Classic Tanzania Safari

Welcome to Tanzania! Once you have arrived at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the City Centre of Arusha. Spend the night in the Arusha Ilboru Safari Lodge, situated a short distance from City Centre.

Overnight in Arusha

Spend the morning at leisure and with safari briefing followed by a lunch. Begin your day with a briefing on the safari agenda, followed by a leisurely lunch at the hotel. Afterward, embark on a journey towards Tarangire National Park. Leaving the bustling city of Arusha behind, the scenery transforms into expansive plains adorned with traditional grass-thatched huts. It's a common sight to witness children taking care of their cattle and sheep herds. In the distance, the majestic Great Rift wall emerges on the horizon. As you enter the park gate, your game viewing adventure commences, with wildlife spotting opportunities along the route to the lodge. Arrive at the lodge in time for dinner and enjoy an overnight stay.   

Overnight in the Tarangire Area

After breakfast, start your day with a morning game drive followed by lunch at the lodge. Afterward, you'll journey to Lake Manyara National Park and reach your lodge, which is situated atop the Rift Valley escarpment, offering a captivating view of the park. Enjoy dinner and spend the night in this remarkable location.

Overnight in the Lake Manyara Area

Today, enjoy breakfast followed by a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. Return to the lodge for lunch. Begin your journey to Serengeti National Park. As you cross the Naabi Gate, the official entrance to the park, you'll enjoy game viewing during your drive to the lodge. Arrive at the lodge in time for dinner and an overnight stay.

Overnight in the Serengeti National Park Area

Today, enjoy breakfast followed by exhilarating morning and afternoon game drives through Serengeti National Park. Serengeti is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has in recent times been declared a Worldwide Wonder. This fascinating site is undoubtedly one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Serengeti National Park is located approximately 320 kilometers to the northwest of Arusha, sitting in a high plateau between the Ngorongoro highlands and the Kenya-Tanzania border. The park almost stretches to Lake Victoria to the west, covering a total area of 14,763 square kilometers. Appropriately named the “endless plains” by the Maasai people, you will discover the immensity of the Serengeti as you enter the southeastern plains of the park.

Overnight in the Serengeti National Park Area

Optional: Shared Hot Air Balloon Safari
EARLY MORNING

This is the ultimate way to view wildlife in Africa. You will be woken before dawn and then driven in the shared vehicle of the balloon company to the balloon staging area, often a remote location. You are provided a safety briefing by the pilot as the crew inflates the envelope. Taking off as the sun rises, you will drift quietly above plains, rivers and forests while gazing at spectacular scenery and with luck, take some incredible photographs. The flight is approximately one hour and gives a ‘birds-eye’ experience to game-watching which many find to be the climax of their safari. On landing in the middle of nowhere there will be a shared full bush-style breakfast set up served with Champagne, with a table decked in silver cutlery, fresh Kenyan coffee, tea and fruits. It is a truly magical experience.

Special hints:

CLOTHING

Flat comfortable shoes should be worn. A jacket, sweater or fleece which can be easily removed during the flight as the sun warms up the air is ideal. Sun hats & sun glasses are also recommended.

CAMERAS

If you have a choice of lenses carry both the wide angle & telephoto. You should be familiar with your cameras setting for low light as take-off is at sunrise. Carry enough batteries and storage & a camera bag to put in your equipment when landing. Video cameras are great & binoculars invaluable for game watching. Hot Air Balloons are very photogenic.

After an early breakfast, you will set out to explore the Ngorongoro Crater, which is commonly referred to as the world’s largest natural wildlife arena. Leave the lodge and wildlife viewing behind as you journey towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way. Reach your lodge situated on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater rim, where you can spend the afternoon at your leisure. Later, savor dinner and stay overnight at the lodge.

Overnight in the Ngorongoro Area

A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest natural wildlife arena.  After an early breakfast, you’ll embark on a game drive within this heavenly landscape. Encompassing a mere 102 square miles and home to over 30,000 mammals, the chances are high that you'll encounter the entire big five wildlife. A picturesque picnic lunch awaits you at a scenic spot on the crater floor. As the day progresses, you make your way back to the crater's rim and proceed to your lodge for an evening of dining and overnight stay.

Overnight in the Ngorongoro Area

Those who rise early will have the opportunity to witness the sunrise along the eastern edge of the Ngorongoro Crater. After breakfast, you'll leave the lodge and commence your return journey to Arusha, where you'll reach the city in time for lunch (beverages not included). Following that, you'll be transferred to Kilimanjaro International to board your international departure flight home.