Overview & Summary
This safari weaves together Tanzania's most iconic wildlife destinations with an authentic encounter with the Maasai people one of East Africa's most celebrated cultures. Begin in Tarangire National Park, where massive elephant herds gather beneath ancient baobabs. Journey into the Serengeti for two full days of predator tracking across endless plains, searching for lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater at first light, where over 25,000 animals including the endangered black rhino roam. Then step into a Maasai village to learn about traditions that have thrived for centuries herding, beadwork, and the deep connection between the Maasai and the wild. With expert BMC TOURS & SAFARIS guides and a pace designed for immersion, this safari delivers both the thrill of the wild and the warmth of cultural connection.
Full Itinerary
Airport Transfer & Safari Briefing in Arusha
Your safari 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, perhaps exploring the vibrant local markets or simply unwinding by the pool. In the evening, your safari guide meets you for a private briefing, sharing insights on the days ahead from Tarangire's elephants to the Serengeti's predators, the ancient crater, and the Maasai village you will visit. A delicious dinner awaits, setting the tone for the journey to come.
Dinner and overnight at Tulia Retreat Hotel & Spa
Full Day Game Drive, Elephant Herds & Majestic Baobabs
After breakfast, journey to Tarangire National Park, a landscape dominated by ancient baobab trees and the life giving Tarangire River. This park is famous for its massive elephant herds, some numbering in the hundreds, gathering along the riverbanks during the dry season. Spend the full day on game drives through acacia woodlands, open savannahs, and seasonal swamps. Spot lions resting in the shade, giraffes browsing treetops, zebras grazing in herds, and the elusive tree climbing pythons coiled in acacia branches. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot overlooking the river, watching elephants drink and play. The afternoon continues with more wildlife encounters as golden light illuminates the baobabs. Exit the park in the late afternoon and transfer to your lodge near Karatu.
Dinner and overnight at Marera Valley Lodge
Ngorongoro Highlands Transit & Sunset Serengeti Game Drive
After breakfast, journey toward the legendary Serengeti National Park. The scenic drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Highlands, with stops at breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the Great Rift Valley and traditional Maasai homesteads dotting the landscape. As you descend onto the vast plains, the horizon stretches into eternity. Enter the Serengeti and begin your first game drive, encountering giraffes, elephants, zebras, and perhaps lions resting in the golden grass. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route before continuing your exploration. Arrive at your comfortable camp in Central Serengeti in the late afternoon, with time to settle in before an evening game drive as the sun sets over the endless plains. Return to camp for dinner under a blanket of stars.
Dinner and overnight at Osinon Serengeti Camp
Predator Tracking, Seronera Valley Game Drive & Granite Kopjes
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 and hyraxes scurry among the rocks. If the season aligns, witness the Great Migration with thousands of wildebeest and zebras stretching across the plains. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush, surrounded by the sounds of the wild. The afternoon offers more exploration through acacia woodlands and along the Seronera River. Return to camp as the sun sets, sharing stories of the day's wonders over dinner.
Dinner and overnight at Osinon Serengeti CampTransit Game Drive & Ascent to the Ngorongoro Crater Rim
After a final morning game drive in the Serengeti, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before beginning your journey toward the Ngorongoro Highlands. Travel through changing landscapes, from endless grasslands to acacia woodlands, stopping at viewpoints that offer sweeping panoramas of the Great Rift Valley. Your guide shares stories of the land as you ascend into cooler, greener highlands dotted with traditional Maasai homesteads. Arrive at your comfortable lodge perched on the Ngorongoro Crater rim in the late afternoon, where you are welcomed with breathtaking views of the caldera below. Settle in, then enjoy a delicious dinner as the sun sets over this ancient volcanic landscape, anticipation building for tomorrow's descent into Africa's Garden of Eden.
Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Safari Lodge
Crater Floor Game Drive, Ngoitokitok Hippo Springs & Big Five Tracking
After an early breakfast with spectacular crater views, descend 600 meters onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a full day game drive. This natural wonder, formed over two million years ago, teems with over 25,000 animals lions stalk zebras on open grasslands, elephants graze near hippo pools, and the endangered black rhino browses peacefully in the distance. Explore Lake Magadi's shimmering flamingos and the lush Gorigor Swamp before enjoying a picnic lunch at scenic Ngoitokitok Springs, watching hippos surface just meters away. The afternoon continues with more exploration across the crater floor, capturing the ever changing light and wildlife activity. Ascend the crater wall in the late afternoon and return to your lodge perched on the rim for dinner and overnight, reflecting on a day among the densest wildlife on earth.
Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Safari LodgeTraditional Maasai Boma Walk & Departure
After breakfast, descend from the crater rim and drive to Mto wa Mbu for a traditional Maasai boma visit. Elders welcome you with song and story, sharing their deep connection to the land and wildlife. Walk with the warriors, learn about intricate beadwork, and hear stories of Maasai life passed down through generations. This authentic cultural encounter offers a final connection to Tanzania's rich heritage. After your visit, enjoy a scenic drive back to Arusha with stops at viewpoints overlooking the Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara. Visit a local art gallery or curio market for final souvenirs before arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport in the early afternoon for your departure, carrying memories of elephants, lions, and the warmth of Maasai hospitality.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Private transfers from Kilimanjaro Airport
- Accommodations as listed (6 Nights)
- All meals: 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
- Daily game drives with expert BMC guide
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Park entry fees for Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
- Ngorongoro Crater descent fee
- Maasai village cultural visit
- Bottled drinking water
- All government taxes
Excluded
- International flights
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tanzania visa fees
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, spa)
- Tips for guide & lodge staff
- Accommodation before or after safari
Optional Activities
