9 Day Northern Tanzania Safari Adventure - Classic
Countries: Tanzania
Destinations: Arusha , Tarangire National Park , Ngorongoro Crater , Serengeti National Park
Group Size: 2
Duration (days): 9
Number of Adults: 2
Number of Children: 0
Prepare for the ultimate safari adventure in northern Tanzania, where you will encounter thrilling wildlife, diverse cultures, and breathtaking scenery in iconic locations.
Itinerary Outline
| Day | Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha | Katambuga House |
| 2 | Tarangire National Park | Oliver's Camp |
| 3 | Tarangire National Park | Oliver's Camp |
| 4 | Ngorongoro Crater | Plantation Lodge |
| 5 | Ngorongoro Crater | Plantation Lodge |
| 6 | Serengeti National Park | Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge |
| 7 | Serengeti National Park | Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge |
| 8 | Serengeti National Park | Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge |
| 9 | Day of Departure |
Day 1 : Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your driver will transfer you to Katambuga House, which will take approximately 90 minutes.
Tanzania
A land full of icons, with the names Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar immediately evoking images of exotic locations and abundant wildlife. A Tanzanian safari is an experience for all of the senses, and caters for every kind of traveller.
Tanzania is a country which was seemingly designed with the word "safari" in mind. There are enough national parks and different safari activities to keep travellers coming back year on year, with the added benefit of easily combining beautiful tropical beaches with the wildlife rich plains.
A Tanzanian safari is a journey in the true sense of the word, with each itinerary feeling like an exploration out into the wilderness. Moving from park to park, either by road or air, the countryside offers something new at each stop.
The plains of the Serengeti have become synonomous with an African safari, and by visiting the right areas and camps, you will be able to see the legendary wildebeest migration as it moves across the grasslands in constant search of fresh grazing and water.
To the south of the country are the remote reserves of Selous and Ruaha, while in the west you can trek into the mountains to witness chimpanzees along the shores of the mystical Lake Tanganyika.
Arusha
Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, the city is the country’s safari capital located close to some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks, which are Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire, Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) as well as Mt Kilimanjaro - Africa’s highest mountain.
Katambuga House
Set in lush gardens filled with birdsong and surrounded by coffee estates, Katambuga House is an oasis of tranquility within Arusha – the gateway to your immersive Tanzanian safari experience with Entara.
The main house pays homage to local textures and design with its shady verandas and it features a selection of original photographs from the region and spectacular African art.
With Mount Meru dominating the skyline, it is a perfect space to reset your pace to African time and spirit.
The main house features four bedrooms with king-sized beds. An additional four bedrooms are located in the adjacent family cottages, each offering two interconnecting rooms. Katambuga House has a swimming pool to help counter any summer heat and the lodge gardens are the perfect sanctuary for any bird-watching enthusiast.
The lodge is located less than 10 minutes from Arusha airport in a perfect location to serve as a starting point for a North Tanzanian safari.
There is plenty to do around Katambuga House. Coffee production is a primary source of income for Tanzanians and a visit to the Burka estate is a must, or hike and cycle in the Arusha countryside, explore the Arusha National Park – and possibly even climb Mount Meru.
On an Arusha city tour you will experience the vibrant chaos and the juxtaposition between colonial, traditional, and new. Visit the Cultural Heritage Centre for African Art, gemstone centres, or the Shanga Centre for disabled artists, where you will be amazed by glasswork, beadwork, jewellery and handmade clothing.
Day 2 - 3 : Tarangire National Park
After a delicious breakfast, prepare for an unforgettable adventure to the Tarangire National Park.
You will be greeted by your friendly and knowledgeable Asilia driver and guide, who will accompany you throughout your safari. Enjoy a scenic drive through the rural countryside until you reach the park entrance. From there, you will enjoy a game drive to Oliver's Camp, where you will relax and unwind. For the next two days, you will explore the park’s unique landscapes, from the majestic baobab trees to the winding Tarangire River, and encounter a variety of animals such as elephant, lion, zebra, and giraffe.
Tarangire National Park
In the past, Tarangire National Park was often overlooked by visitors to Tanzania, however it is now holding its own as one of the best dry season parks in the region.
During the dry months of July through to October, an enormous amount of wildlife is drawn inside Tarangire to access the water from the Tarangire River and the Silale Swamps, allowing for very rewarding game viewing experiences.
The park is home to some of the largest elephant herds of East Africa, and the scenery is particularly popular for the wide open, Serengeti-like plains, decorated with enormous and commanding Baobab trees.
Being only an hour and a half's drive from Arusha, Tarangire is easily accessible, and a great option to start or finish a road safari.
Oliver's Camp
Oliver’s Camp, located in Tarangire National Park, is a place for those who want to experience an adventurous safari with ample comforts.
Join our knowledgeable guides for a walking safari, soar over the plains in a hot-air balloon or examine leopard tracks along a dusty road. At Oliver’s, you can get to know the landscape from all angles.
Our 15-tent camp is relaxed and comfy, imitating the original safari camps. The team at Oliver’s have worked together for years, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Small groups may want to consider booking out a 5-tent area of the camp offset about a kilometer away from the main area and which can be operated as an exclusive use option.
Day 4 : Ngorongoro Crater
Depart early in the morning for a game drive through Tarangire National Park. You will head north until you reach the park gate and then drive west towards Ngorongoro, stopping off at the picturesque Lake Manyara National Park. Here, you can spot some of its unique wildlife, enjoying a picnic lunch overlooking the alkaline lake while admiring the flamboyance of flamingo, searching for zebra, buffalo, elephant, and maybe even tree-climbing lion. In the afternoon, you will head back out of the park towards The Plantation Lodge on the outskirts of Karatu, where you will spend the next two nights.
Ngorongoro Crater
A unique and fascinating game viewing destination in Africa, the Ngorongoro Crater is a must-see on any Tanzania safari.
Being the world's largest intact caldera, and the result of a collapsed volcano thousands of years ago, the 260 square kilometres of crater floor hosts up to 25 000 animals at all times of year. This makes it one of the most dense wildlife areas in Africa, and allows for many memorable sightings.
Driving down the steep walls of the Crater early in the morning is an experience in itself, and you can always sense the excitement of heading deep into one of the world's natural wonders.
With lodges perched directly on the rim, hundreds of metres above the Crater floor, Ngorongoro accommodation provides you with some of the most incredible views, and the location will surely be a highlight of your holiday.
While being criticised at times for the number of vehicles on drives along the Crater floor, it is necessary to expect that tourist numbers here will be quite high, and be prepared to share this phenomenon with other travellers. Once your mind is not concerned with other vehicles, you can enjoy the Ngorongoro Crater for what it is; one of the world's truly remarkable wildlife areas.
Plantation Lodge
Like a green oasis, The Plantation Lodge rests on the red-brown hills. The individually furnished rooms and suites melting harmoniously into the flowering garden offer comfort and relaxation. Everywhere you look, you can see and even feel the personal atmosphere of this owner-run lodge with furnishings that were selected with great attention to detail. The Plantation Lodges cordial service leaves no wish unfulfilled. The lodges location promises maximum safari enjoyment: a stones throw from the entrance to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Lake Manyara national park, and just a short journey from the Tarangire national park and the Serengeti.
Day 5 : Ngorongoro Crater
It’s recommended to start your day early to make the most out of your visit to the crater floor. Enjoy the serene atmosphere and observe the active wildlife while it’s still cool. You’ll have a chance to savour coffee before embarking on an unforgettable game drive in search of lion, rhino, elephant and more. A delightful picnic lunch awaits you, perhaps beside a hippo pool, and you will continue your exciting adventure in search of the Big Five, including the rare black rhino. When it’s time to head back, your guide will take you back up the steep walls of the caldera to the rim and onward back to the lodge. You’ll then have some time to freshen up and enjoy a delicious drink at the bar before relaxing and sharing your day’s sightings with fellow guests over dinner.
Day 6 - 8 : Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will begin your journey towards the vast wildlife-rich plains of the Serengeti. You will travel by road from Karatu through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to finally reach the Serengeti. During the journey, you will witness abundant wildlife, such as gazelle, zebra, wildebeest, and more. You will arrive at Kubu Kubu Camp in time for lunch, which you can relish while admiring the expansive grassy plains.
You will have the next couple of days to uncover the world-renowned wildlife of the Serengeti. Typically, you will go out twice a day, once early morning and late afternoon, returning to camp in the heat of the day for time to unwind, and have a siesta and lunch. Each evening, gather around the campfire before enjoying a delicious dinner, recounting the day’s adventures and sightings.
Serengeti National Park
The word "Siringit" means "endless plains," and this is understandably from where the Serengeti National Park takes its name. The iconic, endless, golden plains of Africa are nowhere more evident than within this national park, as they stretch off into eternity, dotted throughout with thousands of animals.
Located in the north-west corner of Tanzania, alongside Lake Victoria, the Serengeti has earned its place as one of the world's most famous wildlife areas. While best known for the enormous herds of the wildebeest migration, there is far more to the Serengeti than this, and the national park can be enjoyed even when you are not in the vicinity of this spectacle.
The national park itself is roughly 14 500 square kilometres, but it forms part of the greater Serengeti eco-system, which comprises the neighbouring Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the bordering Masai Mara, in Kenya, with the country boundary between Kenya and Tanzania seperating the two.
The Serengeti can be accessed on a road safari, usually in combination with the Ngorongoro Crater, or there are regular daily flights into the park from Arusha.
Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Explore the endless plains of the Serengeti from Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge.
Kubu Kubu is the latest addition to the portfolio of properties of Tanganyika Wilderness Camps. This camp is strategically located to ensure that all areas of the Serengeti are within reach of our guests, including legendary locations like the famous Maasai kopjes, the Museum of Olduvai Gorge, Seronera and the Grumeti River.
It has been designed with a modern African decorative style that creates a fresh and bright atmosphere, but very cozy and with the right amount of luxury. Guests can attend to the show of the Great Migration from the comfort of their tents.
Day 9 - Day of Departure
After a final breakfast in camp, our team will assist in transferring you to the local airstrip for your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport. The plane will likely make a few stops as it picks up and drops off fellow passengers at selected airstrips, eventually arriving around midday. Upon arrival, collect your bags and check in for your onward journey home.