Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Price: From $5,795 USD
Starts: Arusha or Moshi
Ends: Fly from Serengeti to Arusha/Kilimanjaro/Zanzibar
Best For: First-time safari-goers, wildlife lovers, and those short on time wanting an upscale experience

Trip Overview

Embark on a 9 days private safari through the wild heart of northern Tanzania. This immersive journey takes you to some of Africa’s most legendary landscapes, including Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and two distinct regions of the Serengeti. Witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration, encounter Africa's Big Five, and enjoy cultural encounters with the Maasai people. Each location offers 2-night stays, allowing for a relaxed and deeply engaging experience.
Travel in comfort with a private guide and a custom Land Cruiser safari vehicle. With flexible itineraries and customizable accommodation options, this journey caters to all travel styles, from budget-friendly lodges to elite tented camps.
We recommend arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport the day before your safari begins. Overnight stays in Arusha or Moshi and airport transfers can be arranged upon request.

Trip Highlight

• Witness the Great Migration in the legendary Serengeti—one of nature’s most spectacular wildlife events.

• Explore 4 iconic parks: Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti (Central & North).

• Spot the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—plus hundreds of bird species and plains game.

• Stay in handpicked safari lodges and tented camps, with flexible options from budget to elite luxury.

• Private safari vehicle and expert guide for a personalized, in-depth experience.

• Cultural encounters with the Maasai people, plus optional tours like ziplining, coffee tasting, and local art.

• Optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti for an unforgettable aerial view.

• Customizable itinerary with daily departures—ideal for couples, families, or small groups.

Itinerary - day by day

Day 1: Arrive & Safari Begins – Lake Manyara or Tarangire National Park

• Pickup from Moshi or Arusha in the morning.

• Drive to either Lake Manyara (best Dec–May) or Tarangire (best Jun–Nov).

• Enjoy an afternoon game drive exploring the park’s stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife.

• Highlights: Elephants, giraffes, tree-climbing lions (Manyara), baobab trees, and huge elephant herds (Tarangire).

• Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

• Accommodation Options: Endoro Lodge / Escarpment Luxury Lodge / Tarangire River Camp / Lemala Manyara

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive – Lake Manyara or Tarangire

• Spend the day on a full game drive in the same park.

• Discover rich biodiversity, birdlife, and incredible photo opportunities.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Same Accommodation as Day 1

Day 3: Local Culture & Transfer to Ngorongoro Highlands
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin your day with a morning cultural experience of your choice: ziplining, a guided biking tour, a Tinga Tinga painting workshop, a coffee plantation tour, or an immersive village walk.

Optionally, visit an authentic Maasai village to experience their traditional way of life, from vibrant dances to intricate beadwork.

In the afternoon, drive to the Ngorongoro Highlands, part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its outstanding wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural heritage.

Accommodation Options: Rhino Lodge / Ngorongoro Serena Lodge / Gibbs Farm / Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Set out early for a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This natural amphitheater shelters one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.

Spot endangered black rhinos, lions, elephants, hyenas, and vibrant flocks of flamingos. Pause for a scenic picnic lunch by the hippo pool before returning to your lodge.

Overnight: Same as Day 3

Day 5: Drive to Central Serengeti (Seronera)

• Scenic drive to Central Serengeti with optional stop at Olduvai Gorge (prehistoric archaeological site).

• Game viewing en route as you enter the iconic Serengeti plains.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Accommodation Options: Serengeti Halisi Camp / Serengeti Kati Kati / Kubu Kubu Tented Camp / Lemala Ewanjan Camp

Day 6: Full-Day Serengeti Game Drive

• Choose between a full-day game drive or two shorter game drives with a mid-day break at camp.

• Optional sunrise hot air balloon safari (additional cost).

• Highlights: Big cats, vast herds of herbivores, dramatic landscapes.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Same Accommodation as Day 5

Day 7: Northern Serengeti – Great Migration Region

• Drive to the remote northern Serengeti (Mara/Kogatende region) with game drives along the way.

• Explore a less crowded but highly rewarding safari region.

• Highlights: River crossings (seasonal), dramatic predator-prey scenes.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Accommodation Options: Mara Kati Kati / Mara Under Canvas / Lemala Ndutu/Mara / Lemala Kuria Hills

Day 8: Full-Day Safari – Northern Serengeti

• Full-day game drive in the northern Serengeti.

• Track the Great Migration (seasonal) and observe lions, cheetahs, elephants, and more.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Same Accommodation as Day 7

Day 9: Fly from Serengeti to Arusha/Kilimanjaro/Zanzibar

• Optional early morning game drive depending on flight schedule.

• Transfer to airstrip for your scheduled flight (not included in base price).

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Inclusions

• 8 nights safari accommodation (various levels available)

• All meals as per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

• Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof & English-speaking guide

• Unlimited mileage for game drives

• All park and conservation area fees

• Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle

• Airport transfers (if arriving day before)

• Domestic flight from Serengeti to Arusha/Kilimanjaro/Zanzibar (if requested)

Exclusions

• International airfare

• Visa fees and travel insurance

• Tips for guide/driver and lodge staff

• Optional tours: hot air balloon safari, Maasai village, Olduvai Gorge

• Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses

• Holiday surcharges (Dec 20–Jan 5)

• Single room supplements (if not sharing)