This 9-day Tanzania safari offers travelers a remarkable opportunity to witness the wildebeest calving season and explore a range of exceptional destinations, including Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park. With a mix of day and night game drives, guided nature walks, and wildlife viewing opportunities, this safari is ideal for travelers who want to experience both the drama of predator-prey interactions and the calm beauty of Tanzania’s protected areas.
Brief Itinerary Overview
Day 1.0: Arrival and Transfer to Lodge
Day 1.1: Travel to Tarangire National Park and Night Game Drive
Day 2: Explore Tarangire with Walking Safari
Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park Tour
Day 4: Visit to Ngorongoro Crater
Day 5: Game Viewing in Ndutu Area
Day 6: Full-Day Safari in Ndutu
Day 7: Southern Serengeti Wildlife Viewing
Day 8: Explore Central Serengeti
Day 9: Flight to Zanzibar
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania
On arrival in the early morning hours, a representative will welcome you and provide a transfer to Kia Lodge. You will have a few hours to rest and freshen up before the safari begins.
Your guide will meet you at the hotel around 12:30 PM after lunch. After a briefing about the tour, begin your drive toward Tarangire National Park, stopping briefly in Arusha for any last-minute needs.
Arrive at Tarangire in the afternoon and enjoy a wildlife drive en route to your lodge. After checking in and settling down, head out once more for a night safari. Watch the evening unfold as nocturnal wildlife becomes active and listen to the ambient sounds of the bush. After the drive, return to the lodge for rest.
Accommodation: Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge
Day 2: Full-Day Safari in Tarangire with Guided Walk
Begin the day with a hearty breakfast and proceed for a morning game drive across Tarangire’s open landscapes. The park is known for its elephant herds, along with zebras, Oryx, gazelles, hartebeests, and waterbucks.
After lunch, take part in a guided walking tour through the park. Follow the trails of animals and observe wildlife behavior while walking in safe proximity. Return to your lodge afterward for the evening.
Accommodation: Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge
Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park Drive
Depart after breakfast and head to Lake Manyara National Park. En route, make a cultural stop at Mto wa Mbu town to explore local craft shops and meet local artisans.
Once inside the park, enjoy a scenic game drive. Lake Manyara is home to unique wildlife such as tree-climbing lions, elephants, and various monkey species. Additional sightings may include buffalos, gazelles, baboons, waterbucks, and numerous bird species. Afterward, settle in for the night.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm Lodge
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater Excursion
Enjoy an early breakfast and head to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will descend into the expansive Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most wildlife-rich areas on the planet.
Animals often seen include wildebeests, zebras, hippos, buffalos, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, elands, and the rare black rhino. The area’s central feature, Lake Magadi, often hosts groups of flamingos.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Day 5: Game Viewing in Ndutu Area
After breakfast, depart for the Ndutu region of Ngorongoro. This area is an important part of the wildebeest calving season. Spend the day observing new-born calves and predators such as lions and hyenas that tend to follow the migration.
Enjoy lunch in the field and continue exploring until late afternoon. Return to the lodge to unwind and reflect on the day’s sightings.
Accommodation: Ang’ata Migration Camp
Day 6: Full Day in Ndutu Region
Set out with a packed lunch for a full day of safari in the Ndutu plains. The focus is on game viewing, particularly predator activity linked to the calving herds. Watch as big cats stalk prey and herds gather in dense numbers.
Accommodation: Ang’ata Migration Camp
Day 7: Southern Serengeti Game Drive
Depart early with your picnic lunch for the southern reaches of Serengeti National Park. Continue to follow the wildebeest herds and observe wildlife interactions in this open environment. The Serengeti is known for its lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and more.
Accommodation: Serengeti View Camp
Day 8: Central Serengeti Wildlife Exploration
After breakfast, venture into the central section of Serengeti National Park, particularly the Seronera area. Look for large herds and predator species. Wildlife in this area includes elephants, cheetahs, gazelles, hippos, antelopes, and buffalos.
Lunch will be served picnic-style in the wild, followed by another round of wildlife observation.
Accommodation: Serengeti View Camp
Day 9: Fly to Zanzibar
After breakfast, you’ll be driven to the Seronera Airstrip for your flight to Zanzibar. This marks the end of your 9-day Tanzania safari.
Tour Includes:
Lodge accommodation throughout the safari
Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
Park entry fees, crater fees, and concession charges
All meals during the safari
Drinking water in the safari vehicle
Flight from Serengeti to Zanzibar
Applicable VAT and government charges
Tour Excludes:
International airfare and visas
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, drinks, and laundry
Accommodation before or after the safari
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Tips and gratuities
