Overview
Discover the highlights of Northern Tanzania on this 8 days Tanzania classic safari adventure. Starting from Arusha, the journey takes you through the elephant-rich landscapes of Tarangire, the diverse ecosystems of Lake Manyara, and into the endless plains of Serengeti National Park. Experience thrilling game drives, cultural encounters at Mto wa Mbu and a Maasai village, and descend into the wildlife-dense Ngorongoro Crater. End your trip with a scenic hike and coffee experience in Materuni Village near Mount Kilimanjaro. This well-rounded itinerary offers unforgettable wildlife sightings, cultural immersion, and iconic scenery—perfect for first-time visitors and seasoned safari lovers alike.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Kilimanjaro Airport / Arusha
In this day our driver will pick you from the airport and drop you in Arusha town for dinner and overnight. Main destination: Arusha. Meals: Dinner Only.
Accommodation: Maua Villa Hotel
Day 2
Arusha / Tarangire National Park
In the morning our driver will pick you from the Arusha hotel and drive to Tarangire Park by Safari Land cruiser. You will cross the Maasai Steppe on your way to Tarangire National Park, Tanzania’s fourth largest and one of its most diverse. You will go for a full day game drive in the park enjoying viewing animals. Elephant, buffalo, and python are seen regularly. You’ll meander along bush tracks and explore the Tarangire River’s twists and turns, finding elephant drinking and playing in the refreshing waters. In the evening drive to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: Tarangire Osupuko Lodge
Day 3
Tarangire / Lake Manyara National Park
In the morning after breakfast you will make your way to Lake Manyara Park for a day game drives. Lake Manyara National Park which is among Tanzania’s smallest park. Enjoy a picnic lunch and afterwards you’ll continue with game viewing. Zebra, wildebeest, bushbuck, dik-dik and guinea fowl regularly cross your path. You’ll explore the Lake which is home of thousands of Flamingos. In the afternoon after your picnic lunch, you will drive out of the park and visit Mto wa Mbu village for cultural tour. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: The Retreat at Ngorongoro Lodge
Day 4
Karatu / Serengeti National Park
Have an early breakfast before you drive to the Serengeti's endless plains for afternoon and sunset game drives in the park. You will make your way around the southern edge of the crater rim, spotting the occasional hyena, elephant or African buffalo along the way. By late morning, you will arrive at the famed Serengeti National Park. Stop to enjoy your picnic lunch at Naabi Hill before meandering through the wildlife-rich central Serengeti. Overnight at Serengeti camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: Kubukubu tented camp
Day 5
Serengeti / Serengeti National Park
Have a full day discovering the Serengeti on a game drive. Today is the day for the big cats; you will spot cheetah, leopard and lion. You will go out for sunrise game drive at 0600am followed by breakfast at 0830am. Then head out for more game drives until lunch time. After your lunch, you will proceed with your afternoon game drive to sunset whereby you will drive back for dinner and overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: Kubukubu tented camp
Day 6
Serengeti / Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Sunrise game drives start at 06:30 am till 12:00 pm when you’ll stop for lunch. After lunch depart for the Ngorongoro Crater rim with a game drive en-route. On the way you can visit the Olduvai Gorge museum. This is optional and it will cost you an extra US$ 17 per person. Dinner and overnight will be at Ngorongoro. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Day 7
Ngorongoro Crater Floor / Arusha
Rise early for breakfast before you spend a half day exploring the Crater Floor. This remains one of the only places on earth where you may see all of the big five at once: lion, leopard, Bull Elephant, African Buffalo, and Black Rhino. To maximize your time on the crater floor, you will enjoy a special boxed lunch at a scenic picnic spot. Later in the afternoon, drive to Arusha for overnight. On the way back to Arusha you visit a Maasai village. This is complimentary from Operation Kilimanjaro team. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: Maua Villa Hotel
Day 8
Visit Materuni / Drop Off at Kilimanjaro Airport
In the morning after breakfast our driver will drive to Moshi Kilimanjaro mountain area (Materuni) for short walking tour. You will be walking through the banana farms, coffee plantation and finally you will visit the waterfalls as well as you will get great chance to learn all stages of coffee from planting, roasting to drink. Visit some local Chagga tribe in the area, taste their local brew made from ripe banana. Late in the evening you will drive back to the airport for your flight back home. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Included
- Lodge safari according to the itinerary
- Private Jeep 4×4 equipped with refrigerator, portable charging stations and pop-up roof
- Unlimited mileage game drive
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Overnight stays in Lodges
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Mineral water on all days
- All mentioned activities
- All park entrances fees
- Flying Doctors insurance (AMREF) during the safari for emergence evacuations
- All government taxes
Excluded
- Flights ( International)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips for safari guide
- Personal expenses in nature such as money for souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees etc.
- Visa fees ( 100 USD for American and 50 USD for non-American)
- Immunization documents ( yellow fever recommended for visa processing on arrivals)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and /or park fees
Need a custom itinerary?
Tell us your travel dates, group size and interests, and our Moshi team can help plan a tailored Kilimanjaro and/or safari itinerary.
- Standard trip: choose a published itinerary, request it, confirm the details with the team, then pay the confirmed deposit.
- Custom trip: share dates, group size and interests. The team plans the itinerary, sends a quotation, and confirms it before any deposit.
