Upon Arrival in Tanzania, head through customs and immigration at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Once cleared, meet your guide in the arrivals area and transfer to your lodge to settle in for the evening. If arriving in time, opt to participate in a guided cultural and educational walk into the Usa River township to learn more about authentic life from local Tanzanians 

Located 23 kilometers from Arusha, the Usa River serves as the hub of Tanzania's Meru District, positioned between Ndurdoto Crater and Arusha National Park. This area offers easy access to diverse natural attractions. Explore the seven Momela Lakes, where you can spot pink flamingos, buffalo, and waterbuck. The park offers the opportunity to observe unique wildlife, including blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, and albino baboons, found only in this region of the northern circuit. 

Start your day with views of Mount Meru before enjoying breakfast. Pick up your packed lunch and join your driver guide for the journey to Tarangire National Park. After completing the entry formalities, begin a full-day game drive.

Located in Tanzania’s Manyara Region, Tarangire National Park features granite ridges, river valleys, diverse vegetation, and abundant wildlife. During the dry season, the Tarangire River attracts large groups of elephants, migratory wildebeest, zebras, buffalo, and gazelles, often followed by predators like lions. Spot dry-country antelope, such as oryx and gerenuk, which are uncommon in other areas. The park is known for its iconic baobab trees, scenic views of the Masaai Steppe, and the southern mountain ranges, offering unique landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Please note that this is a driving safari, and daily travel times will range from 6 to 8 hours.

Today, spend another full day exploring Tarangire National Park.

Drive to Lake Natron and arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon, take a walk to the nearby waterfalls.

Lake Natron is fed by hot springs rich in minerals and is less than three meters deep. Intense evaporation leaves behind salts and minerals, giving the water its vivid red color. Temperatures can reach up to 50°C, creating ideal conditions for the endangered Lesser Flamingo to breed. Caution is advised near the lake, as its high sodium carbonate levels can calcify wildlife. Explore the area’s rugged landscapes, including mountains, plains, and gorges. You can also climb Ol Doinyo L'Engai, an active volcano, or search for wildlife unique to the region.

Please note that this is a driving safari, and daily travel times will range from 6 to 8 hours.

Enjoy a full day of available activities in Lake Natron, including an early morning or sunset walk to the lake flats to observe lesser flamingos, take a walk back in time to observe hominid footprints within the concession area, or take an adventurous full-day hike scaling the Rift Valley wall. Other options include visiting the Maji Moto hot springs while observing the flamingos, visiting the locals in the Ngare Sero Village, learning more about the ongoing permaculture project, or enjoying a beverage at the local bar. If preferred, enjoy the natural plunge pools on the property and walk to one of the many scenic sundowner spots, enjoying the sunset overlooking Lake Natron and the Great Rift Valley. Chat with your trip planner about all the options available; some activities may incur additional costs.

Drive to Mto wa Mbu for a village walk and enjoy a local lunch. On the way to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, pass through Karatu, a small town set in Tanzania’s northern highlands. Surrounded by the Ol Deani Volcano, Karatu is a common stop for visitors exploring nearby game parks. The town offers various activities, including browsing the market, tasting local beer, visiting a traditional homestead, or joining a guided walk through Ngorongoro Forest to explore waterfalls and caves. Whether seeking cultural experiences, hiking, or a peaceful break between game drives, Karatu provides diverse options.

Please note that this is a driving safari, and daily travel times will range from 6 to 8 hours.

After breakfast and pick up your packed lunch, meet your driver guide and travel to Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. In the evening, drive to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Please note that this is a driving safari, and daily travel times will range from 6 to 8 hours.

The true highlight of visiting the Serengeti is witnessing the annual spectacle of the Great Migration. Based on the timing of your visit and the location of the Great Migration our Trip Planners will help determine the best locations to visit to have a chance to experience this natural phenomenon. Each region has its own best time to visit and highlights to reveal. 

From July to November, the northern Serengeti is the most likely location to see the migration. Located between the Central Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve to the north, the Northern Serengeti is a remote African wildlife wonderland. The vast, rolling savannah of the Northern Serengeti, is known as the hub of the great migration. The landscape is characterized by vast stretches of savannah interspersed with acacia trees and riverine woodlands. Wildlife can be seen along the banks of the Mara River and visitors can view the annual spectacle of the half a million migrating wildebeest. Commonly spotted wildlife includes a multitude of plains game such as buffalo, zebra, gazelles, impala, and giraffe as well as lion and leopard. 

During May, June, and December, you will likely base out of the central Serengeti - The Seronera region is set directly on the Great Migration route and offers excellent viewing of this incredible annual event when countless wildebeest flood the area and move across the plains. While migratory game populations fluctuate seasonally, Seronera is still a wildlife hotspot at other times of the year, sheltering the Big Five, among many other species. 

Finally, from January through March, consider visiting Ndutu in the Southern Serengeti. Set in the Arusha Region, Ndutu is situated in the northern part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area within the magnificent Serengeti. The surrounding landscapes are covered in sweeping grasslands which provide the perfect habitat for the migratory route for hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, antelope, and zebra. Explore the forest around Lake Ndutu, spotting an array of wildlife, and visiting the fascinating archaeological site at the Olduvai Gorge. Don’t miss the opportunity to jump on a game drive to view the spectacular herds of the annual Great Migration, enjoy a scenic hot air balloon ride over the plains, or take a guided tour with the local Maasai and learn about culture and traditions. Other commonly spotted species include leopard, lion, cheetah, caracal, serval, African wildcat, and a variety of prolific birdlife.

Wake to the sounds of the African bush, and head out on an early morning game drive to catch the animals at their most active. On return to your camp, enjoy a typical safari breakfast surrounded by local wildlife. Later, on your afternoon game drive, the chances to spot Africa’s famous Big Five abound, thanks to the park’s density of both predators and prey.

Please note that this is a driving safari, and daily travel times will range from 6 to 8 hours.

After breakfast and check out, transfer to the Airstrip for your flight to Arusha. Met on arrival and transfer to Arusha for lunch and after lunch drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back home.