A first safari in Tanzania
Elephants beneath baobabs, the Ngorongoro Crater at dawn and the endless plains of the Serengeti. Seven days, beautifully paced for a first safari.
- First-time safari travellers
- Families with older children
- Honeymooners
- Photographers
A first safari should feel exciting, not exhausting. This route visits three of Tanzania’s most loved parks in a sensible order, with lodges chosen for comfort, good food and the right location, so you spend less time driving and more time watching.
The Great Migration moves through the Serengeti all year. Roughly, the herds are in the south for calving from January to March, and in the north for the river crossings from July to October. We plan your camps around where they’re likely to be. [CHECK dates against your season]
Thoughtful details we can add: a private vehicle and guide, family tents, halal meals arranged with each lodge in advance, and time to rest in the middle of the day. Some camps have minimum ages for children, so we check them for you. [CHECK]
Make it a honeymoon: finish with a few nights on the beach. See A Zanzibar honeymoon.
- Day 1
Arrive in Arusha
Land at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to a calm lodge among coffee farms near Arusha. Rest before the adventure begins.
- Day 2
Tarangire National Park
Your first game drive, among some of the largest elephant herds in Tanzania and ancient baobab trees. Overnight in a tented lodge.
- Day 3
Into the Serengeti
Drive through the highlands, or take a short flight, into the Serengeti. Afternoon game drive as the light turns gold.
- Day 4
A full day on the plains
Dawn and late-afternoon drives looking for lions, cheetahs and leopards, with a rest at camp in the heat of the day. Where the herds are depends on the season, and we place you close to them.
- Day 5
The Serengeti, slowly
Another day of drives, or an optional hot-air balloon flight at sunrise followed by breakfast in the bush.
- Day 6
Ngorongoro Crater
Drive to the crater rim with time to rest at your lodge and look out over one of the most remarkable landscapes on earth.
- Day 7
Down into the crater, then home
An early descent into the crater floor for a morning with the wildlife, then back to Arusha for your flight, or on to Zanzibar for the beach.
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