The Serengeti offers year-round appeal, and for those with more time, a 6-day safari is the perfect way to explore its wonders. Along the way, you’ll visit Tanzania’s top national parks: Ngorongoro, where the Big Five await, and the Olduvai Gorge, a globally significant paleoanthropological site. You’ll also explore Tarangire, a haven for bird watchers and home to an impressive elephant population. Lake Manyara is renowned for its large baboon troops and the unique tree-climbing lions that make this park one-of-a-kind.
Trip Highlights:
- Explore the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater
- Immerse yourself in the vast beauty of the Serengeti
- Travel in style with a private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Stay in luxurious lodges set in breathtaking locations
Day 1: Arrival & Welcome
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where we’ll arrange a seamless private transfer to your hotel in Arusha. Once you’re settled, meet your local Babul Adventure representative for a detailed briefing, either that evening or the following morning, to kick off your exciting adventure.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 2: Lake Manyara Safari
After meeting your guide and vehicle, you’ll head to Lake Manyara National Park, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive. Nestled beneath the Manyara Escarpment on the edge of the Rift Valley, the park is renowned for its alkaline soda lake, home to vibrant pink flamingos, yellow-billed storks, and herons. If you’re fortunate, you might spot the famous tree-climbing lions, a unique feature of this park. Keep an eye out for playful baboons—Lake Manyara is said to have the largest population of these primates in the world! The day ends with an overnight stay at a stunning Safari Lodge in Karatu.
- Transport: 4wd Safari Vehicle
- Accomodation: Safari Lodge
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3: Olduvai Gorge & Serengeti Exploration
After breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic 4½-hour drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with a picnic lunch in hand. Your first stop will be the fascinating Olduvai Gorge, where the Leakey family made groundbreaking discoveries of hominoid remains, including the 1.8-million-year-old skeleton of Australopithecus boisei, a crucial link in human evolution. The area, rich in history, is also home to ancient hominoid footprints dating back over 3.7 million years. After exploring this remarkable site, you’ll continue your journey into the Serengeti, enjoying thrilling game viewing along the way.
- Transport: 4wd Safari Vehicle
- Accomodation: Safari Style Tents
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4: Serengeti Adventure
After a hearty breakfast, embark on a full day of game viewing in Serengeti National Park, with a picnic lunch packed for the journey. In June, you’ll witness the migrating herds gathering in the western corridor, ready to cross the Grumeti River. Even when the migration is calm, the Serengeti remains a hotspot for exciting wildlife encounters, including massive buffalo herds, smaller groups of elephants and giraffes, and thousands of eland, topi, hartebeest, impala, and Grant’s gazelles. Prepare for an unforgettable day in the heart of Africa’s wilderness.
- Transport: 4wd Safari Vehicle
- Accomodation: Safari Style Tents
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater – Africa’s Eden
Start your day early with a drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a wildlife haven and UNESCO World Heritage site. This massive crater, covering over 260 km² (100 miles²), was formed millions of years ago when a massive volcano collapsed. It’s now the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world, often referred to as “Africa’s Eden.” Home to more than 25,000 large mammals, it’s not uncommon to witness all of the Big Five—buffalo, elephant, rhino, lion, and leopard—in one day. As you travel through the Ngorongoro Highlands, you’ll arrive at the crater rim before descending 610 meters (2,000 feet) to its floor, where your thrilling safari adventure begins.
- Transport: 4wd Safari Vehicle
- Accomodation: Safari Lodge
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6: Tarangire – A Birdwatcher’s Paradise
Drive to Tarangire, a must-visit destination for bird enthusiasts, home to over 550 bird species, the most diverse in Africa. Among these, you may spot the Kori Bustard, the heaviest flying bird in the world! The Tarangire River runs through the park, drawing large numbers of elephants, buffalo, giraffe, and antelope, especially during the dry season from June to October. It’s common to see herds of elephants roaming the savannah or seeking shade under the park’s iconic, upside-down baobab trees. After a morning game drive, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Arusha or directly to Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward journey.
- Transport: 4wd Safari Vehicle
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
