Travel ▻ East Africa ▻ Tanzania9-Day Tanzania Safari: Serengeti Grand Tour
9-Day Tanzania Safari: Serengeti Grand Tour

9-Day Tanzania Safari: Serengeti Grand Tour

9 days

9-Day Tanzania Safari: Serengeti Grand Tour
from $3795 USD

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A 9-day private safari allows you to experience northern Tanzania's very best areas for wildlife, scenery and culture. The extra days allow a more relaxed pace (2 nights in each location) and the opportunity to visit the northern part of the Serengeti for the Great Migration.

Lake Manyara is an excellent introduction to African wildlife and ideal for viewing birdlife with over 400 species. Tarangire is a beautiful park filled with Baobabs and Acacias with a spectacular variety of game including lions, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, and waterbuck. The Ngorongoro is the largest intact crater in the world abundant with wild game including zebra, hippos, antelopes of all stripes, huge elephants, black rhinos, leopards, and hyenas. The Serengeti is Tanzania's most famous national park and one of the most spectacular parks in the world. These great plains cover some 14,763 square kilometers including expansive high grasslands, short grass plains, kopjes, forests and lakes. Here the big cats like lions, cheetahs, and leopards are endlessly exciting to see. This trip includes two regions in the Serengeti.

This safari is private, with a private safari guide and private custom Land Cruiser, with an itinerary you are welcome to customize to best suit your specific needs and interests. While we list a few of our recommended safari lodges under "accommodations," we book all the lodges and you can request specific alternatives and we'll re-quote the trip accordingly.

Like all safaris, we would advise you to arrive into Kilimanjaro Airport the day before "Day 1" of your safari and overnight in Arusha or nearby Moshi. We can arrange private airport transfers on request and we book all of the hotels in the area.

Kilimanjaro + Safari Combo Discount: Save $50/person when you book a Kilimanjaro Trek and Safari (5 days or more).

All our safaris are offered as a private trip, starting on any day.

Full Itinerary DETAILED ITINERARY >> ITINERARY IN BRIEF >>

Day 1: 9-DAY TANZANIA SAFARI / Drive to Lake Manyara or Tarangire, afternoon game drive (LD)

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Drive from Moshi or Arusha to either Lake Manyara National Park (best December to May) or Tarangire National Park (best June to November) with picnic lunch enroute and an afternoon game drive. Both parks are outstanding with many photography opportunities. On this 9-day safari, you have the built-in opportunity to see both reserves no matter what time of year you go.

Lake Manyara National Park, rimmed by the scenic 600-meter cliffs of the Rift Valley escarpment, protects a large alkaline lake and is home to a wildlife-rich savannah-forest mix. It makes an outstanding introduction to Africa's wildlife, with elephants, wildebeest, giraffes, buffalo, zebra, impala, waterbuck, and waterbuck roaming the park in healthy numbers while lions are also present.

Tarangire National Park is famous for its huge herds of elephant and baobab trees. Throughout the dry season, thirsty antelope and elephant trek hundreds of kilometres to drink at the Tarangire River.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Endoro Lodge
Mid-Range Accommodations: Escarpment Luxury Lodge
Luxury Accommodations: Tarangire River Camp
Elite Accommodations: Lemala Manyara

Day 2: Lake Manyara or Tarangire, full day game drive (BLD)

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Today, you will have a full day game drive in either Lake Manyara or Tarangire with picnic lunch.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Endoro Lodge
Mid-Range Accommodations: Escarpment Luxury Lodge
Luxury Accommodations: Tarangire River Camp
Elite Accommodations: Lemala Manyara

Day 3: Morning cultural activity, optional Maasai village, afternoon drive to Ngorongoro (BLD)

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Local activities include a Zipline, cultural hike, biking to the the Lake Manyara shoreline, Mto wa Mbu village tour, Tinga Tinga painting class, or a coffee tour. One of these will be done as a half-day morning tour. In the afternoon, drive to Ngorongoro.

There are many authentic Masaai villages in the area to visit. Here you have a chance to get to know authentic Maasai families and see how real life is like for the locals. You can visit homes, watch traditional dances, and purchase homemade jewelry.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Rhino Lodge
Mid-Range Accommodations: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Luxury Accommodations: Gibbs Farm
Elite Accommodations: Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater, half day game drive (BLD)

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Wake early and join your guide for a sunrise game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater. Due to official park regulations, game drives are limited to about 6 hours, but this gives us plenty of time to take in the sweeping scenery and impressive wildlife found here. The Crater is akin to a fishbowl of classic African wildlife, with herds of giraffe, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, and a variety of antelopes calling the Crater floor home. Huge elephants dot the distance while rhino still graze freely here. We suggest enjoying a picnic lunch inside the Crater, and enjoy the hippo pool, where we also usually find a load of interesting wetland bird species too. Return to your Crater area lodge and enjoy a little down time to relax.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Rhino Lodge
Mid-Range Accommodations: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Luxury Accommodations: Gibbs Farm
Elite Accommodations: Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp

Day 5: Drive to central Serengeti, optional Olduvai Gorge, afternoon game drive (BLD)

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Drive to the central area of the Serengeti (Seronera). You can stop at the Olduvai Gorge en route. Continue on to your lodge/camp with game viewing along the way.

The Olduvai Gorge delivers substantial evidence of the earliest signs of humankind, with rare hominid footprints preserved in solid rock from 3,600,000 years ago.

The fabulous Serengeti is a singular safari destination in Africa. The oldest and largest intact land-based ecosystem in the world, the Serengeti is celebrated for its wealth of leopard and lion. Serengeti, meaning 'endless plains,' is home to the largest annual overland migration of mammals in the world, with over a million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelles along with a range of other antelope species gradually undergoing an over 800-km long trek seeking new grazing grounds.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Serengeti Halisi Camp
Mid-Range Accommodations: Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp
Luxury Accommodations: Kubu Kubu Tented Camp
Elite Accommodations: Lemala Ewanjan Camp (Seronera)

Day 6: Serengeti, full day game drive, optional hot air balloon safari (BLD)

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Today enjoy a full-day game drive in the Serengeti or a morning and afternoon game drive with a break and rest in between back at your safari lodge. You also have the option of a scenic hot air balloon safari early this morning at extra cost.

The fabulous Serengeti is a singular safari destination in Africa. The oldest and largest intact land-based ecosystem in the world, the Serengeti is celebrated for its wealth of leopard and lion. Serengeti, meaning 'endless plains,' is home to the largest annual overland migration of mammals in the world, with over a million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelles along with a range of other antelope species gradually undergoing an over 800-km long trek seeking new grazing grounds.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Serengeti Halisi Camp
Mid-Range Accommodations: Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp
Luxury Accommodations: Kubu Kubu Tented Camp
Elite Accommodations: Lemala Ewanjan Camp (Seronera)

Day 7: Drive to northern area of the Serengeti, full day game drive (BLD)

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Today, you will drive to the northern area of the Serengeti (Mara/Kogatende) with a full-day game drive en route.

The crucial characteristics of the Serengeti ecosystem have changed little in over a million years. Serengeti's boundless plains are sprinkled with wooded hills, towering termite mounds, rocky kopjes and rivers lined with acacia trees. Big cats and a huge host of grazing animals roam freely, but here you also can see other unique species like mongoose, hyrax, warthog, bat-eared fox, jackals, bushbabies, monkeys, baboons, and much more.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Mara Kati Kati Tented Camp
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mara Under Canvas (TWC)
Luxury Accommodations: Lemala Camp (Ndutu/Mara)
Elite Accommodations: Lemala Kuria Hills Camp (Mara)

Day 8: Full day game drive in the northern Serengeti (BLD)

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Today explore more of this famous wildlife reserve with your safari guide. The Serengeti provides incredible wildlife viewing year-round with the "great migration".

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Mara Kati Kati Tented Camp
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mara Under Canvas (TWC)
Luxury Accommodations: Lemala Camp (Ndutu/Mara)
Elite Accommodations: Lemala Kuria Hills Camp (Mara)

Day 9: Fly back from the Serengeti (BL)

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You may have time for a short, early morning game drive en route to the airstrip in the Serengeti. Fly to the Arusha Airport, Kilimanjaro Airport, or Zanzibar (flight charged separately).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Pricing

9-Day Tanzania Safari: Serengeti Grand Tour
from $3795 USD
*** Contact Us for other itinerary and lodging options! ***

NOTE: Prices are per person in U.S. dollars based on double/triple occupancy. All quotations are based on the current rates of park fees, VAT, other government taxes, and current exchange rates. Should any of these be increased or a new tax introduced, these increases will be added on even if your trip has already been paid for.

INCLUDES:
  • All accommodations per itinerary
  • All meals per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
  • All tours and entrance fees per itinerary (unless listed as excluded)
  • All transportation and transfers per itinerary
  • Professional English-speaking naturalist driver/guide
  • Transportation in a custom safari 4x4 with viewing roof and guaranteed window seating
  • Safari vehicles have an inverter for charging batteries, communications radio, electric cooler, and filtered water
  • National Park gate fees, Park commission, and Government taxes (based on current rates)
EXCLUDES:
  • International and domestic flights
  • Meals not listed
  • Beverages and alcohol
  • Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
  • Optional tours
  • Single room supplement
  • Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
  • Bottled water and drinks
  • Optional tours (Olduvai Gorge and Maasai Village visit)
  • Flight out of the Serengeti
  • Holiday supplement December 20 - January 5
  • Discount for kids under 15 years old

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