Overview
Experience the ultimate 10-day fly-out midrange Tanzanian safari, meticulously timed to witness the dramatic Great Migration river crossings. Begin your overland adventure exploring the iconic baobab landscapes and massive elephant herds of Tarangire National Park for two full days. Discover the unique groundwater forests of Lake Manyara National Park before descending into the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, a natural volcanic sanctuary teeming with wildlife, including the rare black rhino. Journey north through the predator-rich plains of the Central Serengeti into the remote northern frontiers. Spend two thrilling, unrestricted days stationed along the iconic Mara River, tracking massive herds as they brave giant Nile crocodiles in a high-stakes leap of faith. Conclude with a seamless fly-out wilderness flight directly to Arusha or Zanzibar.
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN ARUSHA
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, your professional driver-guide will greet you warmly and transfer you to your comfortable midrange hotel in Arusha. This charming property offers a peaceful sanctuary to relax and wash away the dust of your international travels. Spend your afternoon unwinding by the outdoor swimming pool or walking through the quiet, lush gardens. In the evening, gather for a comprehensive pre-safari briefing from your expert guide, followed by a delicious welcome dinner featuring excellent local and international cuisine to comfortably launch your classic African safari adventure.
Accommodation:
Name : TULIA BOUTIQUE HOTEL & SPA (Full Board, Drinks Not Included)
Version : Hotel
Rank : Midrange
Day 2: ARUSHA TO TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Depart Arusha after a hearty breakfast for a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, a wilderness famous for giant baobab trees and massive elephant populations. Embark on a rewarding game drive along the Tarangire River, the primary water source drawing thousands of animals during the dry season. Watch for lions, giraffes, leopards, and zebras gathering along the riverbanks. Enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint inside the park surrounded by beautiful landscapes. In the late afternoon, drive to your comfortable safari tented camp located near the park boundary for sunset views, a great dinner, and a peaceful night.
Accommodation:
Name : SANGAIWE TENTED LODGE (Full Board, Drinks Not Included)
Version : Camp
Rank : Midrange
Day 3: FULL DAY IN TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Spend another spectacular day exploring deeper, hidden corners of Tarangire National Park. Embark on extended morning and afternoon game drives, allowing you to venture deep into the wilderness to track elusive leopards and observe the park’s vibrant birdlife. Watch massive elephant bulls wallow in muddy swamps and giraffes browse among the thorny acacia trees. Enjoy a relaxing midday break back at your comfortable tented camp for a delicious lunch and a brief siesta during the hottest hours of the day. As night falls, gather at the campfire to share the day’s highlights before enjoying a hearty dinner.
Accommodation:
Name : SANGAIWE TENTED LODGE (Full Board, Drinks Not Included)
Version : Camp
Rank : Midrange
Day 4: TARANGIRE TO LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK TO KARATU
After an early breakfast, travel to Lake Manyara National Park, nestled at the base of the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment. Explore diverse habitats, ranging from a lush underground water forest to the expansive alkaline lake. Keep your eyes open for the park’s legendary tree-climbing lions, large baboon troops, and thousands of pink flamingos wading along the shoreline. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch inside the park. In the afternoon, ascend the escarpment and drive to the cooler, green highlands of Karatu, checking into your welcoming countryside lodge for a fresh farm-to-table dinner and a restful night.
Accommodation:
Name : EILEEN’S TREES INN (Full Board, Drinks Not Included)
Version : Lodge
Rank : Midrange
Day 5: KARATU TO NGORONGORO CRATER TO CENTRAL SERENGETI
After an early breakfast, travel to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. Descend 600 meters into this ancient, unbroken volcanic caldera for an unforgettable morning safari. The crater floor acts as a thriving natural sanctuary, home to nearly 30,000 animals, including the endangered black rhino and giant elephant bulls. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch by the hippo pool. Afterward, ascend the crater floor and journey onward into the vast, endless plains of the Central Serengeti. Arrive at your authentic midrange tented camp by evening for a warm campfire, storytelling, and a delicious candlelit dinner under the open African sky.
Accommodation:
Name : THORN TREE TENTED LODGE (Full Board, Drinks Not Included)
Version : Camp
Rank : Midrange
Day 6: FULL DAY IN CENTRAL SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Dedicate a full day to exploring the world-famous Central Serengeti ecosystem, known as the Seronera Valley. Rise at dawn for an exhilarating sunrise game drive when big cats and other predators are most active. Search for prides of lions, cheetahs sprinting across the plains, and leopards resting in rocky granite kopjes. Return to camp for a delicious mid-morning brunch, or enjoy a packed bush breakfast in the wild. Spend your afternoon tracking resident wildlife, observing large herds of wildebeest and zebras moving across the savannah. End your day at camp, enjoying hot showers, good comforts, and a peaceful night.
Accommodation:
Name : THORN TREE TENTED LODGE (Full Board, Drinks Not Included)
Version : Camp
Rank : Midrange
Day 7: CENTRAL SERENGETI TO NORTHERN SERENGETI (MARA RIVER)
Enjoy breakfast before embarking on a scenic game drive moving northward through the Serengeti ecosystem. Watch the landscape transition into the rugged, rolling hills of the Kogatende region. This remote northern frontier becomes the dramatic stage for the Great Migration during the river crossing season. Track massive columns of wildebeest and zebras marching toward the water. Arrive at your comfortable northern bush camp by afternoon to unpack and unwind. In the evening, gather around a roaring campfire to discuss the herd movements with your guide before a hearty dinner under the star-filled African sky.
Accommodation:
Name : HERITAGE MARA CAMP (Full Board, Drinks Not Included)
Version : Camp
Rank : Midrange
Day 8: FULL DAY TRACKING MARA RIVER CROSSINGS
Dedicate a thrilling, full day to tracking the mega-herds along the banks of the iconic Mara River. Your expert guide will strategically position the vehicle near established crossing points, where thousands of wildebeest gather, nervously building up courage. Witness the raw tension and explosive energy as the first brave animal leaps, triggering a spectacular, chaotic chain reaction. Watch them brave steep, dusty ridges and predatory Nile crocodiles waiting in the currents. Enjoy a packed picnic lunch in the wild bush, returning to camp late afternoon for hot showers and a superb candlelit dinner under the stars.
Accommodation:
Name : HERITAGE MARA CAMP (Full Board, Drinks Not Included)
Version : Camp
Rank : Midrange
Day 9: ANOTHER FULL DAY IN NORTH SERENGETI
Spend another spectacular, unrestricted day exploring the remote Northern Serengeti. Nature is unpredictable, so a second full day significantly increases your chances of witnessing multiple dramatic river crossings from different vantage points. When not parked by the riverbanks, explore the surrounding plains and hidden valleys, which host an exceptionally high concentration of large predators, including lions, leopards, and swift cheetahs capitalizing on the seasonal bounty. Enjoy another scenic picnic lunch under a shady acacia tree, capturing unforgettable wildlife photographs before returning to your comfortable tented camp for sunset drinks and a hearty candlelit dinner.
Accommodation:
Name : HERITAGE MARA CAMP (Full Board, Drinks Not Included)
Version : Camp
Rank : Midrange
Day 10: FLY OUT FROM NORTH SERENGETI (TO ARUSHA OR ZANZIBAR)
Enjoy a final morning breakfast surrounded by the raw beauty and awakening sounds of the northern bush. Pack your bags and embark on a brief, final en-route game drive as your guide transfers you directly to the Kogatende airstrip. Board your scheduled domestic fly-out aircraft, bidding farewell to the winding Mara River as you soar back across the Tanzanian sky. Depending on your onward travel plans, your scenic flight will land in Arusha for your international connection home, or fly directly to the spice island of Zanzibar for a relaxing beach extension, marking the conclusion of your epic safari.
Included
- Park fees
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- All transportation
- Round-trip airport transfer
- A professional driver/guide
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
Included
- All Taxes/VAT
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Tips to your safari Guide (tipping guideline US$15.00 pp per day)
- Additions: Optional Activities After Booking Confirmations
- Travel insurance;
- Visa fee