Big 5 Safari Tanzania

Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport. Transfer to your Arusha hotel for briefing and early rest. Your guide will walk you through the week ahead over dinner.

Arusha hotel

Drive southwest to Tarangire — home to Tanzania's largest elephant herds. The Tarangire River is a lifeline for wildlife during the dry season: herds of 200+ elephants, lions lounging in ancient baobabs, and vast flocks of birds. Afternoon game drive focusing on elephant behaviour.

Tarangire camp

A full day in Tarangire with early morning and late afternoon drives. This is your best opportunity for leopard — they favour the dense riverine forest. Buffalo herds of several thousand are common. Picnic lunch in the park.

Tarangire camp

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest intact volcanic caldera — a UNESCO World Heritage Site sheltering 25,000 animals within its 260 km² floor. Descend 600m to where lion prides lounge on the open plains and the endangered black rhino grazes near the Lerai forest. The crater has the highest density of lions in Africa.

Ngorongoro crater rim lodge

Morning game drive in the crater before driving north into the Serengeti ecosystem. Stop at Olduvai Gorge for a brief but fascinating guided tour — the site where 1.8-million-year-old human ancestors were discovered. Arrive at your Serengeti camp for afternoon game drive.

Central Serengeti camp

The Serengeti's open plains provide unparalleled visibility for predator activity. Your guide will track lion prides, locate cheetah on termite mounds, and seek out leopards in acacia trees. Full day in the park — this is typically where guests encounter the most impressive lion sightings.

Central Serengeti camp

Final morning game drive at dawn, when predators are most active. Drive back to Arusha in the afternoon. Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your evening departure.