12 Days Tanzania Adventure

Upon arrival at either Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you will be greeted by our professional guide and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha. The city, sitting at an altitude of approximately 1,400 meters (4,600 feet), enjoys a temperate climate with warm days and cool evenings. Arusha is the gateway to Tanzania’s most famous national parks and cultural experiences, making it the perfect starting point for your adventure. After check-in, you can relax at your hotel and recover from your journey, with an optional stroll around the city to explore its markets, cafes, and cultural sites.

The next morning, after breakfast, you will depart for a day trip to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). The journey takes you to the foothills of this iconic mountain, passing through lush rainforests filled with colobus monkeys and an array of exotic bird species. You will take a guided nature walk on the lower slopes, experiencing the mountain’s unique vegetation zones and stunning landscapes. Kilimanjaro, established as a national park in 1973 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects various ecosystems, from montane forests to alpine deserts. After enjoying a picnic lunch in the park, you will descend and return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

On the third day, the journey continues with a visit to the Chaga Caves, an important historical site used by the Chaga people as a refuge during tribal conflicts with the Maasai. These man-made caves are a fascinating glimpse into the past, showcasing the resilience of the Chaga civilization. The area is surrounded by banana and coffee plantations, and you will have the opportunity to learn about traditional brewing methods and agricultural practices. Lunch will be provided at either a local hotel or a picnic site, depending on the day’s schedule. Later in the afternoon, you will return to Arusha for dinner and another overnight stay.

The fourth day marks the beginning of the wildlife safari with a journey to Tarangire National Park, covering approximately 2,850 square kilometers (1,100 square miles). The park, established in 1970, is famous for its vast herds of elephants, baobab-dotted landscapes, and the Tarangire River, which serves as a crucial water source during the dry season. Tarangire’s diverse habitats range from open grasslands to dense woodlands, making it home to an abundance of wildlife, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and over 500 species of birds. You will have a full-day game drive, stopping at a scenic picnic site for lunch at 13:00. As the sun sets, you will head to your accommodation in Mto wa Mbu, a vibrant town known for its cultural diversity and lively atmosphere, where you will have dinner and an overnight stay at a lodge, hotel, or hostel of your choice.

On the fifth day, you will venture to Lake Natron, one of Tanzania’s most unique and remote destinations. This alkaline lake, covering roughly 1,040 square kilometers (400 square miles), is a breeding ground for thousands of flamingos, painting the lake’s shores pink. The lake’s extreme conditions, with high salinity and temperatures, support unique microorganisms that give the water its striking red hue. You will explore the area, visiting the Engare Sero Footprints, believed to be around 19,000 years old, offering a rare glimpse into early human history. The surrounding landscape is dramatic, with towering volcanic mountains and seasonal waterfalls. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be at a lodge near the lake.

After breakfast on the sixth day, you will travel to Karatu, a town nestled in the highlands near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive offers breathtaking views of rolling hills, coffee plantations, and traditional Maasai villages. At an altitude of around 1,400 to 1,800 meters (4,600 to 5,900 feet), Karatu enjoys a cool and pleasant climate. Lunch will be served at 13:00, followed by a relaxing afternoon at your accommodation, where you can unwind before the next leg of your safari. Dinner and overnight will be at a hostel, lodge, or hotel in Karatu.

The seventh day begins with a drive to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s most famous wildlife sanctuary. Spanning over 30,000 square kilometers (12,000 square miles), this legendary park is home to the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeests and zebras traverse the plains in search of fresh grazing lands. Established in 1951, the Serengeti features diverse landscapes, including endless grasslands, acacia woodlands, and rocky outcrops known as kopjes. Along the way, you will have a picnic lunch before heading to your lodge or campsite for dinner and an overnight stay.

On the eighth day, you will explore Eastern Serengeti, an area renowned for its predator activity. Cheetahs, lions, leopards, and hyenas roam these plains, taking advantage of the open landscapes for hunting. You will enjoy a full-day game drive, stopping for a picnic lunch at 13:00. The eastern region also provides incredible birdwatching opportunities, with raptors, secretary birds, and ostriches frequently spotted. As the day comes to a close, you will return to your public campsite or lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

The ninth day marks your journey back from Serengeti to Karatu, with a scenic game drive along the way. The return trip offers one last chance to witness the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife of the Serengeti. Lunch will be served at a designated picnic site at 13:00 before you arrive in Karatu, where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your chosen accommodation.

A full-day exploration of Ngorongoro Crater awaits on the tenth day. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, formed by a collapsed volcano, spans approximately 260 square kilometers (100 square miles) and is home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. The crater floor, sitting at an altitude of around 1,800 meters (5,900 feet), is teeming with diverse habitats, including grasslands, forests, and wetlands. Here, you may encounter the Big Five—elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, and rhinos—along with hippos, zebras, and flamingos. A picnic lunch will be served near a hippo pool, allowing you to enjoy the incredible surroundings before continuing the game drive. As evening approaches, you will return to your accommodation in Karatu for dinner and an overnight stay.

On the eleventh day, you will visit Endoro Waterfalls and embark on a coffee tour at Ngilla Farm. The hike to Endoro Waterfalls takes you through lush forests filled with butterflies and birds, offering a refreshing change of scenery. At Ngilla Farm, you will learn about the coffee-growing process, from harvesting to roasting, and taste some of the finest Arabica coffee in Tanzania. Lunch will be provided at a picnic site before returning to Karatu for dinner and your final overnight stay.

The twelfth and final day concludes with breakfast at your accommodation, followed by a transfer to either Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport for your departure, marking the end of an unforgettable Tanzanian adventure.