Experience the spectacular wildlife, landscapes and cultural heritage of Tanzania on this 11 Days Ultimate Tanzania National Parks Safari. This carefully designed Tanzania safari takes you through some of the country’s most celebrated northern safari destinations, including Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park. Tanzania’s northern safari circuit is renowned for its diverse wildlife and dramatic scenery, with Tarangire particularly famous for elephants and baobab landscapes, Lake Manyara for its varied habitats and tree-climbing lions, and Serengeti for its vast plains, Big Five wildlife and Great Migration. You will enjoy extensive game drives, wildlife photography, scenic viewpoints and opportunities to experience the remarkable ecosystems of northern Tanzania. The safari combines comfortable accommodation, expert guiding and carefully planned transfers to create an unforgettable Tanzania wildlife safari.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha and Safari Briefing
Your Tanzania safari begins with arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, where you will be welcomed by a representative from Silverback Tour. You will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha, the popular gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. After checking in, you will have time to relax following your journey and enjoy the surroundings of this vibrant safari town. Your guide will provide a detailed briefing about the safari programme, including the national parks you will visit, expected wildlife experiences and general safari guidelines. Depending on your arrival time, you may have an opportunity to explore parts of Arusha or simply enjoy the facilities at your hotel. Dinner and overnight accommodation will prepare you for the exciting wildlife adventure beginning the following morning.
Accommodation: Gran Melia Arusha, Arusha Coffee Lodge, Mount Meru Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, you will depart Arusha and drive towards Tarangire National Park for your first major wildlife experience. Tarangire is one of Tanzania’s most distinctive safari destinations, famous for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and diverse wildlife. Upon entering the park, you will begin a game drive through woodland, grassland and areas surrounding the Tarangire River, where wildlife frequently gathers. You may encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, impalas and numerous bird species as your guide searches for interesting sightings. After a picnic or lodge lunch, you will continue exploring the park during the afternoon, with opportunities for wildlife photography and scenic stops. You will later proceed to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Accommodation: Tarangire Safari Lodge, Sangaiwe Tented Lodge, Maramboi Tented Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Full-Day Tarangire National Park Safari
Today is dedicated to an extensive Tarangire National Park game drive, giving you more time to explore this fascinating wildlife sanctuary. The park’s combination of savannah, woodland, seasonal wetlands and the Tarangire River creates a variety of habitats supporting an impressive range of animals. You will set out after breakfast with your experienced guide, who will select routes according to current wildlife activity and road conditions. Elephants are among the park’s major attractions, while lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and various antelope species may also be encountered. Bird enthusiasts can enjoy watching the park’s diverse birdlife as you move through different habitats. After lunch, you will continue your afternoon game drive before returning to your accommodation for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Tarangire Safari Lodge, Sangaiwe Tented Lodge, Maramboi Tented Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, you will leave Tarangire and travel towards Lake Manyara National Park, located along the northern Tanzania safari circuit at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. On arrival, you will begin a game drive through the park’s diverse landscapes, which include groundwater forests, open floodplains, woodland and the alkaline lake. Lake Manyara is particularly known for tree-climbing lions, elephants, large numbers of birds and scenic Rift Valley surroundings. You may also see buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, baboons and blue monkeys during your exploration. After lunch, you will continue with the game drive and enjoy opportunities for wildlife photography and bird watching. In the evening, you will leave the park and proceed to your accommodation in the Manyara or Karatu area.
Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge, Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
You will begin the day with breakfast before departing towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The journey takes you through picturesque landscapes surrounding the Great Rift Valley, with opportunities to enjoy views of local villages, farmland and the highlands. Depending on the agreed programme, you may visit a local cultural attraction or stop at a scenic viewpoint overlooking the surrounding countryside. You will continue towards the Ngorongoro highlands and check into your accommodation near the crater rim or in the Karatu area. The afternoon can be spent relaxing, enjoying the views or preparing for the following day’s crater safari. Ngorongoro forms an important part of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit and is recognised by the Tanzania Tourist Board as one of the country’s major natural attractions. You will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in preparation for an early start into the crater.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Farm House, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Big Five Safari
Today you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for one of the most memorable experiences on your Tanzania safari. After an early breakfast, your guide will drive towards the crater descent road before entering the spectacular natural amphitheatre below. The crater contains a remarkable variety of habitats, creating opportunities to encounter lions, buffaloes, elephants, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles and other wildlife. With patience and good timing, you may also have an opportunity to search for the endangered black rhinoceros. The dramatic crater walls, grasslands, wetlands and woodland provide an exceptional setting for wildlife photography and sightseeing. You will enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated location before continuing your crater exploration. Later in the afternoon, you will ascend from the crater and return to your accommodation for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Farm House, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will depart the Ngorongoro area and travel towards the legendary Serengeti National Park. As you leave the highlands, the scenery gradually changes into expansive grasslands and open plains, creating a spectacular transition into the Serengeti ecosystem. Serengeti is one of Tanzania’s most famous wildlife destinations and is renowned for its vast plains, diverse wildlife and the Great Migration. Once you enter the park, your journey becomes an exciting game drive as you travel towards your lodge or camp. Your guide will watch for wildlife along the route, potentially including wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes and various predators. You will arrive at your accommodation later in the day, enjoy dinner and relax while surrounded by the atmosphere of the Serengeti wilderness.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Simba Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Full-Day Serengeti National Park Wildlife Safari
Today you will enjoy a full-day Serengeti wildlife safari exploring different areas of this spectacular national park. You will depart early in the morning when wildlife is often active, giving you an excellent opportunity to observe predators and herbivores beginning their day. Serengeti supports the Big Five, alongside large populations of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and other wildlife. Depending on the season and current wildlife movements, your guide will select suitable areas for game viewing and photography. You will enjoy a packed lunch or lunch at an appropriate location before continuing the afternoon game drive. The endless plains, rocky kopjes, rivers and grasslands provide a spectacular backdrop for your safari experience. You will return to your lodge or camp in the evening for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Simba Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Serengeti Wildlife and Great Migration Experience
Your ninth day provides another opportunity to explore the Serengeti and search for some of Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife. After breakfast, you will head out with your guide for another extended game drive across the plains and wildlife-rich areas. If your safari coincides with the appropriate season and location, you may witness parts of the Great Migration as wildebeest and zebras move through the Serengeti ecosystem. The migration is a natural phenomenon whose location changes throughout the year, so your guide will use local knowledge to identify promising wildlife areas. You will also have opportunities to search for lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, elephants and buffaloes. After lunch, continue exploring the park before returning to camp in the late afternoon. Your final Serengeti evening will provide time to relax, enjoy dinner and reflect on your wildlife experiences.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Simba Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Serengeti to Arusha
After breakfast, you will enjoy a final morning game drive in Serengeti before beginning your journey back towards Arusha. This final game drive provides another opportunity to photograph the Serengeti landscape and search for wildlife along the route. Depending on your travel arrangements, you may travel by road or use an internal flight from the Serengeti to an airport serving the Arusha area, with the exact arrangement depending on the agreed package. If travelling by road, you will enjoy changing scenery as you leave the Serengeti ecosystem and travel towards northern Tanzania. On arrival in Arusha, you will check into your hotel and have time to relax after the safari. You may spend the evening exploring the town or enjoying the hotel’s facilities. Dinner and overnight accommodation will provide a comfortable final night before your departure.
Accommodation: Gran Melia Arusha, Arusha Coffee Lodge, Mount Meru Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11: Departure
After breakfast, you will check out of your accommodation and prepare for your departure from Tanzania. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for a short visit around Arusha or to purchase locally made crafts and souvenirs before leaving. Silverback Tour will arrange your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha Airport or another agreed departure point. You will have an opportunity to say goodbye to your guide and reflect on the wildlife experiences gained across Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. This marks the end of your 11 Days Ultimate Tanzania National Parks Safari, combining some of the country’s most iconic national parks and conservation areas. We recommend allowing sufficient time for airport check-in and departure procedures according to your flight schedule.
Meals: (Breakfast)
Included in the Safari
- Airport pickup and drop-off according to the agreed itinerary.
- Accommodation as specified or comparable alternatives, subject to availability.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- Private or shared 4×4 safari vehicle according to the agreed package.
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide.
- Game drives in Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Parks.
- Ngorongoro Crater game drive.
- Park and conservation area entry fees according to the agreed package.
- Wildlife viewing and photography opportunities.
- All scheduled road transfers between safari destinations.
- Bottled drinking water during safari activities, where included in the agreed package.
- Government taxes and applicable service charges.
- Safari briefing and assistance from Silverback Tour.
Excluded from the Safari
- International flights to and from Tanzania.
- Domestic flights unless specifically included in the final quotation.
- Tanzania visa fees.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Personal expenses and shopping.
- Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks.
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and lodge staff.
- Laundry services.
- Optional cultural activities and excursions.
- Balloon safari or other optional activities.
- Additional accommodation before or after the scheduled itinerary.
- Any service not specifically listed under the included items.