8 Days Exciting Tanzania Safari Itinerary
The 8 Days Exciting Tanzania Safari Itinerary will take you for an exploration of the unique Lake Natron which is hot with a temperature frequently above 400C. You will also have an encounter with the Tree climbing lions of Lake Manyara National Park, enjoy the endless plains of the Serengeti as well as the Big 5 mammals of Ngorongoro Crater.
Safari destinations
Lake Natron
A salt or Soda Lake in the Northern Tanzania found within the Great East African rift near Lake Manyara National Park. The lake is a safe breeding place for flamingoes because of its caustic environment and temperature of up to 600C. The lake has a maximum length of 57km and 22km wide, and it experiences evaporation over time leaving behind a high concentration of salt and other minerals. Lake Natron is termed dangerous because of its high concentration of cyanobacteria which is found in its water, this releases a chemical which can damage the cells, nervous system and livers of most animals that have consumed it though the lesser flamingoes find it a safe breeding place.
Serengeti National Park
Located in the Northern region of Tanzania and it was established in 1952. The park covers an area of 14763sqkm making it home to over 70 mammal species like dik-dik, Oryx, greater Kudu, Hyenas, Hippos, bushbuck, Jackals, giraffes, Janet cats, Baboons, Giraffes, elands, spring hare, porcupine, warthog, Hyraxes, vervet monkeys, Colobus monkeys, patas monkeys, and mongooses and also Africa’s Big 5 mammals which are lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and Rhinos. Serengeti National park also boosts of over 500 bird species including Grey-Breasted spur fowl, Fischer’s lovebird, Rufous-tailed weaver, Usambiro barbet, Grey-crested helmet-shrike, Kori Bustard, Red-capped robin-chat, Secretary bird, Verreaux’s eagle, Yellow-throated sand grouse among others. Serengeti National Park is well known for its annual Wildebeest Migration of over 1,500,000 and 250,000 Zebras which occur between the months of July and October.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Located in the Northern part of Tanzania on the Eastern Great Rift Valley Arm which is managed by Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. The Conservation area was officially established in 1959 and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and it is part of the Serengeti Ecosystem. Ngorongoro’s main attraction is the Ngorongoro Crater which is the World’s largest intact and unfilled Volcanic Caldera with over 25,000 mammals including wildebeests, hippos, warthogs, hyenas, zebras, elands, gazelles, and the Big 5 mammal species which are lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos as well as buffaloes and over 100 bird species co-existing with the Semi-nomadic Maasai people.
Lake Manyara National Park
Located in Arusha and it is part of the Northern Circuits of National parks in Tanzania. The park was established in 1960 and it covers an area of 330sqkm. Lake Manyara National Park is famously known for its tree climbing lions and it is home to various mammal species like the famous tree climbing lions, klipspringer, elephants, warthogs, impalas, Buffaloes, hippos, gazelles, lions, leopards among others. The park is also home to over 400 bird species including native and migrating bird species like the pink flamingos that give color to Lake Manyara, ostriches, storks, hornbills, crowned eagles, pelicans, herons, grey crowned cranes, crested guinea fowl, secretary birds and the silvery cheeked hornbills among others.
Day 1: Arrival and Pick up from Arusha – Transfer to Lake Natron
The 8 Days Exciting Tanzania Safari Itinerary will start with a pick up from Arusha by our Professional driver guide from Paradise Adventure Vacations who will meet and greet you, he will then brief you about your Safari and thereafter embark on a drive to Lake Natron which is about 4 hours drive. Upon arrival you will check into your accommodation for a delicious lunch and then later in the afternoon, you will proceed for a hike up to Ngare siro waterfall which will rejuvenate your body and if you wish you can swim in the waters. Later you will return back to your accommodation for your dinner as well as an overnight.
Location: Lake Natron
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Africa Safari Lake Natron Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 2: Morning Exploration of Lake Natron – Transfer to Serengeti National Park – Relaxation
Your day 2 of the 8 Days Exciting Tanzania Safari Itinerary will start with a lovely morning breakfast and thereafter you will explore the beauty of Lake Natron, this includes bird watching and flamingo walks, you will as well enjoy the breathtaking views of Ol’doinyo Lengai Volcano, Lake Natron is home to over 250 species of birds most of which can be seen from the comfort of the camp itself or just a short walk away. You will see over 2.5 million of lesser flamingoes resting on the shores of the Lake and it is believed that about 75% of the World’s population of lesser flamingoes are born at Lake Natron. You will return for your lunch and thereafter transfer to Serengeti National Park located about 3 hours away from Lake Natron and upon arrival you will check in for your dinner and an overnight.
Location: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 3: Serengeti National Park – Full day Game drive
Your day 3 of the 8 Days Exciting Tanzania Safari Itinerary will start with a delicious morning breakfast and thereafter you will proceed for a full day game drive in the land of endless plains. You will drive through the classic savannah dotted with acacia and filled with plenty of wildlife including the Big 5 mammals which are lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos. Later you will return for your dinner and an overnight.
Location: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 4: Serengeti National Park – Morning Maasai Community Encounter – Afternoon Game Drive
After delighting on your breakfast, you will proceed for a Cultural Encounter with the Maasai Community living near the park for a rich encounter which will give you the definition of a true African Culture. You will learn about their culture, norms, dress codes and return to your lodge for a finger-licking lunch. In the late afternoon, you will proceed for a game drive until sunset. This game drive through the endless rolling plains of Serengeti will give you sights of different wildlife species among which include Hippos, bushbuck, lions, Jackals, giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, Janet cats, Baboons, Giraffes, elands, spring hare, porcupine, warthog, Hyraxes among others. For the bird lovers, Serengeti National Park also offers bird species like the Grey-Breasted spur fowl, Fischer’s lovebird, Rufous-tailed weaver, Usambiro barbet, Grey-crested helmet-shrike, Kori Bustard, Red-capped robin-chat, Secretary bird among others since the bird checklist within the park is over 500 species.
Location: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 5: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater with Game drive
Your day 5 of the Safari will start with a lovely breakfast and thereafter you will transfer to Ngorongoro Crater which is about 4 hours from Serengeti National Park. When you first see Ngorongoro Crater, it looks like a forgotten world. Concealed by the steep volcanic walls is a pristine wilderness including sweeping savannah, pockets of acacia woodland, glistening lakes and swamps. The Ngorongoro Crater created when a large Volcano exploded and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago.
The drive down into the Crater is an adventure itself and when you reach the Crater floor, you will quickly find yourself amongst large numbers of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, and more than 500 bird species. The Crater provides you with the best chance of seeing the endangered black rhino sometimes spotted in the open grasslands. After a full afternoon inside the Crater, you will head to your accommodation for dinner as well as an overnight.
Location: Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 6: Ngorongoro Game Drive – Drive to Eyasi – Hadzabe Community Encounter
Wake up early morning on your day 6 of the Safari and have breakfast. You will thereafter descend into the Crater floor which is about 260 sqkm with a depth of over 2000 feet. This 5 hours game drive on the crater floor shows you a lot of wildlife action not to be missed therefore keep your Cameras ready. The African elephant, Black rhino, buffalos, Hippos, Cheetahs, Hyenas, and Lions are found in plenty.
You will later begin a steep ascend to the top exit of the crater and then transfer to Eyasi where you will have a hearty lunch. Lake Eyasi is a famous soda lake near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and it offers a very different experience from national park Safaris in the Northern circuit. Its location is famous for being home to the Hadzabe, the last hunter-gatherers of East Africa whose practices have remained the same for over 10,000 years. You will visit the Hadzabe Community to get a feel and experience of their daily life.
Location: Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 7: Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park – Full day Exploration
After your lovely breakfast, you will embark on a drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Manyara, a relatively small but diverse park 120km west of Arusha, named for the shallow salt lake that occupies a good 70% of the park’s lands. Flooding and drying seasonally, this soda lake is home to thousands of flamingos and over 500 other bird species. On our exploration of the park, we shall see monkeys, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, elephants and with some luck, we shall also see lions lounging in the trees. The park known for its diverse landscapes, not only open grassy plains but also primate-filled woodlands and baobab dotted cliffs. After our full day in the park, we will drive to our lodgings where we will have relaxation and also enjoy a sumptuous meal with our comfortable quarters awaiting us.
Location: Lake Manyara National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 8: Morning Game Drive – Transfer back to Arusha
You will wake up early morning on your final day of the Safari and thereafter go on a game drive through the different trails of the park. View various wildlife including zebras, klipspringer, elephants, warthogs, impalas, Buffaloes, hippos, gazelles, leopards and if lucky you may also see the tree climbing lions resting on tree branches. Then return for your lovely delicious breakfast and then later check out and return back to Arusha for your departure flight back home. Thank you so much for specifically choosing Paradise Adventure Vacations on the 8 Days Exciting Tanzania Safari Itinerary and we hope to see you again!!!
Location: Arusha
Accommodation Option: No
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Our Safari Vehicles Seating Plan - 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser Extended
All our Safari vehicles are Toyota Land-cruiser 4×4 with pop-up roofs. The vehicles are serviced and maintained to a very high standard before, during and after every safari. Paradise Adventure Vacations Ltd offering all-wheel drive safari vehicles suitable for off-road driving, which enable travelers to discover the magical areas of East Africa in a pleasant and reliable manner.
Our fleet consists of 4×4 Toyota Land cruisers with a hinged roof and skylights above the front seats. The hinged roof offers two main advantages: it provides shade without restricting the view, so that you can enjoy your safari even in the very sunny hours of the day. It also allows a 360-degree all-round view.
Our Vehicles Are Equipped With:
- Adjustable comfortable seats
- Electric refrigerator for drinks
- High-performance shock absorbers
- Tool & first aid kit
- Adapters and battery chargers
Due to the difficult ground and road conditions inside and outside the national parks and wildlife reserves, a four-wheel drive vehicle is not only recommended, but also crucial for an eventful safari.
