About this safari
The 8-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari is the ideal choice for travellers who want to see as much wildlife, in as many different habitats, as a single week allows. Five distinctive northern parks are woven together — from the forested slopes of Mount Meru to the open plains of the Serengeti and the volcanic bowl of Ngorongoro — for an unrivalled diversity of species.
Because the route is private, your guide adapts every game drive to what you most want to see. Perhaps you are chasing a Big Five clean sweep, hoping for leopard and cheetah, or simply marvelling at the sheer number of animals — giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, elephant, buffalo, hippo and hundreds of bird species — that fill these landscapes.
You begin gently in Arusha National Park with a walking safari and views of Mount Meru, then move through the elephant country of Tarangire and the flamingo-lined shores of Lake Manyara. Two full Serengeti days follow before the finale in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Comfortable lodges and tented camps keep you close to the action, with short drives and unhurried days that let the wildlife come to you.
What makes this tour special
-
Arusha walking safari
A guided bush walk with giraffe, zebra and the slopes of Mount Meru as your backdrop.
-
Tarangire elephants
Great herds and ancient baobabs along the life-giving Tarangire River.
-
Lake Manyara birdlife
Flamingos, pelicans and raptors crowded onto a Rift Valley soda lake.
-
Serengeti predators
Two full days in big-cat country, from the Seronera Valley to the plains.
-
Ngorongoro Crater
A crater-floor day with the best chance of completing your Big Five.
-
Five parks, one tour
The broadest possible introduction to Tanzania’s northern wildlife.
Day-by-day plan
Arrival in Moshi or Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you are met and driven to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Relax after your journey, then join your guide for a briefing on the eight days ahead and the incredible wildlife they hold.
Arusha National Park
A short transfer brings you to Arusha National Park, a compact gem of forest, lake and open glades beneath Mount Meru. Enjoy a guided walking safari with an armed ranger, canoe or game drive among giraffe, zebra, buffalo, flamingos and colobus monkeys. A perfect introduction to Tanzanian wildlife.
Tarangire National Park
Drive south into Tarangire National Park, renowned for its elephants and its towering baobab trees. During the dry season the Tarangire River draws huge concentrations of wildlife, and your afternoon game drive offers excellent sightings of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and countless antelope.
Lake Manyara National Park
A shorter drive reaches Lake Manyara National Park, squeezed between the Rift Valley escarpment and a shimmering soda lake. Look for its celebrated tree-climbing lions, large baboon troops and hippo pods, plus thousands of flamingos along the water’s edge when conditions are right.
Into the Serengeti
Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and enter the Serengeti National Park. The immense plains are home to the greatest concentration of predators in Africa. Spend the afternoon exploring the Seronera Valley, then relax at your camp beneath a sky thick with stars.
Full day in the Serengeti
A full day to immerse yourself in the Serengeti. Dawn and dusk game drives maximise your chances of lion, leopard and cheetah, while the middle of the day reveals the migration in the right season and the smaller wonders of the bush. Enjoy a picnic lunch out on the plains.
Ngorongoro Crater
Travel to the Ngorongoro Crater and descend onto its fertile floor, home to some 25,000 large animals. Over a full morning you have an excellent chance of all of the Big Five, including the endangered black rhino — the perfect grand finale after a week of wildlife. Overnight on the cool crater rim.
Departure
After a relaxed breakfast with crater views, drive back to Arusha or Moshi for your onward flight. With a week of extraordinary sightings behind you, you may wish to extend with Zanzibar beaches or a Kilimanjaro climb — we are glad to arrange either.
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Park entry fees and conservation levies for all five parks
- All meals as listed (B, L, D) and drinking water on drives
- 7 nights’ accommodation as per the itinerary
- Guided walking safari in Arusha National Park with an armed ranger
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Government taxes and tourism levies
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips and gratuities for your guide and camp staff
- Optional activities such as balloon safaris and canoeing
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
Where you’ll stay
Luxury lodges & tented suites
Full-board luxury camps and lodges with private decks, pools and all-inclusive service. <!-- TODO: lodge names -->
Comfortable lodges & camps
Well-run lodges and permanent tented camps with ensuite bathrooms and warm hospitality. <!-- TODO: lodge names -->
Simple lodges & campsites
Clean, friendly stays in and around the parks, some with shared facilities. <!-- TODO: lodge names -->
8-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari in pictures
Best time to take this tour
This five-park route delivers great wildlife year-round, but the dry season from June to October is the surest bet for concentrated game and clear roads.
| Season | Weather | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Warm, mostly dry | Moderate | Calving in the southern Serengeti; green, uncrowded parks |
| Apr–May | Long rains | Low | Lush scenery, low prices, though some tracks become difficult |
| Jun–Oct | Dry and cool at dawn | High | Peak wildlife viewing with animals gathering at water |
| Nov–Dec | Short rains | Moderate | Fresh green plains, superb birding and quieter lodges |
Route & logistics
The safari is a loop that begins and ends in Arusha or Moshi, visiting Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in sequence. Driving legs are kept to comfortable two-to-four-hour stretches, with one longer transfer into the Serengeti.
All journeys are made in a private safari 4x4. If you would prefer to save time, a light-aircraft flight between the Serengeti and Arusha can replace the return road leg on request.
Frequently asked questions
Which parks does this safari visit?
Five: Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. It offers the widest variety of wildlife and scenery of any of our eight-day tours.
Is the walking safari safe?
Yes. The Arusha National Park walking safari is led by an armed national park ranger and stays well clear of dangerous animals, making it a safe and memorable experience.
When is the best time to travel?
June to October is the most reliable for game viewing. January to March is excellent for the calving season, while the green months of November to May offer quieter parks and lower prices.
Will I see the Big Five?
With five parks and a full crater day, your chances are excellent. Ngorongoro is one of the best places in Africa to see the endangered black rhino.
Is this tour suitable for families?
Yes, children from around five years old are welcome. The mix of parks and activities keeps younger travellers engaged.
Can the tour be customised?
Absolutely. The number of nights, choice of lodges and any add-ons such as balloon safaris or a Zanzibar extension are all tailored to you.
You might also like
Ready to secure this itinerary?
Tell us your dates and group size. We will confirm availability, refine the plan around you, and send a full quote — free, with no obligation.
