Discover Tanzania’s Natural Wonders: an 11-day Safari adventure

Tarangire National Park is a landscape dotted with ancient baobab trees and seasonal swamps, famous for some of Africa’s largest elephant herds. The park’s lifeline, the Tarangire River, attracts spectacular concentrations of wildlife during the dry season—an unparalleled safari experience for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

Tarangire: land of giants
A visit to Tarangire National Park is like a journey back to prehistoric times, through a landscape dominated by the impressive silhouettes of ancient baobab trees under the vast African sky. Known as the “land of giants,” the park is especially famous for its enormous herds of elephants, which gather along the lifeline of the Tarangire River during the dry season, which begins in June. But Tarangire offers more than just elephants: it is the excitement of tracking tree-climbing lions, the splendor of more than 550 bird species, and the thrill of survival dramas when zebras, wildebeests, and buffalos converge at increasingly scarce water sources. A powerful, raw safari experience that immerses you completely in the pure essence of the East African wilderness.

The Rift Valley south of Lake Manyara is a breathtaking region in Tanzania, known for its steep cliffs, lush landscapes, and diverse ecosystems. The striking terrain—with dramatic slopes and vast plains—provides the perfect backdrop for nature lovers and adventurers.

The southern part of the Rift Valley is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, and countless bird species. Visitors can explore the region via game drives, hiking trails, and cultural tours that provide insight into the lives of the local Maasai communities.

Nestled in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park is a compact but exceptionally diverse reserve. It is known for its unique tree-climbing lions, large troops of baboons, and the glistening alkaline lake teeming with flamingos—all set against a backdrop of steep cliffs and lush groundwater forests.

Enchanting Lake Manyara: A wildlife paradise
Located at the foot of the impressive western rim of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park offers a compact but extremely varied safari experience. The park is world-renowned for its unique population of tree-climbing lions, which can often be seen lazing in the branches of acacia trees. The showpiece is the vast, shallow soda lake, which sparkles beneath huge flocks of pink flamingos, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Despite its modest size, Manyara is home to a varied landscape – from dense groundwater forests where large troops of baboons live to open woodlands and grasslands – with an impressive concentration of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, and more than 400 bird species. This makes it a picturesque gem in Tanzania’s Northern Circuit.

Mto wa Mbu is a bustling farming village at the gateway to Lake Manyara National Park, unique for its incredible cultural diversity—with more than 120 Tanzanian tribes living peacefully side by side. The lush, irrigated fields provide an abundance of fruit and grains, while the lively local market offers an authentic glimpse into Tanzanian rural life.

Lodoare Gate is the main western entrance and a crucial checkpoint for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) in Tanzania. It is the central access point for most visitors on their way to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater and further on to the plains of the Serengeti. At this busy gateway, park fees are paid and safari vehicles line up to enter the iconic game reserve.

Ngorongoro Crater – The Eighth Wonder of the World
A world unto itself – the Ngorongoro Crater is a vast, vibrant ecosystem nestled within the walls of the world’s largest intact caldera. This UNESCO World Heritage Site acts as a natural enclosure, where steep 600-meter cliffs protect an astonishing concentration of life on the fertile plains below. It is a realm of unparalleled biodiversity, where buffalo graze, lion prides reign, and the critically endangered black rhino finds a rare refuge. For visitors, the crater is an almost guaranteed stage for nature’s spectacle, with an exceptional opportunity to spot all of the “Big Five” during one unforgettable safari.

Nestled in the cool, green highlands of northern Tanzania, the lively farming town of Karatu is a popular base for travelers wishing to explore the wonders of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, and the national parks of Lake Manyara and Tarangire. Surrounded by fertile fields and thriving coffee plantations, Karatu offers a refreshing stopover where visitors can sample the authentic rhythm of Tanzanian rural life—right at the crossroads of agriculture and tourism.

The area around Lake Natron in Tanzania, located in the East African Rift Valley, is a region of rugged, otherworldly beauty dominated by a shallow, highly alkaline soda lake. This unique and caustic environment—often colored red or pink by salt-loving microorganisms—is inhospitable to most life forms, but it is the most important breeding ground in the world 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 opportunity to witness this extraordinary bird spectacle, combined with encounters with the local Maasai culture.

Hominid footprints: Evidence of early human evolution
Travel back in time at the Lake Natron Hominid Footprints, some of the world’s oldest preserved human footprints, estimated to be between 5,000 and 19,000 years old. These ancient tracks, left in volcanic mud, offer a fascinating glimpse into early human life. During a guided tour, you will gain insight into the scientific significance of the site and the surrounding landscape.

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

A Flamingo Spectacle in a Volcanic Environment
A flamingo walk at Lake Natron is a surreal and unforgettable journey through one of the most dramatic landscapes on earth, with a front-row seat to an impressive wildlife spectacle. Visiting during the peak of the breeding season is particularly worthwhile, when the lake transforms into the world’s most important nesting site for millions of lesser flamingos. Accompanied by a local Maasai guide, you will walk across the vast, glistening salt flats—a cracked, baked soda landscape in the shadow of the sacred Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano—to the edge of the shallow, alkaline water. There you will 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 connect deeply with the raw, ancient beauty of a landscape found nowhere else on earth.

Ololosokwan is a vibrant Maasai village and community area on the northeastern border of Tanzania’s iconic Serengeti National Park, often referred to as the Loliondo Game Controlled Area. The village is known for its pioneering form of community-based conservation, whereby the local Maasai actively contribute to wildlife protection while maintaining their traditional pastoral way of life. Visitors can participate in authentic cultural experiences, such as visiting a traditional boma, learning about Maasai customs and beadwork, and experiencing daily life—all in a unique environment where humans and wildlife coexist in this essential buffer zone.

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is world-renowned for its endless savannahs and the impressive Great Migration of over a million wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles. This legendary wildlife reserve offers unparalleled opportunities to spot the Big Five and is home to an exceptional wealth of wildlife within one of the oldest ecosystems in the world.

Serengeti – The Endless Plains
Discover Serengeti National Park, a world-famous wildlife reserve in northern Tanzania, where vast golden plains stretch endlessly under the wide African sky. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a front-row seat to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders – the Great Migration – as millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles trek across the savannah in search of fresh grass. Home to the iconic Big Five and countless other species, the Serengeti is a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers alike. From sunrise game drives to sunsets that bathe the horizon in amber light, every moment in the Serengeti is a breathtaking encounter with the untamed beauty of the African wilderness.

Just outside the northwestern border of Serengeti National Park, near the Grumeti River and Ikoma Gate, lies Ikoma. This area serves as an important buffer zone and is known for unique safari experiences such as night safaris and guided walking safaris—activities that are often not permitted within the park itself. Ikoma provides 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 – Walking among 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 unspoiled beauty of the bush. Accompanied by an experienced guide and an armed ranger, you will connect with nature in a profound way as you follow wildlife tracks on foot and develop an eye for 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 will 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 tones 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 that is not permitted in the adjacent Serengeti National Park. Under a starry sky, a powerful spotlight reveals a hidden world of nocturnal animals such as the genet cat, civet cat, and galago (bush baby). Predators are also most active at this time, giving you the rare opportunity to see a lion hunting or follow a leopard silently through the bush. A sensory-stimulating safari full of excitement, in which wild nature reveals its 24-hour rhythm.

Serengeti National Park – Africa’s ultimate safari destination
A visit to 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 its name: vast, golden 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 Migration of wildebeests, 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 dangerous 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 feeling of deep connection with the pure, untamed soul of Africa.

Seronera Airstrip (SEU) is the bustling aviation hub at the heart of Tanzania’s iconic Serengeti National Park. Strategically located in the Seronera Valley, this airstrip serves as the main air access point for travelers on fly-in safaris. It offers direct and easy access to the central part of the Serengeti, famous for its exceptional wildlife concentrations throughout the year – particularly its impressive populations of big cats. Thanks to its central location, the airstrip is essential for exploring this wildlife-rich core of the Serengeti.

Arusha Airport (ARK) serves as the vibrant domestic springboard for unforgettable adventures in Tanzania. The airport takes travelers directly to the heart of East Africa’s most beloved wildlife destinations in the north of the country. From this strategically located airport, just outside the city of Arusha, countless safaris depart daily by charter flight or domestic connection to iconic locations such as the vast plains of the Serengeti, the unique ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Crater, and the varied landscapes of Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks.

Arusha Airport offers an intimate and direct connection to the northern safari route, making it the ideal starting point for any safari. The airport’s infrastructure is currently being upgraded to better serve the constant flow of international visitors, further strengthening its reputation as the gateway to the northern safari experience.