10 Days Northern National Parks & Culture Tour

  • Tarangire/Lake Manyara N. P.: Enjoy tree climbing lions, abundance of elephants, huge baobab trees and termite mounds dotting the hills
  • Ngorongoro Crater: Impressive crater landscape, fantastic views, abundance of wildlife and the Olduvai Gorge with the oldest human bone finds
  • Serengeti: Breathtaking savanna landscape, highest animal density, wildebeest migration
  • Lake Natron: Enjoy one of the roughest and most fascinating landscapes in Africa
  • Get in touch with local communities and learn about their daily lives
  • Optional: Climb Tanzania’s only active volcano, the sacred “Mountain of God” of the Maasai
  • Watch the sunrise from the summit of Ol’Doinyo Lengai

Tarangire National Park is about the size of Luxembourg and is mainly known for its large herds of elephants and its population is estimated at 2500 animals. The landscape is characterized by large Baobabs (monkey bread trees), bush savannah and wetlands and in addition to the many elephants, also Maasai giraffes, gazelles and antelopes, buffalos, lions, leopards, baboons and various species of birds can be seen here.

Lake Manyara Nationa Park is home to lions (tree-climbing lions can often be seen), hippos, elephants, zebras, buffalos, giraffes, baboons, Blue and Vervet monkeys, warthogs and more. This small park also contains five different vegetation zones and therefore supports a wide variety of birds and animals. The park offers the perfect introduction to the bird life in Tanzania. More than 400 species have been registered, and even a first-time visitor to Africa could reasonably expect to see 100 of them in one day. It is also famous for its large flocks of pink flamingos as well as other large water birds such as pelicans, cormorants and storks.

The Serengeti is especially known for the annual migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras. In October and November, the animals usually migrate from the Maasai Mara in Kenya across the northern Serengeti to the south into the Ndutu area. From May and June, the animals travel across the western Serengeti back to the north into the Maasai Mara. Due to fluctuating weather conditions and the associated rain showers this schedule can be postponed every year. The southern Serengeti is known for its grass savannah with many Kopjes (rock formations). As the landscape is ideal for hunting it is home to large wild cats, such as cheetahs, lions and leopards.

The landscape of the Ngorongoro Crater is characterized by grassy steppes and acacia forests and offers after the endless expanse of the Serengeti with the steep crater slopes a nice change The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most densely populated African wild areas in the world and is home to an estimated 30,000 animals, including some of Tanzania's last remaining black rhinos. Flocks of wildebeest, zebras, buffalos, eland antelopes, warthogs, hippos and giant African elephants live here. Another great attraction of this picturesque crater is its huge population of predators, including lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever-elusive leopard. The Ngorongoro Crater is often referred to as "Africa's Garden of Eden", "Africa's 5th Natural Wonder" and takes part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to its impressive abundance of animals.

Lake Natron is a breeding ground for all East African flamingoes and other birds. Herds of zebra and wildebeest can sometimes be seen on the trip. There are several Maasai bomas (villages) which can be visited on additional cost just talk to your driver guide if you are interested and one can also visit the nearby Mount Gelai which has geysers and a brilliant waterfall.

The nearby Mt. Ol'Doinyo Lengai is the only known volcano in the world that sometimes erupts natrocarbonatite lava, a highly fluid lava that contains almost no silicon. Natrocarbonatite lava (most fluid lava) is also much cooler than other lavas. During the day most of this lava flows look like fluid black oil. Some say the lava flows are similar to muddy flows. Natrocarbonatite lava turns white when in contact with moisture. During rainy periods, the lava turns white almost immediately whilst this whitening takes longer during the dry periods

  • Day 01: Arrival in Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro Airport
    Meet & greet by our Safari Driver and drive to your accommodation.

    Meal plan: lunch, dinner (depends on arrival time)

    Possible Accommodations: Korona Villa (budget), Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa (mid-range) or Mvuli Hotel (mid-range)


  • Day 02: Arusha - Tarangire National Park
    Breakfast at 07:30 a.m. Pick up from your hotel in Arusha at 08:00 a.m. and drive on tarmac road 120 km to Tarangire National Park for game drives with picnic lunch. After lunch continue game viewing in the park.

    Meal Plan: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

    Possible Accommodations: Fanaka Lodge (budget) Sangaiwe Tented Lodge (mid-range – outside the Nationa Park), Lake Burunge Tented Camp (luxury – outside the Nationa Park), Tarangire Safari Lodge (luxury – inside the Nationa Park)


  • Day 03: Lake Manyara National Park
    Breakfast at 6:00 am Pick up from the lodge at 7:00 am and drive to Lake Manyara National Park at the foot of the Great Rift Valley, picnic lunch and other game drives in the afternoon. Optional activity: Canoeing has recently been added to the tourist activities in this park at extra cost. This is a great way to see the park from a new perspective.

    Meal plan: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

    Possible Accommodations: Fananka Lodge (budget), AFRICAN SUNRISES Lodge & Campsite (budget) / Africa Safari Lake Manyara (mid /luxury) / Lake Manyara Marera Valley Lodge (luxury)


  • Day 04: Karatu (Gibb’s Farm)
    Breakfast at 07:00 a.m. Depart to Karatu where you will visit Gibb's Farm. This is the perfect stop in between safari camps. Parents – take some time to relax while our farm naturally entertains the younger generations with complete freedom to explore 32 acres of safely guarded, sprawling land. From milking cows to collecting eggs, jumping in the pool, painting with the resident artists or exploring the coffee fields. To allow you to fully experience the rhythms and beauty of the farm, community and nature, Gibb’s Farm offers a variety of activities, adventures and opportunities to explore on and around the farm. Get to know our people while on safari by lending a helping hand in the communities that support your travel experience.

    Meal plan: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Possible Accommodations: Eileen’s Trees Inn (budget). Karatu Lodge (mid-range), Karatu Tloma Lodge (luxury)


  • Day 05: Ngorongoro Crater
    Breakfast at 06:00 a.m. Thereafter descend into Ngorongoro Crater floor (19.2 km of diameter, 610 m deep, 304 sq km) for a whole day game drive with picnic lunch in one of the most densely crowded African wildlife areas in the world.

    Meal plan: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

    Possible Accommodations: Rhino Lodge (mid-range), Lions Paw Ngorongoro (luxury)


  • Day 06: Ngorongoro Crater Rim - Serengeti National Park
    Breakfast at 06:00 a.m. Thereafter drive to the Great Serengeti National Park with picnic lunch and game drives on the way through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Serengeti National Park is arguably the most impressive wildlife sanctuary in the world, and you can see large herds of animals.

    Meal plan: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

    Possible Accommodations: Nationalpark Bandas (budget), Zawadi Camp (mid-range), Kati Kati Tented Camp (mid-range), Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp (luxury)


  • Day 07: Full Day Serengeti National Park Very early morning game drive. After breakfast, continue with full day game drives in the Serengeti National Park. Remember that this is the migration safari, so as the Serengeti is very large and your game drives will depend on the movement of the migrants, your guide knows very well how to locate the herds. The Serengeti National Park is famous for the 'Great Migration'. Every year over one million wildebeest and over two hundred thousand zebras are following the rains. The game viewing is very good, and you can follow the game for long periods without seeing other vehicles – truly one of the most forgotten corners of the Serengeti Plains. Even without this mass migration, the Serengeti is an exciting and spectacular place that is still thrilling.

    Meal plan: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

    Possible Accommodations: Nationalpark Bungalow (budget), Zawadi Camp (mid-range), Kati Kati Tented Camp (mid-range), Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp (luxury)


  • Day 08: Serengeti National Park/Lake Natron
    After an early breakfast and a morning game drive, you continue towards North Serengeti, near Lobo. Leave the park at Klein's gate and head to Lake Natron for early dinner and overnight. If you are still fit, in the late afternoon, together with a local Maasai guide, you hike through a shady gorge to the Engero Sero waterfalls. There you’ll have the opportunity to swim in a beautiful natural swimming pool surrounded by steep cliffs.

    Meal plan: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

    Possible Accommodations: Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge or Campsite (budget), Lake Natron Moivaro Tented Camp (mid-range)


  • Day 09: Lake Natron Area - Mto wa Mbu (Optional: Climbing Ol’Dionyo Lengai)
    After breakfast you drive to the edge of Lake Natron, one of the most alkaline lakes in the world. With millions of small crustaceans, the lake is a refuge for thousands of flamingos and one of the most important flamingo breeding grounds on earth. Optional: Afterwards, a visit to a Maasai village (Boma) can be arranged and you can get an insight in their daily lives.

    Optional or additional tour day: At very early morning 1:00 a.m. drive to the base of the Ol Doinyo Lengai mountain, known as the “Mountain of God” by the Maasai, to start the climb. Reach at the summit during sunrise and spend some time there before coming down to the base of the mountain. From there clients will be transferred by Jeep to the accommodation for shower and rest. After lunch drive to Mto wa Mbu.

    Meal plan: breakfast, lunch, dinner

    Possible Accommodations: Fanaka Lodge (budget), AFRICAN SUNRISES Lodge & Campsite (budget) / Africa Safari Lake Manyara (mid-range), Burudika Lodge (luxury)


  • Day 10: Mto wa Mbu - Arusha/Moshi
    Breakfast at 07:00 a.m. More than 20,000 people from different families live in the lively farming community in the village of Mto wa Mbu in the Rift Valley near Lake Manyara National Park. There are more than 120 different tribes in this village. Tours last around 2–3 hours but are very flexible. During your visit you’ll get a good feeling for the social side of the village, the farms and the milling machines, the schools, markets and churches. Your guide will be happy to answer your questions and will help you understand the inner workings of this typical Tanzanian community. After lunch drive back to Arusha or Moshi.

    Meal plan: breakfast, lunch

North
  • Transport from and to your hotel/residence or airport/seaport
  • Professional, English-speaking driver/guide
  • All activities as per itinerary
  • All accommodations and meals as mentioned in the itinerary or as agreed. N. B. accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is dependent on availability at the time of booking; alternatives of a similar class may be booked instead
  • All camping gear (if applicable)
  • 4 × 4 safari vehicle with pop up roof for game viewing (if applicable)
  • Drinking water during the game drives/walking safaris
  • Driver’s salary and allowances
  • All National Park entrance fees, nature trail & communitiy fees
  • International/national flights and visa fees
  • Extras, personal expenses i.e. soft- and alcoholic drinks, telephone, souvenirs, laundry etc.
  • Travel, medical, injury and luggage insurance
  • Flying doctor rescue services
  • Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park entrance fees.
  • Climbing Ol’Dionyo Lengai Mountain
  • Visit to a Maasai Boma (village)
  • Canoeing Safari Manyara N. P.
  • Visit to Olduvai Gorge (entrance fee)
  • Balloon Safari
  • On request other tour languages possible
  • Additional accommodation after the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
  • Extension of stay or additional program is possible / or have a look at our other offers

  • The dry season between June and October is considered the best time for a safari, but you can also expect good weather in the summer dry season between December and February.
  • The wildebeest migration in the Serengeti takes place between July and October. In July, the animals first cross the Grumeti River, followed by the spectacular crossing of the Mara River.
  • The weather at Lake Natron is primarily hot and mostly dry. The coolest months are June August.
  • Between July and October, up to two million Lesser Flamingos live and breed on Lake Natron (depending on the weather).
  • In case you are planning to climb Ol'Dionyo Lengai: Please follow the list below to ensure your comfort. You will have a better vacation if you are prepared.

  • But please note that this list is not exhaustive!

    Almost all equipment is available to rent from our team in Tanzania if required. Please talk to us in advance for further planning.


    • sun hat
    • sunglasses
    • head torch
    • buff or lightweight neck gaiter (for keeping out dust)
    • rain shell
    • light fleece
    • long sleeve t shirt x 2
    • hiking trousers (zip off style are recommended, so you have shorts too)
    • waterproof trousers
    • socks x 3 pairs
    • hiking shoes preferably with some decent ankle support
    • flip flops for in camp
    • walking poles
    • gaiters for those that have low cut hiking shoes
    • water bottles x 3, enough to hold 3 Liters
  • Usually our tours require a minimum of 2 persons to run. Single travelers can join a tour or ask us for a tailor-made safari.
  • We offer discounted prices for children.

Are you ready to explore Africa?

This itinerary is an example of tours we organize.

Contact us by email, WhatsApp or phone to create your individual trip or choose one of our itineraries without obligation!

-book now-