12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari

Arusha City is the starting point for your 12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari Road trip which will cover many kilometres and vastly varying terrains. There is no shortage of wildlife on your safari adventure and you are in safe hands with our aptly experienced, highly knowledgeable 12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari driver-guide. When your 12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari Road trip comes to an end and you board the plane back to Arusha, you can peer out over the wings of the plane and see the Serengeti from a different angle. The perfect time to reflect on some of your greatest memories in life.

12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari Highlights

• Day 1: Pick Up from Arusha and Transfer to Africa Safari Rift Valley
• Day 2: Full-day Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park
• Day 3: Full-day Game Drive in Tarangire National Park
• Day 4: Visit a Maasai Boma at Mto Wa Mbu
• Day 5: Relaxing with Optional Activities
• Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater
• Day 7: Full-day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
• Day 8: Afternoon Walking Safari, Sundowner and Night Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
• Day 9: Game Drive to Northern Serengeti National Park
• Day 10: Game Drive in Pololeti Game Reserve
• Day 11: Full-day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
• Day 12: Safari Transfer to Seronera Airstrip – Flight to Arusha

Detailed 12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Pick Up from Arusha and Transfer to Africa Safari Rift Valley

Arusha is the 12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari capital of the country and a bustling tourism-driven city. You will be met by your 12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari driver-guide guide in Arusha and together, you will begin the transfer to Africa Safari Rift Valley. Without stops, the drive will take approximately 2 hours. On arrival, you will have time to refresh and explore the expansive surroundings of the accommodation before finishing the day with dinner under the stars and a good night’s sleep in one of our comfy accommodations.

• Main Destination: Arusha (City)
• Accommodation: Africa Safari Rift Valley (Safari Luxury Accommodation)
• Meals & Drinks: Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included), Drinks not included

Day 2: Full-day Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park

You only need to open your eyes and walk to the restaurant to enjoy the expansive views of Lake Manyara. After breakfast, your 12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari driver-guide will take you to the entry gates of Lake Manyara National Park which offers a big ecological variety in a more condensed area. From the entrance of the park, the road winds through a groundwater forest area where baboons can be seen lounging in the trees. The mahogany and acacia trees are inhabited by the famous tree-climbing lions, if you’re lucky you might spot them lazing on a tree branch.

As you make your way to the open grassy banks of the lake you will be able to see wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, and large buffaloes in abundance, grazing away. The lake itself is home to more than 400 species of birds thriving at the water’s edge, including the thousands of strolling flamingos. Between all this beauty you have a lunch break and at the end of the afternoon, you’ll drive back to Africa Safari Rift Valley for dinner and and sleep.

• Main Destination: Lake Manyara National Park
• Accommodation: Africa Safari Rift Valley (Safari Luxury Accommodation)
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; Drinks not included

Day 3: Full-day Game Drive in Tarangire National Park

After a good night’s sleep, today is the ‘day of the elephants. Tarangire is an hour’s drive from the lodge and presents quite a different landscape to Lake Manyara. The hilly savannah together with the Tarangire River makes this the favourite park for large herds of elephants. During the dry season (June – October), the Tarangire River is the only source of water available, making it a popular spot not just for the elephants but a variety of small hoofed animals and an abundance of birdlife. Lions, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, and monkeys all roam the park, waiting for the ‘perfect picture’ opportunity! The night is spent at Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

• Main Destination: Tarangire National Park
• Accommodation: Africa Safari Lake Manyara (Safari Comfort)
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; Drinks not included

Day 4: Visit a Maasai Boma at Mto Wa Mbu

Time to take it easy—African style! One of the favorite Swahili expressions is polepole (slow slow) and that’s exactly how today will go! You may wish to sleep in following several busy days filled with activities and travel or perhaps enjoy a second easy coffee while watching the animals graze near the restaurant. After breakfast, you will visit the traditional home of the Maasai, the Maasai Boma—which consists of a variety of small huts made of mud, sticks, and cow dung.

The boma is surrounded by a circular “fence” of thorny bushes to protect the tribe and their cattle from predators. During your visit, you can practice a traditional dance, engage in a conversation about daily life, traditions and customs, and admire the beautiful beadworks of the Maasai women. The remainder of the day can be spent in relaxation mode; take a refreshing swim in the pool, read a book and before you know it, it is time for a meal with fresh vegetables from our garden.

• Main Destination: Mto Wa Mbu (Town)
• Accommodation: Africa Safari Lake Manyara (Safari Comfort)
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; Drinks not included

Day 5: Relaxing with Optional Activities

A day of rest and relaxation or an extra excursion (not included). You can take a stroll through the camp, enjoy the view, read a book, or have an afternoon snooze while taking time to process recent impressions. Meals will be served in the restaurant while enjoying the view of the birds and animals as they pass by. After lunch, make yourself ready for your transfer to Karatu. Your overnight stay will be at Africa Safari Karatu.

• Main Destination: Karatu District
• Accommodation: Africa Safari Karatu (Safari Comfort Bungalow)
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; Drinks not included

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater

Be sure to wake up early today, so there is no delay on your descent into the famous Ngorongoro Crater. As soon as you arrive in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you will be amazed by the beauty around you. Even more so when you arrive at the edge of the crater and take in the amazing view over one of the Natural Wonders of the World. The crater of this inactive volcano is approximately 3 million years old, 20 sq km in size and the largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world.

Due to its natural borders, the wildlife in the crater is amazing. The crater is home to the Big Five and offers a good chance to spot the rare black rhinos. Throw hyenas, zebras, buffaloes, and elephants into the mix, and you have the perfect canvas for a pretty awesome safari experience. At the end of the afternoon, you will head back to the lodge, Africa Safari Lake Manyara, for a well-deserved night’s sleep.

• Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
• Accommodation: Africa Safari South Serengeti (Safari Comfort)
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; Drinks not included

Day 7: Full-day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park

Today you have a long and rewarding drive ahead of you to central Serengeti. Along the drive, you will be able to spot giraffes, zebras, and other animals. Prepare to be amazed when you catch your first glimpse of the endless plains of the Serengeti. When you arrive at our Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma Lodge, you will have already had your first glimpse of the 14,000+ sq km that make up the wonder that is Serengeti National Park.

• Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
• Accommodation: Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma (Safari Comfort)
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; Drinks not included

Day 8: Afternoon Walking Safari, Sundowner and Night Game Drive in Serengeti National Park

You will enjoy a bit of a sleep-in and an easy morning around the campgrounds, read a book on the patio, or simply make the most of having some downtime. This afternoon, you will be making a walking safari. A truly unique experience, where you will have the opportunity to explore new territory and follow the animals on foot, accompanied by your very own armed ranger. The walking safari takes approximately 2 hours and ends with a sundowner while overlooking the Serengeti.

Then back to the accommodation for a quick dinner and join in on a thrilling 12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari adventure; a night game drive. A spotlight is fitted to the vehicle and before you know it you catch the first reflections of the animal’s eyes. The night is another world altogether out there; interesting action of the nocturnal animals, different shades and shadows, and unknown sounds. Typical animals of the night are bushbabies, civets and genet cats, a rare aardvark or porcupine, and others.

• Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
• Accommodation: Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma (Safari Comfort)
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; Drinks not included

Day 9: Game Drive to Northern Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, you will begin your 12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari for the day, heading north. The journey begins cruising along dirt tracks lined by shrubby savannah, the habitat of impala and giraffe. After a while, you will reach the Lobo area where the landscape opens up to a mix of grasslands, rivers, hills, and forests. Depending on the movement of the migration, you might even make your way further north to forests of acacia trees and dense bush.

The area is permanently inhabited by many animals, both herbivores and carnivores. This northern section is less frequented than the southern and central parts of the Serengeti, allowing for fewer cars on the road and a more ‘exclusive’ safari experience. At the end of the day, you will leave the park through Klein’s gate. After a few kilometres, find another surprise; Maasai culture in its full glory. You’ll spend the night at Africa Safari Maasai Boma in a modern-style version of a traditional Maasai earth house with an en-suite bathroom and king-sized bed.

• Main Destination: Northern Serengeti National Park
• Accommodation: Africa Safari Maasai Boma (Safari Comfort Bungalow)
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; Drinks not included

Day 10: Game Drive in Pololeti Game Reserve

After a good breakfast at Africa Safari Maasai Boma, you will depart on your game drive in Pololeti Game Reserve. Your 12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari driver-guide will take you exploring, following the movement of resident wildlife. There will be a stop for a nice picnic lunch along the way.

• Main Destination: Northern Serengeti National Park
• Accommodation: Africa Safari Maasai Boma (Safari Comfort Bungalow)
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; Drinks not included

Day 11: Full-day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park

Today, you will enjoy another full-day game drive in Serengeti National Park. Throughout the day, you will explore the surroundings of a well-known phenomenon; the yearly crossing of the migration. Depending on the rainfall and your travel dates, you may have the opportunity to witness this spectacle of nature. In this expansive landscape, watered by several rivers, the game is there for viewing in large numbers. You are highly likely to cross paths with giraffes, hippos, elands, and elephants.

• Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
• Accommodation: Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma (Safari Comfort)
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; Drinks not included

Day 12: Safari Transfer to Seronera Airstrip – Flight to Arusha

After a good night’s sleep, this morning it is departure time. After the last game drive, your vehicle will be taking you to the Seronera Airstrip for your flight back to Arusha Airport. After boarding the aircraft, your 12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari trip nears the end, but you can still peer out over the wings of the plane and enjoy the magnificent views while flying over Serengeti National Park. Admire the changing scenery of the Great Rift Valley. You will land at Arusha Airport with a camera full of pictures to share with friends and family and look back on the amazing memories created by your African endeavour!

• Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
• Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
• Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included), Drinks not included

End of 12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari

12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

• Park fees (For non-residents)
• All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
• All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
• A professional 12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari driver/guide
• All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
• All flights during the tour
• All Taxes/VAT
• Roundtrip airport transfer
• Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Safari Exclusions

• International flights (From/to home)
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
• Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
• Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
• Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
• Drinks

12-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari Quotation for Two Persons Sharing