Serengeti and Crater

Your journey starts in Arusha, a key gateway to Tanzania’s top safari destinations. This town blends natural beauty with cultural experiences, setting the scene for your adventure. Explore Arusha National Park on a canoeing or walking safari, where you may encounter colobus monkeys and buffalo, with Mount Meru in the background. Alternatively, visit a local coffee plantation to discover Tanzania’s agricultural heritage, or browse local markets for crafts and souvenirs. You might also choose to unwind and recover from your flight before the early start of your safari adventure. Arusha offers the perfect balance of activities and relaxation as you prepare for the journey ahead.

After meeting your guide, you’ll travel to Lake Manyara National Park, a hidden gem in Tanzania known for its diverse landscapes, including lush forests, acacia woodlands, and vast soda lakes. Famous for its flocks of flamingos, the park also offers sightings of tree-climbing lions, hippo, elephant, giraffe, and one of Africa’s largest baboon populations. You’ll stay in a camp near the Endabash Waterfalls, experiencing a quieter part of the park that few visitors explore. This area provides an exclusive luxury safari experience in Tanzania, allowing you to appreciate the park’s rich biodiversity in peace and tranquillity.

Next, you’ll journey to the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic safari destinations in the world.  As you descend into the crater, you’ll be greeted by a landscape teeming with life, we’re on the lookout for black rhino, lion, cheetah and hyena. We work with camps in this area that maintain strong ties with Maasai communities. Unlike staged interactions found elsewhere, our partners collaborate closely with local communities to ensure that your visit supports and empowers these groups genuinely and sustainably. This region is Maasai land, where you might encounter a young herder tending cattle against a backdrop of acacia-dotted landscapes. This part of your journey provides a deeper connection to the land and its people, enriching your overall experience.

The Serengeti is your next destination, renowned for the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. While this natural spectacle attracts many visitors, we carefully select locations and properties to ensure a more secluded experience. You’ll stay in a private walking concession, a part of the park closed to mass tourism, offering the flexibility to tailor your safari. Begin your day with a morning walking safari, where you’ll track wildlife on foot, explore kopjes (rocky outcrops), and gain insights into the Serengeti’s intricate ecosystem. Later, embark on a game drive, with the chance to wrap up your day with sundowners as the sun sets over the plains.

Over the next 3–4 days, you’ll continue exploring the Serengeti’s varied landscapes, with options for walking safaris, game drives, or a mix of both. Our camp, crafted by local artisans using natural materials from the Arusha area, supports the community and respects the environment. This collaboration ensures that your stay benefits both you and the surrounding community and ecosystem.

Each walking safari is tailored to your fitness level and guided by where wildlife is most active, whether you’re tracking lions across open plains or uncovering smaller creatures hidden among the kopjes. Our approach allows for a deeper connection with nature in a peaceful setting, far from the crowds, creating a truly personalised safari experience.

If you’d like to unwind after your safari, consider extending your trip with a beach holiday. Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s top beach destinations, making it ideal for a combined safari and beach experience. We can suggest wonderful options on the spice islands of Zanzibar or Mafia, or along the Tanzanian mainland coast. Whether you seek luxury resorts, boutique hotels, or eco-friendly lodges, we’ll find the perfect place for you to relax and reflect on your safari adventure. Our recommendations ensure a seamless transition from the excitement of wildlife encounters to the serenity of sandy shores.

Photo Credits: Wayo Africa, Kichaka Expeditions