Classic Tanzania Safari

Classic Tanzania Safari 8 Days

Prices From £4,035pp
Year round | 7 nights

Classic Tanzania Safari 8 Days

Step into the heart of wild Africa on a journey that seamlessly blends adventure, comfort, and unforgettable landscapes. From your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, each day unveils a new chapter. You’ll traverse legendary national parks and conservation areas like Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti, each bursting with wildlife, natural beauty, and unique experiences. Imagine sipping sundowners overlooking ancient kopjes, picnicking inside a volcanic crater, and sleeping under the stars within a rhino sanctuary. This itinerary is meticulously crafted to immerse you in the raw magic of East Africa while enjoying the comfort of handpicked lodges and seamless transfers.

The adventure crescendos with your arrival in the Serengeti, home to the largest concentration of big cats on Earth and the awe-inspiring Great Wildebeest Migration, a natural spectacle like no other. From game drives that span diverse landscapes to visits steeped in human history at Olduvai Gorge, every moment is unforgettable. Whether it’s your first African safari or a long-awaited return, this classic itinerary promises the perfect blend of discovery and wonder.

Prices shown are per person based on two sharing on Shoulder Season dates. Peak Season rates from £4,320pp.

Highlights

  • Explore Serengeti National Park, renowned for the Great Migration, big cats, endless plains, and diverse habitats
  • Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ngorongoro Crater, home to the Big 5
  • Enjoy game drives in Tarangire National Park where rare species abound
  • Delve into the fascinating story of human origins with a visit to the renowned Olduvai Museum and an optional Olduvai Gorge walk
  • Take a memorable scenic flight over the Serengeti and Rift Valley
  • Stay in high quality, beautifully located lodges and camps, and explore in the company of experienced guides and local experts

What's Included

  • Kilimanjaro Airport meet and greet service
  • Full time 4x4 vehicle on safari with qualified English Speaking driver guides
  • Accommodation as described in the itinerary
  • Activities as described in the itinerary
  • All Park, camping & crater fees as per itinerary
  • Flight from Serengeti to Arusha
  • Transfers and assistance in Arusha on final day of itinerary

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Kilimanjaro Airport - Arusha
1Day

Kilimanjaro Airport - Arusha

Arrive independently to Kilimanjaro Airport where your Meet and Greet service awaits you. Your driver will transfer you to the beautiful Arumeru River Lodge where the rest of the evening will be at your leisure. Enjoy a delicious dinner and some relaxation in preparation for the adventures ahead.

Accommodation: 1 night at Arumeru River Lodge with dinner and breakfast included.

Tarangire National Park
2 - 3Days

Tarangire National Park

This morning you will transfer by road to the fantastic Tarangire National Park. You will spend 2 nights here staying in the striking Ormatai Rock lodge which is dramatically perched on the edge of ancient kopjes in the heart of the park. Your days here will be spent enjoying thrilling game drives in the park in search of big cats, elephants in their thousands, giraffes, buffalos, and rarer species such as the Gerenuk, small Kudu, and Oryx.

On day 2, you can enjoy a picnic lunch in the park, and on day 3 lunch will be served at Tarangire Safari Lodge, with amazing views over the Tarangire River. Each evening return to the lodge for a delicious dinner and magical sundown drinks.

Accommodation: 2 nights at Ormatai Rock on a Full Board basis with all meals included

Transfer to Bashay Rift Lodge
4Day

Transfer to Bashay Rift Lodge

Following a final early morning game drive in Tarangire National Park, you will transfer out through the park and make your way towards the foot of the Ngorongoro Crater. Your wonderfully scenic drive will take you through Manyara, then up the Great Rift Escarpment before reaching Karatu, at the foot of the crater.

After checking into the excellent Bashay Rift Lodge, perched upon a hill with breathtaking 360° views over the Ngorongoro walls on one end and the Rift Valley on the other, you can enjoy an afternoon at your leisure. You may wish to avail of some of the many activity options here including mountain biking and guided plantations walks. Alternatively, unwind by the pool or enjoy a relaxing massage.

Accommodation: 2 nights at Bashay Rift Lodge with dinners and breakfasts included

Ngorongoro Crater
5Day

Ngorongoro Crater

Another memorable day lies ahead as you depart the lodge after breakfast and embark on a full day game drive around the Ngorongoro Crater, keeping a watch for the hundreds of different species that thrive here protected by a 600m wall in one of the world's most unique regions. Expect bountiful elephants, hippos, big cats and rhinos as you explore. Your Big 5 tick-list is likely to be ticked off here! A picnic lunch in the crater will be provided.

After more wildlife viewing in the afternoon, you will return to the lodge for dinner and sundown.

Transfer to Serengeti NP
6Day

Transfer to Serengeti NP

After breakfast, you now make your way to the most famous National Park on earth, the incredible Serengeti. Along the way you will enjoy a scenic drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a region rich in culture and home to the proud Maasai people. You can delve into the fascinating story of human origins with a stop at the renowned Olduvai Museum, one of the world’s most important paleoanthropological sites, or for a deeper connection to the past, you can also opt for a guided walk through Olduvai Gorge, where history comes vividly to life.

You will then enter the Serengeti National Park at the Naabi Gate and prepare to be awed. Renowned to being home to the world’s largest concentration of big cats, amongst countless other species, your time here will not be quickly forgotten.

Lunch will be provided at Ronjo Camp, and in the late afternoon you will check into Togoro Plains to enjoy dinner and a well-earned rest within a designated rhino sanctuary and surrounded by year-round waterholes.

Accommodation: 2 nights at Togoro Plains on a Full Board basis

Serengeti National Park
7Day

Serengeti National Park

Enjoy a full day game drive in the park and Togoro Plains today as you discover some of the multiple habitats and landscapes here, with savannah and the big plains to the south, the hills & woods to the west, the kopjes area to the east, and bush land to the north. The Serengeti is also the stage for the awe-inspiring Great Wildebeest Migration, a dramatic, seasonal journey of hundreds of thousands in search of greener pastures. Depending on the season, your driver may suggest a drive further south, west or north to catch this Great Migration.

Scenic Flight Back to Arusha
8Day

Scenic Flight Back to Arusha

After a final morning game drive, your thrilling Tanzania safari itinerary nears its conclusion. Yet there’s time for one more adventure as you take an unforgettably scenic flight from the Seronera Airstrip to Arusha, flying over the endless Serengeti plains, the volcano chain & the Great Rift Escarpment. Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be met and transferred to Arusha Coffee Lodge for lunch and then on to JRO airport for your onward or homeward flights.

A view from Above

Accommodation Options

Ormatai Rock, Tarangire

Tucked into the heart of Tarangire National Park, Ormatai Rock is a safari lodge unlike any other, perched dramatically on the edge of ancient kopjes and gazing west across the vast wilderness. From your private terrace, panoramic views stretch beyond the park to the majestic Rift Valley, the distant outline of the Ngorongoro Crater, and the shimmering lakes of Burunge and Manyara. This intimate camp seamlessly blends modern safari comforts with the natural beauty of its surroundings. With just nine stylish, rock-hugging tents, Ormatai Rock offers guests a rare sense of privacy and connection to the land.

Each tented suite is thoughtfully positioned to maximise the breathtaking vistas and designed with comfort in mind, with en-suite bathrooms, plush bedding, and furnished terraces perfect for quiet reflection or wildlife spotting. The communal areas, built from local stone and topped with thatch, provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Guests can relax in the cosy lounge or sip sundowners by the fire as the sky turns amber. The open-air restaurant invites lingering meals under the African sky, while the lodge's eco-conscious ethos, including solar-powered energy, plastic-free policies, and advanced water filtration, ensures your stay is as sustainable as it is unforgettable

Arumeru River Lodge, Arusha

Conveniently located between Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha town, Arumeru River Lodge is the ideal gateway to northern Tanzania’s great adventures. Set within a protected seven-hectare estate, this former coffee plantation offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by lush tropical gardens, teeming with birdlife, monkeys, and the occasional shy dik-dik. Guests are welcomed into an expansive main house featuring a traditional makuti roof, warm lounge with open fireplace, and a spacious restaurant that opens onto shaded garden terraces. With stunning views of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro, the lodge blends rustic charm with thoughtful comfort in a serene, natural setting.

Accommodation is spread across the beautifully landscaped grounds in 31 individual chalets, suites, and family units, each designed in a rustic-smart style with private balconies, en-suite bathrooms, mosquito-netted beds, and garden views. Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, enjoying a massage in the tranquil garden spa, or sipping drinks at sunset on the terrace, Arumeru offers a restful and eco-conscious stay. Solar energy and filtered water systems reflect the lodge’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, while a range of nearby excursions, from rainforest and village walks to coffee tours and hikes on Mount Meru, ensure your time here is both immersive and inspiring

Bashay Rift Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater

Perched atop a steep hill in the heart of Karatu’s lush highlands, Bashay Rift Lodge offers a peaceful and picturesque retreat just a short drive from the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. Set amid vibrant gardens and fertile farmland, this charming lodge blends the feeling of a traditional African farmstead with panoramic views that stretch across the Great Rift Valley to Lake Eyasi. With 32 individually styled rooms scattered throughout the grounds, guests are treated to a unique and intimate atmosphere, where no two rooms are alike but all offer comfort, character, and captivating views.

Bashay Rift Lodge is more than just a stopover, it’s a place to unwind, explore, and connect with Tanzania’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Days can be spent on safari in nearby Manyara National Park or the Ngorongoro Crater, or cycling through coffee plantations and local villages. Guests can also visit the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes to gain insight into ancient ways of life. Back at the lodge, relax by the hilltop pool with its jaw-dropping views, indulge in a soothing massage, or enjoy a meal crafted from the lodge’s own farm-fresh produce. With its welcoming main house, cosy bar, and dining terraces overlooking the valley, Bashay Rift Lodge is a warm and unforgettable base for adventure and relaxation

Togoro Plains, Serengeti NP

Togoro Plains Lodge, opened in 2023, is a permanent eco-lodge nestled between Seronera and Lobo in the northern Serengeti. Set within a designated rhino sanctuary and surrounded by year-round waterholes, the area offers exceptional wildlife viewing. Built around two dramatic kopjes, the lodge features 14 thatch-roofed tents, including three family units, all built into natural rock formations and facing the sweeping Togoro Plains. Each tent is en-suite and equipped with beds, armchairs, a desk, and solar-powered electricity available 24/7.

The main areas, including a restaurant, bar, and swimming pool, are built atop kopjes, offering panoramic views of the plains. The open-air restaurant and veranda provide a scenic dining experience, while the rock-framed pool invites guests to relax in nature. The camp is 100% solar-powered, plastic-free, and offers Wi-Fi in the communal areas. Unfenced and fully immersed in nature, guest safety is ensured by Maasai and armed rangers, making this a remote yet secure retreat in the heart of the Serengeti

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Tanzania adventure for you.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

With countless travel experiences and an enduring hunger for adventure, Sheena knows exactly what’s needed to craft a holiday of a lifetime. Her experience and generosity of spirit are legendary and she’ll help you build an itinerary that will make all your dreams come true.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

Simon’s deep passion for and first-hand knowledge of a vast range of destinations all over the world gives him the ideal skills to help you create a truly unforgettable wildlife inspired adventure to the most exciting places on the planet.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than 15 years of experience in the travel industry and continues to be inspired by the people, places and wildlife he discovers. His in-depth personal knowledge of a diverse range of destinations ensures your adventure itinerary will be a holiday like no other.

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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

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Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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