Prepare for the thrill of true wilderness, starting with a walking safari through the baobab-spotted landscapes of Tarangire National Park, with herds of elephant and buffalo close at hand. From there, head into the heart of the Serengeti, where big cats lie atop granite kopjes, rhinos linger on the fringes of the forest, and antelope graze across long grass plains. The trip continues north through the central Serengeti toward the Mara River, exploring on foot and by vehicle through some of the park’s most remote and rewarding country.
By splitting the Serengeti stay across three distinct camps, this itinerary follows the seasonal movement of wildlife rather than staying fixed in one spot, giving you a genuinely varied picture of the ecosystem. Travellers who want to add the Ngorongoro Crater to a similar Tarangire-and-Serengeti route should look at our 9-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti Luxury Safari, while those wanting a shorter Serengeti-only option can choose our 3-Day Fly-In Safari to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
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| Start dates | Solo1 room | 2+ people Sharing rooms |
|---|---|---|
| May 24, - Jun 22, | $14,737 | $12,000 |
| Jun 23, - Oct 3, | $18,658 | $14,740 |
| Oct 2 - Dec 31, | $18,658 | $15,070 |
For a more accurate estimate, contact us with your specific requirements and budget. We'll send a detailed quote based on your itinerary, group size, and preferred level of comfort.
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You are transferred from the airport to a coffee plantation lodge in the foothills of Mount Meru, an elegant and relaxing stopover before the safari proper begins. Wander into Arusha town to visit the Maasai market or the Tanzanite museum, or simply enjoy the gardens and a cup of locally grown coffee.
Distance: Airport transfer to Arusha, approx. 1 hour
Activity: Arrival and orientation
Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Tarangire National Park, where your camp sits a little off the beaten track beside marshland away from the busier Serengeti and Ngorongoro crowds. Tarangire is best known for its walking safaris, with the option of fly camping inside the park for an even more immersive night.
Distance: Approx. 2 hours from Arusha to Tarangire
Activity: Transfer and arrival game drive
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Tarangire area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Get up close with larger-than-life mammals on a guided walking safari through the park, a chance to read tracks and signs that a vehicle would simply drive past. A game drive in the afternoon covers further ground, with the option of a night drive to reveal nocturnal species.
Distance: Morning walking safari, afternoon game drive
Activity: Walking safari and game drive
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Tarangire area (second night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A final morning in Tarangire brings the option of a prearranged hot air balloon safari over the park, followed by a transfer by light aircraft toward the Serengeti for the next stage of the journey.
Distance: Optional balloon safari, then flight to the Serengeti
Activity: Optional balloon safari, transfer flight
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Central Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Settle into a private tented camp tucked into a quiet acacia thicket away from the seasonal crowds. From the moment you land at the Seronera airstrip, incredible game viewing awaits, with twice-daily game drives into the central Serengeti plains.
Distance: Full-day game drive
Activity: Game drive
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Central Serengeti (second night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A further day of game drives in the central Serengeti, with the option of a sunrise hot air balloon safari over the plains for an entirely different perspective on the wildlife below.
Distance: Optional sunrise balloon safari, plus game drive
Activity: Optional balloon safari and game drive
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Central Serengeti (third night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive north through the Serengeti toward the Mara River area, with game viewing continuing along the way. Settle into a camp built on raised wooden platforms with rolling panoramic views, in prime position for access to the Lamai wedge.
Distance: Road transfer with game viewing en route
Activity: Transfer and arrival game drive
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Northern Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Spend the day exploring the northern plains by vehicle, with knowledgeable guides sharing local knowledge of the area’s big cats and, depending on season, the chance to witness the Great Migration crossing the Mara River.
Distance: Full-day game drive
Activity: Game drive
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Northern Serengeti (second night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A guided walking safari, a rare offering in the Serengeti, allows you to see the subtleties of the bush often missed from a vehicle. Dining out in the bush in the evening is an experience unlike any restaurant in the world.
Distance: Morning walking safari, afternoon game drive
Activity: Walking safari and game drive
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Northern Serengeti (third night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A final day in the Serengeti combines a further game drive with the option of a cultural visit to a local community, a chance to learn more about the people who share this landscape with the wildlife.
Distance: Game drive and optional cultural visit
Activity: Game drive and optional cultural visit
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Northern Serengeti (fourth night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transfer back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your onward or international flight, bringing the safari to a close.
Distance: Road or air transfer back to Arusha
Activity: Travel day and departure
Accommodation: N/A, end of safari
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Most game viewing is vehicle-based, but the itinerary includes walking safaris in both Tarangire and the northern Serengeti, which involve walking on uneven ground for an hour or two at a time. Reasonable fitness and comfortable closed shoes are recommended.
Timing depends on what you most want to see. December to March offers good resident wildlife viewing and calving season in the southern Serengeti, while June to September is generally best for the Great Migration's river crossings in the north, which this itinerary is positioned to reach.
The Serengeti ecosystem is vast, and wildlife concentrations shift through the year as the migration moves. Splitting the stay across the central and northern Serengeti, rather than staying fixed in one camp, gives you a more complete picture of the park and better positions you for whatever the migration is doing during your dates.
No, hot air balloon safaris in Tarangire and the Serengeti are optional add-ons and not included in the standard tour price. Let us know in advance if you would like to prearrange one, since availability can be limited in peak season.
The price covers park fees for non-residents, all activities unless labelled as optional, all accommodation unless listed as an upgrade, a professional driver-guide, all transportation and flights during the tour, all taxes and VAT, roundtrip airport transfers, and the meals and drinks specified in the day-by-day itinerary. International flights, additional accommodation before or after the tour, tips and personal items such as souvenirs, travel insurance and visa fees are not included.
Yes. Since this itinerary starts and ends in Arusha, a short flight to Zanzibar at the end of the trip is an easy add-on for travellers who want to combine the safari with beach time. Speak to us about extending your itinerary.
The Great Migration's exact location varies by year and season, and no operator can guarantee sightings on a specific date. This itinerary's route through the central and northern Serengeti is designed to maximise your chances if the migration is in the area during your travel dates.
Most nationalities can obtain a Tanzania tourist visa online via the eTA system before travel or on arrival at major airports. Travel insurance covering medical evacuation is strongly recommended for any safari involving remote camps and internal flights.
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