Recommended: 09 Nights
Arusha • Tarangire National Park • Ngorongoro Crater • Serengeti
Has it always been your dream to go on an African Safari – to see wild lions, elephants, giraffes, and The Great Migration of wildebeest around the Serengeti? Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have a Maasai chief invite you to witness a traditional tribal ceremony and into his home? We welcome you to our Tanzania, where we can show you all these things.
If you are a smart traveler on a budget and choose to be cost conscious when possible, don’t let the price of a full-luxury safari frighten you away from the adventure of a lifetime! There are other options midway between the dreaded “budget” options and the many times out-of-reach safari prices. See our blog post “Budget vs. Luxury Safaris Revealed” on the differences among these categories.
In this sample itinerary, we feature properties which may be considered very high quality, but without the extreme attention to detail offered at full-luxury resorts. You’ll enjoy the exact transportation and guiding as featured on all our tours, the only difference in this option is the property at which you’ll stay.
With vast wilderness areas that teem with big game, interesting cultures and some of the most iconic landscapes on the planet, northern Tanzania offers a safari experience like nowhere else. Here is where you will see:
The Serengeti / Ngorongoro Crater / Lake Manyara / Tarangire National Park / Olduvai Gorge / Rich Ancient Tanzanian Culture
*See sample itinerary below. We can tailor the experience to your preferences and duration. Let us plan the perfect luxurious Migration tour for you. Your unforgettable adventure awaits!
Resting at the foot of Mount Meru, the sprawling city of Arusha is known as the safari capital of northern Tanzania. It serves as an excellent base from which to explore the remarkably scenic surrounding area which includes majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as the Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks. Arusha is a good spot to take a day or two off from the safari circuit as it features a temperate climate and lush surrounds. Visitors can look forward to exploring the wildlife-abundant Serengeti National Park; the magnificent Arusha National Park; and taking on the challenge of climbing Mount Meru, Africa’s fifth highest mountain.
Tucked away at the foot of Mt. Meru and just an hour away from Arusha town, Villa Arumeru is a hidden jewel that offers a unique and intimate Tanzanian experience. Every whisper of nature from this villa can be experienced in either one of the two suites, the two double rooms, the family room or the single room. An outdoor pool, a lounge area, two outdoor bars, an indoor and outdoor restaurant as well as balcony access to each room have been carefully curated under a cloud of Tanzanian culture to present guests a welcoming, relaxing and private opportunity to connect with nature.
Set within the ecologically important migratory corridor of Manyara and Tarangire, Lake Burunge-Manyara is one of three major lakes in Tanzania’s Manyara region that provide incredible game viewing opportunities. Lookout decks along the shore offer close-up encounters with the wild animals which come to drink or hunt, as well as with 300 bird species. Game drives, guided walks, canoeing, and cultural tours to the neighboring Mbugwe and Maasai villages are just some of the activities visitors can look forward to. Neighboring Tarangire National Park is another highlight of the area, only 30km away.
Surrounding the ancient volcanic caldera of the Ngorongoro Crater, this region is rich with unique wildlife habitats. This will also be a great opportunity to visit local tribes to experience ancient traditions still being practiced today.
Our first full day will be exploring inside the caldera with the possibility of seeing black rhinoceros, hippopotamuses, lions, gazelles, hyenas, flamingos, grey crowned cranes and many other species. This unique habitat is unlike any in Africa and has been designated UNESCO World Heritage Site status. A well-groomed network of roads crisscrosses the caldera allowing us to explore the multiple habitats inside the crater.
Day 2 we will focus on the rich cultural sites located in the region. Our morning will be spent with the Hadzabe tribe where we will have the opportunity to get an inside look at one of Africa’s last remaining nomadic hunter-gatherer tribes. Our focus will be education of a disappearing way of life, intimate tribal portrait photography and the possibility of experiencing a hunt. After lunch, we will visit another tribe famous for jewelry making and crafts, the Datoga.
Tloma Lodge has been built on the foothills of the highlands of Ngorongoro, a small and exclusive lodge with 24 small cottages built in colonial style and 12 rooms overlooking the garden in the main building. The design of the entire complex looks to create an atmosphere evoking the colonial plantations and farms described in many books and films. The excellent location of Tloma on the top of a valley offers fantastic views over a coffee plantation and the walls of the Ngorongoro crater which can be enjoyed from the private terraces of the rooms. The gardens, full of flowers and bushes, are particularly attractive, although guests find it difficult to choose between a walk around the gardens or relax around the pool.
Located between the Central Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve to the north, the Northern Serengeti is a remote African wildlife wonderland. The vast, rolling savannah of the Northern Serengeti is known as the hub of the great migration. The landscape is characterized by vast stretches of savannah interspersed with acacia trees and riverine woodlands. Wildlife can be seen along the banks of the Mara River and visitors can view the annual spectacle of the half a million migrating wildebeest. Commonly spotted wildlife includes a multitude of plains game such as buffalo, zebra, gazelles, impala, giraffe as well as lion and leopard. Visitors can look forward to bird watching, hot air ballooning, game safaris and guided bush walks.
Located in North Serengeti close to the river Mara in the Kogatende Area. Situated in the heart of the Migration from June to November with an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. The lodge consists of 20 tents and 4 bungalows with en suite facilities, including family rooms. It is divided into two camps, north and south.
On Day 9, after experiencing the awe-inspiring natural wonders and wildlife of the Northern Serengeti from Mara Mara Tented Lodge, you will journey back to Arusha. Settle into the tranquil Villa Arumeru, a serene getaway nestled at the foot of Mount Meru, offering a perfect respite to reflect on the adventures of the past few days.
On your final day, as you ready to leave from Kilimanjaro International Airport, reflect on the vibrant wildlife and breathtaking vistas you’ve encountered. Pause to relish your last moments in Tanzania’s landscapes, carrying home memories of this rich adventure that will endure a lifetime.
