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Serengeti Wildlife Safari

Serengeti Wildlife Safari

$4,299
(32 reviews)
12 Days / 11 Nights
Max 8 Travelers
Arusha to Zanzibar
Year-round (Best: Jun-Oct)

Experience the ultimate African safari adventure with our 12-day journey through Tanzania's most spectacular wilderness areas. Track the Big Five with expert guides, witness the Great Migration (seasonal), and immerse yourself in the natural rhythms of the savanna.

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Your 12-Day Serengeti Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll be met by your guide and transferred to your boutique lodge in Arusha. Enjoy a welcome dinner and safari briefing with your fellow travelers.

Day 2: Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Afternoon game drive with chances to see elephants, lions, giraffes, and numerous bird species. Overnight at a luxury tented camp.

Day 3: Tarangire to Lake Manyara

Morning game drive in Tarangire, then journey to Lake Manyara National Park. Explore this compact but diverse ecosystem known for its tree-climbing lions, pink flamingos, and lush groundwater forest. Evening at your lodge overlooking the Great Rift Valley.

Day 4: Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Travel to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and visit a Maasai village to learn about their traditional way of life. Continue to your lodge perched on the crater rim with spectacular views. Optional guided nature walk in the afternoon.

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater

Full-day exploration of the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site and natural wonder. Descend to the crater floor for exceptional wildlife viewing in this enclosed ecosystem home to approximately 25,000 animals including the endangered black rhino.

Day 6: Ngorongoro to Central Serengeti

Journey to the legendary Serengeti National Park with a visit to Olduvai Gorge, the archaeological site where early human fossils were discovered. Afternoon game drive in the Central Serengeti, known for its year-round wildlife concentration.

Day 7-8: Central Serengeti

Two full days exploring the heart of the Serengeti ecosystem. Morning and afternoon game drives with opportunities to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and countless other species. Optional hot air balloon safari available at additional cost.

Day 9: Northern Serengeti

Travel to the northern Serengeti, following wildlife movements. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Migration river crossings (July-October) or enjoy less crowded wildlife viewing in this remote region. Overnight at an exclusive mobile tented camp.

Day 10: Northern Serengeti

Full day in the northern Serengeti with game drives in the Mara River area, famous for dramatic wildebeest crossings during migration season. Sundowner drinks in the bush followed by a special farewell dinner under the stars.

Day 11: Serengeti to Zanzibar

Morning game drive, then fly directly from the Serengeti to Zanzibar Island. Transfer to your beachfront hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure on the white sand beaches of the Indian Ocean.

Day 12: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your onward journey, or extend your stay with our optional Zanzibar beach extension package.

What's Included

Accommodation

11 nights in carefully selected luxury lodges and tented camps that blend comfort with authentic safari experience

Meals

All meals included (11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners) featuring both international cuisine and local specialties

Transportation

Private, custom-designed 4x4 safari vehicles with roof hatches, guaranteed window seats, and charging facilities

Expert Guides

Professional English-speaking safari guide/driver with extensive wildlife knowledge throughout your journey

Internal Flight

Scheduled flight from Serengeti to Zanzibar including all transfers and taxes

Park Fees & Activities

All national park and conservation fees, game drives, Maasai village visit, and activities mentioned in the itinerary

Not Included

  • International flights to Kilimanjaro and from Zanzibar
  • Optional hot air balloon safari ($599 per person)
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Visa fees
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Gratuities for guides and camp staff (recommended but at your discretion)

Tour Details

Group Size

Maximum of 8 travelers in two safari vehicles to ensure comfort, personal attention, and optimal wildlife viewing opportunities

Physical Activity Level

Easy to Moderate - This safari involves early mornings and time spent in vehicles on sometimes bumpy roads. Game drives typically last 3-4 hours with breaks. Optional walks are available but not strenuous.

Best Time to Visit

This safari runs year-round with different seasonal highlights:
• June-October (Dry Season): Excellent general wildlife viewing, Great Migration river crossings
• December-March: Wildebeest calving season, lush landscapes
• April-May: Green season with fewer tourists and special rates available

Accommodations

We've selected the finest lodges and tented camps that offer authentic safari experiences without sacrificing comfort. All accommodations feature:
• Private en-suite bathrooms with hot water
• Comfortable beds with quality linens
• Electricity (some camps use solar power with limited hours)
• Communal dining and lounge areas
• Excellent locations for wildlife viewing

Wildlife Viewing

Tanzania offers some of Africa's most reliable wildlife viewing. While nature provides no guarantees, our experienced guides maximize your chances of seeing:
• The Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino)
• Great Migration herds (seasonal)
• Cheetah, hyena, jackal, and numerous antelope species
• Over 500 bird species
• Rare species like serval cats and African wild dogs

Conservation & Sustainability

This safari contributes directly to conservation through park fees and our partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation. We use camps committed to sustainability practices, employ local staff, and maintain a zero single-use plastic policy throughout the journey.

Traveler Reviews

4.8

32 verified reviews

5 stars
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Michael R. April 2024

The small group size on our Serengeti Safari made all the difference. We had incredible wildlife sightings that larger groups would have missed. Our guide, Joseph, had eagle eyes - spotting leopards in trees and cheetahs in tall grass that we would have never seen. We witnessed two river crossings during our time in the northern Serengeti - an absolutely incredible experience. The accommodations exceeded our expectations, especially the mobile camp which somehow managed to provide hot showers and gourmet meals in the middle of nowhere!

Jennifer L. March 2024

This safari was the trip of a lifetime. We saw all of the Big Five within the first three days, and then continued to have amazing sightings throughout. The highlight was watching a pride of lions with cubs playing just meters from our vehicle. Our guide was knowledgeable not just about wildlife but also about Tanzanian culture and history. The lodges were perfectly chosen - luxurious yet authentic. I appreciated the sustainability focus with solar power and water conservation at the camps. Worth every penny!

David and Susan T. February 2024

Overall an exceptional safari experience. The wildlife viewing exceeded our expectations - highlights included a leopard with a fresh kill, a cheetah family hunting, and thousands of wildebeest during migration. The only reason for 4.5 stars instead of 5 was one accommodation that wasn't quite as comfortable as the others. Our guide Emmanuel was outstanding - professional, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable. The optional balloon safari is expensive but absolutely worth doing! Ending in Zanzibar was perfect.