Unforgettable 9-Day Tanzania Safari Big Cats

Unforgettable 9-Day Tanzania Safari Big Cats

Offered by: USD Safaris & Tours
4.9/5 (1600 Reviews)
Journey Snapshot
🗺 Tanzania ⏱ 9 days 🚙 4x4 Pop-up Roof
Arusha Lake Manyara Serengeti Ngorongoro Tarangire and Lake Eyasi
Big Five Wildlife Serengeti Safari with i artist adventure offers an exclusive journey across Tanzania’s Serengeti, where luxury meets raw wilderness. This Big Five Wildlife Serengeti Safari brings you face to face with lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos in their natural habitat. Enjoy immersive game drives, vast golden plains, and unforgettable wildlife encounters in the heart of Africa’s most iconic safari destination.

Route

Start Arusha (Day 1)
Day 2 Lake Manyara
Day 3 Serengeti
Day 4 Ngorongoro
Day 5 Tarangire
End and Lake Eyasi

Tour Features

Day 1: Arusha National Park Day 2: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park Day 3: Karatu to Central Serengeti National Park Day 4: Central Serengeti National Park Day 5: Central Serengeti National Park Day 6: Central Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Highlands Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Day 8: Karatu to Tarangire National Park Day 9: Lake Eyasi to Arusha for Departure

Activities & Transportation

  • Route: Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Lake Eyasi
  • Duration: 9 Days
  • Getting around: 4x4 safari vehicle (pop-up roof)
  • Transfers: airport pick-up & drop-off can be included

Accommodation & Meals

Day
Accommodation
Meals
1
Arusha Farm House > Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City) View hotel
All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
2
Karatu Villas Lodge > Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Lake Manyara NP View hotel
All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
3
Tukaone Weavers Camp > Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP View hotel
Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
4
Tukaone Weavers Camp > Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP View hotel
Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
5
Tukaone Weavers Camp > Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP View hotel
All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
6
Karatu Villas Lodge > Mid-range lodge located in Karatu (Town) View hotel
All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
7
Karatu Villas Lodge > Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater View hotel
All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
8
Farm of Dreams Lodge > Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP View hotel
All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
9
No accommodation (End of tour)
Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks

Day by Day

Day 1 Arusha National Park
Morning 🏨Arusha Farm House > Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City) 🍽All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Your safari begins upon arrival in Arusha, where you are warmly welcomed and transferred to Arusha Farm House for check-in and a short rest in a peaceful countryside setting. In the afternoon, head to Arusha National Park for your first game drive. Though small, the park offers diverse landscapes including montane forests, open savannah, lakes, and the Ngurdoto Crater. Enjoy sightings of giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, warthogs, and colobus monkeys, all set against the stunning backdrop of Mount Meru. After the game drive, return to Arusha Farm House for dinner and an overnight stay. Relax, unwind, and reflect on your first wildlife experience as your safari adventure begins.
Day 2 Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
Morning 🏨Karatu Villas Lodge > Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Lake Manyara NP 🍽All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
After breakfast in Arusha, journey toward Lake Manyara National Park, a scenic gem set beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Enter the park for a game drive through lush forests, open plains, and the shimmering soda lake. Discover elephants, giraffes, zebras, and the famous tree-climbing lions, while flocks of flamingos color the shoreline. In the late afternoon, continue to Karatu for dinner and an overnight stay surrounded by peaceful highland scenery.
Day 3 Karatu to Central Serengeti National Park
Morning 🏨Tukaone Weavers Camp > Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP 🍽Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Begin the day with breakfast before driving through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, descending into the vast plains of Serengeti National Park. As you enter Central Serengeti, wildlife begins to unfold across endless golden grasslands. Enjoy a game drive en route to your camp, spotting lions, elephants, and grazing herds. Settle in for dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti wilderness.
Day 4 Central Serengeti National Park
Morning 🏨Tukaone Weavers Camp > Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP 🍽Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Wake up to the sounds of the wild and spend a full day exploring Central Serengeti. Follow predators on the move, watch large herds of wildebeest and zebras, and witness the rich ecosystem that defines the Serengeti. Picnic lunch in the bush keeps you close to nature throughout the day. As the sun sets, return to camp for dinner and a peaceful overnight stay under the African sky at your accommodation.
Day 5 Central Serengeti National Park
Morning 🏨Tukaone Weavers Camp > Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP 🍽All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Another full day unfolds in Central Serengeti, offering deeper exploration of its rich wildlife zones. Track big cats, observe elephants crossing the plains, and enjoy the drama of nature at every turn. Each game drive reveals new encounters and unforgettable scenery. Return to camp in the evening for dinner and overnight, surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.
Day 6 Central Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Highlands
Morning 🏨Karatu Villas Lodge > Mid-range lodge located in Karatu (Town) 🍽All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Enjoy an early morning game drive in Central Serengeti, capturing final sightings of wildlife as the plains come alive. After breakfast, depart the park with a picnic lunch, continuing your scenic journey through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, take in sweeping views of rolling highlands, volcanic landscapes, and Maasai villages that define this remarkable region. Arrive in Karatu in the late afternoon and check in at Karatu Villa, located just outside the Ngorongoro Gate in a peaceful setting surrounded by nature. Relax after the journey, enjoy dinner at the lodge, and unwind as you prepare for the next day’s adventure to the Ngorongoro Crater.
Day 7 Ngorongoro Crater
Morning 🏨Karatu Villas Lodge > Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater 🍽All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
After an early breakfast, descend into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. Explore its rich ecosystem filled with lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and the rare black rhino. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor surrounded by breathtaking views. In the late afternoon, ascend and return to Karatu for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8 Karatu to Tarangire National Park
Morning 🏨Farm of Dreams Lodge > Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP 🍽All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Depart after breakfast for Tarangire National Park, known for its giant baobab trees and large elephant herds. Enjoy a full game drive along the Tarangire River, where wildlife gathers in abundance. Spot lions, giraffes, zebras, and diverse birdlife across sweeping landscapes. In the evening, return to Karatu for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9 Lake Eyasi to Arusha for Departure
Morning 🏨No accommodation (End of tour) 🍽Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
After breakfast at the lodge, you will drive to Lake Eyasi, a seasonal soda lake located at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Lake Eyasi is a quiet and scenic destination known for its beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage. The area is home to the Hadzabe, one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer communities in Africa, as well as the Datoga, who are well known for their traditional blacksmith skills. A visit here offers a unique cultural experience and insight into traditional ways of life. After the visit, you will transfer back to Arusha or proceed directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight, depending on your schedule.

Rates

From: $3,793 pp (USD)
Final quote depends on date, travelers and lodge level.

No upcoming group dates found in database (group_climbs).

Inclusions

Included
  • Park fees (For non-residents)
  • All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Roundtrip airport transfer
  • Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Exclusions

Not included
  • International flights (From/to home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (Tipping guideline US$25.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Note: Some items may vary depending on season and lodge level.

Getting There

Start: Arusha

End: and Lake Eyasi

We can arrange airport pick-up and drop-off. Ask in your quote request.

Offered By

USD Safaris & Tours
USD Safaris & Tours
4.9/5 • 1600 reviews