Experience Tanzania’s greatest wildlife treasures on this safari adventure: the Big Five, and the Great Migration – all in one amazing safari.
African Safari in Tanzania’s Famed National Parks is a combined safari to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti in a single unforgettable trip. parks and amazing wildlife. From the huge herds of elephants in Tarangire to the big cats and migrating animals in the Serengeti, and the Big Five in Ngorongoro’s beautiful caldera, this trip offers incredible wildlife experiences along with stunning landscapes and rich local culture.
Firstly, in Tarangire National Park, encounter immense herds of elephants roaming among ancient, towering baobab trees. Alongside giraffes, zebras, and over 500 bird species. The park’s sweeping savannahs and winding river valleys create a landscape that feels timeless and raw.
From there, continue to Lake Manyara National Park, a lush, compact gem set beneath the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment. Manyara is known for its tree-climbing lions and large flocks of pink flamingos that carpet the lakeshore. Additionally, hippos, monkeys, and diverse birdlife thrive among forests, swamps, and open plains, making it one of Tanzania’s most scenic parks.
Your journey then leads to the Ngorongoro Crater. A UNESCO World Heritage site is often referred to as a “Garden of Eden.” Here, a huge variety of wildlife lives together, including lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalo, and leopards, completing the famous Big Five. Moreover, from the crater rim, enjoy sweeping panoramas, while encounters with the Maasai add an enriching cultural experience.
Finally, the endless plains of the Serengeti National Park unveil Africa’s greatest stage: home to sprawling plains, prowling big cats. Witness over a million wildebeest and zebras traverse the land in search of fresh grazing from golden grasslands to dramatic river crossings. Truly, every moment here feels like a scene from a wildlife documentary.
To sum up, this safari is more than just observing animals; it’s about feeling the pulse of the wild. For instance, you can listen to lions roaring under the night sky, watch elephants gather at waterholes. And also wonder at the savannah glowing in the golden rays of sunset. Ultimately, it is the seamless combination of wildlife, stunning scenery, adventure, and cultural encounters that makes this safari truly unforgettable.
Arrive in Arusha, where you will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport, then relax at your lodge or hotel and receive a safari briefing from your guide before getting into the African wilderness.
Depart early after breakfast from Arusha and drive for about two to three hours to Tarangire National Park. The park is famous for its huge herds of elephants and majestic baobab trees. During the dry season (June to September), thousands of animals migrate from the dry Masai steppe to the Tarangire River in search of water. Spend the day on game drives, with a picnic lunch included. Spend the night in a lodge or camp at Tarangire.
Spend a full day exploring Tarangire National Park, renowned for its large elephant herds, baobab-studded landscapes, and abundant wildlife. Embark on morning and afternoon game drives, keeping an eye out for giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, kudu, and the rare oryx. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the park, surrounded by nature. Capture unforgettable wildlife moments and soak in the stunning scenery throughout the day.
Enjoy an early morning game drive, where you can spot the Big Five along with hippos, hyenas, and flamingos shimmering on the soda lake. By midday, you ascend from the crater and drive toward Lake Manyara National Park, a scenic journey of about two hours through the highlands and Rift Valley escarpment. In the afternoon, you enjoy a game drive in Lake Manyara, famous for its tree-climbing lions, large flocks of flamingos, and rich birdlife along the lakeshore.
Early morning startup into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places to spot the Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard—all in a single day. In the mid-day, we will enjoy the picnic lunch at Hippo Pool, where you can eat near the water while hippos wallow nearby. Wildlife tends to rest in the shade during the heat, but predators like lions and hyenas may still be active. In the afternoon, continue exploring different sections of the crater, like grasslands, swamps, and forests.
Begin with an early morning game drive in the Central Serengeti (Seronera area), where the rolling plains are home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes. You stop for a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive, following herds of wildebeest and zebra, and finish the day at your lodge or tented camp.
Set out at sunrise to explore the Northern Serengeti, depending on the season to catch the Great Migration and, if lucky, witness the dramatic Mara River crossings. Throughout the day, you track predators on the hunt, enjoy a bush lunch, and experience the vast Serengeti landscape as the sun sets over the endless plains.
This morning game drive takes you deeper into the Serengeti ecosystem, spotting elephants, hyenas, and a variety of antelope species. You break for lunch in a scenic spot before taking a final afternoon game drive, capturing the last moments of wildlife activity before returning to your lodge or preparing to travel onward to your destination.
a large cat and the fastest land animal
a wild small cat native to Africa
African savanna elephants are the largest species of elephant and the biggest terrestrial animal on Earth
forest buffalo, West African savanna buffalo, Central African buffalo, and southern savanna buffalo
a large antelope found widely in sub-Saharan Africa
a graceful, reddish-brown antelope native to eastern and southern Africa
Gray Jackal is the subspecies of the golden wolf native to Senegal
The hippopotamus is a very aggressive wild creature and is the deadliest large land mammal on the planet
African equines with distinctive black-and-white striped coats
Zebras are known for their black-and-white stripes. There are three types of zebras: Grévy's zebra, the plains zebra, and the mountain zebra
The giraffe is a large African animal with hooves, belonging to the genus Giraffa. It is the tallest animal on land and the biggest ruminant in the world.
An African safari is a trip into the wild to see Africa’s amazing animals and beautiful landscapes.
a wildlife viewing trip in the African savannah ecosystem
an actual African savannah at sunset
Tarangire National Park lies in Northern Tanzania’s Manyara Region about 120 km (75 miles) south of Arusha. The park is named after the Tarangire River, which serves as the main water source for wildlife during the dry season. It takes about 2- 3 hours from Arusha to reach the park.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a protected area and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Ngorongoro District, about 180 km (110 mi) west of Arusha. It takes approximately 4–5 hours by car or safari vehicle, depending on road conditions and stops during game drives along the way.
If you go to Tarangire and drive to Ngorongoro, driving usually takes around 3.5 to 4.5 hours, covering a distance of about 150 km (95 miles), with the exact time depending on the exit gate used and the duration of game drives.
Serengeti National Park lies in northern Tanzania, spanning the Mara and Simiyu regions, roughly 335 km (208 miles) northwest of Arusha, and shares its northern border with Kenya’s Maasai Mara Reserve. It is the core of the vast Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, renowned for the Great Migration.
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I really wanted to find a local company who could make a personalised itinerary for my husband and I to do red panda trekking and a safari in Bardia National Park to see tigers (among other things). I would highly recommend Tiger Encounter for any trip to Nepal, but especially if you’re looking to encounter wildlife.
We recently returned from a 2 week private wildlife trekking and safari tour with Tiger Encounter, and couldn’t recommend them highly enough. We found them through a Google search and we are so glad that we did – we were so impressed! Tiger Encounter really offer such a personalised service and clearly care about their travellers.
Excellent safari in Chitwan and Bardia. Very professional company and we were looked after really well. Communication was easy and fast response. The guides on the safaris were brilliant and the accommodation was excellent. Can’t rate them highly enough.
I’ve been to 28 different countries and countless safaris over the world- let me tell you that this is the standard for every other safari I’ve been on since! The attention to detail, the absolute love and care of the guides, and the tour operator’s genuine wish for you to have the best experience possible made this one of the most amazing tours/safaris I’ve been on. It was just as amazing to meet the locals and meet the Tharu people as it was to see the rhino and to be close up with an elephant!! (And That tiger that kept in front of our raft to cross the river!!) As an experienced traveler, take my word that you will have a genuinely wild and carefree adventure!!!???
Had the most wonderful and life changing experience with Tiger Encounter. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Sharma (owner) who had accompanied me as my guide throughout my adventure. They had planned everything so well and truly make you feel like family. Be it every step of the way from jeep safari, jungle walk, canoe ride, trek through the jungle, mountain trek Mr. Sharma is truly amazing guide, photographer and wonderful motivator. It goes without saying that your guide is your doorway to experiencing everything about the beautiful country you visit. Be it food, shopping, adventure or pleasure. I truly loved every moment of my time…and hope to return to this beautiful country with Tiger Encounter to many more adventures and celebrating a wonderful friendship. Hop you all have as amazing adventures and journeys with them. ?
Thank you Tiger Encounter team for another great experience in beautiful Nepal. We had amazing memories in Mt. Everest & Chitwan! We did wildlife safari, jeep safari, bird watching, village tour & cultural program. You are super professional, knowledgeable. Strongly recommend.
Tiger Encounter made our tiger encounter possible. On tiger tracking day two we saw the beautiful beast come out to drink it has an incredible experience. Waiting for almost two days on the blazing heat of May was really worth it!!
We went on a wildlife safari tour operated by Tiger Encounter last May 2019. It was a great experience for the whole family our kids were very excited to see animals out in the wild.
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