Overview
SAFARI IN NATIONAL PARKS: LAKE MANYARA, SERENGETI, AND NGORONGORO CRATER
Our Budget Big Five Safari package, which specifically includes 2 nights in Serengeti National Park, has been designed to offer you more time in the Serengeti to witness the wildebeest migration. You will experience the excitement of game viewing in some of the most spectacular national wildlife game parks in Africa.
This unforgettable Tanzanian safari journey will take you to the Ngorongoro Crater, featuring one of the highest concentrations of game in Africa. Here you will witness an amazing spectacle of African wildlife – inside a self-contained world teeming with animals. The tour will further take you to the Serengeti National Park, into the heart of wild Africa, a massive wilderness of 14500 square km, where every day brings a new landscape and a new adventure. You will visit the Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania’s most dramatically located wildlife areas, consisting of a shallow but huge soda lake, at the foot of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment.
Itinerary
Early wake-up time, breakfast, and travel to Lake Manyara. The entire territory of this park is cut through with groundwater streams that provide a favorable environment for plants and, in addition, for a multitude of birds (including pink flamingos) and African forest animals.
Around lunchtime you will visit the Maji Moto hot springs and the driver will provide you with personal lunchboxes. After this stop, the safari will continue, and by evening you will be transferred back to the hotel in Arusha. And ready for departure
Additional notes:
This is your first day on safari, so we ask that you please pay special attention to the national park visitor rules and our company recommendations.
- During the safari, it is strictly prohibited to exit the vehicle, except in specially designated areas. Violations of this rule may be accompanied by large lines for the company, including the revocation of its license.
- Off-road driving is also prohibited, as such behavior may cause irreparable damage to the fragile balance of the natural ecosystem.
- During the safari, you are allowed to smoke, but be extremely careful about how you extinguish and dispose of cigarette butts, as they are a frequent cause of fires in the savanna.
- In addition, we sincerely request that you not put your feet on the safari car's seats, nor sit on the back of them, because this type of behavior quickly makes the cars unusable.
Thank you in advance for your understanding.
After breakfast, we head towards the Serengeti National Park, via the beautiful high-lying farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Leaving the highlands behind, we descend into the heart of wild Africa – the Serengeti National Park – with its endless plains, rolling into the distance as far as the eye can see. We head to the central park area, known as the Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, featuring the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and therefore attracts wildlife well representative of most of the Serengeti’s species.
We arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti national park.
Dinner and overnight in the Seronera area, as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
Meals: Full Board.
Be one of only a few fortunate people to glide in a Hot Air Balloon over the Serengeti Plains (available at supplementary cost by pre-arrangement). Floating silently above the awakening bush, while spotting wildlife and enjoying the amazing scenery of Africa, across rivers and over numerous small villages.
We do an after-breakfast game viewing drive along the Sogore River Circuit, which loops into the plains south of the Seronera River, and which is good for possible Lion, Thomson gazelle, topi, ostrich, and cheetah sightings. The Visitor Centre close to the Serengeti Seronera Lodge and public campsites is well worth a visit after the morning’s game drive. This nicely designed center offers some interesting wildlife displays as well as a gift shop selling information leaflets and maps of the area. The center also has a shop where cold drinks and snacks can be purchased, as well as a picnic area and information trail up and around a nearby Kopje. We will enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch at the center in the shade of the giant acacia trees.
In the afternoon we will follow the Kopjes Circuit, which goes anti-clockwise around the Maasai Kopjes, which usually attract a number of lions and some formidably large cobras. Kopjes are weathered granite outcrops, scattered around the plains, most of which are miniature ecosystems, providing shade and drinking water in pools left in the rock after the rains. This makes the kopjes particularly good for spotting wildlife in the dry seasons – including lions, which like to lie in wait for animals coming to drink!
Dinner and overnight in the Seronera area, as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
Meals: Full Board.
After breakfast at the lodge, we depart to the Ngorongoro Conservation area. We will stop over at Olduvai Gorge, boasting a history dating back to the dawn of time. It was here, that the anthropologists Drs. Lois
and Mary Leakey discovered the skulls of ‘Nutcracker Man’ and ‘Handy Man’, both very significant links in the chain of human evolution.
We arrive in time for lunch at the lodge and after lunch, we will descend over 600 meters into the crater to view wildlife for a half day’s safari tour. Supported by a year-round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro National Park supports a vast variety of animals, which include herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants. Another big draw card to this picturesque national park is its dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and the ever-elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot. We will visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern corner, which is one of the main features of the crater. A large number of flamingos, hippos, and other water birds can usually be seen here.
Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.
Meals: Full Board.
Enjoy breakfast, after which we will transfer back to Arusha. Upon arrival in Arusha will we have lunch and then we will end our African safari adventure. By evening you will finish the safari and return to the hotel in Arusha. Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.
Note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, you have the option to extend your hotel stay till 6:00 PM for an extra fee.
Package Cost
Package Includes
- Two nights' accommodation at Hotel in Arusha double or triple occupancy (before and after the climb)
- The first night includes breakfast
- Last night includes dinner & breakfast
- Qualified guides with mountain crew
- National park fees
- Hut/camping fees and tents
- Tents foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and (Cutlery / Crockery) eating utensils.
- Rescue fees (required by the National Park)
- Pulse oximeters
- First aid kit
- Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries
- Boiled water on the mountain
- Airport transfers (JRO - Kilimanjaro International Airports)
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation, and entry fees on the mountain
Package Excludes
- Single rooms supplement at Hotel.
- Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Mountain equipment (eg sleeping bags)
- Gear for your climb, Some equipment is available for rent. See our rental price list.
- Car Supplement USD$145 per car for clients who go through Lemosho/Rongai/Shira Routes
- Items of personal nature (expenses)
- Emergency Oxygen
- Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included
- Extra activities (waterfall tour, cultural village visit).
- Visa fees & travel insurance.
- Flight tickets.
Tanzania Safari FAQS
Tailor Made Safaris, Tanzania Tailor Made Safaris are the best catered to your time, budget, and location. It takes you on a journey to Tanzania’s best wildlife. It gives you chance to explore some of its’ famous parks like Serengeti, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara National Park & many more.
Yes. Tanzania is good for safaris. The incredible wildlife and the best safari experience makes Tanzania one of the best safari destination.
Yes, Safaris In Tanzania is definitely safe. You will be accompanied by an experienced guide. Your safety is our top priority and we are pledged to keep you safe during your Tanzania Safari.
Tanzania has a wide arrange of safari packages. Visitors can choose from a luxurious to a budget safari. For more information, Contact us to assist you with booking your Tanzania Safari.
Tanzania has multiple lodging options that cater to every budget. We also provide great accommodation option that suits every budget. You can check our website for more details.
Most lodges have outlets so you will be able to recharge batteries. Some lodges turn off their generators at midnight. Some of the campsites offer outlets in the dining area. Campsite etiquette dictates the first-come-first-served principle. Our safari jeep has charging ports that you can use to charge your phone/camera & laptop while you’re on safari with us.
We use a combination of 4×4 4WD open-roof Land Cruisers & Land Rovers to maximize our viewing opportunities in the field. Before booking a Tanzania Safari. Our vehicles feature pop-top roofs for all-around visibility and open center aisles for flexible maneuvering when stopped.
All of our vehicles conform to safety regulations and are custom-built to take the rigors of a safari. Our guides are integral in explaining the intricacies of the ecological principles or animal behavior that you’ll be witnessing. Our vehicles provide maximum safety as well as ease of viewing. Many of our safaris take place in national parks and reserves. Whose regulations require us to stay inside our vehicles due to danger from wild animals.
The Dry season, from late June to October, when wildlife viewing is generally at its best is the best time to visit Tanzania. This period is also perfect for the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti which is usually during June and July.
A typical day in Tanzania would start with a warm cozy breakfast in your premium hotels following which our driver will take you to the safari destination around noon. You will view wildlife and if the season permits the great migration in Serengeti. You will then return home at around 5-6 pm. For lunch, you will stop in a picnic area that is safe and secure with toilet facilities.
So, are you having doubts about – How long does it take to get to Tanzania on safari? The ideal duration for the northern circuit; safari is between 8 to 10 days. This duration will help you to explore the key components of the parks in the circuit without being too rushed.
Casual, comfortable, and easy-to-wash clothes must be part of your Tanzania Safari Packing List. This is because Safaris are informal, and there is the least requirement to dress up. Your Clothes for Safari in Tanzania must be layered to adjust to temperature changes. In Tanzania tours, the morning game drives can be quite cold while daytime temperatures are warm. For those still pondering what to wear on a Safari in Tanzania – we suggest you include neutral or khaki colors and avoid wearing dark blue or black clothes. This is because the latter attract tsetse flies.
A travel visa is the most important travel document that you cannot miss while traveling. We are often asked in our Tanzania Safari Faq tons of questions related to – How long does it take to get a visa for Tanzania? It typically takes 2-15+ days to process in the Tanzania Embassy/Consulate depending on the consulate that we need to send the application. So, apply at least two-three weeks early to avoid delay. You can now apply for a Tanzania visa online.
Tanzania is home to over 35 species of large four-legged mammals and has over 1000 species of birds. On a typical safari in northern Tanzania, you can expect to see elephants, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, baboons, monkeys, and a variety of plains game such as wildebeest, hartebeest, zebra, impala, and gazelle. Most people see lions and hyenas, and possibly a cheetah or leopard. In Ngorongoro Crater, you may see one of the few remaining black rhinos to be found in Tanzania. You’ll undoubtedly see several different species of mongoose and some hyrax and other small mammals. If you’re lucky, you’ll see one or more of the smaller cats, foxes, wild dogs, or the more reticent antelope like lesser kudu, bushbuck, oryx, or eland.
Our Tanzania Safari FAQ lets you know how to give an insert to travel before coming to Tanzania. Before you leave for Tanzania you should consult your physician, who will be able to give you the most up-to-date information. Our advice below can help to inform you before your trip but should not replace a consultation with your doctor. It is advised to take malaria prophylaxis – usually Doxycycline, Lariam, or Malarone. All three are different – again, ask your doctor for more advice.
Many areas of Tanzania have malaria; please check with your medical practitioner for the latest advice re prophylactic treatments. To avoid malaria, it is best to take precautionary steps to limit being bitten by a mosquito. Wear long-sleeve tops and long pants at night. Use bug spray. The majority of lodges and safari camps have fitted mosquito nets around their beds to reduce the risk of bites.
Tsetse flies, are often found in heavily wooded areas. They can be a nuisance as their bites can be painful. Generally, they prefer moving targets, so the more you move about and flap at them the more they will bite. Your guide will remove you from the area if they are becoming too much of a problem. As usually the flies are found in small forest pockets during the day.
As of 2016, a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for ALL visitors coming to Tanzania
Generally, credit facilities at the camps are few and far between. It is better to check with our Safari expert consultant prior to travel if the camp you have booked accepts credit cards. If bringing US Dollars cash, please ensure that all the bills are no older than 2009, as they will not be accepted in the camps or at the Bureau de Change. You can pay for your safari holidays & Trekking with us through your Credit card/Master card/Debit card/American Express.
Tanzania has two International Airports and many regional airports and bush airstrips. Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam is the best port of entry for the Southern and Western Circuits. Kilimanjaro International Airport is the usual port of entry for the Northern Circuit.
Driving safaris are popular, especially for small groups of 4 to 6 family or friends traveling together, as it often works out cheaper than flying. The other advantage of a driving safari is that you have a private vehicle and the same guide throughout your safari.
