Spend 7 memorable days in Tanzania on this easy-paced small-group tour. Explore the famed savannah of the Serengeti National Park, visit the Ngorongoro Crater in search of the Big 5, and spot tree-climbing lions around Lake Manyara. This program is an ideal introduction to a Tanzania safari, featuring the highlights of the Northern Circuit while maximizing time for adventure and wildlife viewing. This is a scheduled tour that departs every Saturday.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania on the flight of your choice today. Arusha is a lively, bustling town and operates as a major base for those headed out to safari or to hike Kilimanjaro. After clearing customs you meet your transfer and make your way to the scenic Mount Meru Game Lodge. Enjoy a restful evening and dinner on your own. You embark for the Northern Safari Circuit first thing in the morning!
Day 2: Honeyguide Tarangire Camp, Tarangire National Park
Rise early for breakfast, taking in the beautiful views of Mount Meru before meeting your driver and guide and setting out for Tarangire National Park. After the Serengeti, Tarangire boasts the greatest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania, including large herds of elephant, migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala and predators. Tarangire is likely most famous for its spectacular baobab trees, which dominate the expansive landscape. Stop along the way to Honeyguide Tarangire Camp for a picnic lunch in a scenic location.
Your first day on safari concludes at the Honeyguide Tarangire Camp, set high above the Great Rift Valley. Settle in for the evening and enjoy a good night's rest before the Serengeti tomorrow.
Set out early for the famous Serengeti National Park. Situated in the heart of Tanzania, the Serengeti is home to the renowned Seronera Valley and is widely recognized for its prime wildlife viewing opportunities. This impressive landscape is characterized by endless stretches of savannah, interspersed with rocky outcrops, acacia woodlands and covered by a network of rivers, streams and waterholes. The great wildebeest migration passes through the Central Serengeti, which is home to giraffe, impala, waterbuck, hippo, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, serval and much more. The Serengeti also offers popular activities such as cultural tours, horse riding safaris and hot air ballooning (please inquire if interested).
Arrive at your traditional tented camp just before dinner. Enjoy the solitude of the camp's location, relaxing under the starry sky.
Today you spend a full day exploring the vast wonders of the Central Serengeti. After your morning and evening game drives, return to your tented camp to spend a quiet evening in the African bush, a memorable experience for even the most seasoned of travelers. Sit around the campfire, sharing stories of your game drive and connecting with your guide or other travelers from around the world.
This morning you leave the Serengeti for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Stop along the way at the Olduvai Gorge, one of the world's most important prehistoric sites. Here you learn the fascinating story of the gorge's significance to the origin of humankind, and why it's called the "Cradle of Mankind". You then proceed to the Ngorongoro Conservation area, where a stunning first view of the crater awaits (weather depending). You soon arrive at your lodge, situated in a lush area just outside the lively town of Karatu. Karatu is a popular stopover for the safari circuit, boasting a bustling marketplace, local brewery and small tours to homesteads or into the Ngorongoro Forest. Enjoy an evening in town before settling in to your comfortable country lodge.
Rise early to make the most of your day in the Ngorongoro Crater. Known for its natural beauty and abundance of diverse wildlife, the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa's most popular safari destinations. You quickly see why! This UNESCO site is said to be the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, and the scenery is absolutely stunning. Perhaps more notably, the Ngorongoro is home to the famed Big Five and a host of other wildlife species. Spend a full day exploring the crater before returning to your lodge in Karatu.
Day 7: Departure from Arusha
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Today is your last day of safari, and you spend it exploring the beautiful Lake Manyara National Park. This small yet lively park supports 400 species of birds and the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world. Other species include giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, warthog, the Cape clawless otter, and Egyptian mongoose. Highlights include sitings of thousands of flamingos gathered on the lake, the renowned tree-climbing lions and large families of elephants roaming through the forest.
Return to Arusha on time to catch your flight home (please note: transfer included to Arusha Airport, additional cost if going to JRO). Or, opt to extend with a relaxing beach vacation to Zanzibar!
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
