About this safari
No two travellers are the same, so no two Topi Adventure safaris should be either. The Custom Tanzania Safari is exactly that — a private trip designed from a blank page around your dates, your budget, your pace and the experiences you care about most. The eight-day itinerary below is simply a starting point.
Want to fly rather than drive? Add a beach week on Zanzibar? Combine a Kilimanjaro climb with a short safari, or focus on birds, photography, culture or the Great Migration? Prefer camps to lodges, or the wild south to the busy north? We build it around you.
Every custom trip is private: your own 4x4, your own guide, and total flexibility to change plans as you go. Because we are a local Moshi operator, you deal directly with the people who will run your safari — no middlemen, no mark-ups.
Tell us a few things and we will send a detailed, no-obligation proposal within one working day.
What makes this tour special
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Built around you
Every detail — dates, route, lodges and pace — chosen to suit your party alone.
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Any budget
From comfortable budget camps to ultra-luxury, priced to match what you want to spend.
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Any duration
A two-day escape or a three-week expedition; you decide how long to travel.
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Any group
Solo travellers, couples, families and private groups are all welcome.
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Flexible on the road
Change the plan mid-safari if the wildlife or the mood takes you elsewhere.
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Direct local operator
Plan and travel with a Moshi-based team — transparent pricing and real accountability.
Day-by-day plan
Arrival & welcome
You are met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and driven to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Your guide joins you to finalise the plan, confirm any last preferences and make sure everything is arranged exactly as you wish.
Tarangire National Park
Set out for Tarangire National Park, known for its great elephant herds and ancient baobabs. A full afternoon game drive follows the Tarangire River. This day can be swapped for Arusha National Park or a Maasai cultural visit if you prefer.
Lake Manyara National Park
Visit Lake Manyara National Park beneath the Rift Valley escarpment, watching for tree-climbing lions, hippos and flamingos. Continue to the highlands around Karatu, where you can add a coffee-farm tour or a village walk.
Into the Serengeti
Cross the Ngorongoro highlands into the Serengeti National Park. Your first game drive explores the Seronera Valley, rich with predators, before you reach your camp. Those with more time often add a night or two here.
Full day in the Serengeti
A full day to follow the wildlife wherever it leads — the migration, a resident lion pride, or a cheetah on the open plains. Photographers can request dawn starts and extended drives; families can keep the pace relaxed.
Ngorongoro Crater
Transfer to the Ngorongoro Crater and descend into the caldera, home to the Big Five and some 25,000 large animals. This is one of Africa’s finest single-day wildlife experiences, and it can be extended with an extra crater day on request.
Optional day — culture, coffee or more wildlife
A flexible day shaped to your interests: a Hadzabe cultural visit at Lake Eyasi, a Maasai village and coffee tour, a hike near the crater highlands, or simply more game drives. On the road, your guide can rearrange this day as you like.
Departure — or keep going
After breakfast you return to Arusha or Moshi for your onward flight, or continue with an extension: a Zanzibar beach break, a Kilimanjaro climb, the southern parks, or any combination you have in mind. Your custom trip can be as long as you wish.
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and a guide, built to your itinerary
- Accommodation in the lodges, camps or budget stays of your choice
- All park and conservation fees for the parks you select
- Meals as listed and drinking water on game drives
- Airport transfers and all ground transfers within Tanzania
- A dedicated trip planner and 24/7 local support while you travel
- Government taxes and levies
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks (unless stated)
- Tips and gratuities for your guide and camp staff
- Optional activities and any add-ons you choose, such as balloon safaris or diving
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
Where you’ll stay
Ultra-luxury camps & lodges
Hand-picked signature camps and lodges with private decks, plunge pools and polished service — ideal for honeymoons and special occasions.
Comfortable lodges & camps
Well-run permanent camps and lodges that balance comfort, location and value — the choice of most independent travellers.
Budget camps & guesthouses
Clean, friendly and affordable options, including public campsites, that let you travel further for less without losing the experience.
Custom Tanzania Safari in pictures
Best time to take this tour
A custom safari can run at any time of year. The ratings below show what to expect month by month, so you can choose the season that fits your plans.
| Season | Weather | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Warm, mostly dry | Moderate | Southern Serengeti calving; excellent predator viewing |
| Apr–May | Long rains | Low | Green, quiet and affordable; some camps close |
| Jun–Oct | Dry, cool mornings | High | The classic season with the most reliable wildlife viewing |
| Nov–Dec | Short rains | Moderate | Lush scenery, great birding and fewer visitors |
Route & logistics
The sample above is a classic northern loop from Arusha or Moshi, but your custom route can go anywhere in Tanzania — the southern reserves, the western chimpanzee parks, Lake Tanganyika, Zanzibar or Pemba. Distances and driving times are planned around your comfort, and internal flights can replace long road transfers.
Tell us where you want to go and what matters most, and we will design a route that fits. There is no fixed map for a custom safari — that is the whole point.
Frequently asked questions
How does the custom safari process work?
You send us your rough dates, group size, budget and wish list. Within one working day we reply with a detailed proposal and price. We then refine it together until the itinerary is exactly right — free and with no obligation.
Can you work to a tight budget?
Yes. We offer budget campsites and guesthouses as well as mid-range and luxury options, and we will always be honest about what is achievable. The “from US$950” figure reflects a modest, shorter or budget-based trip.
Can I combine a safari with Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar?
Absolutely — combinations are one of the most popular requests. A Kilimanjaro climb followed by a short safari and a Zanzibar beach break is a classic. We arrange the whole thing as one seamless trip.
How far in advance should I book?
For peak season (June to October) we recommend booking two to six months ahead, as the best camps fill early. For the quieter months, shorter notice is often fine. Contact us and we will advise.
Is the safari private?
Yes. Custom trips are private by default — your own vehicle and guide, with no other travellers joining unless you specifically ask to share.
What if I want to change plans during the trip?
Your guide and our local team can adjust the itinerary while you travel, subject to availability. Flexibility on the road is one of the great advantages of a private custom safari.
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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.
