12 Days Tanzania Big Five private experience

After a hearty breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its towering baobab trees and large elephant herds. Though small, the park boasts a rich diversity of wildlife, rivaling Ngorongoro Crater in density. As you enter, vast plains dotted with baobabs create a stunning landscape, and you’ll spot lions, leopards, zebras, wildebeests, and more. The park is particularly known for its elephant herds. Enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch amidst nature, then continue your safari, capturing unforgettable photos of wildlife in their natural habitat. It’s a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

After breakfast, you will proceed with a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. This small park teems with wildlife, and the birdwatching opportunities are extraordinary. In fact, it is one of the few places in Africa where you can witness tree-climbing lions. Additionally, Manyara is home to vast flocks of stunning pink flamingos near the lake. Enjoy lunch at a picnic site, followed by dinner at the lodge. In the evening, you’ll have the option for a night game drive before returning for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will journey toward Lake Natron. You’ll leave the paved road near Mto wa Mbu and continue on adventurous slopes along the East African Rift Valley. Along the way, you will pass Maasai villages and the holy mountain of the Maasai, Ol Doinyo Lengai. Upon reaching Lake Natron, you’ll be able to admire the breathtaking scenery and witness the remarkable variety of birds, especially the dwarf flamingos, which use the lake as a breeding ground. The water is highly saline, creating a surreal red-brown to purple-violet color. After hiking around the lake, you'll visit nearby waterfalls, an oasis perfect for swimming. You will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

After an early breakfast, your journey continues to Serengeti North. The drive leads you through the Rift Valley, eventually reaching the vast plains of Serengeti. Serengeti National Park, founded in 1951, is one of the oldest parks in Tanzania and home to an incredibly diverse and abundant wildlife population. Along with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Serengeti forms part of one of the world’s largest and most important migration systems. Every year, over 1.4 million wildebeests, 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles, 200,000 zebras, and thousands of topis migrate to greener pastures. Serengeti boasts over 3 million larger mammals, making it one of the richest wildlife areas in the world. After a scenic game drive, you will reach your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will embark on a full-day game drive in the Mara area, which is renowned as one of the prime locations for witnessing the Great Migration. The key feature in this region is the Mara River, and as a result, there is a high chance of observing the herds crossing the river, either heading north or returning south, depending on the timing. Furthermore, this spectacle offers one of the most thrilling experiences of the safari. In addition, the area is rich in kopjes, woodland, and open plains, which together create an incredibly scenic backdrop for wildlife viewing.. As the day comes to a close, you will return to your lodge for a well-deserved dinner and overnight stay.

Following breakfast, you will depart with a picnic lunch and then continue your game drive through the Lobo and Mbuzi Mawe areas, eventually heading toward the central Serengeti. Along the way, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the changing landscapes. The day’s goal is to spot lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and other wildlife. After a picnic lunch, continue your game viewing journey and head to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Today, you will enjoy a full day of game drives around the central Serengeti. Depending on the time of year, you may witness the massive herds of wildebeests, accompanied by big cats, hyenas, and other predators that prey on the herds. Throughout the year, you will also see elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, monkeys, baboons, hippos, rhinos, antelopes, and many species of birds. At the end of the day, return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Today, enjoy a walking safari in the heart of Serengeti, escorted by an armed park ranger. This is a unique chance to explore the bush on foot, observing details like animal tracks, droppings, and plants with medicinal uses. After brunch, continue your game drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and overnight stay at the Lodge.

After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of game viewing. The Ngorongoro Crater is home to diverse wildlife, including zebras, elephants, lions, and the rare black rhino. Its stunning beauty and dramatic landscapes make it one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders.. In the late afternoon, return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, travel to Mto wa Mbu for a cultural tour. Mto Wa Mbu Village offers a rich cultural program, allowing visitors to experience traditional Maasai ways of life through various activities and community projects. You can explore the village on foot, by bike, or on a hike, tasting local Tanzanian foods and engaging with the villagers. In the afternoon, you’ll return to Arusha for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport for your departure.