Sample Itinerary

Days 1 & 2

U.S. / Arusha, Tanzania

Fly independently to Arusha and overnight at the Dik Dik Hotel. (Meals Aloft)

Day 3

Arusha / Tarangire National Park

Begin the first full morning of our Tanzania wildlife safari adventure with a drive to Tarangire, Tanzania’s third largest national park, aboard our 4x4 Land Cruisers. Before checking into our comfortable accommodations at the Tarangire River Camp, we journey through the rolling countryside searching for Tarangire wildlife, including endangered black rhino, antelope, leopard, lion and cheetah. (B,L,D)

Day 4

Tarangire National Park

Sunrise will just be sweeping across the savannah on our morning Tanzanian walking safari, where our naturalist travel guides will point out elephants and some of the park’s 260 recorded bird species. Tarangire also hosts migrating herds of wildebeest, zebra and Grant’s gazelle, which we’ll look for during our escorted afternoon game drive. Spend tonight back at the Tarangire River Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 5

Tarangire / Lake Manyara National Park / Karatu

Our Tanzania wildlife safari expedition itinerary takes us across the Great Rift Valley toward Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its herds of elephant and tree-climbing lions. Game drives here are an opportunity to see buffalo, baboon, waterbuck, flamingo and prides of lion. Continue into the highlands of Karatu to the Ngorongoro Farmhouse, an exclusive lodge facing Oldeani Volcano and situated on a coffee farm. (B,L,D)

Day 6

Karatu / Lake Eyasi

Drive to the southern end of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Lake Eyasi, Tanzania’s largest soda lake. This remote region is home to the Hadzape Bushmen, a traditional hunting tribe that speaks a “click” language. Spend the day visiting with the tribe after their daily hunt, learning about life in this seldom-visited area. Cap off our visit with a picnic lunch at the lake before returning to the Ngorongoro Farmhouse. (B,L,D)

Day 7

Karatu / Ngorongoro Crater

After a sumptuous breakfast, set out for the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, the world’s largest unflooded caldera (collapsed cone of a volcano). Protected from the outside world by a huge rim, Ngorongoro Crater’s abundance of food and fresh water supports more than 30,000 large mammals. We’ll descend 2,000 feet into the crater for thrilling game drives among Africa’s “Big Five” (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard), but also search out the rare black rhino — this is your greatest chance to observe the East African black rhino in East Africa. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor, and continue our drive before checking into the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 8

Olduvai Gorge / Serengeti National Park

Head for the Serengeti, en route visiting Olduvai Gorge, where the earliest evidence of man was found by the Leakey family in the late 1950s. The Serengeti Plains are home to the greatest concentration of large mammals on Earth, and our frequent game drives are a chance to see immense herds. We spend the next three nights under canvas at our mobile tented camp, positioned to be as close to the animals as possible. (B,L,D)

Days 9 & 10

Serengeti National Park

Our Tanzania wildlife safari tour itinerary includes daily game drives through the acacia savannahs and grasslands of the Serengeti National Park. These excursions offer opportunities to spot wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, topi, impala and hartebeest along with predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dog. Along the network of rivers and lakes, we may find hippos and crocodiles. You’ll have ample opportunity in camp to learn more about our expert driver/guides and staff, personable locals who strive to bring this land to life during your African safari. (B,L,D Daily)

Days 11 & 12

Serengeti / Arusha / En Route

After a final morning game drive (time permitting) of our Tanzania wildlife safari adventure, travel to the local airstrip and fly to Arusha. Explore Shanga, a workshop that makes beautiful handmade beads, paper, candles, soaps and home décor using recycled materials. Dayrooms are available at the Dik Dik Hotel before transferring to the airport for our flights home. Arrive in the U.S. on Day 12. (Day 11: B,L; Day 12: Meals Aloft)