Itinerary | 9 Day Northern Tanzania Safari Adventure - Reserve | African Ubuntu Safaris

9 Day Northern Tanzania Safari Adventure - Reserve

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 Legendary Lodge
2 Tarangire National Park Chem Chem Lodge
3 Tarangire National Park Chem Chem Lodge
4 Ngorongoro Crater Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
5 Ngorongoro Crater Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
6 Serengeti National Park Singita Faru Faru Lodge
7 Serengeti National Park Singita Faru Faru Lodge
8 Serengeti National Park Singita Faru Faru Lodge
9 Day of Departure

Day 1 : Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your driver will transfer you to the Legendary Lodge, 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.  

Legendary Lodge

Legendary Lodge is located at the foothills of Mount Meru, on the outskirts of the bustling town of Arusha and is the gateway to the Northern Safari Circuit of Tanzania. This classic haven boasts lush tropical gardens and is surrounded by a working coffee farm. The peaceful cottages are the perfect place to prepare for or reflect on your safari. 

Featuring split-level living, king size beds with mosquito nets and all the comforts of a modern home, including satellite television, direct dial telephone, broadband internet and a private bar. Guests can indulge in gourmet meals including a full English breakfast, delicious lunches and romantic candle-lit dinners, served with a selection of fine wines. 

Optional activities offered are a savoury coffee tour, shopping at the nearby Cultural Heritage Centre or an excursion to Arusha, Tarangire and Manyara National Parks or other nearby attractions. Explore the estate and the lush gardens through cycling or walking trails. The lodge spa also offers rejuvenating treatments – after a long flight, ease your body into African time with a relaxing massage. 

The lodge is conveniently located, a mere fifteen minutes’ drive from the Arusha Airport and 90 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Day 2 - 3 : Tarangire National Park

After breakfast you will be transferred to Arusha airport and experience the thrill of flying over the spectacular Rift Valley Escarpment until you land at Lake Manyara Airstrip. A safari vehicle from Chem Chem Lodge will take you to the Burunge Wildlife Management Area, a hidden gem and vital wildlife corridor between the vast Tarangire National Park and the serene Lake Manyara. For two days, you will immerse yourself in the rich and diverse ecosystem surrounding the luxurious Chem Chem, seeing hundreds of bird species and sensational wildlife. 

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.

Chem Chem Lodge

Let stillness seep into your soul as herds of animals wander between watering holes, savannah grasslands and a vast salt pan. Slow down and experience nature from the most select of spaces in safari-chic accommodation.

Day 4 : Ngorongoro Crater

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before departing from Chem Chem Lodge. A driver from &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge will be waiting for you at Lake Manyara Airstrip. You will then drive through the farmlands and coffee plantations surrounding Karatu before eventually reaching the entrance to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From here, you will enter the park and begin your ascent up the steep walls of the extinct volcano. As you climb, you will drive through the mountain forests until you reach the peak and enjoy one of the most astonishing views you will ever encounter. You will spend the following two nights in a luxury suite perched on the crater rim in one of Africa’s most iconic lodges. 

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.

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge has been called the game lodge at the top of the world. Between the natural riches of the Crater spread out at its feet and the incredible architecture, it’s easy to believe that you have entered a realm of pure fantasy.

Nearly three million years old, the ancient caldera shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth. Endangered black rhino are protected within its rim, giant tusked elephant wander the forests, male lion stalk the grasslands and flamingo crowd the soda lakes.

Nowhere else on earth can you wake up among all the trappings of an elegant baroque châteaux that transports you into one of the most famous African landscapes. An eclectic blend of teak panelling, Victorian furnishings and whimsical African touches creates a sumptuous atmosphere that is as elegant and unique as the Crater itself. In this place of dramatic contrasts, anything is possible and the natural luxury of the beautiful setting ensures the dramatic interior of your suite blends perfectly with its stilted thatch architecture.

Divided into three camps, 30 suites with banana leaf ceilings and grass roofs provide an intimate and exclusive experience. Each camp has its own sitting and dining areas, with private butlers who provide warm, personal service. With ever-changing views as mists swirl over the huge wildlife cauldron below, the location is truly breathtaking. Guests can be forgiven for losing track of which era, or even continent, they are experiencing at this lodge. Everything is chosen to delight the imagination and enhance the spectacular views of the magnificent surroundings.

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 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 drive back to Manyara Airstrip before taking a thrilling flight over the Serengeti, to the Singita Grumeti Reserve situated on the north-west border of the Serengeti. 

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 your lodge 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.

Singita Faru Faru Lodge

Set in front of a busy waterhole alongside the Grumeti River in the heart of the Serengeti, Singita Faru Faru Lodge invites continuous connections with its breathtaking surrounds.

A relaxed approach to luxury forms a golden thread throughout this contemporary African lodge and allows guests to experience the deeply restorative power of nature. Décor & design includes airy bedroom suites, where every creature comfort is catered for with intuitive ease and oversized windows welcome the wilderness inside.

Singita Faru Faru Lodge welcomes children of all ages.   In the interest of safety, participation of children in any game activities (drives/walks/bike rides) is at the discretion of your guide.

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.