9 Days Tanzania Safari from Arusha
Arusha → Tarangire → Lake Manyara → Serengeti → Ndutu (Seasonal) → Ngorongoro Crater → Lake Eyasi → Arusha
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeep | Big Five | Great Migration | Authentic Cultural Encounters
Explore Tanzania’s Best Parks on the Ultimate Wildlife Adventure
Duration: 9 Days, 8 Nights
Start/Finish: Arusha
Transport: Private 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeep
Style: Luxury / Midrange / Private Safari
This 9-day Tanzania safari is the perfect “Grand Tour” of Northern Tanzania’s most iconic national parks. From the elephant-filled valleys of Tarangire to the predator-rich plains of the Serengeti, the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara’s forests, and the rare cultural encounter with the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes at Lake Eyasi — this is one of the most complete Tanzania safari itineraries you can book.
Whether you want breathtaking landscapes, authentic African cultures, close-up wildlife, or Great Migration scenes, this safari delivers everything Tanzania is famous for.
Complete 9-Day Tanzania Safari Itinerary
DAY 1 — Arrival in Arusha
Welcome to Tanzania — Gateway to East Africa’s Greatest Wilderness
Your Annest Kenya Safaris guide picks you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or your Arusha hotel. Warm smiles, cold drinks, and a detailed safari briefing set the tone for your adventure.
Settle in and enjoy views of Mount Meru towering above the city.
Overnight: Arusha Planet Lodge / Gran Melia Arusha (Luxury)
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2 — Arusha → Tarangire National Park
Elephants, Baobabs & Giant Herds
Your safari officially begins as you descend into the vast Tarangire National Park, home to Tanzania’s largest elephant herds. The landscape is dominated by majestic baobab trees and the life-giving Tarangire River.
Expect to encounter:
Massive elephant families Lions resting in shade
Zebra & wildebeest herds
Buffalo
Over 500 bird species
Tarangire’s silence, broken only by low elephant rumbles, creates one of the most immersive safari atmospheres in Africa.
Overnight: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge / Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 — Tarangire → Lake Manyara National Park
Forests, Hot Springs & Tree-Climbing Lions
After breakfast, drive toward the Great Rift Valley, descending into the green oasis of Lake Manyara National Park.
Here you’ll explore:
Groundwater forests full of monkeys & birds
Flamingos across the lake (seasonal)
Famous tree-climbing lions
Elephants moving among giant fig trees
Giraffes walking through open savannas
It is one of the most scenic parks in Tanzania, with a landscape unlike any other.
Overnight: Manyara Serena Lodge / Country Lodge Karatu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 — Karatu → Serengeti National Park
The Road to Africa’s Most Iconic Plains
Today you travel through the lush Ngorongoro highlands and descend into the endless plains of the Serengeti. The journey itself feels like entering a wildlife kingdom.
Along the way, expect:
Lions on kopjes
Leopards in acacia trees
Wildebeest as far as the eye can see
Zebra herds grazing harmoniously
Depending on the season (June–October), you may also see Great Migration herds heading north.
Overnight: Serengeti Heritage Camp / Tortilis Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 — Full Day in Serengeti National Park
The Heart of Big Cat Country
A full-day game drive gives you time to explore central Serengeti (Seronera)—the best location for spotting big cats.
Expect sightings such as:
Lion prides
Elusive leopards
Cheetahs sprinting across open plains
Buffalo
Hippos in pools
Optional:
Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari (sunrise)
Overnight: Serengeti Heritage Camp / Embalakai Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 — Serengeti → Ndutu Area (Seasonal: Dec–Mar)
The Great Migration Calving Grounds
From December to March, the tour moves to Ndutu, the center of the Great Migration calving season.
This is where:
Hundreds of thousands of baby wildebeest are born
Lions stalk the herds
Cheetahs hunt with precision
Hyenas circle in clans
Ndutu is also one of the few places where off-road driving is allowed, enabling close wildlife encounters.
Overnight: Ndutu Safari Lodge / Ndutu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 — Ndutu / Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater
The World’s Largest Intact Caldera
After a final game drive, your journey continues to the Ngorongoro highlands. You arrive at the crater rim — cool, misty, and unforgettable.
Optional: Visit Olduvai Gorge, the Cradle of Mankind.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge / Lions Paw Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 — Ngorongoro Crater → Lake Eyasi
Rhinos, Lions & Authentic African Tribes
You descend into the crater at sunrise — the best time to catch predators in action.
Expect:
Lions
Rare black rhinos
Zebra & wildebeest
Big tusker elephants
Hippos
Massive wildlife density
After lunch, continue to Lake Eyasi for a unique cultural experience.
Overnight: Lake Eyasi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9 — Lake Eyasi → Arusha
Hadzabe & Datoga Tribe Experience + Return to Arusha
At dawn you join the Hadzabe Bushmen, one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in East Africa. Walk with them through the bush as they hunt with bows, gather roots and honey, and share their ancient lifestyle.
Then visit the Datoga blacksmiths—skilled artisans who forge tools and jewelry using traditional techniques.
After this unforgettable cultural moment, return to Arusha for drop-off at your hotel or airport.
Meals: Breakfast
9-Day Tanzania Safari -What's Included
Courtesy Pick up / Drop off Arusha Airport Courtesy Pick up / Drop off at Arusha Hotel or Residence
Transport in a customized pop up top 4x4 Land Cruiser jeep.
Services of an experienced English/ other language speaking safari tour guide/driver.
6 nights full-board lodge/camp stay
Park entrance fees to Masai Mara NR
All cultural activities at Lake Eyasi
All meals on safari Bottled drinking water in safari vehicle
The flying doctors’ emergency medical evacuation/ rescue insurance cover.
What's Excluded
- Bottled & Soft Drinks - Items and services of a personal nature - Tips & Gratuities.
9 days Where You Stay – Sample Accommodation Options
We offer luxury, midrange, and budget categories depending on your preference:
Luxury
Melia Serengeti Lodge
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Ndutu Luxury Tented Camp
Midrange
Serengeti Heritage Camp
Country Lodge Karatu
Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
Best Time to Visit 7-Day Tanzania Safari
June–October: Dry season, perfect for the Great Migration and predator sightings
November–March: Calving season, lush landscapes, excellent for photography
April–May: Green season, fewer tourists, discounted rates
Tanzania Safari Packages – Tailored for Every Traveler
At Annest Kenya Safaris, our Tanzania safari packages combine comfort, wildlife, and authentic culture.
Choose from budget, mid-range, or luxury Tanzania safaris, all customizable to match your style and schedule.
FAQs –9 Days Tanzania Safari from Arusha
The tour is excellent year-round, but for the Migration calving season, the best time is December–March.
Yes — all our 9-day Tanzania safaris are fully private.
A private 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeep with:
Pop-up roof
Charging sockets
WiFi (on request)
Large sliding windows
