8 Days Northern Tanzania Safari

Continue exploring Tarangire National Park or relax at your accommodation. Opt for an unforgettable hot air balloon safari (extra cost). With over 550 bird species and large herds of elephants moving across seasonal marshes and savannas, another day in Tarangire gives you a chance to uncover more of its ecological treasures. The park’s shifting landscapes—from acacia woodland to open plains—offer varied game-viewing experiences.

Travel to Lake Manyara, a haven for birdwatchers. Spot tree-climbing lions, flamingos, pelicans, and ostriches among other wild animals. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch inside the park. Set at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara offers a blend of forest, wetland, and alkaline lake habitats. It’s one of the most picturesque parks in Tanzania, ideal for spotting monkeys, hippos, and dazzling birdlife in a relatively compact area.

Travel to Lake Eyasi to visit the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes. Learn about their way of life, witness their hunting skills, and enjoy their traditional dances. This is a unique cultural day that dives deep into indigenous heritage. The Hadzabe are among the last hunter-gatherer tribes in East Africa, offering insight into an ancient lifestyle, while the Datoga are skilled blacksmiths and pastoralists. The experience is raw, authentic, and humbling.

Enter the world-famous Serengeti National Park. Witness the vast plains teeming with wildlife on an afternoon game drive. The Serengeti is home to the Great Migration, as well as thriving populations of lions, cheetahs, leopards, and elephants. Its endless savannahs, kopjes, and river systems form a classic African safari setting that’s rich in both scale and biodiversity.

Explore the Serengeti at your own pace. Enjoy game drives or relax at your camp. A thrilling hot air balloon safari (extra cost) is a great idea. With a full day in the park, you have the flexibility to track specific animals, follow herds, or simply enjoy the sunrise and sunset over the plains. The Serengeti’s dramatic wildlife interactions—predator hunts, births, and migrations—make every drive unpredictable and exhilarating.

Travel to the Ngorongoro Crater rim (inside Ngorongoro Conservation Area). Enjoy a scenic drive with the option to visit a Maasai village or a historical museum (extra cost). As you approach the crater, the landscape changes from arid savannah to verdant highland forest. The Ngorongoro area is also home to ancient human history, with nearby Olduvai Gorge considered the cradle of mankind.

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Witness a vast concentration of animals, including the “Big Five.” Enjoy a final picnic lunch before departing for Arusha town/Kilimanjaro Airport or Moshi town depending on your travel plans. The crater floor hosts one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, including rhinos, hippos, lions, and flamingos within a closed ecosystem that feels like nature’s amphitheater.