9 Day Tanzania Safari Tarangire Manyara Eyasi Serengeti & Ngorongoro

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This 9-day itinerary takes in the classic wildlife destinations of Tanzania’s northern circuit, beginning with Tarangire National Park, a wonderful birding destination and renowned for the Elephant herds, Baobabs, and scenery. The tour then moves to Lake Manyara National Park for game drives searching for the park’s tree-climbing lions. 

On our next destination which is Lake Eyasi, we set off on a cultural excursion with the Hadzabe Tribe, Africa’s last true hunter-gatherers. Then we visit the Serengeti National Park, home to the Great Wildebeest Migration.

There is also time for a full-day safari to the Ngorongoro Crater, an ancient volcanic caldera whose steep-sided walls contain Africa’s densest concentration of large animals, including the Big 5. Then we drive back to Arusha where our memorable 9-day Tanzania Safari comes to a close.

Day 1: Arusha – Drive to Tarangire National Park
Day 2: Explore Tarangire National Park
Day 3: Tarangire – Drive to Lake Manyara
Day 4: Lake Manyara – Drive to Lake Eyasi
Day 5: Lake Eyasi – Drive to Serengeti National Park
Day 6: Explore Serengeti National Park
Day 7: Serengeti – Drive to Ngorongoro Crater
Day 8: Explore the Ngorongoro Crater
Day 9: Ngorongoro – Drive to Arusha

Day 1: Arusha – Drive to Tarangire National Park

Our 9 Day Tanzania Safari Tarangire Manyara Eyasi Serengeti & Ngorongoro, begins after breakfast, in Arusha where we travel to our first game viewing destination; Tarangire National Park where we pause for lunch before taking an exciting afternoon game drive.

Tarangire Park is an incredibly diverse area, boasting a unique mix of habitats within the Northern Safari Circuit. Tarangire is renowned for its huge Elephant population, hosting the highest density of Elephants in Tanzania. The game reserve is also well known for its abundance of baobab trees, as well as tree-climbing Lions.

This 2850 km² game park is the central wilderness area on the annual migratory route through northern Tanzania. This wildlife migration sees up to 3000 Elephants, 25,000 Wildebeests, and 30,000 Zebra stampeding across the plains in search of greener grass.

Accommodation Options
Luxury Accommodations: Oliver’s Camp Tarangire, Tarangire Treetops, Chem Chem Safari Lodge
Mid Range Accommodations: Tarangire Sopa Lodge, Maramboi Tented Camp, Lake Burunge Tented Camp
Budget Accommodations: Kirurumu Tarangire Lodge, Tarangire Balloon Camp, Naitolia Camp
Meal Plan: { Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Full Day in Tarangire National Park

Morning and afternoon game drives in the Park that offers wonderful panoramas of wide savannah grasslands dotted with open acacia woodland studded with large Baobab trees.

Elephants can be seen in herds of up to 600 at a time, along with masses of Wildebeest, Zebra, Eland, Hartebeest, Buffalo, and Oryx, who, migrate from the dry Masai steppe to the gleaming Tarangire River in search of water during the dry season.

550 species of birds have been recorded here. Also, the park has Tree climbing pythons.

Accommodation Options
Luxury Accommodations: Oliver’s Camp Tarangire, Tarangire Treetops, Chem Chem Safari Lodge
Mid Range Accommodations: Tarangire Sopa Lodge, Maramboi Tented Camp, Lake Burunge Tented Camp
Budget Accommodations: Kirurumu Tarangire Lodge, Tarangire Balloon Camp, Naitolia Camp
Meal Plan :{ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3: Tarangire – Drive to Lake Manyara (Cultural Experience)

After breakfast in Tarangire, we depart by road and head to the bustling village of Mto-wa-Mbu, after breakfast this morning for an exciting cultural encounter. We explore the diverse cultures of Mto-wa-Mbu, located in the East African Rift Valley.

Here we visit a lively local market to browse traditional Tanzanian crafts and art. Then we drive through fertile farmlands to visit a Chagga family that brews banana beer. Your guide tells you a bit about the local farming methods used to grow to produce around the village, pointing out the different fruits and vegetables as you travel.

Stopping in at a local home we tuck into a scrumptious lunch cooked by one of the mamas. After our hearty lunch, we visit a local school and a center for children with disabilities. Then we go to a Maasai boma (an open enclosure formed by huts), where we encounter local tradition.

Visiting the manyatta (traditional homestead) gives a chance to meet the Maasai, the most famous East African tribe originally inhabiting the East African Rift Valley. The Maasai are semi-nomadic herders, known for their fierce warriors and distinctive style of dress.

After our intriguing cultural experience, we return to the lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening in the scenic Rift Valley.

Accommodation Options
Luxury Accommodation: Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Mid-range Accommodation: Kirurumu Tented Lodge, Lake Manyara Hotel,
Budget Accommodation: Twiga Lodge and Campsite, Lake Manyara Bush Camp
Meal Plan : {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 4: Lake Manyara – Drive to Lake Eyasi

Today starts with a morning coffee and breakfast before we make our way into Lake Manyara National Park for an early morning game viewing drive. This scenic national park protects the north-western part of Lake Manyara, running along the base of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment.

The shallow soda lake attracts over 380 bird species and is known for its large Flamingo flocks. This compact and diverse game park is also home to the elusive tree-climbing Lion.

After lunch, we embark on a short afternoon game drive in Lake Manyara Park, before traveling to our next overnight lodge at Lake Eyasi.

Accommodation Options: Ziwani Lodge, Eyasi Safari Lodge, Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp, Tindiga Tented Camp or Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp
Meal Plan : {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 5: Lake Eyasi (Hadzabe tribe visit at Lake Eyasi)

On day five we set off on a cultural excursion with the Hadzabe Tribe, Africa’s last true hunter-gatherers. The Hadzabe way of life closely resembles that of their ancestor’s thousands of years ago.

We gain insight into the nomadic lifestyle of these fascinating people, surviving in harsh conditions. This tribe lives in ways of bygone times, hunting with bows and arrows, as well as gathering plants.

These nomads interact closely with the Datoga people, another traditional tribe that still practices age-old traditions today. The Datoga have been trading as blacksmiths for centuries and make the arrowheads used by the Hadzabe.

Accommodation Options: Ziwani Lodge, Eyasi Safari Lodge, Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp, Tindiga Tented Camp or Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp
Meal Plan : {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 6: Lake Eyasi – Drive to Serengeti National Park

Today we travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, towards the Serengeti National Park. Our drive takes us via the Lake Ndutu area dotted with rural villages. The woodlands and plains surrounding Ndutu draw numerous wild animals during the migration season.

Along the way, we visit a traditional Maasai village, to see this striking-looking, semi-nomadic people. Meeting these proud herders in their vivid red robes is an unforgettable cultural experience.

We have a picnic lunch and enter Serengeti Park, where we make our way to the next overnight lodge, game viewing en route.

Day 7: Full day in the Serengeti National Park

We explore the central part of Serengeti National Park today. The Serengeti Plains are renowned for the massive annual wildebeest migration and the large resident predator population, especially big cats. Our game drives take us in search of the abundance of wildlife found in this top African game park.

The Serengeti Park, the most popular and oldest national park in Tanzania, is the quintessential wildlife safari setting of untamed Africa. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Serengeti is one of the most important game reserves in Africa.

From February to May, a herd of over a million wildebeest (gnu), along with more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle migrate for the Western Corridor of the park, in search of greener pastures. The endless Serengeti Plains provide superb game viewing in a stunning bush environment year-round.

Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Grumeti Tented Camp, Kirawira Luxury Tented Camp, Asanja Africa Luxury Tented Camp
Mid Range Accommodation: Seronera Wildlife Lodge, Fort Ikoma bushcamp, Lobo Wildlife Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Seronera Campsite, Lobo Campsite, Ndabaka Campsite, Ikoma Campsite

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 8: Serengeti – Drive to The Ngorongoro Crater

Today we have breakfast early in the morning, before driving to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. Reaching the largest continuous caldera in the world we descend the steep walls into the game-rich crater.

The Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the Big Five of Africa (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, and Buffalo). Known as the Eden of Africa and considered the 8th Natural Wonder of the World, Ngorongoro hosts around 25000 large animals, one of the highest concentrations of big game in Africa.

Wildlife found in the crater includes Hyena, Wildebeest, Zebra, Serval Cat, Cheetah, Thompson, and Grant Gazelles, as well as about 400 bird species.

We explore the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater of Tanzania on a rewarding game drive. Along the way, we stop at a hippo pool for a picnic lunch in this wildlife haven. Then we drive back up the crater walls, admiring the beautiful views and looking out for the game.

Accommodation Options
Luxury Accommodation: andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, The Manor at Ngorongoro
Mid Range Accommodation: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Flamingo Safari Lodge, Highview Hotel

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 9: Ngorongoro – Drive to Arusha

We enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning and revisit the colorful town of Mto-wa-Mbu to pick up any last-minute curios and gifts. Then we drive back to Arusha where our memorable 9 Day Tanzania Safari Tarangire Manyara Eyasi Serengeti & Ngorongoro comes to a close.

Meal Plan: {Breakfast}