Overview
This unforgettable 5-day safari immerses you in the very best of Tanzania. Discover extraordinary wildlife across a stunning range of landscapes—playful monkeys in lush forests, lions lounging in trees, elephants moving gracefully through the bush, and an astonishing concentration of animals within a vast, ancient volcanic crater. Explore the legendary Serengeti National Park, home to an estimated three million animals and some of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. Awe-inspiring moments are guaranteed, and with a little luck, you may encounter the iconic Big Five. This is Tanzania at its most spectacular.
Day 1:
Arrival in Arusha
You will be picked up from the airport by a Lion King representative and driven to your accommodation in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you will hopefully have time to relax and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
Busy Arusha is an essential part of safari life here in northern Tanzania and most travellers pass through at some stage.
Day 2:
Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, You will then drive to Tarangire National Park. This transit drive is approximately two and a half hours on good tarmac roads. The Park is named after the Tarangire River which runs through it. This ‘river of warthogs’ is the only source of water for wildlife in the region during the dry season. The Park is well known for its elephant families, which can often be seen congregating by the river. You may also see giraffe, bushbuck, and hartebeest. These animals are closely followed by a range of predators, including lions and leopards. There are more breeding species of birds found in Tarangire than anywhere else on the planet! The huge and ancient Baobab trees can be seen here. Some of them are said to have lived for more than a thousand years.
Lunch will be at a picnic site inside the Park. After your game drive, you will transit to your accommodation in Karatu.
Day 3:
Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, ascend into the cool, misty highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Your first glimpse of the Ngorongoro Crater feels like discovering a lost world—an untouched sanctuary hidden within towering volcanic walls. Inside lies a breathtaking mosaic of open savannah, acacia woodlands, and shimmering lakes and wetlands. Formed two to three million years ago when a massive volcano collapsed in on itself, the Crater spans 260 km² and is celebrated as both a geological wonder and one of Africa’s richest wildlife refuges.
Descending into the Crater, you are immediately surrounded by vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, alongside over 500 species of birds. This extraordinary ecosystem also offers one of the best opportunities in Africa to spot the endangered black rhino.
Later, continue your journey across the Ngorongoro Conservation Area toward the legendary Serengeti, entering the park from the south and setting the stage for yet another unforgettable safari experience.
Day 4:
Serengeti National Park to Karatu
The Serengeti is truly spectacular. It is famous for its vast open grasslands which allow for excellent sightings of wildlife. The Serengeti’s climate and vegetation have remained largely untouched for millions of years. Whilst it boasts abundant wildlife, it is perhaps best known for the annual Great Migration. Vast numbers of wildebeest; accompanied by large numbers of zebra and antelope move in an annual pattern, constantly seeking fresh grazing. The migration can be found during any given month; you just need to know where to look! The question should really be about the ‘best places’ to see the animals during a certain time of year. In addition to the iconic landscapes, you have a good chance of encountering predators and you may see lion, cheetah and leopard. It is a truly life-changing experience.
In the afternoon, you will start your journey back to Karatu, hopefully enjoying more wonder on the way!
Day 5:
Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha
After breakfast, you will drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a small but diverse park 120km west of Arusha. Everything you’ll see here is on a different scale. It is both compact (this is one of the narrowest parks in Africa) and epic (the Great Rift Escarpment towers over Lake Manyara’s western boundary). The park’s namesake is a shallow, salt lake. It covers a large area of the park, flooding and drying with the seasons and is home to thousands of wading birds (including flamingos and over 500 other bird species). You may see baboon and elephant in the park’s thick evergreen forest, and watch for the tree-climbing lions that have become famous throughout Africa.
Picnic lunch in the park. After your game drive, you will say farewell to your Guide and will be dropped off at a place of your choosing e.g. Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport. We hope you have enjoyed your adventure with us.
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You’re welcome to inquire about our available safari options or customize your own unique experience. Start planning your tailor-made African adventure with us today.
