Overview
This 4-day safari takes you on an incredible journey through Tanzania’s most famous parks and introduces you to ancient cultures. You’ll see tree-climbing lions at Lake Manyara, witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti, and meet the Hadzabe tribe who still live as hunter-gatherers like people did thousands of years ago. Your adventure ends in the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, home to Africa’s Big Five animals. This trip combines amazing wildlife viewing with authentic cultural experiences that will teach you about traditional African ways of life.
Day 1: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
Your safari adventure begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Arusha. The scenic drive to Lake Manyara National Park takes you through the Great Rift Valley with stunning views of the escarpment walls. Lake Manyara is famous for its diverse ecosystems packed into a small area. You’ll drive through thick forests where elephants hide in the shadows and baboons play in the trees. The park’s shallow soda lake attracts thousands of flamingos that create pink carpets on the water. Your guide will help you spot the famous tree-climbing lions that rest on acacia branches during the hot afternoon. You’ll spend the night at a lodge overlooking the park with views of the lake and surrounding wilderness.
Day 2: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you’ll drive toward the world-famous Serengeti National Park. The journey takes you through traditional Maasai lands where you’ll see colorful warriors herding cattle and goats. As you enter the Serengeti, the landscape opens up into endless grasslands that stretch to the horizon. This is where the Great Migration happens every year as millions of wildebeest and zebras follow the rains in search of fresh grass. Your afternoon game drive will show you why the Serengeti is considered one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations. Lions hunt in prides, cheetahs sprint across the plains, and leopards rest in rocky kopjes. You’ll sleep under the African stars at a tented camp in the heart of the wilderness.
Day 3: Serengeti to Hadzabe Cultural Experience
Today starts with an early morning game drive in the Serengeti to catch animals when they’re most active. You’ll then travel to Lake Eyasi to meet the Hadzabe people, one of Africa’s last hunter-gatherer tribes. The Hadzabe have lived the same way for over 50,000 years, hunting with bows and arrows and gathering wild fruits and honey. You’ll join them on a hunting expedition where they’ll show you how to track animals and make fire using traditional methods. The Hadzabe men will demonstrate their incredible archery skills while the women teach you about medicinal plants they collect in the bush. This rare opportunity lets you experience how humans lived before farming and cities existed. You’ll spend the night at a lodge near Lake Eyasi.
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater and Return to Arusha
Your final day brings the ultimate wildlife experience as you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world’s largest unbroken volcanic crater and home to over 25,000 animals. The crater floor contains every type of habitat from grasslands to forests to swamps. You’ll have excellent chances to see all of Africa’s Big Five animals including the rare black rhino. Large herds of zebras and wildebeest graze alongside buffalo while lions and hyenas hunt nearby. Flamingos wade in the crater’s soda lake while hippos cool off in freshwater pools. After a picnic lunch overlooking this natural wonder, you’ll make the steep climb out of the crater and drive back to Arusha. Your safari ends with amazing memories of wildlife and ancient cultures that few people ever get to experience.
Includes
- All accommodation in safari lodges and tented camps with full board meals.
- Professional English-speaking safari guide and 4WD vehicle with pop-up roof.
- All park entry fees for Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
- Ngorongoro Crater service fees and vehicle permits.
- Cultural visit to authentic Hadzabe tribe with local interpreter.
- Airport transfers in Arusha on arrival and departure.
- Bottled water during all safari activities and cultural visits.
- Game drives as per itinerary with unlimited mileage.
- All government taxes and service charges.
- Traditional Hadzabe hunting demonstration and bush walk experience.
Excludes
- International flights to and from Tanzania.
- Tanzania visa fees and comprehensive travel insurance.
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks at lodges and camps.
- Personal shopping and souvenirs at local markets.
- Tips for safari guide, lodge staff, and Hadzabe community.
- Optional activities not specifically mentioned in itinerary.
- Medical expenses and required vaccinations before travel.
- Items of personal nature like laundry and international phone calls.
- Emergency evacuation insurance coverage.
- Additional cultural visits beyond Hadzabe experience included.