Serengeti Classic Safari

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide who will be holding a personalized sign with your name. Enjoy a comfortable private transfer to your luxury hotel in Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania's northern safari circuit. After check-in and refreshments, attend a comprehensive safari briefing where your guide will explain the week ahead, answer any questions, and ensure all your equipment is ready. Evening welcome dinner featuring authentic Tanzanian cuisine, followed by time to rest and prepare for your adventure.

Early breakfast at 6:30 AM before departing for the legendary Serengeti National Park. The 5-6 hour journey takes you through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area with stunning views of the crater highlands. Stop at the Ngorongoro viewpoint for photos and wildlife spotting along the way. Enter Serengeti through Naabi Hill Gate, beginning your first game drive as you traverse the endless plains. Witness giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and if lucky, predators on the hunt. Arrive at your luxury tented lodge in time for lunch, followed by relaxation during the hottest part of the day. Late afternoon game drive focusing on the kopjes (rocky outcrops) where lions often rest. Return to lodge for dinner under the stars with sounds of the African bush surrounding you.

Wake at dawn for an unforgettable sunrise game drive when predators are most active. Track lion prides, leopards in trees, and cheetahs hunting on the plains. Depending on the season, witness the spectacular Great Migration with millions of wildebeest and zebras crossing the landscape. Your expert guide will position you for optimal wildlife photography opportunities. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic location, perhaps by a hippo pool or under an acacia tree, surrounded by the sounds and sights of the wilderness. Continue exploring different habitats - from open grasslands to riverine forests - each hosting unique wildlife. Search for the elusive leopard, watch elephant families, and marvel at the sheer abundance of animals. Evening game drive focuses on predators preparing for their nightly hunt. Return to lodge after sunset for a well-deserved dinner and share stories around the campfire.

Early morning game drive in a different section of Serengeti to maximize wildlife encounters. Track any animals you may have missed on previous days. Depart mid-morning for Ngorongoro Conservation Area, game viewing en route as you leave the Serengeti. The journey offers stunning landscapes transitioning from open plains to highland forests. Stop at Olduvai Gorge, the 'Cradle of Mankind,' for an optional museum visit to learn about early human evolution and Dr. Leakey's discoveries. Continue to Ngorongoro, ascending the outer walls of the crater. Arrive at your lodge perched on the crater rim at 2,300m altitude, offering breathtaking panoramic views. Enjoy afternoon tea while watching the sun cast golden light across the crater floor 600 meters below. Evening at leisure to explore the lodge, relax in the lounge, or simply absorb the magnificent views. Dinner with a view of the crater under a canopy of stars.

Today is the highlight of many safaris - descending into the Ngorongoro Crater, often called the 'Eighth Wonder of the World.' After an early breakfast, descend 600 meters to the crater floor, a natural sanctuary hosting approximately 25,000 large animals in an area of just 260 square kilometers. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers the best chance to see all of the Big Five in a single day - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and the rare black rhinoceros. The crater's unique ecosystem includes Lake Magadi, attracting thousands of pink flamingos, and the Lerai Forest with its resident elephants. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the hippo pool, watching these massive creatures in their natural habitat. Continue exploring the diverse habitats - from swamps to grasslands - each supporting different species. Spot hyena clans, golden jackals, and if fortunate, the elusive leopard. The crater's isolated population of wildlife has created unique behaviors worth observing. Ascend in late afternoon, taking one last look at this natural wonder. Return to lodge for farewell dinner at Ngorongoro.

After breakfast, journey to Tarangire National Park, known for having one of the highest concentrations of elephants in Africa and its distinctive landscape dotted with ancient baobab trees. Enter the park and immediately begin game viewing along the Tarangire River, a permanent water source that attracts huge elephant herds (sometimes 300+ in dry season), buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest. Watch elephants bathing in the river and digging in the dry riverbed for underground water. Tarangire is also a birder's paradise with over 550 species recorded. Look for the endemic yellow-collared lovebird and ashy starling. The park's varied landscapes include swamps, grasslands, and baobab-studded plains, each attracting different wildlife. Enjoy lunch at a picnic site with views over the Tarangire River. Afternoon game drive focuses on finding predators - lions often rest in trees, leopards hunt in thick bush, and cheetahs patrol the open areas. The park is also home to fringe-eared oryx, lesser and greater kudu, and gerenuk - species rarely seen in northern parks. Evening transfer to a lodge near Lake Manyara for your final night, with dinner and overnight stay.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast with no rush this morning. Optional morning activities include a visit to a local Maasai village for cultural immersion - learn about traditional customs, witness the famous jumping dance, see intricate beadwork, and understand their harmonious coexistence with wildlife. Alternatively, take a short morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park to see tree-climbing lions, large baboon troops, and diverse birdlife along the lake shore. Return to the lodge for brunch and time to pack and prepare for departure. Depart for Arusha in the early afternoon with a stop at a local craft market if time permits - perfect for last-minute souvenirs and supporting local artisans. Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your evening international flight, or transfer to Arusha hotel if you have a later departure. Your safari guide will assist with check-in and bid you farewell, hoping you carry home memories of an incredible Tanzanian adventure.