Is making choices not your thing, and you have plenty of time anyway? Then this route is for you, as it beautifully combines everything you would want from a safari in Tanzania. This 16-day safari is probably the best you can find, if you want to explore the northern parks of Tanzania!
This private luxury safari offers you the opportunity to experience Tanzania at your own pace. And on this 16-day safari, you basically see it all. You visit all five national parks on the northern circuit, go on no less than two amazing nature hikes, see the most breathtaking landscapes in remote areas, and have cultural encounters that might just blow your mind. It doesn’t get much better than this!
What are you waiting for? Choose from Silver, Gold or five-star Platinum hotel choices below and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tanzania!
Itinerary
Exploring all that Tanzania has to offer is a dream for many. From epic Tanzania safari adventures spotting Africa’s Big Five, to climbing Kilimanjaro or relaxing on the paradise beaches of Zanzibar: Tanzania has it all. Good news: Tanzania Specialist can build a custom-made itinerary that suits all your wishes.
Our most popular itineraries can help you find some inspiration. Most of our clients love to end their exciting safari with a few days of relaxation on one of Zanzibar’s most stunning beaches. Would you like that as well?
Whether you choose one of our popular Tanzania itineraries or prefer to customize your journey, we are here to assist you. Come aboard and get ready to explore Tanzania at your own pace, exactly the way you like it!
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport
As you walk out of Kilimanjaro International Airport, your personal Tanzania Specialist guide greets you with a big smile: ‘Karibu Tanzania – welcome to Tanzania!’ The guide takes you straight to your hotel, where you can relax and take in the African atmosphere. The next day your guide takes you on an exclusive, private safari that allows you to travel at your own pace. Enjoy the luxury of your own safari jeep and take the liberty to stop and watch the animals as long as you like!
Accommodations:
Silver – Chanya Lodge
Gold – The Maridadi Hotel
Platinum – The Kilimanjaro Luxury Camp
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Day 2: Walk from Materuni village to Kuringe waterfall
A walk from Materuni to the Kuringe waterfalls is perfect for those who want to experience Mount Kilimanjaro without actually climbing it! From Materuni a local guide takes you on a beautiful walk to the amazing 70-meter-high waterfall in a 40-minute walk. At 2,500 meters above sea level, the path leads through valleys and tropical rain forests, alternating between splendid wide views and plantations full of coffee, bananas, and avocados.
Accommodations:
Silver – Pazuri Inn – Arusha
Gold – Wildlife Residence
Platinum – Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge
Walk from Materuni village to Kuringe waterfall
Day 3: Arusha National Park
Today you will go for your first actual game drive, in Arusha National Park! This park close to Arusha is known for its abundance of tropical birds, the presence of the black and white Colobus monkey and some rare albino baboons. You will probably spot the Colobus monkey and some rare bird species such as the gorgeous Silvery Cheeked Hornbill, and, if you are very lucky, even an albino. The park also has a lake, a few craters, waterfalls, mountains, and beautiful grassy planes.
Accommodations:
Silver – Pazuri Inn – Arusha
Gold – Wildlife Residence
Platinum – Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge
Arusha National Park
Day 4 – 5: Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is well known for its big groups of elephants and the huge amount of giant baobab trees. These trees can live for hundreds of years and are actually a source of water for elephants in the dry season as they have a special technique to draw water from them. Besides, the Tarangire River is the only source of water in the dry season, which is why in this season in Tarangire you can see groups of up to 250 elephants next to many more animals!
Accommodations:
Silver – Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
Gold – Ang’ata Tarangire Camp
Platinum – Nimali Tarangire
Tarangire National Park
Day 6: Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park lies between Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, right along the 400 meters deep Great Rift Valley. The park boasts a variety of landscapes that attract many different animals. You can for example visit the lake, pass through a dense rainforest with hundreds of monkeys and birds, see elephants up close in the woodlands and visit the renowned Manyara hippo pool with many hippos bathing from early morning to late evening.
Accommodations:
Silver – Manyara Best View Lodge & Spa
Gold – Mawe Mawe Manyara Lodge
Lake Manyara National Park
Silver – Manyara Best View Lodge & Spa
Day 7: A taste of culture – Mto wa Mbu: Mountain bike ride & Maasai village
Mto wa Mbu is a village close to Lake Manyara National Park, where it stands out as a green oasis in the middle of the surrounding Maasai plains. Get a taste of culture and discover this lovely little village, the surrounding lush green nature, and the banana plantations by hopping on a mountainbike. Then get off your bike to visit a nearby Maasai village, where some Maasai tribesmen tell you all about their way of life.
Accommodations:
Silver – Manyara Best View Lodge & Spa
Gold – Mawe Mawe Manyara Lodge
A taste of culture – Mto wa Mbu: Mountain bike ride & Maasai village
Day 8 – 9: Lake Natron
Located in the north of Tanzania, just above the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Natron is a place like no other. Renowned for its striking red coloration, the alkaline lake is a photographer’s paradise. Even more so from August to October, when thousands of flamingos colour the lake even more pink. The simmering heat above the dry, dusty landscape, the mirror-like lake and the surrounding volcanic mountains create a raw and surreal beauty you unlikely forget!
Accommodations:
Silver – Lake Natron Halisi camp
Gold – Lake Natron Camp, Ngare Sero
Platinum – Lake Natron Camp, Ngare Sero
Lake Natron
Day 10 – 12: Serengeti National Park (central west/east)
Serengeti National Park is widely known as the place to go on safari, mainly because of the Great Migration that passes through here. The enormous, stampeding herds are impressive, as are the vast number of predators that live here: over four thousand lions, 225 cheetahs, a thousand leopards, 3500 hyenas and hundreds of wild dogs! And of course, plenty of other beautiful animals, which your guide will be delighted to search for together with you. Are you ready for this?
Accommodations:
Silver – Tukaone Serengeti Camp
Gold – Asanja Moru
Platinum – Serengeti Sametu Camp by Karibu Camps & Lodges
Serengeti National Park (central west/east)
Day 13: Ngorongoro Conservation Area (incl. Crater)
The famous Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s seven natural wonders. The crater was formed two million years ago when a vast volcano erupted. The fertile lava has created a unique ecosystem, now home to the highest concentration of animals found anywhere in Africa! Once in the crater, thousands of animals such as lions, zebras, buffalos and black rhinos surround you, and the views are astounding – you won’t know where to look! Watch the video of the park here.
Accommodations:
Silver – Ngorongoro Kuhama Camp by TNS Hospitality
Gold – Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Platinum – Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw Camp by Karibu Camps & Lodges
Ngorongoro Conservation Area (incl. Crater)
Day 14 : Empakaai Crater hike
The Empakaai Crater lies approximately 40 kilometers northeast of its famous big brother, the Ngorongoro Crater, at what almost feels like the end of the world. From the rim, you walk down towards the lake at the bottom of the crater, which takes about 45 minutes. A pinkish hue welcomes you, as the lake many times is covered in flocks of flamingos. The views from the crater rim are amazing, as on bright days you can even see the majestical Ol Donyo Lengai.
Accommodations:
Silver – Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge
Empakaai Crater hike
Silver – Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge
Day 15: Visit Lake Eyasi and the Hadzabe tribe
A visit to Lake Eyasi and the resident Hadzabe tribe makes for a fascinating daytrip. Lake Eyasi is a seasonal shallow Salt Lake south of the Ngorongoro Highlands, and a paradise for bird lovers. Spot hippos in the shallow waters, then take out your binoculars to spot for example the African spoonbill, flamingos, gray headed gulls, great white pelicans and pied avocets. Then visit the Hadzabe bushmen, masters in bow hunting.
Accommodations:
Silver – Manyara Best View Lodge & Spa
Gold – Mawe Mawe Manyara Lodge
Visit Lake Eyasi and the Hadzabe tribe
Silver – Manyara Best View Lodge & Spa
Day 16: The last day and your flight home from Kilimanjaro Int. Airport
The last day! Depending on your flight time, you can relax in the lodge a bit longer before our driver takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight home. Having second thoughts? It’s also possible to add a few days to your holiday by going to one of Tanzania’s paradise islands, such as Zanzibar, Pemba, or Mafia!
