Itinerary

1. Day 0: Arrival in Arusha

   Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you can skip the lines and enjoy an expedited visa application process. You will be met by your guide (who will be with you for the rest of your safari) outside the arrival lounge and transferred to your accommodations in Arusha (45-60 minutes). Enjoy a great meal and a relaxing evening before starting your Tanzania safari the next day.

2. Day 1: Tarangire National Park

   After breakfast, you will set off from Arusha and walk through beautiful tribal areas en route to Tarangire National Park (2h) with picnic lunch boxes and enjoy a game drive before you check in at your accommodations in the late afternoon.

   After the Serengeti, Tarangire has the greatest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania. In the dry season, the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. The park's river is full of wildlife, ranging from many birds to lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, and, of course, elephants. In fact, the park has the largest concentration of elephants in the whole country and provides unique chances to observe the interaction between elephant families. This is also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are regularly spotted. Tarangire is particularly known for its spectacular baobab trees and its breathtaking views of the Maasai Steppe and the mountains to the south. Dinner and overnight at your campsite or lodge.

3. Day 2: Karatu

   In the morning, after breakfast, you will drive towards Karatu, stopping en route at Mto wa Mbu, a culturally vibrant town, for a market visit. The Karatu area allows you to experience a variety of different activities. You will have the option of biking or hiking or including one or several of our Marvel African Expeditions & Safaris. You will learn about many things and see a different side of Tanzania before checking into your accommodations close to the Ngorongoro Crater rim for an overnight stay at a campsite or lodge.

4. Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater to Central Serengeti

   In the morning, after an early breakfast, you will be one of the first vehicles descending the six hundred meters into Ngorongoro Crater for superb game viewing with picnic lunch boxes. The Ngorongoro Crater is a natural enclosure supporting 20,000-30,000 animals at any one time, making it virtually a Noah's ark and inhabiting almost every species of wildlife that is indigenous to East Africa. The Crater is considered one of the natural wonders of the world and has the highest densities of predators in Africa such as lions, hyenas, and leopards. It is also one of the best places in Africa to see the endangered black rhino. In the afternoon, slowly begin the climb out of the crater and head toward Central Serengeti for dinner and an overnight stay at the campsite or lodge.

5. Day 4-5: Central Serengeti

   You will enjoy two full days in the very beautiful and productive Central Serengeti, which is famed for its terrific cat sightings. As you progress well into the Serengeti, you will see why the name means, in the local language, 'endless plains'. The Serengeti, together with Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Park, form Africa’s most famous wildlife parks. The image of acacia trees on an endless grass plain epitomizes Africa for many, and when you add a Maasai warrior and some cattle to the picture, the conversation needs to go no further. The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti is the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with almost two million animals following the rains. But that is not where the game viewing ends; you will encounter large pride of lions, elephants, and giraffes in grasslands, gazelles, and eland to mention but a few. Aside from traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Serengeti plains has become almost essential.

   We are completely flexible with your preferences, and the days will be organized according to your wishes. On every day of the safari, your guide will discuss with you the best timings for you, including the game drives and the wake-up time. For example, you could do a morning game drive, return to the camp for lunch and relaxation, and finish with an afternoon game drive, or you could do a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch. As well as dinner and overnight at a campsite or lodge.

6. Day 6-8: Northern Serengeti

   Travel to Northern Serengeti by the Mara River, where the grass is nutrient-rich and capable of offering the migratory herds a proper supply of food and water. This is the time and place to witness the famous Mara River crossings. See giant Nile crocodiles basking in the sun, waiting patiently in the water for the big migration to enter the area. You will have opportunities to catch thrilling game action or perhaps even witness a river crossing as the wildebeests and zebras face one of the most difficult parts of their migration journey and cross over to Maasai Mara. Spend three days exploring. Dinner and overnight at campsite or lodge.

7. Day 9: Northern Serengeti to Arusha

   This is your last morning in the Serengeti. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, or perhaps head out early for a short morning game drive before travelling to Kogatende Airstrip to catch your scheduled flight back to Arusha. Upon pick-up, you can either be transferred to The Plaster House, which enables children from all over Tanzania to recover after surgery, or to Neema Village, an orphanage caring for abandoned, orphaned, and at-risk babies. End your day with dinner at a hotel in Arusha or Moshi.

8. Day 10: Departure

   Have breakfast and spend your day at leisure. In the afternoon, meet your private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and catch your departure flight back home.