9-Day Northern Tanzania Wildlife Mid-Range Safari Experience with Cultural Tour

A Northern Tanzania wildlife experience with cultural activities.

Northern Circuit Safari, which includes Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park, Lake Eyasi, and Mto wa Mbu.

Trip Description

This wildlife experience and cultural activities begin with a pickup at Kilimanjaro Airport in the evening, followed by a transfer to the hotel in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with our professional guide. You will then have time to rest for the night and prepare for the next day's safari to Arusha National Park, which will include some cultural activities. NB: PRICE BASED PER PERSON SHARING Included in the price: - All transfers - Park entry fees (Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Manyara, Tarangire, Arusha National Park) - All activities in Lake Eyasi and Mto wa Mbu (unless labeled as optional) - All accommodations as stated in the itinerary - Private 4x4 safari Land Cruiser - A professional English-speaking driver/guide - All transportation (unless labeled as optional) - All taxes/VAT - WMA fees - Concession fee - 1x Ngorongoro transit - 1x Ngorongoro Crater - All meals (as specified in the day-by-day section) - Drinking water on all days - Unlimited game drives within game drive hours - Bottle of champagne or wine Excluded from the price: - International flights (from/to home) - Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour - Tips (tipping guideline: US $15.00 per person per day) - Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.) - Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees - Alcoholic drinks

Accomodation

DAY 1. Moivaro Lodge https://www.moivaro.com/ DAY 2. Moivaro Lodge https://www.moivaro.com/ DAY 3. Burunge Tented Camp https://twctanzania.com/ DAY 4. Manyara Lake View Oasis Camp https://manyaralakeview.com/ DAY 5. Lake Manyara Oasis View Camp https://manyaralakeview.com/ DAY 6. Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge https://lakeeyasi.com/ DAY 7. Katikati Tented Camp https://twctanzania.com/ DAY 8. Katikati Tented Camp https://twctanzania.com/ DAY 9. Oldeani Mountain Lodge https://wellworthcollection.co.tz/ngorongoro-oldeani/

Stay program

day 1
Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our professional driver-guide will be there to welcome you. After completing immigration formalities, you will be transferred to your hotel for a one-night stay, allowing you to relax and recover from your journey before embarking on your safari adventure the following day. Accommodation: Moivaro Lodge (Bed & Breakfast).
day 2
Drive to Arusha National Park for cultural activities.
After breakfast at your hotel, our driver will pick you up and take you to Arusha National Park for a day of cultural activities and exploration. Discover and explore the incredible diversity of Arusha National Park! Nestled at the foothills of Mount Meru, one of Africa’s most beautiful volcanoes and the fifth-highest peak on the continent, the park is just a 45-minute drive from Arusha city center. Mount Meru serves as an excellent high-altitude acclimatization warm-up for those preparing to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro. Despite its relatively small size, Arusha National Park is packed with stunning attractions. From the rugged landscapes of Mount Meru and the Ash Cone to the picturesque Momella Lakes, the lush tropical forests, and the breathtaking Ngurdoto Crater, the park offers an unforgettable experience. Visitors can enjoy game viewing, horseback riding, hiking up Mount Meru, and even guided walks with a ranger for an immersive safari experience. After your day exploring Arusha National Park, you will return to your hotel in Arusha for a well-deserved rest. Accommodation: Moivaro Lodge (Half Board).
day 3
Drive to Tarangire National Park for a game drive.
You will begin the day with a drive to Tarangire National Park, a renowned birding destination that also boasts a rich diversity of wildlife. The park is especially abundant during the dry season, when the Tarangire River becomes the primary water source in the area, attracting large numbers of animals. The park’s landscape is equally captivating, characterized by majestic baobab trees and one of the highest concentrations of elephants in Tanzania. For lunch, you will enjoy hampers at a scenic picnic area instead of traditional lunchboxes. After your game drive, you will continue to your evening accommodation in Karatu, where you can relax and unwind. Accommodation: Burunge Tented Camp (Full Board).
day 4
Drive to Mto wa Mbu for cultural activities and a bike tour.
Bustling with a rich blend of cultures from across Tanzania, the small town of Mto wa Mbu lies at the entrance to Lake Manyara National Park. As a local agricultural hub, it is renowned for its rice cultivation and the distinctive red bananas that Tanzania is famous for. A half-day tour of the town, accompanied by a local guide, offers travelers the opportunity to engage with local farmers, artisans, craftsmen, and painters. A tasting of the locally brewed banana beer provides a unique glimpse into the region’s flavors and traditions. This vibrant cultural melting pot is home to approximately 120 tribes. The town's lively atmosphere is reflected in the diverse languages spoken and the unique customs practiced by its residents. Cultural diversity is evident in the various entrepreneurial ventures, such as a farmer from Kigoma producing palm oil from trees sourced along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, and the Rangi people crafting colorful, intricate mats and baskets using papyrus from nearby lakes and rivers. After your activities in Mto wa Mbu, you will enjoy an overnight stay at: Accommodation: Lake Manyara View Oasis Camp.
day 5
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive.
You will depart for Mto wa Mbu, where you will embark on a game drive in Manyara National Park. After completing the park entry formalities, you will drive through a lush forest, transition into open grasslands, and eventually reach the lake’s edge. Manyara National Park is a game watcher’s paradise, home to a diverse range of endemic species. You can expect to see various wildlife, including elephants, hippos, impalas, dik-diks, and bushbucks. If you're lucky, you may even spot the famous tree-climbing lions of Manyara.
day 6
Drive to Lake Eyasi to visit the Datoga and Hadzabe.
Lake Eyasi is a vast lake, even larger than Lake Manyara, with its saline borders expanding and contracting depending on annual rainfall. During particularly dry periods, water levels drop significantly, allowing the Datoga and Hadzabe tribes to walk across the lake. Distinctive doum palms thrive in this harsh environment, providing much-needed shade and relief from the heat. The sunsets at Lake Eyasi are breathtaking, making it an excellent stop for anyone planning a Tanzania safari with a focus on photography. The western flank of the Rift Valley looms impressively in the distance. Accommodation: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge.
day 7
Drive to the Serengeti with a game drive along the way.
After an early start, you will travel along adventurous dirt tracks with breathtaking views as your vehicle climbs out of the Rift Valley to reach the grassy plains of the Serengeti by midday. In Maasai, Serengeti means “endless plains,” and you will truly find the grassland savannah stretching here to the horizon, dotted with grazing animals. Serengeti is a must-see park for anyone planning a trip to Tanzania. It is the park where the greatest wonder of the world, "The Annual Migration of Wild Beasts," takes place, during which millions of animals march in search of fresh pasture and water, risking their lives and even the lives of their calves. After your game viewing, you will overnight at your lodge. Accommodation: Katikati Tented Camp, FB.
day 8
Full-day game drive in the Serengeti.
Another day to enjoy the home of the enormous migratory herds during the dry season. The Serengeti remains an unexplored wilderness, packed with stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. The most captivating highlight of this area is undoubtedly the massive herds of migratory wildebeest and zebra during the dry season. However, the North Serengeti also supports an abundance of resident wildlife, including lion, elephant, hippo, giraffe, crocodile, and the rare oribi antelope. In the evening, you will head back to your camp for rest. Accommodation: Katikati tented camp, FB.
day 9
Drive to Ngorongoro Crater Tour
You will have an early breakfast, then head to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a packed lunch for a full-day crater tour in the inactive volcanic caldera. Formed 3 million years ago after the collapse of a giant volcano, with a depth of 610 m and a floor area of 260 km2, the crater is considered a natural wonder of Africa. It boasts a variety of large animals, approximately 25,000 in number, including the rare black rhino. Lunch is at a picnic site with a view of hippos lazing in the shallow waters of the lake. Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon game drive as you head to your accommodation for the night in Karatu. Accommodation: Oldean Mountain Lodge, FB.
day 10
Drive back to Arusha and transfer to the airport.
On this day, you will drive back to Arusha for your transfer to the airport for your flight home, with lunch provided on the way.