Set within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, this massive volcanic caldera is a place where wildlife thrives in one of the most scenic landscapes on earth. The Ngorongoro Crater is often described as a natural zoo a self-contained ecosystem where lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and the critically endangered black rhino roam freely across grassy plains, soda lakes, and forested hillsides.
Starting from
Per person (based on double occupancy)
This 5-day private guided safari takes you through Tanzania's most iconic national parks and conservation areas. From the elephant herds of Tarangire to the tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara, the endless plains of the Serengeti, and the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, this journey showcases the best of East African wildlife and landscapes.
Your adventure includes comfortable mid-range accommodations, expert guides, and all park fees. The itinerary is carefully designed to maximize wildlife viewing opportunities while providing cultural insights and moments of relaxation amidst Tanzania's stunning natural beauty.
Arrival to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) where you will be met and greeted by an Armadillo Adventures staff, after clearing customs and immigration procedures from outboarding point. After a brief meet + greetings and help with your luggage, you’ll be driven in a private safari vehicle to your hotel in Arusha You may enjoy some leisure time at the hotel, take a walk through the gardens, relax by the pool, or explore nearby shops or cafés in Arusha
You will be met by your private safari driver/guide after breakfast at your Arusha hotel and chauffeured for 2 hours to the southwest with the blossoming extensively known savannah of the Maasai-land and small kopjes' as you pass through Maasai villages to the picturesque, tree-dotted savannah of Tarangire National Park. Once at the park gate you will start your first game drive while on safari. Tarangire is home to the iconic towering baobab trees, huge vistas and most significantly of all one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, which can regularly be seen bathing, munching and making their way liked herds through the plains. Some other unique features are like Giant Baobabs, the breathtaking scenery is dominated by the presence of giant baobab trees, some of which are over 1000 years old, Seasonal movements During the dry season months (June to October), the park attracts large numbers of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, and gazelle, as they concentrate around the water of the Tarangire
After breakfast at your lodge in Tarangire, your journey continues northwards to Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania’s most ecologically diverse and scenically spectacular parks. The drive takes you through gently rolling hills, colorful local markets and traditional Maasai homesteads before reaching the gates of this small yet extraordinary park nestled beneath the towering cliffs of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. One of Manyara’s most iconic and rarest highlights is the chance to witness lions climbing trees a behavior seen in only a few places on Earth. These elusive cats are often spotted draped lazily across acacia branches, scanning the horizon or napping in the shade above ground level a spectacle that continues to puzzle and fascinate wildlife researchers. By late afternoon, you’ll make your way to your lodge located along the escarpment overlooking the lake tomorrow’s adventure into the heart of the Serengeti.
After an early breakfast at your lodge in Manyara, you will begin the scenic journey toward the Serengeti. This day is not just a transfer but a visual and emotional shift you move from the lush green highlands to the golden expansive plains of wild Africa. Shortly after departure, your route climbs into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, passing through thick forest and high-altitude grassland. On a clear day, you’ll stop at a breathtaking viewpoint on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Here, you will witness the vast caldera stretching 600 meters deep and home to nearly 25,000 animals. It’s a moment that captures the scale and beauty of Tanzania’s natural world. You will then proceed across the crater’s outer slopes and into the open plains of the Serengeti ecosystem, entering the park through the Naabi Hill Gate a landmark surrounded by kopjes and often visited by giraffes and rock hyraxes. Once inside the Serengeti proper, the atmosphere transforms. The terrain flattens, visibility stretches endlessly, and the true meaning of the name “Serengeti” the land that goes on forever becomes real. Wildlife sightings begin almost immediately: gazelles in the hundreds, scattered elephant families, and predators like cheetah lying low in the golden grasses. Our guide will conduct a game drive en route to your camp, giving you your first taste of Serengeti’s magic. You’ll arrive at your lodge or tented camp in time to settle in and enjoy a bush sundowner or relax around the campfire before dinner.
Today is a full day dedicated to exploring the iconic Serengeti. You may choose to leave early for a sunrise game drive when predators are most active. Depending on the season, you might witness the Great Migration herds or predator-prey interaction across the open plains. The central Serengeti (Seronera) is known for excellent year-round wildlife, including leopard territories along the river valleys, lion prides resting under kopjes, and cheetah scanning the plains. Picnic lunch will be served in a scenic spot as you enjoy an uninterrupted day in the wild.
After breakfast, enjoy a final game drive en route as you depart the Serengeti heading back toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Today you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural sanctuary with nearly every species of East African wildlife represented within its walls. The crater floor is a haven for black rhino, large lion prides, spotted hyenas, herds of buffalo, hippo pools, and a variety of birdlife. After an unforgettable half-day game drive and bush picnic, you will ascend back to the rim and begin your drive to Arusha. As you approach the crater highlands, the landscape changes from savannah to lush forested slopes. Spend the rest of the day enjoying spectacular views of the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, often called Africa’s Eden. Later you will ascend and drive to Karatu area where you will arrive for dinner at your Lodge
After a relaxed breakfast at your lodge in Karatu, you will begin your journey back toward Arusha. The drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Highlands, past local farms, villages, and colorful roadside markets — offering one final glimpse of rural Tanzania. The descent from the highlands is gradual and scenic, allowing you to take in the full beauty of the Great Rift Valley as you leave the safari circuit behind. Upon arrival in Arusha, you will enjoy a leisurely lunch at the elegant Arusha Coffee Lodge, a serene plantation-style retreat nestled in one of Tanzania’s largest working coffee estates. The lunch experience offers a fine selection of freshly prepared meals with a blend of local and international flavors served in the shade of lush gardens surrounded by aromatic coffee trees. After lunch, take part in a guided visit to the Shanga Workshop, located on the same estate. Shanga is a heartwarming social enterprise that employs people with disabilities to create beautiful handmade products using recycled materials. During this brief tour you’ll witness the glass-blowing process, beadwork, and weaving, all while supporting a project that blends art, culture, and compassion.
