8-Day Tanzania Safari Route Overview
This unforgettable 8-day safari takes you through Tanzania’s most iconic northern parks a perfect blend of wildlife, scenery, and culture. From the elephant-filled valleys of Tarangire to the vast Serengeti plains, the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater, and the colorful village life of Mto wa Mbu, this route captures the essence of Tanzania.
Route Highlights:
Arusha → Tarangire → Lake Manyara → Serengeti (Ndutu & Seronera) → Ngorongoro Crater → Mto wa Mbu → Arusha
Tarangire National Park
Your journey begins in Tarangire, famous for its giant baobab trees, large elephant herds, and the Tarangire River that sustains wildlife year-round. Expect to see zebras, lions, giraffes, and hundreds of bird species.
Lake Manyara National Park
Next, visit Lake Manyara, a lush park at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment. Known for its tree-climbing lions, pink flamingos, and over 400 bird species, it offers a perfect mix of forest, lake, and open plains.
Serengeti National Park (Ndutu & Seronera)
Continue to the legendary Serengeti — home of the Great Migration and incredible predator action. Between December and April, thousands of wildebeest and zebras gather in the Ndutu area to calve, attracting lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. In Seronera, enjoy classic game drives across endless golden plains.
Ngorongoro Crater
Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most stunning wildlife havens. Here you’ll spot lions, elephants, rhinos, and flamingos in a dramatic natural amphitheater a true highlight of the trip.
Mto wa Mbu Village
End your adventure with a cultural experience at Mto wa Mbu. Explore local farms, meet artisans, and enjoy a traditional Tanzanian lunch before returning to Arusha.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
🛬 Day 1 — Airport Pick Up – Drop Off at Kibo Palace Hotel
You will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Our staff will answer all your queries regarding your upcoming safari and provide you with a short briefing as well. Afterwards, you will be taken to your accommodation at Kibo Palace Hotel.
🛏 Stay: Kibo Palace Hotel
🍽 Meals: Breakfast
🐘 Day 2 — Tarangire National Park
After breakfast at Kibo Palace Hotel, we will pick you up and proceed to Tarangire National Park. This vast park is known for large herds of elephants, tree-climbing lions, and ancient baobab trees. The Tarangire River flows year-round, attracting animals during the dry season.
🛏 Stay: Serian Tarangire Camp
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🦩 Day 3 — Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a scenic reserve described by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa.” The park offers a compact game-viewing experience with over 400 bird species, including flamingos, pelicans, and storks.
🛏 Stay: Acacia Farm Lodge
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🦁 Day 4 — Serengeti National Park (Ndutu Area)
After breakfast, travel to the Ndutu area in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, part of the southern Serengeti ecosystem. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in Ndutu where elephants, resident game, and migratory wildebeests roam freely.
🛏 Stay: Enkutoto Migration Camp
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🐆 Day 5 — Ndutu Area ➜ Serengeti National Park (Seronera)
Enjoy a full-day game drive in Ndutu, exploring swamps, woodland, and soda lakes before heading to central Serengeti. Depending on the season, witness wildebeest calving and predator activity across the open plains.
🛏 Stay: Olkarien Eco Safari Camp
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🦬 Day 6 — Serengeti National Park (Seronera)
After breakfast, enjoy a full day of game drives in the Seronera region. Track the Great Migration and spot lions, cheetahs, and leopards. Optional hot-air balloon safari available for an additional cost of USD 546 per person.
🛏 Stay: Olkarien Eco Safari Camp
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🌋 Day 7 — Ngorongoro Crater
Early breakfast, then descend into the Ngorongoro Crater — a natural wildlife haven with one of Africa’s densest concentrations of animals. See lions, elephants, hippos, and flamingos along Lake Magadi. Picnic lunch inside the crater.
🛏 Stay: Ngorongoro Farm House Lodge
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🏡 Day 8 — Mto wa Mbu ➜ Arusha
After breakfast, visit Mto wa Mbu for a cultural walking tour and traditional local lunch. Option for mountain biking at an extra cost. Afternoon drive back to Arusha or airport transfer for your flight home.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
🛏 End of Tour (no accommodation)
🏕️ Accommodation & Meals
- Kibo Palace Hotel – Arusha
- Serian Tarangire Camp – Tarangire National Park
- Acacia Farm Lodge – Lake Manyara
- Enkutoto Migration Camp – Ndutu Area
- Olkarien Eco Safari Camp – Serengeti (Seronera)
- Ngorongoro Farm House Lodge – Ngorongoro
All accommodations include en-suite facilities, comfortable bedding, hot showers, and freshly prepared meals daily.
✅ Included
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All meals (as specified in the itinerary)
- Camping equipment
- Porterage
❌ Excluded
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and after the tour
- Tips (tipping guideline: US$20 per person/day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcoholic drinks
- Travel insurance and medical repatriation
- Items of a personal nature
- Rescue fee
- Climbing gear
- Sleeping bag
🚐 Getting There
This safari starts and ends in Arusha, Tanzania. Airport pick-up and drop-off are included.
Arrival Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Departure: Drop-off at Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport after the safari.