Stay in some of the finest tented camps to experience Tanzania’s breathtaking wildlife. Discover high-game spotting areas and witness the migration in Serengeti National Park, renowned for its spectacular concentrations of wild animals. Also, explore Tanzania’s largest park, Ruaha National Park, on foot.
Tour Highlights
Admire the baobab-dotted plains and herds of elephants in Tarangire National Park.
Enjoy the excitement of staying in a luxurious, mobile-tented camp and lodge.
Learn from some of the best knowledgeable guides in Tanzania.
Experience the incredible wildlife and landscapes of Ruaha National Park.
Explore the corners of Ruaha National Park on a walking safari.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Spend two days on a safari exploring “elephant paradise.”
Explore the incredibly diverse landscape of Tarangire National Park, which is famous for its magnificent baobabs and large numbers of elephants. This area presents an awe-inspiring wildlife spectacle during the dry season (June to October). You will see habitats from the life-giving Tarangire River to acacia woodlands, open grasslands, and evergreen swamps that host hundreds of elephants, migratory wildebeest, and zebras, often followed by predators. Our luxurious accommodation, the Tarangire Safari Lodge, is nestled deep within the park’s heart, strategically perched on an elevation overlooking the Tarangire River. You can spot elephants right from the swimming pool, and the view of the river from the lodge is simply breathtaking. Dinner and overnight stay at the exclusive Tarangire Balloon Camp.
Leading Destination: Tarangire National Park
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Tarangire Balloon Camp | Tarangire Tortilis Tented Camp
Day 2: Full Day Exploring Tarangire National Park
Spend the entire day on game viewing, exploring the park’s vast habitats and landscapes, ending at the Silalei Swamp, which offers green pastures and water for grazers during the dry season. Here, predators follow. From June to November, during the seasonal migration of wildebeest and zebras, the park bursts into life with one of the largest concentrations of wildlife outside Serengeti National Park, featuring the highest population of elephants per square kilometer in the world. Other possible sightings include the majestic lions, swift cheetahs, elusive leopards, graceful giraffes, and powerful buffaloes. If you’re fortunate, you might even spot the rare wild dogs in the area. Later in the afternoon, return to your camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
Leading Destination: Tarangire National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tarangire Balloon Camp | Tarangire Tortilis Tented Camp
Day 3: Tarangire National Park to Gibb’s Farm
On your way to the park exit, enjoy additional wildlife viewing. Proceed to the multicultural town of Mto wa Mbu, leaving behind the African Rift Valley as you journey towards the lush crater highlands. Upon reaching the higher elevations, you will be treated to stunning views of the Maasai Plains and Lake Manyara, with photo stops to capture the spectacular sights. Continue your journey to Karatu, concluding at Acacia Farm Lodge.
Leading Destination: Ngorongoro Highland
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Acacia Farm Lodge / Marera Valley Lodge
Day 4: Full Day in Ngorongoro Crate
Today, drive into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. The grass steppes and acacia forests are home to almost all species of animals found in the East African savanna. In just a few hours, you can spot four of the Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. After extensive game viewing and a picnic within the crater, travel back to Karatu for another night at Acacia Farm Lodge.
Leading Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Acacia Farm Lodge | Marera Valley Lodge
Day 5: Karatu to Serengeti National Park
Today, you will set off for Serengeti National Park. As you pass through the crater highlands, you’ll soon see the vast plains of the southern Serengeti and begin to understand the meaning of “Serengeti,” which translates to “endless plain.” Along the way, we will visit a site known for many archaeological discoveries, including the estimated 1.7-million-year-old Zinjanthropus boisei fossil. A small museum overlooking the gorge offers insights into Leakey’s research and findings, narrated by an informative guide. Afterward, we’ll continue to the Serengeti, where you can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, topis, and both Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles. The Serengeti is also home to the largest animal migration on the planet, and the timing and location of the herds depend on the time of year. Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at Serengeti Melia Lodge.
Leading Destination: Serengeti National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Serengeti Melia Lodge | Serengeti Mawe Tented Camp
Day 6 – 7: Central Serengeti National Park
These two days are dedicated to game viewing in Serengeti National Park. During the short rainy season in November and December, the herds migrate from the northern hills to the southern plains. In contrast, they return north during the extended rainy season from April to June. As migrations depend entirely on yearly rainfall, the location of the herds may vary from year to year, but your guide will know where to find the animals at their best viewing spots. You will spend the nights at Serengeti Melia Lodge.
Leading Destination: Serengeti National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Serengeti Melia Lodge | Serengeti Mawe Tented Camp
Day 8: Serengeti to Ruaha National Park
After breakfast, you will be driven to the airstrip for a morning flight to Ruaha National Park, which takes approximately two hours. Upon arrival, a guide from Ruaha River Lodge will meet you and take you on a game drive through this diverse park, arriving at the lodge in time for lunch. Settle into your accommodation and enjoy views overlooking the great Ruaha River, where you might see elephants coming down to drink. Relax with a drink before heading out for an afternoon game drive, exploring sandy riverbeds in search of elephants digging for water or leopards hiding in the rocky kopjes.
Leading Destination: Ruaha National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge | Tandala Tented Camp
Day 9: Full Day in Ruaha National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a full day of game drives in Ruaha National Park, with a packed lunch provided. Experience beautiful views of the Ruaha River valley and spot various wildlife, including kudu, wildebeests, elephants, zebras, lions, hippos, hartebeests, impalas, antelopes, giraffes, and buffaloes. You will overnight at Ruaha River Lodge.
Leading Destination: Ruaha National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge | Tandala Tented Camp
Day 10: Walking and Game Drive in Ruaha National Park
Today, start your morning with a walking safari to experience the flora and fauna from a different perspective. Listen to the sounds of bird calls, search for tracks in the earth, and look for smaller creatures that often scurry away at the sound of a vehicle. Return to the lodge to rest and enjoy lunch, then embark on an afternoon game drive to explore further. Ruaha’s varied terrain is home to a wide array of wildlife, including large herds of buffalo, hippos, and more uncommon antelope species, such as sable and lesser kudu. If you’re lucky, you might even spot wild dogs, which roam great distances in search of their next meal, making sightings unpredictable.
Leading Destination: Ruaha National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge | Tandala Tented Camp
Day 11: Flight from Ruaha to Dar es Salaam
Enjoy a final breakfast at Ruaha River Lodge before driving to the airstrip for a late-morning flight to Dar es Salaam. The flight will likely have a couple of stops to drop off or pick up passengers, and the total journey time will be approximately two hours. You will land at the domestic terminal, and the airline will assist you in transferring to the international terminal, where you can check in for your international flight home.
Leading Destination: Dar es Salaam
Accommodation: No accommodation
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Price Includes
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
Mineral water
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Price Excludes
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
The government imposed an increase in taxes and/or park fees