8 Day Heart of the Wild: Tanzanian Safari Odyssey
Tour Highlights:
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Destination :
Northern tanzania -
Customized as :
- Luxury
- Honeymoon
- Adventure
- Solo
- Wildbeest Migration
- Private
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Duration
Day: 8Night: 7 -
You Visit:
- Tarangire National Park
- Manyara National Park
- Ngorongoro C. Area
- Serengeti National Park
Iternerary:
Day 0: Arrive in Tanzania
Arusha sits at the foot of Mount Meru
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a representative will greet you and take you to your accommodation.
Once you’re checked in and rested, you are free to explore Arusha on your own. While the city is mostly known as a gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro and several safari opportunities, there are plenty of things to do within city limits as well.
Overnight at Gran Melia Hotel granmeliaarusha
Meals: Bed & Breakfast
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast in Arusha, you will be driven to Tarangire National Park, the third largest national park in Tanzania. There will be many opportunities for game viewing as we drive through the park. After a stop for lunch at Tarangire Sopa Lodge, you will have time to unpack and maybe rest before the afternoon game drive. Tarangire contains a range of ecosystems from grassland and woodlands in the north, to scrub and wetlands further south. The Tarangire river cuts through the park and empties into Lake Burunge in the west. Tarangire boasts one of the largest and most conspicuous elephant populations in East Africa. There are large family groups with many calves being born each year as the population continues to recover from the devastating effects of poaching in the eighties. You will see herds of elephants and experience close contact with the matriarchs, the babies, teenagers, and bulls. Your close contact will help you in understanding these incredible animals. Spend several hours surrounded by the herds and you cannot help but feel their wisdom. Tarangire is also known for its abundant baobab trees, most of which are over 400 years, old and the beautiful landscape.
Overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge tarangiresafarilodge or similar
Tarangire Maramboi Tented Camp maramboitentedlodge
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
Today offers an intimate Tarangire wildlife experience, commencing with a thrilling morning game drive. Armed with picnic lunch boxes, you will delve into the park's diverse ecosystems on a full-day quest to track its renowned fauna. Your mission is to search for iconic predators like lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena, alongside majestic elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and herds of gazelle, impala, and wildebeest. Every sighting promises to forge shared, unforgettable memories. As the African sun begins to soften in the late afternoon, you will return to the comfort of your lodge, filled with the day's stories, ready to relax and recount the adventures before your overnight stay.
Overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge tarangiresafarilodge or similar
Tarangire Maramboi Tented Camp maramboitentedlodge
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Tarangire to Manyara National Park to Ngorongoro
After breakfast, we will drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive and have a picnic lunch. While Manyara is one of the smallest parks, it is one of the most interesting. Much of the northern part of the park is fed by underground water from the Ngorongoro Highlands and as a result is covered in dense forest vegetation, giving the appearance of a tropical jungle. This forest is ideal habitat for elephant, bushbuck, blue monkey, and huge troops of olive baboon. Some parts are dry bush land attracting zebra, impala and giraffe, while the lakeshore provides another habitat, perfect for flamingos and other shore birds. Our game drive will take us slowly south through the park and later in the afternoon proceed to the Lodge.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge ngorongoro
Meals: Breakafast / Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater
We will leave this morning on our way to Ngorongoro Crater for full day game drive. Our drive takes us up to the rim of the Crater; we will descend more than 2,000 feet on steep tracks cut into the crater wall to reach the open plains of the Crater floor. The Ngorongoro Crater is undoubtedly the best place in Tanzania to view black rhino as well as large prides of lion that include magnificent black-manned males. It is also home to huge herds of wildebeest and zebra and many other plains game, such as Thomson’s gazelle. An alkaline lake in the floor of the Crater provides a habitat for colorful flamingo and a variety of other water birds. Massive bull elephants feed in the swamps, some adorned with enormous tusks. Later in the afternoon proceed to Sopa Lodge for Dinner and overnight.
Overnight Ngorongoro Serena Lodge serenahotels
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park
Following breakfast, your journey continues towards the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. The adventure begins immediately with game viewing en route, offering a thrilling preview of the wilderness. You will stop at a scenic picnic site for lunch, immersed in the raw beauty of the savannah.
The Serengeti is celebrated as one of the planet's ultimate wildlife sanctuaries, most famous for the Great Migration. This annual spectacle sees over a million wildebeest and zebras traverse its vast plains in a perpetual search for fresh grazing. After lunch, your game drive continues as you travel towards your hotel, providing further opportunities to witness the park's incredible resident and migratory wildlife before settling in for the evening.
Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge serenahotels or similar
Kubu Kubu Tented Camp kubukubutentedlodge
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Central Serengeti
After breakfast depart for Full day game drives in Serengeti National Park gets its name from the Maasai word Siringeti meaning endless Plain.
The Serengeti is located along the rift valley and is abound with geological formations. One of Serengeti’s defining features are its Kopjes pronounced copy, a feature of continual weathering.
These islands in the sea of grass are formed as the top soil comprising of rock and ash is eroded exposing the covered layer of metamorphic rock. These exposed rock forms “kopjes” are round as a result of spherical wind weathering. The national park covers an area of 14800 square kilometers most of which is grass plains. These rich grass plains a result of ash deposited by volcanic eruptions, and is home to 3 million animals. Within these grass plains the scattered kopjes act as a heaven for animals from grass fires, predators and the heat. The game drives in this park are exceptional and game viewing incredible. This park offers the best opportunity of viewing Cheetah, Leopards and Lions. Return for dinner.
Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge serenahotels or similar
Kubu Kubu Tented Camp kubukubutentedlodge
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Central Serengeti
Look for wildlife in the heart of the vast savannah of the Serengeti today, depart for full day game driver, Sightings might include lion, leopard, hyena, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, elephant and cheetah. When the Sunset points the sky in the evening, enjoy the show from the luxury of your lodge in Serengeti.
Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge or similar serenahotels
Kubu Kubu Tented Camp kubukubutentedlodge
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Serengeti to Arusha
Your final day is carefully structured to ensure you have one last taste of the Serengeti while getting you to the airstrip on time for your flight.
Morning Game Drive & Breakfast (The Final Farewell)
Early Morning (approx. 6:30 AM - 7:00 AM): You will be woken up early, just as the sun begins to rise. This is not just for travel; it's the best time for wildlife viewing. Animals are most active in the cool of the morning.
Sunrise Game Drive En Route: After a quick cup of coffee or tea, you will load your luggage into the vehicle and embark on your final game drive. This isn't a direct transfer; it's a scenic journey towards the Seronera Airstrip. Your guide will take a route that offers the best chance of spotting wildlife you may have missed.
"Bush Breakfast" or Lodge Breakfast: Depending on your flight time and schedule, you will either stop for a memorable "bush breakfast" at a scenic spot in the park or return to your lodge for a final full breakfast. The bush breakfast is a fantastic way to soak in the Serengeti atmosphere one last time.
Seronera Airstrip & Check-in
Arrival at Seronera Airstrip (approx. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM): You will arrive at the airstrip, a simple but functional facility in the heart of the Serengeti. The airstrip itself is a spectacle—you might see zebra or wildebeest grazing nearby!
Check-in Process: The check-in process is rustic and charmingly informal compared to a major international airport. You will identify your luggage, which will be weighed along with you and your carry-on. It's a quick and efficient procedure.
The Wait: You'll have some time to wait on the open-air veranda of the airstrip, often sharing stories with other departing travelers while watching small aircraft take off and land.
The Scenic Flight to Arusha
The Flight (approx. 1 - 1.5 hours): Boarding a small 12-18 seater Cessna or similar aircraft is an experience in itself.
Scenic Views: As you take off, you'll get a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the Serengeti. You might see vast herds, winding rivers, and the iconic kopjes (rock outcrops) from above.
The Landscape Changes: The flight offers a dramatic geographical transition. You'll watch the endless golden plains of the Serengeti give way to the cultivated lands, lush hills, and coffee plantations surrounding Arusha.
Arrival at Arusha Airport (ARK): You will land at Arusha Airport, which primarily handles domestic and regional flights.
The Onward Journey - Your Choice of Destination
This is where your itinerary splits based on your final destination. Your tour operator will have arranged the seamless transition.
Option A: To Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for International Departure
The Transfer: Upon landing in Arusha, a driver will meet you at the airport. You will be transferred by a private vehicle on a 1 to 1.5-hour drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
The Journey: This road journey takes you through the outskirts of Arusha and offers stunning views of Mount Meru and, if the weather is clear, the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro itself.
At JRO: This is Tanzania's main international gateway. You will check in for your international flight home.
Option B: To Zanzibar (or another Domestic Destination)
The Connection: If you are flying directly to Zanzibar, you will often remain on the same plane at Arusha Airport. The plane will refuel and take on new passengers before continuing its journey.
The Flight to Zanzibar: The flight from Arusha to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours .
Arrival in Paradise: You will land on the spice island, ready to swap your safari boots for flip-flops and begin the beach portion of your Tanzanian adventure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Other Extra paying Activities:
- Visit a Maasai village (50 USD per person)
- Balloon Safari (USD 570 per person)
- Walking activity in Arusha National Park ( USD 360 per person), (includes Park Fees , Transportation, Game viewing & Lunch Boxes)..
- Alduvai Gorge and museum visit ( USD 50 per person)
- Local Market (USD 50 per person)
Food is served according to the Safari schedule:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Drinks are served according to the Safari schedule:
- Water
- Juice
- Soda
- Beer
- Wine
Cuisine is served with special dishes:
- Gluten-Free
- Hallal
- Fruitarian
- Lactose-Free
Include
- Parking fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodations mentioned (unless labeled as optional upgrades)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer.
- Meals ( as specified in the day by day section).
- Drinks ( as specified in the day by day section).
- Flight from Serengeti to Arusha
Exclude:
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
- Government imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees
- International Flights ( from/ to home).
- Tips ( Tipping) guideline USD 15.OO pp per day
