Notes

Recommended operator: Ariel Tanzania.
Give this itinerary to the safari company to arrange your trip. Confirm they've scheduled your accommodations and meals. Share your arrival and departure times. Make adjustments to the itinerary based on your interests and preferences. Be super clear when communicating your expectations (how much time on safari each day, start/end times, prioritize birding, relaxation, etc.).
We found that unlike us, many tourists relax and don't spend ALL day on safari, so guides may expect this. Be CRYSTAL clear in advance with your guide/company on your expectations.
Every evening before you go to bed, confirm with your guide departure time/plan for the next day. Keep a digital copy of your itinerary/communications to refer back to if necessary.
Type G adapter needed.

Day 1: Tarangire National Park

Day Safari

Arrive at the airport in Arusha. The safari guide will pick you up and begin the drive to Tarangire National Park.
Begin safari and have a packed lunch inside the park. Tarangire is the 6th largest national park in Tanzania.
Vegetation here was a bit lusher than some parks we visited — nice contrast. We saw mostly hoofed animals, plus elephants, monkeys, and a pair of mating lions.
After safari, return to the lodge for dinner.

Night Safari

Night safari escorted by your guide and park rangers (rangers required). Rangers will use spotlights to search for nocturnal wildlife.
We saw white-tail mongoose, springhare, and some animals we had seen earlier in daylight.
Return to the lodge for the night.

Day 2: Tarangire National Park → Lake Manyara National Park

Morning Tarangire Safari

Breakfast at the lodge about 30 minutes before departure for safari. Be ready — monkey commotion can be a warning sign (we missed a leopard that was right outside!).

Evening Lake Manyara Safari

Head to Lake Manyara National Park. Expect locals selling items; don’t feel pressured to buy.
Safari and packed lunch in the park. Lake Manyara is known for tree-climbing lions — a rare behavior we were lucky to see (lion sleeping in a tree).
At lunch by the lake we saw our first bloat of hippos (from a distance). After safari, travel to your accommodation near Lake Manyara for dinner and rest.

Day 3: On Route → Serengeti National Park

On Route to Serengeti

Have breakfast and depart to Serengeti. The drive is scenic; stop at the Ngorongoro Crater overlook (you'll visit the crater later).
Pass through Ngorongoro Conservation Area — watch for antelope and giraffes. Stop at the 'Birthplace of Humanity' site where early human remains were found.
Optional: cultural tour of a Maasai village. We don't strongly recommend it — ours felt pushy about purchases and separated our small group unnecessarily.

Serengeti Safari

Lunch at the Serengeti Welcome Center, then head out for safari.
In one day we saw lions, wildebeest, water buffalo, hippos, antelope, and even a serval on the drive back to camp.
After safari, enjoy dinner at camp and listen to the sounds of hyenas and wildlife at dusk — unforgettable. Many hoofed animals (and giraffes) can often be seen right from lodge porches.

Days 4–6: Serengeti National Park

Serengeti Safari

Breakfast at camp ~30 minutes before departure for full-day game drives in the Serengeti. 'Serengeti' means endless plains — animals can be seen at greater distances here.
Best chances here for leopards; we saw all of the Big 5 across our time here (lions, leopards, water buffalo, black rhino, elephants). We also witnessed lions feasting on kills.
Packed lunches in park allows more safari time; dinners at camp after returning from evening drives.

Day 7: Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater

Serengeti Morning Safari

Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater

Scenic drive to Ngorongoro Crater. Explore the area and have dinner in the lodge/hall.
Overnight: tented camp with shared bathroom and cots — affordable but less comfortable than lodges. Upgrades to lodges are available at higher cost.

Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater → End

Ngorongoro Crater Safari

Early breakfast then descend to the crater floor for your final safari. Depending on season, you may spot black rhinos (we visited in November and did not).
After the crater safari, head back toward Arusha with a lunch stop en route and arrive at the airport ~2 hours before your flight.

Tanzania

Passports and PTO