16-day safari adventure in northern Tanzania

Kilimanjaro Airport - Arusha

Day 1: Welcome to Tanzania!

After landing at Kilimanjaro Airport near Arusha, a Tansafari Tours representative will greet you at the airport and assist you with your luggage before dropping you off at your hotel.

Depending on your time of arrival in Tanzania, you can decide for yourself on the spot if you would like to embark on a short safari briefing with your guide on the same day or the next morning.

The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your own pace and leisure. Enjoy the hotel and relax, with the next day awaiting you with lots of exciting activities.

Kilimanjaro

Day 2: Stunning Views of Kilimanjaro at Sunset

This morning, you'll be transferred from Arusha to Moshi. On the way, enjoy the vastness of the landscape as well as the African culture when driving through the city.

Upon arrival, you'll hike through the acacia woodland in the vicinity of the lodge towards a view observation point, where you can enjoy a wonderful sunset. A local Maasai guide will lead you along the trail, searching for animals like giraffes, warthogs, and zebras, which you might spot on your way.

At the viewpoint, you will be treated to some wine and drinks, while you enjoy an incredible sunset. After that, you gently walk back to the lodge for evening meals. 

Kilimanjaro

Day 3: Adventure through Kilimanjaro

As the "Summit of Africa", Kilimanjaro symbolizes the compelling beauty of East Africa. You will have two options for today

Option 1 - Game Drive

The foot slopes of the highest mountain in Africa, give way to lush montane forest, inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, the endangered Abbot´s duiker, and other small antelope and primates. Head close to the Kenyan border, where you might spot smiling giraffes giving incredible photo opportunities in front of the gently ascending mountain slope. 

Option 2 - Full-day hiking tour

You follow the trail in the savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As you ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, you reach the Shira Ridge before dropping down with a gentle walk to Shira 1 Camp to catch a glimpse of Kibo across the Shira Plateau.

Arusha National Park - Arusha

Day 4: Explore The Hidden Gem of Tanzania

Today you will be transferred from Moshi to Arusha. 

Arusha National Park is the second smallest national park in Tanzania. It lies in a uniquely beautiful setting between two of the highest mountains in Africa, Mount Meru, and Mount Kilimanjaro. In good weather, there is a wonderful view of the peaks from a plateau.

Deep in the jungle, you will find year-round green vegetation and diverse fauna. While giraffes stretch their necks through the trees, baboons, buffaloes or elephants may block your way. The Fig Tree Arch is an impressive natural wonder because you can drive through the hole in the trunk.

You can continue exploring the area around the Momella Lakes, which is home to around 400 species of birds, including pelicans, herons, and flamingos.

Tarangire National Park

Day 5: Elephants and Baobabs in Tarangire

Tarangire National Park is just two and a half hours drive from Arusha. On the way, you will pass through several small villages where locals sell their goods in small markets or by the roadside. 

In the afternoon, you will drive into the national park, which has the highest concentration of wildlife after the Serengeti. During the dry season, the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Whether wildebeests, zebras, lions, elephants, impalas, buffaloes, giraffes or gazelles – the Tarangire National Park is not only home to migratory herds and various predators, but also hundreds of impressive bird species.

It's worth keeping your eyes open for the little things, too! Tarangire National Park is also known for its spectacular baobabs, as well as for its breathtaking views of the Maasai steppe and mountains to the south.

Tarangire National Park

Day 6: Explore the Tarangire River

On day two in the Tarangire National Park, you will have another chance to get to see many different species.

Whether elephants, migratory gnu, and zebra herds or dangerous predators – you are guaranteed to see unique animals! The Tarangire National Park is also the only place in Tanzania where dry-land antelopes such as oryx and gerenuk are regularly spotted. Maybe you will be lucky enough to meet these rare animals.

Karatu - Lake Eyasi - Karatu

Day 7: Immerse Yourself in Tribal Activities

Today, one of the most impressive experiences of our cultural program will await you.

The Hadzabe, an indigenous ethnic group in Tanzania and one of the last tribes in Africa who still maintain a Stone Age way of life. There is no better way for you to get a glimpse into the life of the indigenous people.

You will be impressed by the way in which these people live with nature. You will also have the opportunity to try your hand at using a bow and arrow, and if you want, you can also take part in the traditional tribal dance.

After lunch at the nearest lodge, head to the Datoga tribe. They are a semi-nomadic people, who ensure their survival mainly through cattle and livestock, but nowadays also by farming beans and corn. Visit their dwellings and experience the culture of these people first-hand.

In the late afternoon, you will return to the lodge to spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Ngorongoro Crater

Day 8: Dive into Eden at Ngorongoro Crater

You’ll leave your resort for a game viewing en route to the Ngorongoro Crater - hills and mountains more impressive in contrast to the wide grassy plains.

Your full-day safari in the largest volcanic crater in the world promises unique experiences. With a diameter measuring up to 21km, it's home to 25,000 large mammals as well as the highest predator density in Africa.

Elephants hide in the thickets of jungle on the crater walls while other grass grazer frolic in the unique landscape on the crater floor - a paradise for wildlife. It’s also where you can see the big 5 - elephants, black rhinos, buffaloes, lions, and leopards. 

Here you’ll also see the Maasai living side by side with the wildlife, their culture and rituals having continued for centuries.

Serengeti

Day 9: The Life of the Local Maasai

Today your guide will drive you to a Maasai village off the beaten track where you can learn more about the rituals, ways of life and culture of these semi-nomadic people.

You will be greeted by a ceremony in which the young men dance, jumping as high as possible to prove their strength. Look at their clay huts and discover their handmade jewelry.

We’ll then continue towards the Serengeti, the endless plain. Begin your photo safari now of the landscape, kopjes protruding from the vast grasslands. With almost every major African animal calling the park home, you’re sure to see one of nature’s greatest spectacles. 

Serengeti

Day 10: The Wildlife of the Serengeti

Start your photo safari today in the most famous wildlife reserve in the world – the Serengeti. 

In the Maasai language, "Serengeti" means "endless plain". In addition to the vast grassland, from which granite rocks are known as "Kopjes" often protrude, there are also incredible natural spectacles awaiting you in the oldest national park in Tanzania. 

More than 1.5 million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of Thompson gazelles, 200,000 zebras, elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and many other species live there. 

During the annual migration, about 2 million wildebeests and zebras move along the best grazing grounds in a cycle which is always the same. And of course, the big cats follow them. 

Serengeti

Day 11: Safari Day and the Big 5

Today, we’ll again enter the Serengeti National Park for safari. 

Your guide will use his knowledge and trained eye to show you things you otherwise wouldn’t notice. Of course, the elephant, lion, cheetah, and leopard are our focus for the search. Nevertheless, the pretty impalas, funny warthogs, hyenas, zebras, giraffes, the list could go on - these create beautiful photo opportunities too.

On rivers like Mara and Grumeti, you’ll find crocodiles and hippos. They’re all major obstacles during migration so prepare for dramatic scenes to take place. These are magical moments when columns of animals pass by and you feel the earth vibrating beneath their hooves.

Lake Natron

Day 12: One Final Adventure in the Serengeti

This morning, you will explore another part of the Serengeti to discover some other predators and herbivores.

However, not only the animals make charming photo opportunities, but also the different landscape forms. For example, the Seronera Plateau is dotted with Flat-topped Acacia trees. It is also very impressive when an elephant herd crosses the way of your vehicle directly in front of you.

Afterward, we'll drive to Lake Natron with a stop at the Klein´s Gate. The drive to Lake Natron takes several hours, enabling you to enjoy the vastness of the landscape. Take a break at Kleins-Gate, the exit point of the Serengeti, and then continuing your journey to your accommodation.

On the way there, you might also spot some animals. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure or to spend with other activities.

Lake Natron

Day 13: Hike Around Lake Natron

Lake Natron and its surrounding area is a place rich in cultural and natural diversity. The area is off the beaten track and only a handful of people go there.

After walking for a while, our hike drops down into the gorge of Ngare Sero River. The water is cool and refreshing and it feels great to cool down the feet after walking for some minutes in the African heat. 

The gorge itself is beautiful with steep walls and now and then some desert flowers. The walk continues through some rugged terrain and every now and then another river crossing. 

After about 45 minutes you get to the waterfall which is a beautiful oasis in such a dry and arid area. The waterfall has wild palms growing above the gorge and if you go under the waterfall itself you find a semi tunnel that leads to the back where you can easily have a swim. You can take a quick dip and enjoy the freshwater while swimming.

Lake Natron - Karatu

Day 14: Traverse the Great Rift Valley

You'll embark on a morning game drive to Lake Natron, a soda lake in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa surrounded by escarpments and volcanic mountains, one of which is active.

The lake is the only regular breeding area for Lesser Flamingos in East Africa, with approximately 2.5 million individuals. The lake also provides support for 100,000 other waterbirds.

Then you will drive Lake Natron to Lake Manyara Area, which takes about 5-6 hours. The highlight is the impressive Rift Valley, where you will drive parallel to for some hours.

Lake Manyara National Park

Day 15: Adventure through Lake Manyara National Park

Today, you'll explore the Lake Manyara National Park at the foot of the great moat wall of the Rift Valley.

For a large part of the year, the reserve is a swampy and rainforest-like green oasis. Lake Manyara lies at a height of 950 m and occupies 2/3 of the park.

Depending on the season, it is populated by thousands of shimmering pink flamingos. You will have a wonderful view of the lake while enjoying a picnic.

You continue past small rivers and lakes, where big hippo families frolic in hippo pools. With a little luck, your guide will find tree-climbing lions settling on the horizontal branches of umbrella acacia trees.

Arusha - Kilimanjaro Airport

Day 16: Say Farewell to the Region

This morning, you'll drive from Karatu back to Arusha. Enjoy the majestic view of the Great Rift Valley, when descending down to Lake Manyara. 

After an eventful and relaxing holiday in Tanzania, it's now time to say goodbye, unfortunately. We hope you thoroughly enjoyed your stay and it was a pleasure for us to be by your side. 

Perhaps we'll meet again soon in Tanzania! There's so much more to discover!