This 5 Day Tanzania Lodge and Tented Camp Safari allows us to experience the highlights of the Northern Safari Circuit. We experience breathtaking wildlife in the midst of diverse landscapes; monkeys in the forest, lions in the trees, elephants amongst the acacias, and a huge variety of animals inside a collapsed volcano. We also visit The Serengeti National Park, home to some 3 million animals. These spectacular grass plains offer the best opportunity of viewing cheetahs, leopards, and lions, in the true wild.
You can also suggest or opt for a Budget Camping Safari Itinerary – And it can be adapted to suit your own personal needs and preferences, as well as for any seasonal changes or migratory animal movements.
Tour Highlights
- Departure and Return Place: We can start/end this tour from any hotel in Moshi/Arusha or from Kilimanjaro International Airport(Google Maps)
- Departure Time: Please be ready by 6:45 AM for a prompt departure at 7:15 AM.
- Return Time: Approximately 4:30 PM in the evening.
- Dress Code: Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hat, spare clothing.
- Customizations: Can be amended/customized upon request, to suit your requirements
- Extensions: Trip Extensions are available on request
- Season: The Dry season (from late June to October) offers the best wildlife viewing in general – with the wildebeest migration as its absolute highlight. The timing of the migration varies every year (the best chance of seeing it is during June and July) while the wildebeest calving is from late January to February.
- Your own private guide and driver for in-depth wildlife touring based on your interests
- Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our locally born travel specialists
- Around-the-clock support from your travel designer and concierge before, during, and after your trip
What to Expect on Tour
- You will experience the excitement of game viewing in some of the most spectacular national wildlife game parks in Africa
- Look out over incredible views of the Ngorongoro Crater
- Witness the annual great migration of a million wildebeest and zebra cross the open plains of the Serengeti
Details
Day 1 Arrival in Arusha
You will be picked up from the airport by one of our representatives and conveyed to your accommodation in Arusha where you will overnight, relax, and prepare in anticipation of the adventures to come.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Ilboru Safari Lodge / Arusha Planet Lodge/ Airport Planet Lodge
Budget: Outpost Lodge / Tulia Boutique Hotel / Green Mountain Hotel
Day 2 Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, our safari guide collects us from our lodge for the drive to Tarangire National Park (approximately 2 hours). Tarangire, best known for its elephant families, savannah, iconic baobab trees, and seasonal swamps, is so named for the life-giving Tarangire River. Animals gather at the river and giraffes, bushbuck, and hartebeest, are often seen. The Park is also home to buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest, all of whom are closely attended by a range of predators, Simba the King, and his cousin, the leopard. From the open roof of our state-of-the-art Safari Truck, we will be able to absorb the landscape and watch the wildlife. We enjoy a picnic lunch in the park, which includes a deliciously varied repast, coffee, and soft drinks. After a full day soaking up the sights of the park, we drive to accommodation where we take the opportunity to relax, enjoy dinner in aesthetic surroundings, and retire to our well-appointed quarters when the spirit moves us.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Eileen’s Tree Inn / Endoro Lodge / Karatu Simba Lodge
Budget Camping: Lilac Campsite/ Panorama Campsite
Day 3 Ngorongoro Crater to Central Serengeti
After an early breakfast, we boot up and head out towards the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest volcanic caldera. Almost 20km wide, approximately 600 m deep, and known for its large variety of wildlife, the caldera, formed at the explosion of a volcano some three million years ago, was once taller than Kilimanjaro. A self-contained paradise, the caldera hosts an abundance of the finest animal life on the planet. In addition to the Big Five, the various springs attract animals such as wildebeest, gazelle, reedbuck, and more than 500 bird species. At approximately 1400hrs we head towards the Serengeti, arriving at our lodgings in a high-grade tented camp at roughly 6:00 p.m. The Serengeti National Park, the Serengeti, ‘Endless Plain’ in Maa, the tongue of the Maasai is the largest park in Tanzania and home to diverse landscapes and habitats such as grassy plains, swamps, lakes, savannah and mountains and all of the creatures there inhabiting.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp / Embalakai Camp / Sound of Silence
Budget Camping: Nyani Campsite
Day 4 Serengeti to Karatu
We will once more enjoy an early breakfast and set off on our game drive at about 6:30 am, spending 6-7 hours exploring this incredible park. The Serengeti is the habitat for an abundance of wildlife, such as impala, buffalo, crocodile, and hippo, but is more well-known for its great migrating herds of zebras (two hundred and fifty thousand), wildebeest (one and a half million!), and antelope (half a million). The animals’ trek is determined by the rainfall and varies from year to year. Apart from the migrating herds, we may see predators, such as leopards, cheetahs, and lions, plying their rough trade. At roughly 1400hrs we head back to Karatu for overnight.
Accommodation
Mid-range: Eileen’s Tree Inn / Endoro Lodge / Karatu Simba Lodge
Budget Camping: Lilac Campsite/ Panorama Campsite
Day 5 Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha
After breakfast, we make the short drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Manyara, a relatively small but diverse park 120km west of Arusha, is so named for the shallow salt lake that occupies a good seventy percent of the park’s land. Flooding and drying seasonally, this soda lake is home to thousands of flamingos and over 500 other bird species. On our exploration of the park, we will see monkeys, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, elephants, and with some luck, lions lounging in the trees. The park is known for its diverse landscapes; not only open grassy plains, but also primate-filled woodlands and baobab-dotted cliffs.
We return to Arusha after lunch, our adventure having here come to its inevitable close, arriving at roughly 5:00 p.m.
Tour Pricing
| Number of People | Cost Per Person in US($) Budget Camping | Cost Per Person in US($) Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $2,074 | $4,486 |
| 2 People | $1,330 | $2,976 |
| 3 People | $1,105 | $2,598 |
| 4 People | $985 | $2,321 |
| 5 + People | $900 | $2,210 |
Tour Accommodations
| Tour Day | Budget Camping Package | Standard Package |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Outpost Lodge / Tulia Boutique Hotel / Green Mountain Hotel | Ilboru Safari Lodge / Arusha Planet Lodge/ Airport Planet Lodge |
| Day 2 | Lilac Campsite/ Panorama Campsite | Eileen’s Tree Inn / Endoro Lodge / Karatu Simba Lodge |
| Day 3 | Nyani Campsite | Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp / Embalakai Camp / Sound of Silence |
| Day 4 | Lilac Campsite/ Panorama Campsite | Eileen’s Tree Inn / Endoro Lodge / Karatu Simba Lodge |
Questions & Answers
What happens if I get sick or injured on safari?
Any health or medical emergency will be attended to. If the condition requires hospitalization, you will be evacuated to the nearest hospital immediately. Make sure you have travel and health insurance coverage. It’s highly recommended
Are drinks provided in the safari vehicle?
Big yes! You can also carry your drinking water bottle in your backpack. The safari vehicles are equipped with a small refrigerator to keep the drinks of your choice chilled for you to enjoy during your safari. Beverages, beer, and soft drinks are also available
Am I allowed to walk around the national parks?
Stay in the vehicle unless you have clearance from the guide to walk or stretch your legs. If you are keen on hiking, there are guided walks that are available in Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro.
Will there be wildlife roaming at the camps and lodges?
Yes. Bear in mind they are wild and unpredictable. The thought restrains you from getting too adventurous on hands-on when you cross paths with a wild animal. Attacks are rare but discretion is a better part of valor. Exercise caution. Remember it’s their territory and you are the intruder.
Will the safari be dusty?
Definitely! What’s the point of a safari if you don’t kick up the dust. And there will be plenty to kick in the dry months. Some of the trails on the safari route are bumpy and dusty, especially between Ngorongoro and Serengeti. So roll up the window and turn the AC on. Use sunglasses and a hat, and protect your electronic equipment from the dust storms
Will I see wildlife?
Prior to the climb, you’ll enjoy an acclimatization day with wildlife viewing and nature walks. Trekking through the rain forest, you’re likely to spot black-and-white Colobus monkeys, tropical birds and more.
Who are your operators in Tanzania?
We are. We are not agents for anybody, but run the treks ourselves through our own Tanzanian company. So you can rest assured that whoever you speak to in our company has climbed Kilimanjaro – and probably many times.
What travel documents do I need?
You will need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your dates of travel with an entry or re-entry visa, duly endorsed.
What is the maximum group size per vehicle?
The maximum group size is Six (6) guests per vehicle.
What if I have special dietary requirements?
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, celiac, lactose-free, or if you have any allergies, just give us a heads up and you will be catered to.
Do you arrange Airport pick-up and Drop off?
All our tours to mount Kilimanjaro climbs include airport transfers. We pick you up at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or any other airport near Arusha and Kilimanjaro as per your itinerary plan and take you to your pre-climb hotel in Moshi or Arusha, then back again at the end of your itinerary. In short, we take care of your air transfers and accommodation, before and after your Mount Kilimanjaro climb.
What do you mean by game drives?
The opportunity to explore the thriving wildlife of Tanzania in a safari vehicle by going deep into the secluded zones for an up-close and personal experience of Tanzania’s biggest and meanest
What can I expect on a typical safari day?
Depends on which park you have chosen in your itinerary. Every park has a distinct character, topography, and animals with attitude. If it’s Serengeti then enjoy the endless savannahs and Big 5. Tarangire’s offerings are a semi-arid landscape with majestic baobabs with no shortage of wildlife. Including the Big 5 in a day
What about tipping the safari driver guides?
Tipping for services is not obligatory, but very common in Tanzania. Your tip is highly appreciated and can make a big difference to your guide and lodge staff.
Tipping is a good courtesy. Tip generously. And always keep their counsel for that optimum and safe safari experience. On safari, this is US$15-20 per person per day, handed directly to the guide at the end of your stay. Of course, you should only give a tip if you are satisfied with the quality of the service.
What about the roads on safari?
Bumpy on the safari circuits and on the game drives. If you have a back condition then take precautions with back braces, pillows, or whatever works for you.
What about solar protection?
Tanzania is very near to the equator. So the sun is always at its acme for most of the day. The sun can be fierce and cause sunburns and sunstroke. Wear a hat, shades, and use SPF sunblock lotion
What about snakes and insects?
They are pretty common. Though sighting one is not a pretty thought. But on safaris atop a vehicle, they are not an issue. While on a walking safari, wear boots when venturing into bushes or woodlands. Use full trousers and long sleeve shirts to protect yourself from mosquitoes and other fly bites. In the bushes, they are a pestilence. Use insect repellent to keep them at bay.
What about bathrooms in the bush?
The safari trips have public bathroom facilities. In case you have to go and there isn’t one in sight. Relieving behind the vehicle is a good option. of course with the concurrence of your guide. They are sympathetic to nature calls
How much does a safari cost?
Safaris are costly. Tanzania Wildlife Safaris prices depend on the number of people on the trip, how many days of safari, and the level of comfort or luxury.
How far in advance do I need to book a Safari?
Book your trip early. Ideally, 6 months in advance and 10-12 months in advance if you want to witness the Wildebeest migration in Serengeti.
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