Roundtrip completed

At the foot of Mount Meru lies Arusha – Tanzania’s bustling safari capital and the starting point for legendary adventures in East Africa. This lively city serves as the gateway to the northern safari circuit and opens the way to iconic destinations such as the vast Serengeti, the impressive Ngorongoro Crater and the majestic Kilimanjaro. Arusha offers more than just a departure point: enjoy lively markets, cultural experiences and all the amenities for the ultimate wildlife journey.

Arusha National Park: Where wildlife roams freely
Arusha National Park is a picturesque gem at the foot of Mount Meru, renowned for its impressive variety of landscapes – from the scenic Momella Lakes to the lush Ngurdoto Crater. Although it is not a Big Five destination, the park is renowned for its large population of giraffes and the spectacular black-and-white colobus monkeys. What makes Arusha truly special is the opportunity to undertake activities such as walking safaris and canoe trips – a perfect and accessible introduction to Tanzania’s unspoilt nature.

Mto wa Mbu is a bustling farming village at the gateway to Lake Manyara National Park, unique for its incredible cultural diversity – with over 120 Tanzanian tribes living together in harmony. The lush, irrigated fields yield an abundance of fruit and grain, whilst the lively local market offers an authentic glimpse into Tanzanian rural life.

Lake Manyara: where water and wilderness meet
At the foot of the imposing western slope of the Great Rift Valley lies Lake Manyara National Park – a compact yet extraordinarily diverse safari destination. The park is world-famous for its unique population of tree-climbing lions, which are often spotted relaxing in the branches of acacia trees. At the heart of the park lies the vast, shallow soda lake, which glows with the pink flamingos that gather there in huge flocks – a breathtaking spectacle. Despite its modest size, Manyara offers a stunningly varied landscape: from dense groundwater forests teeming with baboons to open woodland and grassy plains. This mosaic-like environment is home to a high concentration of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo and over 400 species of birds. A true gem within Tanzania’s Northern Safari Route.

The area around Lake Natron in Tanzania, situated in the East African Rift Valley, is a region of rugged, otherworldly beauty dominated by a shallow, highly alkaline soda lake. This unique and harsh environment – often coloured red or pink by salt-loving microorganisms – is inhospitable to most life forms, but forms the world’s most important breeding ground for millions of lesser flamingos. Dominated by the impressive, active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai (the ‘Mountain of God’ in Maasai), this region offers dramatic landscapes and the chance to witness this extraordinary bird spectacle, combined with encounters with the local Maasai culture.

Ngare Sero Waterfall: A hidden oasis
A tour to Ngare Sero Waterfall is an exciting, adventurous hike and the perfect refreshing escape from the intense heat of the area around Lake Natron. This is no ordinary walk; accompanied by a local Maasai guide, you’ll walk straight into the river, wading through cool water up to your ankles or knees and scrambling over rocks as you traverse a stunning, narrow gorge with towering, colourful cliffs providing welcome shade. Your adventurous trek ends at a stunning hidden waterfall that flows into a crystal-clear pool, where you can take a refreshing dip – the ultimate reward for your efforts. This tour is ideal for active and adventurous travellers who want to cool off and experience the impressive geological beauty of the Rift Valley up close.

A Flamingo Spectacle in a Volcanic Setting
A flamingo walk at Lake Natron is a surreal and unforgettable journey through one of the most dramatic landscapes on earth, offering a front-row seat to an impressive wildlife spectacle. Visiting during the height of the breeding season is particularly worthwhile, when the lake transforms into the world’s most important nesting site for millions of young flamingos. Accompanied by a local Maasai guide, you’ll walk across the vast, glistening salt flats – a cracked, baked soda landscape in the shadow of the sacred volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai – to the edge of the shallow, alkaline water. There you’ll be greeted by the breathtaking sight and sound of a sea of pink, as the flamingos forage, mate and tend to their nests. This allows you to form a deep connection with the raw, ancient beauty of a landscape found nowhere else on earth.

Ikoma is situated just outside the north-western boundary of the Serengeti National Park, near the Grumeti River and the Ikoma Gate. This area serves as an important buffer zone and is renowned for unique safari experiences such as night safaris and guided walking safaris – activities that are often not permitted within the park itself. Ikoma offers access to the rich ecosystem of the Serengeti and reveals a different perspective on the African bush, with a mix of migratory species and permanent residents.

Serengeti National Park – Africa’s ultimate safari destination
A visit to the Serengeti National Park is an immersion in one of the most iconic and breathtaking wildlife areas in the world. The name ‘Serengeti’ means ‘endless plains’, and the park more than lives up to this: vast, golden-yellow savannahs stretch to the horizon, interspersed with acacia trees and granite rock formations. The Serengeti is world-famous for its incredible wildlife density, including the “Big Five”, and offers one of the best places in Africa to observe big cats. The absolute highlight is the Great Wildebeest Migration, and right now – mid-June – is the perfect time to witness the spectacular river crossings. The immense herds are usually found in the Western Corridor, where they brave the perilous crossing of the crocodile-filled Grumeti River on their way north. Even outside the migration period, the Serengeti offers exceptional wildlife viewing all year round, and the park evokes a timeless sense of deep connection with the pure, untamed soul of Africa.

Serengeti – Walking amongst the wildlife, enjoying the view at sunset
Embark on an intimate journey of discovery through the Ikona Wilderness area on a guided walking safari that brings you face to face with the unspoilt beauty of the bush. Accompanied by an experienced guide and an armed ranger, you’ll connect deeply with nature as you follow wildlife tracks on foot and learn to spot the subtle details of flora and fauna that often go unnoticed from a vehicle. This immersive experience flows seamlessly into a beloved safari tradition: the sundowner. As the afternoon light softens, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the plains, refreshing drinks and tasty snacks at a carefully chosen location. Meanwhile, the African sun paints the sky in warm hues and the sounds of the day slowly give way to the evening concert of the wilderness.

Ikona Night Safari – The wilderness after sunset
Experience how the African bush comes to life after sunset during an Ikona Night Safari – an exciting adventure not permitted in the neighbouring Serengeti National Park. Under a starry sky, a powerful spotlight reveals a hidden world of nocturnal animals such as the genet, civet and galago (bush baby). Predators are also at their most active at this time, giving you the rare chance to see a lion on the hunt or follow a leopard silently through the undergrowth. A sensory safari full of excitement, in which the wild reveals its 24-hour rhythm.