, swapping stories of giant tuskers before heading back out for the golden hour.
1 Night · Full Board
The focus shifts from wildlife to Tanzanian culture today as you journey northwards to Mto Wa Mbu, a town famous for its thriving farming community. Immerse yourself in local life with a guided tuk-tuk tour, learning how over 120 tribes live harmoniously in this area. You’ll see how they farm the land and discover what 21st-century life is like in rural Tanzania. Continue to the Karatu highlands for an overnight stay at a lodge located on a working farm that employs local villagers—a perfect sustainable travel stop between Tarangire and the Serengeti.
Accommodation
A romantic country lodge set on an active mixed farm in the scenic Karatu highlands, offering a perfect blend of sustainability and luxury.
1 Night · Full Board
Picture wide-open plains, lions lazing in the heat, and herds of zebra as far as the eye can see. The Serengeti National Park is the Tanzanian spectacle of dreams and the next stop on your journey, with game spotting starting from the moment you pass through the park gates. You’ll traverse the southern plains to reach your central Serengeti camp, your base for this world-class savannah adventure. After a fresh lunch and a quick refresh, embark on your first official game drive in search of the park’s famous predators.
Accommodation
Nestled perfectly in the central plains, this tented camp provides an immersive and authentic safari experience right in the heart of the action.
1 Night · Full Board
It’s another classic safari day, starting with an early call for your next Serengeti game drive—an experience that is well worth the wake-up. You may wish to treat yourself to a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the plains to see the migration from above. Mornings in the savannah are full of activity before the heat sets in; explore the wildlife-rich Ngare Nanyuki River in search of the Big Five and the park's legendary big cats. The middle of the day is for relaxing poolside with a cold drink before heading back out for further magical wilderness moments.
Accommodation
Enjoy a mid-day rest at the camp, listening to the sounds of the African bush before your afternoon exploration of the vast plains.
1 Night · Full Board
Swap one natural wonder for another as you travel east toward the jaw-dropping Ngorongoro Highlands. On the way, stop at the incredible Olduvai Gorge, a 90-metre-deep ravine considered to be the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ due to its significant fossil discoveries. This visit provides a profound understanding of human evolution before you continue to the crater rim. By the end of the day, you’ll be relaxing at a cozy colonial-style lodge featuring epic views of the surrounding mist-covered peaks and coffee plantations.
Accommodation
Set on a picturesque hillside, this grand colonial-style lodge offers sweeping views over the surrounding highlands and ultimate post-safari comfort.
1 Night · Full Board
An entire day dedicated to the vast Ngorongoro Crater is hard to beat. Descending 600 metres into this magnificent natural amphitheatre provides a one-of-a-kind safari experience. The concentration of wildlife here is unrivalled; the steep walls create a natural enclosure where lions, hyenas, and endangered black rhinos thrive. You’ll witness layers of wildlife—gazelles backed by wildebeest and pink flamingos, all framed by the ascending crater walls. This is the perfect, high-impact finale to your Tanzanian expedition.
Accommodation
Toast to your final evening in the Tanzanian bush from the elegant terraces of the lodge, looking out over the ancient highlands.
1 Night · Full Board
All good things must come to an end, and your tour concludes with a scenic drive back to Arusha. Reflect on your Tanzania Explorer highlights as you travel approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes back to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight home. You leave with a deep connection to the wildlife, people, and ancient history of East Africa.
Balloon Safari in Tarangire & Serengeti is at an extra cost
Nestled in a lush forest glade on the shores of Lake Duluti, this boutique lodge offers a tranquil garden setting. It is the perfect retreat to recover from international flights and ease into the rhythm of East Africa.
Immersed in the wild landscapes of Tarangire National Park, Tarangire Elephant Springs Camp is a beautiful haven surrounded by iconic baobab trees and the diverse wildlife of the Masai Steppe.
A romantic country lodge set on an active mixed farm in the scenic Karatu highlands, Acacia Farm Lodge serves as a perfect, sustainable travel stop connecting Tarangire to the Serengeti.
Positioned in the wildlife-rich central Serengeti plains, Sametu Camp provides an immersive, authentic tented safari experience, capturing the essence of the classic African expedition.
Set upon a picturesque hillside with far-reaching views across the quiet town of Karatu and toward the Ngorongoro crater rim, this grand colonial-style lodge offers ultimate comfort.
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