This itinerary includes Tarangire National Park(1N), known for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees; Lake Manyara National Park(1N), with diverse habitats, rich birdlife and tree-climbing lions; Central Serengeti(2N), a haven for big cats and varied wildlife; Ngorongoro Crater(1N), renowned for its breathtaking views and high wildlife density; transfer to Arusha(1N); and Materuni Falls, a popular cultural and nature excursion near Kilimanjaro, for Chagga tribe visit and coffee plantation tour, before returning back to Arusha.
Short itinerary
- Day 1 - Transfer from Arusha to Tarangire. Game drives in Tarangire
- Day 2 -- Transfer to Lake Manyara for game drives
- Day 3 - Transfer to Central Serengeti for afternoon game drives
- Day 4 - Full Day game drives in Central Serengeti
- Day 5 - Morning game drives in Central Serengeti and transfer to Ngorongoro/Karatu
- Day 6 - Ngorongoro crater tour (5 hours) and afternoon transfer to Arusha
- Day 7 - Visit to Materuni falls, chagga tribe and coffee plantation tour and drop at Arusha or Kili airport
Full itinerary
Day 1 - Transfer from Arusha to Tarangire. Game drives in Tarangire
We start at around 7:00 AM from Arusha and drive to Tarangire National park with packed lunch boxes. Tarangire gate will be about 2.5 hours drive away. Once we reach the park, we start game drives here. Tarangire National park is known for its majestic baobab trees that dot the landscape, dwarfing the animals that feed beneath them. The Tarangire River is the centerpiece of this park which is famous for some of the largest herds of elephants in Africa. Here you may see lion, leopard, cheetah, lesser kudu, buffalo, Oryx, eland, giraffe and zebra. We will have a lunch break at a picnic scenic picnic spot. Post lunch, we will continue with game drives till around 5:00 PM or so and after the game drive, we will drive to accommodation. Dinner and overnight at this lodge.
Day 2 - Transfer to Lake Manyara for game drives
After a good nights's rest, finish your breakfast and get ready by around 8:30 AM. Depart to Lake Manyara National Park with a picnic lunch for a full day game drive. As you enter the national park, lush forests of Acacia and Mahogany trees begin to set the mood for what is waiting ahead. The game drive will go on till around 5:00 PM or so with a small break for picnic lunch. During the game drive watch out for buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, baboons and the blue monkeys. Another spectacle of Lake Manyara National park is the tree climbing lions, however spotting them is a game of luck. In the right season, you can see the shoreline turning pink with millions of flamingos flocking there. Post the game drive, you will head back to your lodge to reach before 6:00 PM where a delicious dinner awaits you.
Optional add-on tours this day: Canoeing at Lake Manyara for about 2.5 hours ($74 per person ), Night game drives ($114 per person).
Day 3 - Transfer to Central Serengeti for afternoon game drives
After breakfast, we checkout from hotel around 9:00 AM and head towards Serengeti National Park, via the beautiful high lying farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After driving for about couple of hours, we Leave Ngorongoro highlands behind, and descend into dusty plains of Ngorongoro while passing next to Maasai villages. Around 1:00 PM, we reach the gate of the Serengeti National Park. After lunch, we check into park and 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 do an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti National Park till around 5:30 PM. The long day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night’s rest in your accommodation.
Optional add-on tours this day: Maasai Village tour ($25 per person) or Olduvai gorge museum visit ($35 per person) in Ngorongoro on the way to Serengeti.
Day 4 - Full Day game drives in Central Serengeti
We depart around 8:00 AM after breakfast, with packed lunch boxes for full day game drives that last for about 8-9 hours in Central Serengeti. We return to camp around 5:30 PM.
Optional add-on tours this day: Balloon Safari in the morning ($540 per person) or Walking safari for 3-4 hours ($45 per person sharing or $60 for solo client) in Central Serengeti.
Day 5 - Morning game drives in Central Serengeti and transfer to Ngorongoro/Karatu
After breakfast, you will have a morning game drive in Serengeti National Park. Later depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area with picnic lunch. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest collapsed volcanic crater in the world and fourteen kilometers of isolated natural beauty. Ngorongoro Crater is surrounded by a ring of extinct volcanoes and the floor, dotted with watering holes, shelters some 30,000 animals. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night’s rest in your accommodation.
Day 6 - Ngorongoro crater tour (5 hours) and afternoon transfer to Arusha
After an early breakfast, descend to the crater floor for game drive(5 hours). You can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, hyenas, Jackals, rhinos and many birds. The birds seen here include eagle, vulture, flamingos in the Crater Lake, storks, giant vulture,and many more. Post the picnic lunch at the beautiful Hippo pool, you will begin a steep ascend to the top exit of the crater. With a 3.5 hr drive left to your accommodation in Arusha, the day will come to a close. Freshly made delicious dinner will be ready for you at your accommodation. All these days of the safari, will have you quite tired and a good rest is essential. You will also bid farewell to your safari guide and vehicle today as last leg of your tour will be done with a different vehicle (toyota alphard or similar) and driver.
Day 7 - Visit to Materuni falls, chagga tribe and coffee plantation tour and drop at Arusha or Kili airport
After breakfast, around 8:00 AM we start the 2 hour drive to Materuni which is located under the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival, you will do a 35 minutes hike to the waterfalls. If weather is clear, we might get decent views of Mt Kilimanjaro this day. Make sure to wear good boots as the trail can be often muddy. The pool at the bottom of the waterfall is a good place for a refreshing swim after the hike. 25-minute hike back from the waterfalls afterward you will join a local tribe with whom you will a enjoy delicious Swahili/Chagga lunch. After lunch, you will explore the coffee-making process and get to processes your own cup of coffee. Later you will be driven either back to the hotel in Arusha or to the airport. With an incredible experience and loads of memories to cherish, our tour comes to an end. Hotel in Arusha can be arranged at extra cost.
Inclusions
Daily game drives while on Safari.
4×4 Land Cruiser.
Park Fees (for Non-Residents).
A professional English speaking driver/ guide.
Concession/ Camping Fees.
Drinking water while on safari (2 litres per person per day).
All Taxes and VAT.
Meals as per itinerary.
Exclusions
Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.).
Government imposed increase of Taxes and or Park Fees.
Airport Transfers (Unless mentioned otherwise).
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (Unless mentioned otherwise).
Tips
International flights.
Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
Weather Information
Tarangire
In October, Tarangire, Tanzania typically experiences warm and dry weather. Average daytime temperatures usually range from 27°C to 32°C (81°F to 90°F), while nighttime temperatures can drop to around 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F). Rainfall is generally low, with occasional short rains beginning towards the end of the month. The landscape remains mostly dry but is often starting to show signs of the upcoming rainy season, leading to lush greenery as October progresses. This time of year is popular for wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources.
Lake Manyara
In October, Lake Manyara, Tanzania typically experiences warm and dry weather. The average daytime temperatures range from about 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F), while nighttime temperatures can drop to around 15°C to 18°C (59°F to 64°F).
Rainfall is generally low during this month, as it is towards the end of the dry season, and you can expect clear skies with plenty of sunshine. Humidity levels may start to rise as the region approaches the short rainy season, which usually begins in November. Overall, October is considered a good time for wildlife viewing in the area, as animals are often concentrated around water sources.
North Serengeti
In October, the North Serengeti region of Tanzania typically experiences warm weather as it enters the dry season. Historical averages indicate daytime temperatures often range from about 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F), while nighttime temperatures can drop to around 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F).
Rainfall during this month is generally low, making it a popular time for wildlife viewing, as animals tend to congregate around available water sources. The skies are usually clear, providing excellent conditions for outdoor activities and photography. Overall, October is considered a pleasant time to visit the North Serengeti.
Lake Natron
In October, Lake Natron, Tanzania typically experiences warm to hot weather. The average temperatures usually range from about 25°C (77°F) during the night to around 35°C (95°F) during the day. This period is part of the dry season, so rainfall is minimal, and the humidity levels are generally lower. The region can have sunny skies with very limited cloud cover. Overall, October tends to be characterized by dry heat, making it a good time for outdoor activities in the area.
NCA
In October, the typical weather for NCA (Ngorongoro Conservation Area) in Tanzania is characterized by warm temperatures and the onset of the short rainy season. Historical averages indicate daytime temperatures generally range from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), while nighttime temperatures can drop to around 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F).
October often sees an increase in humidity and occasional rain showers, particularly towards the end of the month, as the region transitions into the rainy season. Overall, it’s a time when wildlife is quite active, making it a popular month for visitors.
Karatu
In October, Karatu, Tanzania typically experiences a warm climate as it transitions from the dry season to the rainy season. Historical averages indicate temperatures generally range from around 15°C (59°F) at night to about 28°C (82°F) during the day.
Rainfall in October is usually limited but can increase as the month progresses, with average precipitation around 30-50 mm. Humidity levels begin to rise, and occasional afternoon showers may occur towards the end of the month as the region approaches the short rainy season. Overall, the weather is generally sunny with a mix of warm days and cool nights.
Central Serengeti
In October, the typical weather in Central Serengeti, Tanzania features warm temperatures and relatively dry conditions as the region transitions from the dry season towards the short rainy season. Average daytime temperatures usually range from around 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F), while nighttime temperatures can drop to about 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F).
Rainfall during this month is generally limited, with averages typically around 20-30 mm, and it’s common to have a few short, afternoon showers as the month progresses. October is also characterized by lower humidity levels, making it a pleasant time for wildlife viewing, with many animals still easily visible as they gather around water sources.
Addons
Add-on tours in Serengeti
Hot Air Balloon Ride: USD 540 per person
Rhino Tracking: USD 130 per person
Short Walking Tour (upto 4 hours): USD 45 per person
Long Walking Tour (upto 6 hours): USD 60 per person
Add-on tours in Ngorongoro
Masai Village Tour: USD 25 per person
Olduvai Gorge museum visit: USD 35 per person
Ngorongoro Crater Rim Hike: USD 35 per person
Add-on tours in Tarangire
Hot Air Balloon Ride: USD 540 per person
Short Walking Tour (upto 4 hours): USD 45 per person
Long Walking Tour (upto 6 hours): USD 60 per person
Night Game Drives (for clients staying inside): USD 100-200 per person depending on lodge
Add-on tours in Karatu
Coffee Plantation Tour: USD 20 per person
Iraqw Village Tour: USD 25 per person
Endoro Falls & Elephant Caves visit: USD 35 per person