Discover the landscapes that have made Tanzania one of the world’s most celebrated safari destinations on this 6-Day Tanzania Signature Safari – Endless Plains, Big Five & Crater Wonders.
Starting and ending in Arusha, this private journey brings together three distinctly different wildlife experiences. Explore the lush forests and Rift Valley scenery of Lake Manyara, venture deep into the legendary Serengeti for exceptional game viewing, and descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, where an extraordinary concentration of wildlife inhabits the floor of an ancient volcanic caldera.
The Serengeti forms the heart of the journey. Its seemingly endless plains support lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, wildebeest, zebras and countless other species. Depending on the season and location of the herds, you may also encounter part of the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of nature’s greatest wildlife spectacles.
From the open savannah, travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with an opportunity to visit Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most important paleoanthropological sites, before descending into the Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable final safari.
Throughout your journey, travel privately in a customized 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, accompanied by your own experienced safari driver-guide. With carefully selected lodges or tented camps and plenty of time dedicated to game viewing, this is an ideal introduction to the very best of northern Tanzania.
This 6-Day Tanzania Signature Safari brings together three of northern Tanzania’s most rewarding landscapes in one well-paced private journey. You’ll explore the forests and lakeshore habitats of Lake Manyara, spend three nights immersed in the vast Serengeti with exceptional opportunities for big-cat encounters and seasonal Great Migration viewing, and finish by descending into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater for some of Tanzania’s most concentrated game viewing. With your own private 4×4 Land Cruiser, dedicated professional guide and carefully selected safari accommodation, the journey offers the freedom, comfort and time needed to experience Tanzania beyond simply ticking parks off a list.
Your Tanzanian safari begins in Arusha, where your private driver-guide will collect you from your hotel, residence or the airport.
Settle into your customized 4x4 Land Cruiser and travel through the beautiful northern Tanzanian countryside toward Lake Manyara National Park.
Although relatively compact, Lake Manyara offers an impressive diversity of habitats. Groundwater forests give way to open grasslands and lakeshore environments, all set beneath the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment.
Head into the park for your first game drive.
Look out for elephants moving through the forest, giraffes towering above the vegetation, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, impalas and large troops of baboons.
The park is also historically famous for its tree-climbing lions, although sightings are unpredictable and never guaranteed.
Lake Manyara is an excellent birdwatching destination, and depending on water levels and seasonal conditions, flamingos and numerous other waterbirds may be present around the lake.
Later, transfer to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Lake Manyara / Karatu Area
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, leave the Great Rift Valley and begin your journey toward the legendary Serengeti National Park.
Travel through the spectacular Ngorongoro highlands before the landscape gradually opens into the vast plains for which the Serengeti is famous.
The name Serengeti is derived from a Maasai expression often translated as “endless plains”, and the moment you enter this immense wilderness, it is easy to understand why.
Enjoy game viewing along the way as you travel toward your lodge or tented camp.
The Serengeti supports an extraordinary variety of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs, hyenas and numerous antelope species.
Arrive at your accommodation later in the day and settle in for your first evening in one of Africa's greatest wilderness areas.
Overnight: Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wake to the sounds of the African wilderness and prepare for a full day exploring the Serengeti.
Head out early when temperatures are cooler and predators are often particularly active.
The Serengeti is renowned for its exceptional population of lions, but your guide will also search for leopards resting in trees and cheetahs scanning the open plains.
Elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas and countless antelopes add to the diversity of the day's game viewing.
Your private safari gives you the freedom to spend longer at rewarding sightings rather than following a rigid schedule.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness or return to your lodge, depending on the day's game-viewing plan.
Continue exploring into the afternoon before returning to your camp as the sun sets across the plains.
Overnight: Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Your second full day gives you more time to explore different areas of the Serengeti ecosystem.
The park lies at the heart of the Great Wildebeest Migration, an annual movement involving vast numbers of wildebeest, zebras and other grazers travelling through the greater Serengeti–Mara ecosystem.
The location of the migrating herds changes throughout the year according to rainfall, grazing and natural conditions. Your guide will therefore focus the day's game drive on the best available wildlife opportunities for the season of your visit.
Even when the migrating herds are elsewhere, the Serengeti offers exceptional year-round game viewing thanks to its abundant resident wildlife and predators.
Spend another memorable day exploring the savannah before returning to your lodge or tented camp for your final Serengeti evening.
Overnight: Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy an early breakfast followed by a final game drive as you begin leaving the Serengeti.
Travel toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, watching the landscape change as the endless plains rise toward the crater highlands.
Along the way, you may choose to visit Olduvai Gorge, one of the world's most significant paleoanthropological sites. Discoveries made in this region have contributed enormously to our understanding of early human evolution.
Continue toward the Ngorongoro highlands and arrive at your lodge.
Depending on the location of your accommodation, enjoy beautiful views across the surrounding highlands or toward the crater.
Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for tomorrow's grand finale.
