8 Days Serengeti & Ngorongoro

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will check in and go through the security checkpoint where officials will check your required documents. Our tour guide will greet you, take your luggage to our transfer vehicle and drive you to Arusha city. On arrival at the hotel, our driver-guide will assist you with the check-in process and the hotel porter will take your luggage to your room. You can relax at the lodge after the long journey.

After breakfast, you'll meet your guide and depart for Tarangire National Park. The drive is scenic, passing through local communities and cultivated landscapes. Tarangire is famously known for its massive herds of elephants, ancient baobab trees that dot the landscape, and the Tarangire River that acts as a lifeblood during the dry season. You'll enjoy a full afternoon game drive, witnessing large families of elephants, buffalo, impala, giraffe, and, with luck, predators like lions and leopards. The birdlife here is also exceptionally diverse.

An early start today as you journey towards the legendary Serengeti. You'll first ascend the Ngorongoro Highlands, stopping at the crater's viewpoint for a breathtaking look into the world's largest intact volcanic caldera (your destination on the last day). You'll then descend into the Serengeti plains, enjoying a game drive en route to the far north. The landscape changes dramatically from grasslands to more wooded, hilly terrain as you approach the Kogatende/Mara River area. This is the heart of the Great Migration crossing zone (typically July-October).

This is a quintessential safari day dedicated entirely to the spectacle of the Great Migration. With a packed lunch, you will spend the entire day exploring the Mara River region. Your guide will be in constant communication with other drivers to locate potential crossing points. Patience is key. You may witness the dramatic, chaotic, and awe-inspiring event of thousands of wildebeest and zebra braving the crocodile-infested river. Even between crossings, the area is teeming with wildlife: large herds on the plains, predators lying in wait, and stunning scenery.

After a final morning game drive in the north, perhaps catching a crossing you missed the previous day, you'll begin your journey south towards the Central Serengeti (Seronera Valley). This is a game drive in itself, traversing different habitats. The Central Serengeti is the park's busiest sector for a reason: it's incredibly wildlife-rich year-round. The Seronera River attracts a high density of animals, making it a prime area for predators. You are likely to see lions, leopards (often resting in acacia trees), cheetahs, and abundant prey species.

Another full day to immerse yourself in the endless plains of the Serengeti, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will take you to key wildlife hotspots around the Seronera Valley. You might visit retama hippo pools, search for leopards in the riverine forests, and watch vast herds of antelope on the plains. The focus today is on the resident wildlife, particularly the big cats, which are less migratory and are therefore reliably seen here throughout the year. You'll enjoy your last night in the Serengeti, listening to the nocturnal sounds of the wilderness.

You start the day with an early morning game drive in the Serengeti as you begin your journey eastwards. You will exit the park and climb back into the highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The change in climate and scenery is immediate—from dry plains to cool, misty, and lush green slopes. The afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy the stunning views from the lodge's vantage point, relax, and perhaps take a walk around the lodge's grounds.

This is the grand finale. You'll descend the steep crater walls into the Ngorongoro Crater—a natural amphitheater teeming with an estimated 25,000 animals. The crater floor offers some of the best game viewing in Africa and is your best chance to see the endangered black rhinoceros. You'll also encounter large herds of zebra and wildebeest, giant tusked elephants, a pride of lions, and flamingos on the soda lake. After an unforgettable morning game drive (with a picnic lunch by the hippo pool), you'll ascend the crater and begin your journey back to Arusha.

Depending on your flight schedule and departure point you will be transferred to the airport to connect your flight for further travel.