Safari Overview
This itinerary includes Tarangire National Park(1N), known for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees; Lake Natron(1N), where you’ll enjoy scenic hikes, waterfalls, and flocks of flamingos; Central Serengeti(2N), a haven for big cats and varied wildlife; North Serengeti(2N), where you see the Great Migration (July–Oct); and Ngorongoro Crater(1N), renowned for its breathtaking views and high wildlife density, before returning back to Arusha.
Tour Highlights
- Big Five Safari Experience
- Tarangire Elephant Herds
- Ngorongoro Crater Safari
- Serengeti Plains Adventure
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Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Arusha to Tarangire
Pick up at 7:30 AM from your hotel in Arusha and depart for Tarangire National Park with a picnic lunch for a full day game drive. Tanzania’s third largest National park is known for its majestic baobab trees that dot the landscape, dwarfing the animals that feed beneath them. The Tarangire River is the centerpiece of this park which is famous for some of the largest herds of elephants in Africa. Here you may see lion, leopard, cheetah, lesser kudu, buffalo, Oryx, eland, giraffe and zebra. Post the game drive, you will head back to your camp/lodge where a delicious dinner awaits you.
Day 2 - Lake Natron
Your day will begin after breakfast by about 8:00 AM. We depart with packed lunch boxes towards Lake Natron. Located about 3.5 hours drive away from Mto Wa Mbu/Manyara, Lake Natron is a surreal destination and unique natural spectacle. Its waters are highly alkaline and are unusually shallow, averaging just one meter in depth. After checking into your lodge and a short break, put your walking shoes on as a Maasai tribesman takes you on a walk around the shores of Lake Natron on the lookout for birds, especially the lesser flamingos. Lake Natron is the most important and regular breeding site for lesser flamingos in East Africa hosting up to 2 million of them during the breeding season. The majority of egg-laying and hatching takes place from September to January. After the hike, you will head back to your camp/lodge for a well deserved dinner and rest.
Day 3 - Lake Natron to North Serengeti
Your day starts early. Around 6:00 AM, accompanied by a Maasai guide, enjoy some light hiking to the nearby Ngare Sero waterfalls and relax in the cool spray of water cascading down the rocks of this scenic ravine. Make sure to bring your shoes! We return to accommodation by 8:30 AM and finishing up a good breakfast, will head out towards the Serengeti National Park. This road trip takes through variety of sites: towns and villages, savannah and forest, and you’ll be able to spot animals like antelope, wildebeest and zebra. We enter Serengeti in the afternoon and drive towards North Serengeti. You will have an afternoon game drive in the endless plains of the Serengeti for a chance to see the great herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles or a pride of lions lounging in the shade. A picnic lunch will be done during the day long game drive itself. The eventful day comes to an end with dinner and a good night’s rest in your accommodation.
Day 4 - North Serengeti
You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for full day game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch and return back to lodge late afternoon around 6:00 PM. Or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive. Later return to accommodation for breakfast and relax for a bit and depart on an afternoon game drive with packed lunch. In the months between mid june to september the migration can be found in this region. From mid June to September, the Mara River in this region offers the most dramatic river crossing of the great migration. Fierce,deep and heavily rain fed the river takes an enormous toll on the migrating wildebeest. Watching the wildebeest surging through the torrential flow, some drowning and a few falling prey to lurking crocodiles is an unforgettable sight. If it’s your lucky day you will be able to witness this natural wonder and watch nature take its course.
Day 5 - North Serengeti to Central Serengeti
You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive. Later return to accommodation for breakfast and relax for a bit and depart to Central Serengeti with packed lunch. The four hour drive to the centre will offer mild enroute game.The drive south from the Mara river valley takes you through hill country, the Lobo area, woodlands and then back into Seronera terrain.The central portion of the Serengeti – known as Seronera area is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park. It features the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and therefore attracts wildlife well representative of most of the Serengetis’ species
Day 6 - Central Serengeti
You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for full day game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch and return back to lodge late afternoon around 6:00 PM. Or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive. Later return to accommodation for breakfast and relax for a bit and depart on an afternoon game drive with packed lunch. You will explore the central portion of the Serengeti National Park today. The legendary Serengeti National Park is the most renowned safari destination for its incredible population of lions and leopards. The central portion of the Serengeti – known as Seronera area is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park.
Day 7 - Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro
After breakfast, you will have a morning game drive in Serengeti National Park. Later depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area with picnic lunch. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest collapsed volcanic crater in the world and fourteen kilometers of isolated natural beauty. Ngorongoro Crater is surrounded by a ring of extinct volcanoes and the floor, dotted with watering holes, shelters some 30,000 animals. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night’s rest in your accommodation.
Day 8 - Ngorongoro Crater Tour (5 hours) to Arusha
On the last day of your safari, you will have an early start. Finishing up with a quick breakfast you will make an early descent at around 6:30 AM into the crater floor. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera. It has a massive floor of about 260 sq kms with a depth of over 2000 feet. The 5-hour game drive on the crater floor will show you a lot of animal action. Keeping the camera ready is definitely recommended. The African elephant, buffalo, Black rhino, Hippos, Hyenas, Cheetahs and Lions are found in plenty. Post the picnic lunch at the beautiful Hippo pool, you will begin a steep ascend to the top exit of the crater. This is the last leg of your safari, with a 4hr drive left to Arusha. You will be dropped off to your preferred location in Arusha by 6:00 PM in the evening. With an incredible experience and loads of memories to cherish, this is the time you bid goodbye to your team.
- All accommodations
- All activities, unless indicated as optional
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Park fees and Taxes
- Flying doctor services
- Bottled water during the game drives
- International flights
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips ($20 Per person Highly Recommended)
- Personal Items
- Government imposed increase of Taxes and or Park Fees.
- Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages
Safari FAQs
The ideal time for wildlife viewing is during the dry season from June to October, when animals gather near water sources and the vegetation is sparse. The period December to February also offers warm, dry conditions with excellent wildlife sightings.
Yes! Jema Safaris offers fully tailor-made itineraries. You can adjust the duration, activities, or accommodation level, or add extra experiences such as cultural tours, additional beach days, or adventure activities.
Our route through Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater provides excellent chances to see the Big Five — lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos. Wildlife sightings depend on the season and animal movements.
Tanzania is generally a safe and welcoming destination. Standard travel precautions — such as keeping personal belongings secure and following your guide’s instructions — ensure a smooth and worry-free safari experience.
The ideal time for wildlife viewing is during the dry season from June to October, when animals gather near water sources and the vegetation is sparse. The period December to February also offers warm, dry conditions with excellent wildlife sightings.
We recommend consulting your healthcare provider before travel. Common advice includes vaccines for Hepatitis A & B, typhoid, yellow fever, and rabies depending on your activities. Malaria prophylaxis is also recommended for most areas.
Yes — travel insurance is strongly recommended. It covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or unexpected events during your safari and beach stay.
Essentials include light clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a hat, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, camera/binoculars, and swimwear for Zanzibar. Jema Safaris can provide a detailed packing guide tailored to your itinerary.
Yes — all national park entrance fees, Ngorongoro Crater fees, transfers between lodges, and airport pick-ups are included in the price of your safari package.
Absolutely. You will be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport by your Jema Safaris representative and transferred to your hotel in Arusha to start your adventure.
Your safari guide will be professional and English-speaking. Guides fluent in other languages such as French, German, or Spanish can be arranged upon request.
Yes! You can extend your safari with additional parks, adventure activities, or extra days on Zanzibar. Jema Safaris can help plan extensions such as Mt. Kilimanjaro treks, Pemba or Mafia Island trips, or cultural tours.