Eight Days Safari

8 days—Unforgettable 8-Day Tanzania Safari: Witness the Big 5 in Ngorongoro and the Dramatic Mara River Crossings in Northern Serengeti.

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$2945 USD

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Safari summary

This immersive Tanzania safari focuses on the dramatic wildlife and landscapes of the region, starting with the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. This location is renowned for having one of the highest densities of predators, including lions, cheetahs, and leopards, and offers exceptional chances to spot the entire Big 5 (elephant, Cape buffalo, black rhino, lion, and leopard) within its massive caldera. Highlights here include the thousands of flamingos and hippos at Lake Magadi, providing a stunning introduction to African wildlife viewing.

The journey continues north into the vast Serengeti National Park, known for its 'endless plains' and divided into key game viewing areas. The initial focus is the north-central Lobo Area and the Grumeti River region, which is excellent for year-round sightings of non-migratory animals like elephants, buffalo, and large prides of lions and cheetahs. The itinerary then pivots to the far northern reaches of the Serengeti—the Wagakuria region near Kogatende—to target the legendary Great Migration. This area is famous for the perilous Mara River crossing, where massive herds of over a million wildebeest and zebra risk the turbulent waters and waiting crocodiles in a highly dramatic natural spectacle (typically viewed between August and October). The safari concludes with a final scenic game drive through the plains en route to the Kogatende Airstrip for a light aircraft flight back to Arusha for a farewell lunch and transfer to the airport.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Game drives
	Activity level	Easy activity
	Best months	All months
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks	Ngorongoro Crater Serengeti

Fine details

Safari highlights

Wildlife sanctuaries

What’s included?

Accommodation
Internal flights
Meals
Park fees
Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

Alcoholic beverages
All drinks
Hot air balloons
International flights
Laundry
Premium alcoholic beverages
Spa treatments
Visas

Itinerary

Transfer to Arusha Hotel

For those arriving from abroad, Reliable Tours representative will receive you at Kilimanjaro International Airport. For those already in Tanzania, they will greet you at your hotel. After briefing you on what to expect during the tour, you have the rest of the day at leisure and can enjoy dinner and a good night’s rest at your hotel.

Arusha Hotel

Arusha – Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, you will depart from Arusha for your destination in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arriving at your lodgings for the night in time for lunch. Then, you will board your safari vehicle, descending into the Ngorongoro Crater, for an afternoon of game viewing. Visitors regularly see the other members of the Big 5: elephant, Cape buffalo and rhino. Another highlight is Lake Magadi. Leaving the crater, you will return to your lodge for dinner and Overnight Stay.

Ngorongoro Crater lodge

Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast, you will descend once more into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full morning dedicated to game viewing. Leaving the crater floor late in the morning, your exploration of the Conservation Area continues. You will visit the nearby Olduvai Gorge. The day provides an excellent blend of intense nature and rich cultural exploration before you return to your breathtaking crater rim lodge for dinner and your final overnight stay.

Ngorongoro Crater lodge

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti

Departing your lodge after breakfast, your next destination is reached through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Your first lodge is in the Lobo Area, in the north-central Serengeti, your accommodation for the next 4 nights. Typically, the wildebeest migration heads northwards through this area in July-August and traverse the area in October-November, to the southern plains for calving season. Arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti National Park.

Lobo Wildlife Lodge

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti

Today’s schedule involves a full-day game drive, focusing on the area around Lobo and the Grumeti River. Lions are the most numerous large cats in the Serengeti National Park. The park’s open terrain provides cheetahs with a near-perfect habitat. Less frequently sighted, but equally beautiful, leopards are most often found in thickets or draped on the high branches of the flat-topped acacia trees that dot the plains of the region. Return to camp in time for dinner and Overnight Stay.

Lobo Wildlife Lodge

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti

Your journey starts in the northern reaches of Serengeti National Park, heading to the Wagakuria area. You will arrive at your camp for lunch before setting out on an afternoon game drive to familiarize yourself with the Northern Serengeti's unique inhabitants. The primary draw of the Wagakuria area is its intersection with the Mara River. Here, the massive herd of wildebeest and zebra gathers on the banks. You return to camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Lobo Wildlife Lodge

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti

On the penultimate day of your Serengeti adventure, you will continue our exploration of the area. With luck, you might witness the herd crossing the Mara River, although visitors are advised that this is a highly unpredictable event. On some occasions, the herd may wait on the riverbank for hours before giving up to try another day. Enjoy a final dinner under the African night sky, before retiring to bed.

Lobo Wildlife Lodge

Fly from Kogatende - Arusha airport

After breakfast, we will take you on one last game drive as we make our way to the Kogatende Airstrip. Reaching the airstrip, we will board a light aircraft for the return flight to Arusha Airport. Touching down in Arusha, our time together concludes with a delicious farewell lunch. Afterwards, it is time to say our goodbyes as you depart for home or your next adventure.

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