Discover Tanzania’s legendary wildlife and landscapes on this unforgettable 10 day Tanzania safari. Journey from the towering baobabs of Tarangire to the flamingo-dotted shores of Lake Manyara, then dive deep into the endless plains of Serengeti chasing the Great Migration. Complete your adventure inside the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, where lions, rhinos, and ancient landscapes collide. This is classic Africa — raw, wild, and utterly unforgettable.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your El Classical Adventures guide will meet you right outside customs. After a short introduction, you’ll be transferred to your lodge in Arusha, a small city at the foot of Mount Meru, often called the gateway to Tanzania’s legendary national parks. Today is all about settling in — relax, shake off the jet lag, and prepare mentally for the epic journey ahead. If you arrive early, you may opt for a quick Arusha city tour or a coffee plantation visit, but most travelers prefer to rest up for the adventure that kicks off tomorrow.
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, the safari officially begins with a drive to Tarangire National Park, a hidden giant known for its towering baobab trees and impressive elephant concentrations. You’ll spend the day on game drives across the park’s dusty plains and river valleys, searching for lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and possibly elusive leopards lounging in trees. Tarangire is less crowded than other parks, meaning the experience feels wilder and more intimate. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush and a sunset drive before heading to your lodge for dinner and your first night under the African stars.
Day 3: Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park
Today, you’ll leave Tarangire behind and make your way to Lake Manyara National Park, a compact but incredibly diverse ecosystem. A morning game drive will take you through lush groundwater forests where baboons rule the roads, past open savannahs, and down to the alkaline shores of the lake itself, often covered in flamingos. With a bit of luck, you might spot Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions — a phenomenon rarely seen elsewhere in Africa. After a full day of exploration, you’ll head to your lodge near Karatu, right outside the Ngorongoro Highlands.
Day 4: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park
After an early breakfast, you’ll hit the road toward Serengeti National Park, the crown jewel of African safaris. The drive itself is breathtaking, winding through the misty forests and sweeping vistas of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After a brief stop at the Naabi Hill Gate, you’ll enter the Serengeti proper — endless golden grasslands dotted with acacia trees and roamed by vast herds and fierce predators. The afternoon game drive en route to your lodge will be your first taste of Serengeti’s raw energy: lions lazing in the shade, wildebeest kicking up dust, and hyenas lurking nearby. Tonight, you sleep deep in the wilderness, surrounded by the primal sounds of Africa.
Day 5: Full Day in Central Serengeti
Today is a full immersion into the central Serengeti, one of the richest wildlife areas on Earth. You’ll spend the day tracking big cats like lions, cheetahs, and leopards, and witnessing the complex dance of predator and prey that defines this land. You can choose to break the day into morning and afternoon game drives or take a packed lunch and roam deeper into the plains for a full-day adventure. Every turn could reveal something astonishing — a leopard stalking impalas, a pride of lions guarding a fresh kill, or elephants trumpeting across the savannah. Optional: for those craving something unforgettable, a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti is available (extra cost).
Day 6: Following the Migration (Seasonal)
Depending on the time of year, today’s adventure will focus on chasing the Great Migration. If you’re traveling during river crossing season (June to October), you’ll head north toward the Mara River where thousands of wildebeest brave crocodile-infested waters. If it’s calving season (January to March), the journey takes you south to the Ndutu area where newborn wildebeest blanket the plains — and predators gather in droves. Wherever you go, expect intense wildlife action, sweeping cinematic landscapes, and that thrilling sense that you’re witnessing one of the planet’s last great spectacles in real-time.
Day 7: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After a relaxed breakfast and a final morning game drive across the Serengeti, you’ll exit the park and head back toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, there’s a chance to visit a real Maasai boma (village) and learn about the traditions of one of Tanzania’s most iconic tribes. Your journey climbs steadily into the highlands until you reach the crater rim, where your lodge will offer staggering views over the Ngorongoro Crater — your destination for tomorrow. Tonight, bundle up — temperatures drop sharply at these altitudes.
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Today you’ll descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most extraordinary ecosystems. The crater is home to virtually every species of East African wildlife, including the rare black rhino, massive bull elephants, abundant lions, and countless wildebeest and zebra. Because of its enclosed geography, sightings here are often dense and fast-paced. After a full morning of exploration, you’ll enjoy a bush picnic near a hippo pool, then continue your game drive before ascending back up the crater wall. In the late afternoon, you’ll drive to your lodge in Karatu for your final safari night.
Day 9: Karatu to Arusha
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll depart the Ngorongoro Highlands and head back toward Arusha. The drive is a perfect opportunity to soak in the last views of rural Tanzania — bustling markets, waving schoolchildren, Maasai herders with their cattle. Upon arrival in Arusha, you’ll have the afternoon free for souvenir shopping or simply relaxing at the lodge. A farewell dinner can be arranged for those flying out the next day or wanting to celebrate the journey properly.
Day 10: Departure
Depending on your flight schedule, you’ll be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey. For those with late flights, optional day rooms or activities can be arranged at an extra cost.
One thing is certain: you’re not leaving the same person who arrived. Tanzania changes you — it grabs you by the heart and never really lets go.
