6 Days Rift Valley Explorer

Overview & Summary

Discover the Great Rift Valley's wild heart on this expertly crafted 6-day safari. Begin in Lake Manyara, where tree climbing lions lounge in acacia branches and flamingos gather by the thousands. Journey into the Serengeti's endless plains, spending two full days tracking lions, leopards, and cheetahs across the predator rich Seronera Valley. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site teeming with over 25,000 animals including the endangered black rhino. With expert BMC TOURS & SAFARIS guides, comfortable accommodations, and a pace designed for immersion, this safari delivers unforgettable wildlife encounters and the timeless beauty of Tanzania's most iconic landscapes.

Full Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Arusha – Gateway to the Rift Valley

Airport Pick-up, Mount Meru views & Safari Briefing

Your journey begins with a warm welcome from your BMC TOURS & SAFARIS driver at Kilimanjaro International Airport. You are transferred to your comfortable hotel in Arusha, where views of Mount Meru greet you. The afternoon is yours to relax, explore local markets, or unwind by the pool.

In the evening, your safari guide meets you for a private briefing, sharing insights on the adventure ahead and answering your questions. A delicious dinner sets the tone for the exciting days to come.

Dinner and overnight at Tulia Retreat Hotel & Spa

Accommodation

Tulia Retreat Hotel & Spa

Day 2 Lake Manyara National Park – Tree Lions and Flamingos

Lush Groundwater Forests, Tree-Climbing Lions & Lake Manyara Bird Watching

After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park, nestled against the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment. This compact park is famed for its lush groundwater forest and tree climbing lions—a behavior rarely seen elsewhere. Embark on a full day game drive through diverse habitats, spotting elephants and baboons in the forest, then emerging onto floodplains where thousands of flamingos paint the shoreline pink.

Your guide helps you search for lions draped in acacia branches. Enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the lake, watching hippos wallow, then continue exploring acacia woodlands before transferring to your lodge near Karatu.

Dinner and overnight at Marera Valley Lodge

Accommodation

Marera Valley Lodge

Day 3 Karatu to Serengeti National Park – Into the Endless Plains

Ngorongoro Highlands Viewpoints, Maasai Village Scenic Drive & Plains Game Drive

After breakfast, journey toward the legendary Serengeti National Park. The scenic drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Highlands, with stops at viewpoints overlooking the Great Rift Valley and traditional Maasai homesteads. As you descend onto the vast plains, the horizon stretches into eternity.

Enter the Serengeti for your first game drive, encountering giraffes, elephants, zebras, and perhaps lions resting in golden grass. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route before continuing your exploration. Arrive at your comfortable camp in Central Serengeti in the late afternoon, settling in before an evening game drive as the sun sets over endless plains.

Dinner and overnight at Osinon Serengeti Camp

Accommodation

Osinon Serengeti Camp

Day 4 Full Day Serengeti Exploration – Predators and Kopjes

Sunrise Seronera Valley Game Drive, Predator Tracking & Granite Kopjes Compositions

Wake before dawn for an early morning game drive as the Serengeti awakens in golden light—prime time for predator sightings. The Seronera Valley, one of Africa's most predator rich regions, offers lions stalking zebras, cheetahs scanning from termite mounds, and leopards draped in acacia branches.

Spend the day exploring open savannahs and ancient granite kopjes where predators laze. Your expert guide tracks elephants, buffalo, and resident predators across the valley. Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the sounds of the bush, then continue your exploration through acacia woodlands. Return to camp as the sun sets, sharing stories of the day's wonders over dinner.

Dinner and overnight at Osinon Serengeti Camp

Day 5 Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater – Journey to the Crater Rim

Morning Serengeti Plains Game Drive, Rift Valley Scenic Ascent & Caldera Views

After a final morning game drive in the Serengeti, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before beginning your scenic journey toward the Ngorongoro Highlands. Travel through changing landscapes, from endless grasslands to acacia woodlands, stopping at viewpoints overlooking the Great Rift Valley.

Your guide shares stories of the land as you ascend into cooler, greener highlands dotted with Maasai homesteads. Arrive at your comfortable lodge perched on the Ngorongoro Crater rim in the late afternoon, welcomed by breathtaking views of the caldera below. Settle in, then enjoy a delicious dinner as the sun sets over this ancient volcanic landscape.

Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Safari Lodge

Accommodation

Ngorongoro Safari Lodge

Day 6 Ngorongoro Crater Descent and Return to Arusha

600-Meter Caldera Game Drive, Big Five Safari & Ngoitokitok Springs Picnic

After an early breakfast with spectacular crater views, descend 600 meters onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a final half day game drive. This natural wonder teems with over 25,000 animals—lions stalk zebras, elephants graze near hippo pools, and the endangered black rhino browses peacefully.

Explore Lake Magadi's flamingos and the lush Gorigor Swamp before enjoying a picnic lunch at scenic Ngoitokitok Springs, watching hippos surface just meters away. After lunch, ascend the crater wall and begin your scenic drive back to Arusha, stopping at viewpoints overlooking Lake Manyara and traditional Maasai villages. Arrive in Arusha for flexible drop-off at your hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport.

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Inclusions & Exclusions

Optional Activities

Maasai Village Visit

Optional add-on

Balloon Safari

Optional add-on

Walking Safari

Optional add-on