Wildlife Safari

Young lion cubs playfully climbing a tree

Lion sleeping on tree branch in savannah

Two lions resting under tree in savannah

8 Day Lion Safari – Lake Manyara / Serengeti Plains / Lake Ndutu / Ngrongoro Crater

Predators of the Plains: A Tanzanian Safari Focused on Lion Encounters

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with our unique African lion safari. Journey into the heart of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit and be amazed by the sheer number of animals. Spotting predators and carnivores, especially the magnificent African lion, is far easier here. Tanzania offers a safari experience like no other, and we’ve meticulously crafted this itinerary to showcase the best of this wildlife haven.

Our lion safari includes four of the five renowned Northern Circuit national parks, with particular attention to areas famous for frequent lion sightings, such as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks. Ensuring your safari adventure is both thrilling and unforgettable.

This suggested Tanzanian safari itinerary is a starting point designed to be customised to fit your personal preferences, seasonal changes, and the movement of migratory animals. We offer various accommodation options to suit different budgets, ensuring everyone can find the perfect fit for their dream safari.

Feel free to reach out to one of our friendly travel consultants for further assistance or more detailed information about any of our African safaris, tours, and trekking packages. Let us help you plan an unforgettable journey into the wild heart of Africa.

Trip Duration:

8 days

Safari Travels To:

Lake Manyara / Serengeti Plains / Lake Ndutu / Ngrogoro Crater

Feeling a little adventourous?

We can help plan your adventure of a lifetime!

Your Day to Day Itinerary

All our itineraries are suggestions; they can be adapted and customised to suit your needs and preferences or for any seasonal changes or migratory animal movements.

Day 1 – Arusha to Karatu via Lake Manyara National Park area

Travel Time:

2 hours
Distance:

130 km

After your lunch in Arusha town, your adventure begins with our guide/driver coming to meet you in town at around 2:00 p.m. for a short safari briefing.

Once briefed and ready, we head west towards the breathtaking Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara National Park. This journey marks the start of your exciting safari experience.

Upon arrival in Karatu which is in the Lake Manyara area, you’ll settle in for dinner and an overnight stay to get ready for the following day’s unforgettable adventure in one of Tanzania’s most stunning wildlife areas.

Day 2 – Karatu to Serengeti Plains via Lake Manyara National Park

Travel Time:

2 hours
Distance:

130 km

After a delicious breakfast, we drive through the vibrant town of Mto Wa Mbu, an agricultural hub known for its bustling fresh produce market. This town, located near the entrance of Lake Manyara National Park, is a paradise for souvenir hunters, with countless vendors eager to showcase their wares.

Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s most picturesque wildlife areas. Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment, the park features a shallow soda lake that covers two-thirds of its expanse. This diverse habitat attracts a wide variety of animals, including one of Africa’s largest concentrations of elephants, the renowned tree-climbing lions, and large flocks of flamingos drawn by the lake’s algae.

After enjoying lunch, we continue our journey towards the Serengeti National Park. The route takes us through the scenic highlands of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As we leave the highlands behind, we descend into the heart of wild Africa, where the endless plains stretch out as far as the eye can see.

We will spend the next three days in the magnificent Serengeti National Park, a vast wilderness teeming with millions of animals. On our way to the accommodation, we’ll enjoy a late afternoon game drive, which will give you a taste of the incredible wildlife encounters to come.

Dinner and overnight accommodations will be in the Seronera area. Get ready to immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of the Serengeti.

Day 3 – Exploring the Serengeti Plains

Travel Time:

None
Distance:

0 km

After a hearty breakfast, we set off on a thrilling game drive along the Sogore River Circuit, which loops into the plains south of the Seronera River. This area is fantastic for spotting lions, Thomson gazelles, topis, ostriches, and cheetahs.

Following our morning adventure, we’ll visit the Serengeti Visitor Centre near the Seronera Lodge and public campsites. This well-designed centre features fascinating wildlife displays, a gift shop with informative leaflets and maps, and a snack shop. It also offers a picnic area and an information trail around a nearby kopje. Here, we’ll enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch in the shade of giant acacia trees.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore the Kopjes Circuit, which winds anti-clockwise around the Maasai Kopjes. These weathered granite outcrops are scattered across the plains and form miniature ecosystems. They provide shade and water in pools left after the rains, making them prime spots for wildlife, especially during the dry seasons. Lions often lie in wait here, hoping to catch animals coming to drink, and you might even spot some formidable cobras.

As evening approaches, we’ll return to your accommodation in the Seronera area for dinner and overnight to enjoy a peaceful night surrounded by the enchanting sounds of the Serengeti.

Day 4 – Serengeti Plains Adventure

Travel Time:

None
Distance:

0 km

Today presents an exceptional opportunity to embark on an optional but unforgettable hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti, culminating in a delightful champagne breakfast. This incredible experience is available at a supplementary cost and can be booked in advance.

After breakfast, we set off to explore the southeastern side of the park, focusing on the Barafu Kopjes and the Ngare Nanyuki River area for our morning and afternoon game drives. The Barafu Kopjes are renowned for their lion prides and are a prime spot for cheetah sightings. The Ngare Nanyuki River area teems with wildlife, offering a rich and diverse game-viewing experience.

As the day draws to an end, we’ll return to the Seronera area for dinner and overnight to enjoy a restful night ready for more adventures in the heart of the Serengeti.

Day 5 – Serengeti Plains to Lake Ndutu

Travel Time:

2 hours 30 mins
Distance:

110 km

Today marks our final day in the magnificent Serengeti National Park. As we leave the park, we’ll visit the iconic Simba Kopjes, named for the lions that love to bask in the sun on these rocky outcrops. During our morning game drive, keep an eye out for baboons, giraffes, and a variety of fascinating birds in this area.

Afterwards, we journey to Lake Ndutu, a unique alkaline lake in the Rift Valley that still provides drinkable water for a wide variety of wildlife. The contrast between Lake Ndutu and the vast open plains of the Serengeti is striking, offering a fresh perspective on Tanzania’s diverse landscapes.

We’ll enjoy an afternoon game drive around the lake, where you’ll likely encounter elephants, numerous bird species, and other resident plains game. The Ndutu area is renowned for its rich wildlife and serene beauty, providing an incredible change of scenery.

Our day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay in the Ndutu area, ensuring a comfortable and memorable end to the day’s adventures.

Day 6 – Lake Ndutu to Ngorongoro Crater

Travel Time:

2 hours
Distance:

90 km

After a delightful breakfast at Lake Ndutu, we set off for a morning game drive in the Naabi Hill area. This region offers captivating views and abundant wildlife, making it a perfect start to our day.

From there, we journey towards the Ngorongoro Crater, stopping at the renowned Olduvai Gorge, often called the “cradle of mankind.” This historic site, once an ancient lake bed covered by volcanic ash, preserved some of the world’s earliest records of human history. Unearthed by the dedicated Leakey family, the Gorge offers a fascinating glimpse into our past. The on-site museum displays these incredible discoveries and provides an insightful experience of humankind’s history.

Continuing our journey, we head to the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, known for its dense concentration of wildlife—an estimated 30,000 animals call it home. We’ll arrive at our lodge in time for a delightful lunch and spend the afternoon leisurely, soaking in the breathtaking surroundings.

Dinner and overnight will be on the Ngorongoro Crater Rim to enjoy a restful evening preparing for the next day’s adventures in one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife areas.

Day 7 – Exploring the Ngorongoro Crater

Travel Time:

None
Distance:

0 km

After an early breakfast, we will descend 600 meters into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of wildlife viewing. Prepare to witness an unforgettable spectacle of African wildlife in a world teeming with animals. With its year-round water supply and abundant fodder, the crater supports a diverse array of animals, including herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, giant elephants, and a small but vital population of black rhino.

The crater is also renowned for its dense population of predators. You’ll have the chance to see lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and the elusive leopard, which often requires a keen eye to spot.

We’ll return to your accommodation for lunch and then enjoy a leisurely afternoon, allowing you to relax and soak in the stunning views.

Dinner and overnight at your accommodation ready to delight in the serene ambience and prepare for more adventures in this extraordinary landscape.

Day 8 – Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha

Travel Time:

4 hours
Distance:

190 km

After breakfast, we will depart from the Ngorongoro Crater and head back to Arusha, marking the end of our incredible safari adventure. Upon arrival in Arusha, we’ll enjoy a farewell lunch, reminiscing about our unforgettable experiences.

We suggest tipping your driver/guide around $20 to $30 per day as a token of appreciation for their hard work and expertise.

After lunch, you will be driven to your hotel, officially concluding our safari services.

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Wildlife Safari

8 Day Lion Safari – Lake Manyara / Serengeti Plains / Lake Ndutu / Ngrongoro Crater

Predators of the Plains: A Tanzanian Safari Focused on Lion Encounters

Trip Duration:

Safari Travels To:

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Feeling a little adventourous?

We can help plan your adventure of a lifetime!

Your Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Arusha to Karatu via Lake Manyara National Park area

Travel Time:

Distance:

Day 2 – Karatu to Serengeti Plains via Lake Manyara National Park

Travel Time:

Distance:

Day 3 – Exploring the Serengeti Plains

Travel Time:

Distance:

Day 4 – Serengeti Plains Adventure

Travel Time:

Distance:

Day 5 – Serengeti Plains to Lake Ndutu

Travel Time:

Distance:

Day 6 – Lake Ndutu to Ngorongoro Crater

Travel Time:

Distance:

Day 7 – Exploring the Ngorongoro Crater

Travel Time:

Distance:

Day 8 – Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha

Travel Time:

Distance:

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