8 Days Tanzania Safari + Cultural Experience

Loading available options...

Overview

  • Duration:8 days 7 nights
  • Travelers:1 - 20 guests
  • Tour Type:Daily tour
  • Language:English, French, German, Italian
This 8-day Tanzania safari and cultural journey through Tanzania’s northern circuit offers an unforgettable exploration of the country's most iconic destinations. You’ll visit the renowned national parks of Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, each offering unique wildlife experiences. In Tarangire, marvel at large herds of African elephants and the majestic baobab trees. The legendary Serengeti awaits with its vast plains and abundant wildlife, while the Ngorongoro Crater provides a rare chance to spot the endangered black rhino in one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth.

Beyond game drives, this itinerary includes enriching cultural and nature-based activities: enjoy a walking safari in Arusha National Park, engage with the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes near Lake Eyasi, and discover the beauty of Materuni Waterfalls along with an authentic coffee tour.
Read more

Highlights

  • Witness the Big Five in their natural habitat
  • Visit the Hadzabe & Datoga tribes at Lake Eyasi
  • Explore Materuni Waterfalls & local coffee experience
  • Scenic views of the Great Rift Valley & Ngorongoro Highlands
  • Comfortable midrange lodges & tented camps throughout
  • Cultural immersion and guided nature walks

Includes/Excludes

  • Private Toyota Landcruiser 4x4 with pop-up roofs
  • Private professional safari guide
  • All nights’ accommodation in Arusha & during Safari
  • All Park Fees
  • Government Tax
  • Unlimited drinking water, tea, coffee
  • Some soft drinks & beers inside the safari vehicle
  • Flying Doctors Insurance (AMREF)
  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, drinks at lodges)
  • Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary

Itinerary

Expand all

DAY 1: Arrival at the Airport to Arusha

Upon arrival at the airport in Arusha (ARK) or Kilimanjaro international airport (JRO), you will be met and welcomed by your representative who will give you a short brief before you drive to your lodgings in Arusha for overnight.

DAY 2: Arusha National Park + Walking Safari

Early morning after having breakfast at your hotel in Arusha at around 0730hrs to 0800hrs you will be picked up by your personal driver guide and depart straight to Arusha National Park. Arusha National Park is one of Tanzania's smallest park and it is an ideal destination to enjoy your safari on the northern circuit with incredible flora and fauna present in this area.

One of the ways to enjoy the beauty of this park by doing a walking safari whereby you will be accompanied by an armed ranger, starting from the momella gate where you will make your way through the various forests and savannah habitats, observing wildlife from a safe distance and at a different perspective than the normal safari with vehicles. The sounds of the African bush are best experienced especially by foot listening to the calls of the wild. Here you will be walking inside the bush with freely roaming animals in their natural habitat. The best highlight on this walking safari is walking up to the top of Tululusia Hill, a former viewing point during Tanzania's tribal wars, which has a panoramic view of the Arusha National Park.

Lunch will be served inside the park and after that you will proceed with game drive.

You will be able to spot the black and white colubus monkey which is present in this park and what this park is famous for, giraffes and other animals like buffalos, zebras, warthogs, and blue monkeys. You will also have a great chance to spot different birds like starlings, trogons, turacos and thousands of migrating flamingos.

Later in the evening, you will drive back to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.

  • Destination: Arusha National Park
  • Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge 
  • Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Early morning after having breakfast at your hotel in Arusha at around 0730hrs to 0800hrs you will be picked up by your personal driver guide and depart straight to Tarangire National Park whereby the drive is approximately 2.5 hours to the gate. Tarangire National Park is located on the northern part of Tanzania with a wide variety of animals and landscape whereby the best part is the elephant herds. It is known to be the park which has the greatest concentration of African elephants and the ancient baobab trees. Tarangire has an area of approximately 2603 square Kilometers and within the park it is possible to see plenty of animals like the giraffes, Zebras, Buffalos, warthogs, Lions, Leopards, Impala, gazelles, dik dik and many more species. In this park, there are more than 500 birds’ species like the bee eaters, swallows, ostriches, kori bustards, hammerkops, vultures etc. The word Tarangire comes from Mbugwe tribe whereby “Tara” means river and “Ngire” means warthogs therefore it is the river of warthogs. The Tarangire river is the life giving opportunity for both herbivores and carnivores and it is the best spot for the lions to hunt their prey as they search for water especially during the dry season. Lunch will be served at a picnic site at around 1200hrs to 1300hrs and after that you will proceed with your game drive until in the late afternoon where you will exit the park and drive straight to your midrange lodge in Karatu for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

  • Destination: Tarangire National Park
  • Accommodation:  Farm of Dreams Lodge
  • Meal: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 4: Karatu to Serengeti National Park

Early morning after having breakfast at your lodge in Karatu at around 0730hrs to 0800hrs you will depart straight to Serengeti National Park passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Serengeti National Park is the most famous park on the northern circuit of Tanzania with the greatest population of wildlife than anywhere else on this planet. The word Serengeti originates from Maasai tribe, the word “Seringiti” which means endless plains. The park covers a total area of approximately 14,763 square kilometers with more than 2 million mammals inhabiting the park. The great annual migration involves more than a million wildebeests accompanied by some 250,000 zebras and antelopes and it is one of the 7 wonders of the world. This is exactly what makes this park the most famous park. The park is also home to more than 500 birds’ species including the ostriches, kori bustard, starlings, weavers, marabou storks, vultures, eagles, kingfishers, rollers etc. Animals that can be found inside the park are like the impalas, gazelles, topi, hartebeest, giraffes, hippo, buffalo, dik dik, waterbuck and predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyena, jackals, caracals, serval cats etc. The scenery of Serengeti on the south east is the short grass plains. The northern part of Serengeti also known as kogatende has more hills and rocks. To the western corridor known as Grumeti there are rivers, valleys as well as forests. Some areas in the heart of Serengeti heading up north of Serengeti are dotted with 'kopjes'. The Serengeti National Park can be visited all year round but the best time to visit is during the dry season from June to October.

Lunch will be served inside the park and afterwards, proceed with game viewing until the evening where you will drive straight to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: Full Day at Central Serengeti

Early morning after having breakfast at your accommodation will start with an early morning game drive at the central Serengeti. Lunch will be served inside the park and continue with your game drive until the late afternoon where you will drive straight to your accommodation for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater to Karatu

Early morning after having breakfast at your accommodation inside Serengeti, you will drive straight to Ngorongoro Conservation Area en-route whereby the drive is approximately 4 hours to the floor of the crater. Ngorongoro crater is a world heritage site as well as a geo-park. It is 600m deep and before you descend the crater you will stop at a view point where you can see the crater below. The Ngorongoro crater has approximately 25000 mammals and has more than 500 birds’ species where there are also migratory birds like the flamingos. The interesting part with Ngorongoro crater is that it is the best place in East Africa to witness the endangered black rhinos which completes the big 5. In Ngorongoro you can find animals like the Zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, lion prides, gazelles, impalas, kudus, waterbucks, buffalos and many more. The Ngorongoro crater has a diameter of approximately 20km whereby it is easy to spot animals and one can spend 5-6 hours exploring the park if you have a limited time. The other attraction in Ngorongoro crater is the Ngoitoktok picnic site which is a permanent hippo pool where most of the clients have their fabulous lunch at this place. The beauty of Ngorongoro can never be untold to the visitors who have visited this area. After having packed lunch at a picnic site at the hippo pool, you will finalize your game drive before you ascend the crater and drive straight to your accommodation in Karatu for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

  • Destination: Ngorongoro crater
  • Accommodation:  Farm of Dreams Lodge
  • Meal: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 7: Lake Eyasi Activities

Early morning after having breakfast at your lodge in Karatu at around 0730hrs to 0800hrs you will depart straight to Lake Eyasi. The Hadzabe Bushmen tribe live in and around the Lake Eyasi which is located on the southeast of Ngorongoro Highlands.

Upon arrival at Lake Eyasi, you will visit the Hadzabe tribe and get to know more about their different traditions as well as daily life where you will get a unique opportunity to hunt with them early in the morning, practice bow and arrow skills and learn about fruit picking with women in the area. You will also visit the Datoga tribe and learn more about their art of blacksmith. You will learn this process from when the metal is smelted and make varieties of jewelry and arrows. After these activities, you will have lunch and drive back to Karatu at your accommodation.

 

  • Destination: Lake Eyasi
  • Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge 
  • Meal: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 8: Materuni Waterfalls

Early morning after having breakfast at your hotel in Arusha you will drive straight to Materuni waterfalls. A day trip to Materuni Village and Waterfalls is a unique way to enjoy your day either from Arusha city or Moshi town. This walk to Materuni Waterfalls offers can be also great for people who are preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for acclimatization or enjoyment after or before safari trip.

This tour begins with a gentle walk to Materuni Waterfall which might be sloppy at times. On the way you will get a chance to see different fruits are grown by the local people such as bananas, mangos, lemons, avocados as well as learn more about people from the village including their history, agriculture, economy, traditions and their daily life. You will continue with your trail up to the waterfall where you can be able to swim in the natural pool so make sure you bring your swim suits.

After that you will head back to the village and learn about how coffee is grown in the area and processed from bean to cup. You will also participate in the coffee making process while the chagga people sing and bring energy to the activity. You will also make your own cup of coffee. After that you will drive straight to the airport to catch your flight to the next destination.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go on a safari in Tanzania?

The best time is during the dry season from June to October. This is when wildlife viewing is at its peak, especially around water sources. However, the Great Migration in the Serengeti also makes January–March and July–September very popular.

Do I need a visa to enter Tanzania?

Yes, most visitors need a visa to enter Tanzania. You can apply online (e-visa) or get one on arrival at major airports.

What vaccinations or medications do I need?

Yellow fever vaccination may be required (especially if coming from a yellow fever zone). Malaria prophylaxis is also recommended. Check with your doctor before travel.

What kind of accommodation can I expect?

Tanzania offers a wide range—from budget campsites to luxury lodges and tented camps. Many midrange and luxury options offer private bathrooms and full board.

Is it safe to go on safari in Tanzania?

Yes, safaris are generally very safe when organized by a licensed operator. Always follow your guide’s instructions and basic safety guidelines.

Can I see the Big Five in Tanzania?

Yes! Tanzania is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), especially in Serengeti and Ngorongoro.

What is included in a typical safari package?

Most packages include park fees, accommodation, meals, transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle, and a professional guide. Some may also include airport transfers.

What should I pack for the safari?

Pack light, breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes, a camera, and binoculars.

Are children allowed on safari?

Yes, many lodges and operators accommodate families with kids, but some have age restrictions - especially for game drives.

What is the Great Migration?

It’s the annual movement of over a million wildebeest and zebras between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. One of nature’s most spectacular events!

Extra Services

Airport transfers

Airport transfers

Personalized welcome at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport. Express airport assistance and Private airport transfers to/from hotels and lodges.

$ 70/package
Balloon Safari Add-On

Balloon Safari Add-On

Hot air balloon ride over Serengeti or Tarangire, this Includes champagne breakfast in the bush.

$ 550/person
Bush Meals

Bush Meals

Dine under the stars or amidst nature with our exclusive bush breakfast or dinner setups - perfect for romantic getaways or special celebrations.

$ 30/person
Maasai Cultural Visit

Maasai Cultural Visit

Learn about their lifestyle, traditions, and rituals, enjoy cultural performances, and support their local craft markets.

$ 30/person
Photography

Photography

Private photographer on request, Drone videography (subject to park permissions). You will get custom safari photo album.

$ 350/package

You might also like...