Experience Northern Tanzania

The itinerary below is designed to give you an overview of the route. Get in touch with our team for a full travel itinerary, or to create a tailor-made trip. 

Day 1: The Adventure Begins!

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be  met on arrival and transferred to your hotel, located in the Arusha City Centre.

Overnight Four Points by Sheraton Arusha Hotel in traditional room on bed and breakfast basis (excludes other meals, drinks and laundry) 

Day 2: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park 

Morning at leisure with safari briefing followed by lunch. Afternoon board your safari vehicle and depart Arusha passing through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. At the town of Makuyuni turn North West and continue the journey through a scenic escarpment that brings you to your lodge, perched on the edge of the Rift Valley with stunning views over the distant Lake Manyara.

Overnight at Lake Manyara Serena Safaris Lodge OR Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge on full board basis

Day 3: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park 

After breakfast, there is a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park that returns to the lodge for lunch. Leaving Lake Manyara behind, the journey continues North West across the stunning hilly countryside of the highlands which is filled with wheat and coffee plantations, and then into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From here lie the vast plains of the Serengeti, where you begin spotting wildlife as you approach the entrance gate. Complete the formalities and enter the park with game viewing en route to the lodge, arriving for dinner.  

Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge on a full board basis

Day 4: Serengeti National Park

Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park.

Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge on a full board basis

Optional Shared Hot Air Balloon Safari

You have an option to book a hot air balloon safari on this day. It begins with an early morning shared transfer to the balloon staging site. You meet the pilot who provides a safety briefing while the crew inflate the hot air balloon. At sunrise, the hot air balloon lifts off over the Serengeti plains. At times, your pilot will ascend to a higher altitude to give you an overview of the ecosystem. Then you descend to just above treetop level to silently observe the wildlife below. After about 50 minutes, you land and are met by the balloon staff to transport you to your shared bush breakfast. You then return to your camp or lodge. Please note that the cost is NOT included in the safari cost. Please ask for the current rates.

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater  

After breakfast, depart for Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch viewing wildlife across the vast Serengeti plains, stopping en route for a picnic lunch. Visit a Maasai village.  Continue to your lodge, set high on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater. 

Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on a full board basis

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater 

A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the world’s largest natural wildlife arena. After an early breakfast, drive to the crater entry gate and descend with a picnic lunch through the early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater. Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. A truly unique wildlife experience. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon. 

Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on a full board basis

Day 7: Tarangire National Park

Depart Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast, head south-east past Lake Manyara and Mto wa Mbu Village. Through the highlands and the Karatu district, you’ll view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations here before journeying down the spectacular escarpment, turning south on to the main Arusha – Dodoma road and into the park. From here to the lodge, enjoy a game drive en route. After lunch, board your safari vehicle and enjoy an afternoon game viewing within the park.  

Overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge on a full board basis

Day 8: Return to Arusha

Depart after breakfast and head north-east to Arusha. The journey will pass through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. On arrival in Arusha, lunch is provided followed by transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport to connect with your international departure flight.