5-Day Comfort Safari Experience

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), which serves domestic flights, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative from African Big Cats Safaris and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha.

You will enjoy an overnight stay at Arusha Planet Lodge, where you can relax and prepare for the safari adventure ahead.

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will depart for Tarangire National Park. The park is named after the Tarangire River, which flows through its heart and serves as the primary source of water for wildlife during the dry season—earning it the nickname “the river of warthogs.”

Tarangire’s landscapes are diverse, featuring dense vegetation, towering elephant grass, and expansive acacia woodlands. The park is especially renowned for its large elephant families, often seen gathering along the riverbanks. You may also encounter giraffes, bushbucks, and hartebeests, closely followed by predators such as lions and leopards.

Tarangire National Park boasts the highest number of breeding bird species of any park in the world, making it a paradise for bird lovers. As home to Tanzania’s largest elephant population, it offers exceptional opportunities to observe these gentle giants in their natural habitat—from playful calves to impressive bulls.

After enjoying a packed lunch and a rewarding game drive, you will proceed to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay at Eileen’s Tree Inn or a similar lodge.

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will depart for the Ngorongoro Crater. At first sight, the crater appears like a lost and untouched world, offering a truly unforgettable impression. During your game drive, you will have the opportunity to spot the endangered black rhino as well as large prides of lions roaming the crater floor.

The Ngorongoro Crater was formed two to three million years ago when a massive volcano erupted and collapsed in on itself. Today, it is celebrated for its extraordinary geological features and as a natural sanctuary that supports one of the highest densities of large mammals in Africa. The descent into the crater is an adventure in itself, and once on the crater floor, you will encounter vast herds of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, along with over 500 species of birds.

After enjoying a packed lunch, you will continue your journey to Serengeti National Park. Dinner and an overnight stay will be at Embalakai Camp.

After an early breakfast, you will set out on a game viewing drive at approximately 6:30 am, allowing for 6 to 7 hours of exploration in this remarkable park. The Serengeti is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including impalas, buffaloes, crocodiles, and hippos. It is most famous, however, for the Great Migration, involving around 250,000 zebras, 1.5 million wildebeests, and nearly half a million antelopes. The movement of these vast herds is guided by rainfall patterns and varies from year to year.

Beyond the migrating herds, the Serengeti also supports a healthy population of predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs, often seen hunting across the open plains.

At around 2:00 pm, you will depart for Karatu and check in at a carefully selected mid-range lodge. Enjoy dinner at the lodge’s well-appointed restaurant, unwind by the swimming pool if you wish, or relax with a drink by the fire beneath the endless African sky. Your spacious and comfortable room awaits for a restful overnight stay, filled with dreams of Africa’s iconic wildlife.

Overnight will be at Eileen’s Tree Inn.

An early breakfast will be served at the lodge before a short drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Located about 120 km west of Arusha, Lake Manyara is a relatively small yet remarkably diverse park, named after the shallow alkaline lake that covers nearly seventy percent of its area. This seasonal soda lake attracts thousands of flamingos and supports over 500 species of birds, making it a paradise for bird enthusiasts.

During your game drive, you may encounter monkeys, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, and elephants, and with a bit of luck, spot the park’s famous tree-climbing lions resting among the branches. Lake Manyara is also known for its varied scenery, ranging from open grassy plains and dense, primate-filled forests to dramatic cliffs dotted with ancient baobab trees.

After enjoying a packed lunch, you will return to Arusha, marking the end of your safari adventure. Arrival will be in time for your onward flight home or a connecting flight to Zanzibar.