Overview
This grand safari combines Tanzania’s famous north with its wild and little-visited south. After a week on the Northern Circuit — including four nights in the Serengeti — fly south to Ruaha, known for its large lion prides and elephants, and then to Nyerere National Park for boat safaris on the Rufiji River and walks in the bush.
The contrast between the busy classic parks and the remote southern wilderness makes this the most complete Tanzania safari we offer, ending with a flight to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar.
Route
Highlights
- Northern Circuit with four Serengeti nights
- Fly-in safari to Ruaha
- Boat safari on the Rufiji River
- Walking safaris in the south
- African wild dog country
Activities
- Coffee tour
- Canoeing
- Walking safari
- Game drives
- Walking safaris (outside the park)
- Night drives in adjoining conservancies
- Crater floor game drive
- Crater rim walk
- Olduvai Gorge museum
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1:
Karibu Tanzania
ArushaArrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your lodge on the outskirts of Arusha, set among coffee gardens beneath Mount Meru. Relax after your journey and meet your guide for a safari briefing.
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Day 2:
Tarangire National Park
TarangireAfter breakfast, continue by road from Arusha to Tarangire (about 2 hours). Game drive along the Tarangire River, where elephant families gather beneath giant baobab trees, and look for lions resting in the shade and colourful lovebirds in the acacias.
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Day 3:
Tarangire Full Day
TarangireExplore the southern swamps of Tarangire with a picnic lunch, watching for buffalo, lesser kudu and the park's abundant birdlife. Return to camp for a sundowner as elephants come to drink at the river.
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Day 4:
Ngorongoro Crater Descent
Ngorongoro CraterAfter breakfast, continue by road from Tarangire to Ngorongoro (about 2.5 hours). Descend 600 m into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive on the caldera floor. Look for black rhino in the open grassland, lions resting near the Lerai forest and flamingos on Lake Magadi, with a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool before climbing back to the rim.
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Day 5:
Into the Serengeti
SerengetiAfter breakfast, continue by road from Ngorongoro to Serengeti (3–4 hours with game viewing en route). Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and descend onto the Serengeti plains, passing Maasai herders and gazelle as the grassland opens out to the horizon. Game drive through the park to your camp, arriving for a sundowner and dinner beneath the stars.
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Day 6:
Serengeti Big Cat Country
SerengetiSpend the day exploring the Seronera valley, where the river attracts resident wildlife all year. Your guide will search the sausage trees for leopards and the granite kopjes for lion prides, and you may see cheetah hunting on the open plains.
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Day 7:
Following the Migration
SerengetiHead out with a picnic lunch to wherever the herds are grazing — on the southern plains during calving season, or towards the Grumeti and Mara rivers in the dry months. Watching thousands of wildebeest and zebra moving across the landscape is unforgettable.
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Day 8:
Balloon Option & Kopjes
SerengetiAn optional dawn balloon flight drifts over the plains, followed by a champagne breakfast. Later, explore the Moru or Gol kopjes, where rock paintings, lions and klipspringer can be found.
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Day 9:
Fly to Ruaha
RuahaAfter breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight from Serengeti to Ruaha. Transfer to your camp above the Great Ruaha River. Your first afternoon game drive introduces you to the park's baobab-studded hills and its big elephant herds.
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Day 10:
Ruaha Predators
RuahaSpend the day searching for Ruaha's famous lion prides along the sand rivers, and for leopard, cheetah and wild dog, with a picnic lunch under a baobab.
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Day 11:
Walking in Ruaha
RuahaWalk with an armed ranger along a dry riverbed, then return to camp for lunch before an afternoon drive in search of greater kudu and sable antelope.
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Day 12:
Fly to Nyerere
Nyerere National ParkAfter breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight from Ruaha to Nyerere NP. Transfer to your camp on the banks of the Rufiji River. In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive or a sunset boat trip among the hippos.
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Day 13:
Rufiji Boat Safari & Bush Walk
Nyerere National ParkSet out on foot with an armed ranger in the cool of the morning, learning about tracks and smaller creatures. In the afternoon, take a boat safari through the channels and lakes of the Rufiji, passing elephants drinking, crocodiles basking and fish eagles overhead.
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Day 14:
Nyerere NP to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar
Nyerere National ParkEnjoy a final early-morning activity and breakfast, then transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. Connect with your onward international flight or extend your stay on the coast.
Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
Accommodation
This itinerary is priced with luxury accommodation. Every property is chosen for its location, guiding and service; final properties are confirmed at booking and we can upgrade or adjust any night.
- ArushaCoffee-estate boutique lodge near Arusha1 night
- TarangireLuxury tented camp overlooking the Tarangire River2 nights
- Ngorongoro CraterLuxury lodge on the crater rim1 night
- SerengetiLuxury tented camp positioned for the migration4 nights
- RuahaLuxury camp on the Mwagusi sand river3 nights
- Nyerere National ParkLuxury riverside camp on the Rufiji2 nights
Meals: Full board on safari; breakfast and dinner in cities and at the beach
What's included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as listed (or similar, subject to availability)
- Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- All national park, reserve and conservation fees
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- All government taxes and levies
- 24-hour in-country support from our Nairobi office
- Domestic and light-aircraft flights as described in the itinerary
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks other than drinking water, unless stated
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Optional hot-air balloon flight (currently from around USD 450–600 per person)
Travel information
Best time to travel
Year-round, with location chosen by season: December–March in the south for calving; June–July in the west; July–October in the north for river crossings; Seronera is good at any time.
What to pack
- Neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
- A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards
- Insect repellent and personal medication
- Soft-sided duffel bag — light aircraft allow around 15 kg per person
Experiences on this safari
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private safari?
Yes. This itinerary runs privately for your own group, with your own vehicle and guide. It can start on any date, and we can adjust the route, pace and accommodation to suit you.
What does the price include?
The guide price from USD 11,200 per person is based on two people sharing luxury accommodation in the low season. It includes accommodation, the meals and activities listed, park fees and transfers. Prices vary by season and group size; we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Is there a luggage limit on the flights?
Yes. Light aircraft and some domestic flights allow around 15 kg per person including hand luggage, packed in soft-sided bags. We can store extra luggage for you.
How many nights do I need in the Serengeti?
At least two, ideally three or more. The park is vast, and more time lets you explore different areas and follow the herds.
Gallery
Open image: Mount Meru rising above Arusha
Open image: Masai giraffes in Arusha National Park
Open image: Hikers approaching the summit ridge of Mount Meru
Open image: Baobab trees in Tarangire National Park
Open image: African elephants in the Maasai Mara
Open image: The rim of the Ngorongoro Crater
Open image: Black rhino on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater
Open image: Lion pride resting in the Maasai MaraEnquire about this safari
Every date is available on request. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will send a tailored quote — adjustments welcome.
