Northern & Nyerere Explorer
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Destination to Visit
Arusha, Tarangire, Serengeti, Nyerere National Park Ngorongoro crater
Start / Finish in
Start in Arusha & End in Dar es Salaam
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Overview
Experience Tanzania’s most iconic safari destinations on this 10-day safari. The tour combines the well-known northern parks with the quieter wilderness of Nyerere National Park in the south.
The first part of the trip focuses on classic wildlife areas where varied landscapes and strong wildlife populations make game viewing rewarding and consistent.
The second part slows the pace, shifting to river systems, boat activities, and walking experiences that offer a different perspective of the bush. With fewer crowds and some of the most luxurious and romantic safari lodges in the region, this safari will certainly be as unique as you can expect.
Day By Day
Day 1: Arrival – Pick Up and Transfer to Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you are met by our driver and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. The rest of the day at the hotel is left open so you can rest after what’s probably been a long flight. Later in the evening, a short safari briefing is held with our team to go through the schedule, luggage arrangements, and practical details for the days ahead, ensuring you begin the safari well prepared.
Day 2: Arusha - Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, you depart Arusha and drive toward Tarangire National Park, arriving around late morning as the safari officially begins. Although Tarangire receive less attention than Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater, the tributaries and swamps of the Tarangire River provide permanent water when surrounding shallow swamps dry, drawing migratory movements of up to 250,000 mammals during the dry season, from June to October, with a varied mix of ungulates.
An estimated five to ten thousand elephants roam its savanna. Hump backed wildebeest, kongoni, buffalo, zebra, gazelles, eland, ostrich, fringe eared oryx, and attendant predators move through the park at different times. Large herds gather in central riverbeds and marshes beneath ancient baobab trees, some thousands of years old.
The park covers 2,850 square kilometres of acacia woodland and grassland along the Great Rift Valley escarpment. By late afternoon, you continue to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight
DAY 3 & 4: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
The next stage of the safari takes you through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area toward Serengeti National Park. The drive gradually changes from highland scenery to expansive plains, and wildlife sightings often begin before reaching the park boundary.
Game viewing continues en route to your camp, making the transfer part of the safari experience rather than simply a travel day. The following day is spent fully in the Serengeti, allowing flexibility to explore different areas depending on wildlife activity.
Morning and afternoon game drives provide opportunities to observe predators, grazing herds, and the everyday life in the plains. Breaks are taken for meals and rest at suitable locations, keeping the pace comfortable and immersive.
Day 5: Serengeti - Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, you enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti while heading toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive back passes again through changing landscapes, offering a different perspective of areas seen earlier in the safari.
Wildlife sightings remain possible along the route, and there is no need to rush as the day balances travel with viewing opportunities. By afternoon, you arrive at your lodge near the crater rim or in the Karatu area with time to relax, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the crater visit the following morning.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater - Transfer to Arusha
After an early breakfast, we descend 610 meters (2,000 ft) to the crater floor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the African Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. Spanning more than 20 kilometres in diameter, the Ngorongoro Crater is the largest non-flooded caldera in the world.
It is the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world and is inhabited by some 25,000 animals, often referred to as “Africa’s Garden of Eden.” Enjoy a picnic lunch in the afternoon surrounded by Ngorongoro’s flora and fauna. Afterwards, the drive continues back to Arusha, arriving later in the day, check into your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day 7: Fly to Nyerere National Park
After breakfast, you transfer to the airport for a scheduled light aircraft flight to Nyerere National Park. The change from northern highlands to southern river systems becomes clear from the air, with winding waterways and vast untouched landscapes visible below.
Upon arrival, you are welcomed by lodge staff and transferred to camp, often spotting wildlife along the way. After lunch and some time to settle in, an afternoon activity or short game drive may be offered depending on arrival time. The atmosphere here feels quieter and less travelled, providing a different pace compared to the northern parks.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Nyerere National Park Game Drives
The day is dedicated to exploring the park through morning and afternoon game drives. The landscape differs noticeably from the north, characterized by rivers, lakes, and dense vegetation that support elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and a range of predators. Wildlife viewing here often feels more private due to fewer vehicles, allowing longer observation periods at sightings.
Between activities, you’ll return to camp for meals and rest during the warmer hours of the day. The flexible schedule will allow you driver guide to adapt plans based on animal movements and weather conditions, creating a relaxed but engaging safari experience.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Boat Safari and Walking Safari
Today introduces activities not possible in most northern parks. A boat safari along the Rufiji River provides close views of hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife while observing animals coming to drink along the banks.
The perspective from the water offers a calm and different way to watch wildlife behaviour. Later, a guided walking safari takes place in a designated area with an armed ranger, allowing you to focus on smaller details such as tracks, plants, and the ecosystem itself.
These slower activities add variety to the safari and deepen understanding of the environment beyond vehicle-based game drives. Return to the camp for some down time and relaxed evening.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Fly to Dar Es Salaam - Departure
After breakfast, you transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Dar es Salaam. This marks the final leg of your safari with JAS Safaris, offering aerial views of the southern landscapes before reaching the coastline. Upon arrival, our representative meets you for transfer to Julius Nyerere International Airport or your onward accommodation depending on flight arrangements.
The trip concludes here, bringing together experiences from Tanzania’s northern plains and southern river systems, each offering a different but complementary view of the country’s wildlife and natural environments.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
LOOKING FOR A PRIVATE SAFARI FOR YOUR DATES?
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RECOMMENDED FOR
- Anyone looking to immerse themselves in Tanzania wilderness.
- People who want an authentic safari adventure.
- Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
PRICE INCLUSION
- All Game Drives;
- Accommodation At Lodges/Tented Camps
- English Speaking Driver/Guide;
- All Food; Drinking Water;
- 18% VAT Tax;
- At Least 1 Pair Of Binoculars;
- Accommodation In Moshi/Arusha;
- Airport Transfers;
PRICE EXCLUSIONS
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities (guide, driver, lodge staff)
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, souvenirs)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks (unless stated)
- Optional activities