Legends of the Wild Safari - 7 Days: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater

Karibu Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a Pita Safaris representative will greet you and transfer you to your selected lodge or camp in Arusha. Enjoy a scenic drive through lush coffee plantations, banana farms, and the slopes of Mount Meru. Depending on your arrival time, relax by the pool, stroll the craft markets, or visit a local café. This evening sets the stage for your safari adventure with a welcoming dinner.

Highlights:

• Scenic transfer from airport to Arusha (~55 km | ~1 hour)
• Relax and acclimatize at your lodge
• Optional visit to Cultural Heritage Centre or nearby coffee plantation

Accommodation Options:

• Midrange: Kibo Palace Hotel
• Upper Midrange: Arusha Serena Hotel
• Luxury: Gran Melia Arusha

After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, renowned for its massive elephant herds, ancient baobabs, and seasonal swamps. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives across diverse habitats, spotting giraffes, zebras, lions, and leopards resting in acacia trees. Birdwatchers will enjoy the over 500 species inhabiting this park. Sunset photography with baobab silhouettes is a highlight before heading to your lodge.

Highlights:

• Full-day game drives (~150 km | ~3–4 hours)
• Elephant herds and baobab trees
• Birdwatching and sunset photography

Optional Experiences:

• Guided photography safari
• Bush walk near lodge

Accommodation Options:

• Midrange: Tarangire Safari Lodge
• Upper Midrange: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
• Luxury: Tarangire Kuro Treetops Lodge

After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park (~120 km | 3–4 hours), at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment. Enjoy an afternoon game drive through lush forests, open grasslands, and along the soda lake. Spot elephants, hippos, giraffes, and the famous tree-climbing lions. Flamingos along the lake provide striking photography opportunities, and the evening brings panoramic Rift Valley sunset views from your lodge.

Highlights:

• Afternoon game drive in Manyara
• Tree-climbing lions and flamingos
• Panoramic Rift Valley views

Optional Experiences:

• Guided walking safari along the lake
• Birdwatching near lodge

Accommodation Options:

• Midrange: Lake Manyara Tortillis camp
• Upper Midrange: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
• Luxury: Escarpment Luxury Lodge

After breakfast, drive through the Ngorongoro Highlands toward Serengeti National Park (~330 km | 6–7 hours with scenic stops). Optional stop at Olduvai Gorge, the “Cradle of Mankind,” to explore its archaeological museum. Arrive in Serengeti in time for an afternoon game drive, spotting herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles across the endless plains, with predators like lions and cheetahs nearby.

Highlights:

• Afternoon Serengeti game drive
• Vast plains teeming with wildlife
• Iconic acacia silhouettes at sunset

Optional Experiences:

• Photography-focused game drive

Accommodation Options:

• Midrange: Serengeti Heritage Camp
• Upper Midrange: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
• Luxury: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge

Spend the day in Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives. Track lions, cheetahs, and elusive leopards, and witness migrating herds of wildebeest and zebra (seasonal). Optional hot air balloon safari at sunrise offers a magical aerial perspective followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush.

Highlights:

• Morning & afternoon game drives across central/northern Serengeti
• Big Cats: lions, cheetahs, leopards
• Seasonal Great Migration encounters

Optional Experiences:

• Hot air balloon safari at sunrise
• Photography safari

Accommodation:

Same as previous night

Enjoy a morning game drive before departing for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (~145 km | 4 hours). Optional visits to Maasai villages or scenic viewpoints en route. Arrive at your lodge perched on the crater rim, offering sweeping views into Africa’s largest intact volcanic caldera.

Highlights:

• Crater rim lodge arrival with panoramic views
• Optional Maasai cultural visits
• Scenic drive through highlands

Optional Experiences:

• Village visit or photography stop

Accommodation Options:

• Midrange: Ngorongoro Farm House
• Upper Midrange: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
• Luxury: The Manor at Ngorongoro

Rise early to descend into Ngorongoro Crater, Africa’s Garden of Eden. Spend a half-day game drive spotting lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and rare black rhinos. Picnic lunch near a hippo pool before ascending the crater rim. Transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for departure. Optional extra night in Arusha available.

Highlights:

• Half-day Ngorongoro Crater safari
• Big Five sightings in one ecosystem
• Picnic lunch in scenic wildlife surroundings