Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Eyasi
Journey of the Wildebeest
8 Days Soul of Tanzania Safari
overview
Our most iconic itinerary as it represents what we are all about. During this tour you will visit all the parks of the Northern Safari Circuit of Tanzania (including 3 nights in the Serengeti), and also enjoy fascinating cultural experiences at Lake Eyasi with the Hadzabe.
Highlights
- All the parks of the Northern Safari Circuit
- Three nights in the Serengeti — the ideal timeframe
- Largest concentration of elephants in Tanzania at Tarangire
- Tree-climbing lions and flamingos at Lake Manyara
- The 8th wonder of the natural world — Ngorongoro Crater
- A morning with the Hadzabe at Lake Eyasi
- Optional visit to Olduvai Gorge
Day-by-day
Day 1
Tarangire National Park
We will pick you up from your hotel at 8am and take you to a very special national park. Tarangire is famous for its diverse landscape with nine different vegetation zones and the abundance of ancient baobab trees — the largest trees on the continent. The river is full of wildlife ranging from a large variety of birds to lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes and, of course, elephants. In fact, the park has the largest concentration of elephants in the whole country. The lunch area boasts an observatory with amazing views of the river and wildlife. In the afternoon we continue the game drive before proceeding to your accommodation.
Day 2
Lake Manyara National Park
A beautiful short journey across the Great Rift Valley to Lake Manyara National Park for a full-day game drive. Although small in size (205 sq. miles), the park has breathtaking scenery and is famous for its lush acacia forest, giant figs and mahogany trees, as well as a growing population of baboons and blue monkeys. Residents include giraffes, elephants, impalas, buffaloes and a large number of hippos. Unique facts include the tree-climbing lions, flamingos on the lakeshore, the Ground Hornbill and the Crested Eagle. Optional bike tour or boat excursion. In the afternoon, transfer to camp for dinner.
Day 3
Serengeti National Park
After an early breakfast, depart towards the most famous national park in the world, the Serengeti. Drive up the crater highlands, making a quick stop at the rim for an out-of-this-world view of Ngorongoro Crater. As you progress into the Serengeti, you will see why the name means 'endless plains'. The park spans 18,000 sq. km and is home to the Great Migration, 2 million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of zebras, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and more than 500 species of birds. Optional stop at Olduvai Gorge, where Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the remains of early man.
Day 4
Serengeti National Park
A full day in the Serengeti. We are completely flexible with your preferences and this day will be organized according to your wishes. You could do a morning game drive, return to camp for lunch and relaxation and finish with an afternoon game drive, or do a full-day game drive with picnic lunch.
Day 5
Serengeti National Park
Another full day exploring different areas of the Serengeti ecosystem. Your guide will discuss the best timings with you, including game drives and wake-up time, and track wildlife based on the season and animal movements.
Day 6
Serengeti to Ngorongoro
A very early wake-up for a morning game drive (when the animals are most active) and one of the best sunrises you'll ever witness. After a rewarding brunch, we proceed to Ngorongoro, the 8th wonder of the natural world. The crater spreads for 102 sq. miles with 2,000 ft high walls, making it virtually a Noah's Ark inhabited by almost every species indigenous to East Africa — including the black rhino. You will reach Ngorongoro in time for a sundowner.
Day 7
Ngorongoro Crater
We start the day very early and descend into the crater floor for an incredible morning of wildlife in one of the most stunning places on Earth. Picnic lunch near the beautiful hippo lake, then a short game drive before ascending the crater and exiting the Conservation Area towards Lake Eyasi, where a unique cultural experience awaits the next day.
Day 8
Lake Eyasi and the Hadzabe
A very special and different day. Wake before sunrise and follow your guide until he finds the Hadzabe, one of the last true nomadic ethnic groups in Africa. Join them in their daily morning activities — the men hunting or the women gathering fruit — and learn about the Hadzabe way of living. This experience is off the beaten track and does not feel touristic by any means. Afterwards, visit the beautiful Lake Eyasi, a seasonal shallow salt lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, then return to Arusha.
Glimpses
What's included
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities (unless stated as optional)
- Accommodation as specified
- Professional driver/guide
- All transportation in a private 4x4 safari vehicle
- All government taxes and VAT
- Round-trip airport transfers
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water
Not included
- International flights
- Domestic flights (unless stated)
- Additional accommodation before or after the tour
- Tips and gratuities (guideline US$15 p/p per day)
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Souvenirs and other personal purchases