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Giraffe walking below Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano near Lake Natron
Adventure Safari · Private safariMade to feel personal from the first night to the last drive

10 Days Taste of Northern Tanzania

Lake Natron's flamingos and Ol Doinyo Lengai, the northern Serengeti migration, the crater, the Hadzabe and a coffee farm.

Duration10 days / 9 nights
PriceOn request
StyleAdventure Safari
Best timeJul–Oct
Crafted safari story

A more thoughtful way to experience Tanzania

A wilder take on the north. Two nights at Lake Natron beneath Ol Doinyo Lengai – the only active volcano in the Rift Valley – then the migration in the northern Serengeti, the Central Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, a morning with the Hadzabe at Lake Eyasi and a hands-on coffee experience before you fly home.

  • Two nights at Lake Natron
  • Migration in the northern Serengeti
  • Hadzabe bushmen experience
  • Coffee farm tour near Arusha
Safari at a glance
Category
Adventure Safari
Duration
10 days / 9 nights
Starting from
Price on request
Key places
Arusha, Lake Natron, Northern Serengeti, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Eyasi
Guiding
Private vehicle and driver-guide
Speak to a safari specialist
Giraffe walking below Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano near Lake Natron
Travellers swimming at the waterfall near Lake Natron
Close-up of a greater flamingo
Wildebeest crossing the river during the Great Migration
Hadzabe man and boy beside a fire at Lake Eyasi

This itinerary is a starting point, not a rigid template

We can refine pace, accommodation style, flight logistics, park combinations and beach extensions around your dates, budget and travel rhythm.

Shape this journey with us
Day by day

A journey that builds with rhythm, not rush

Day 1

Arusha

Karibu Tanzania. On arrival your guide will be waiting with a warm welcome. Relax in your vehicle as he transfers you to your accommodation in Arusha (approximately 60 km), on the slopes of Mount Meru.

Meals: Breakfast & dinnerOptional: Game drive in Arusha National Park – $175 per person
Day 2

Lake Natron

Drive to Lake Natron, off the beaten path and away from the crowds, through the cultural home of the Maasai. Pass Engaruka, a Stone Age archaeological site, and the majestic Ol Doinyo Lengai, the only active volcano in the Great Rift Valley. The lake's colours range from pink and lime to green and red thanks to its minerals – and the flamingos. Arrive in the late afternoon for bird watching and a sunset walk by the lake.

Meals: All meals
Day 3

Lake Natron – excursions

A full day of excursions by the lake: flamingos and other birds, guided lakeshore walks, the waterfalls and a hike to the hominid footprints. In the evening, enjoy a sundowner overlooking the lake, Lengai and Gelai mountains as the sun drops behind the Rift Valley escarpment.

Meals: All meals
Day 4

Northern Serengeti – the migration

Leave after breakfast with a packed lunch and follow the migration paths. We spend the day with the herds – around 1.5 million wildebeest and 500,000 zebra – while lion, cheetah and other predators wait for their moment, and crocodiles lie in wait at the river crossings. In the early evening, drive to your camp.

Meals: All meals
Day 5

Northern Serengeti

A second full day positioned with the migration in the north, timing drives around the herds and the river.

Meals: All meals
Day 6

Tracing the Big Five in the Serengeti

Today we enjoy morning and afternoon game drives on the vast Serengeti plains. In the early morning and evening light, the landscape is stunningly beautiful. The Serengeti ecosystem supports the greatest remaining concentration of plains game in Africa – more than three million large mammals – and never disappoints. Depending on wildlife movement, we serve a picnic lunch at a scenic site or return to the lodge for a hot lunch.

Meals: All mealsOptional: Shared balloon safari – $546 per person
Day 7

Ngorongoro Crater

Take picnic lunch boxes for a crater tour. The Ngorongoro Crater is often called Africa's Garden of Eden: within its 300 km² lie riverine forest, open plains and fresh and alkaline lakes, with a remarkable concentration of wildlife – including the endangered black rhino. Descend almost 600 metres to the floor, then return to camp in the afternoon.

Meals: All meals
Day 8

Lake Eyasi – bushmen tribes

An early departure to Lake Eyasi for a hunting experience with the Hadzabe and Datoga peoples. This is not a performance: the Hadzabe rely on these techniques to survive, so you will need to be attentive and at times quiet as they demonstrate tracking and their use of locally made poisons. You will visit their homesteads and learn about their way of life, animal tracking, medicinal plants and much more. Walks around the lake reveal some wildlife and a wide range of birds.

Meals: All meals
Day 9

Arusha – coffee experience

Drive back to Arusha, arriving around noon. After lunch, a guided coffee farm tour takes you from the origins of coffee to harvest, then roasting the beans and tasting the cup you made yourself.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 10

Departure

Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home or other arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast
Where you stay

Choose your comfort level

Same route, same guide. Pick the lodges that suit your budget.

DayLocationAccommodationMealsActivity
1ArushaKibo Palace HotelBreakfast & dinnerTransfer
2Lake NatronLake Natron Tented CampFull boardExcursion
3Lake NatronLake Natron Tented CampFull boardExcursion
4Serengeti NP – NorthTanzania Bush Camp – North MaraFull boardAfternoon drive
5Serengeti NP – NorthTanzania Bush Camp – North MaraFull boardGame drives
6Serengeti NP – CentralSound of NatureFull boardGame drives
7Ngorongoro CraterBougainvillea Safari LodgeFull boardCrater tour
8Lake EyasiLake Eyasi Safari LodgeFull boardExcursion
9ArushaKibo Palace HotelBreakfast & dinnerCoffee tour
10Departure—Bed & breakfastTransfer

Price on request

Prices depend on your dates, group size and lodge level. Send us your dates and we will reply with a clear per-person price.

Get my price

Included

  • Meet-and-greet at the airport or hotel
  • Private 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide, private basis
  • Full-board accommodation on safari
  • Lake Natron excursions
  • Lake Eyasi excursion
  • Coffee tour
  • All park fees and government taxes
  • Complimentary drinking water during game drives

Not included

  • Flights
  • Tips
  • Vaccinations and travel insurance
  • Drinks and personal items
  • Activities not mentioned in the programme
  • Increases in park fees or other charges beyond our control
  • Tanzania visa (applied and paid online)
  • Early check-in or late check-out
Route map

Where this safari takes shape

The journey moves place by place in a calm sequence, ordered to reduce fatigue and protect the best sightings.

Open in Google Maps
1Arusha2Lake Natron3N. Serengeti4Central Serengeti5Ngorongoro Crater6Lake Eyasi
  1. 1Arusha
  2. 2Lake Natron
  3. 3Northern Serengeti
  4. 4Central Serengeti
  5. 5Ngorongoro Crater
  6. 6Lake Eyasi

Best windows: Jul–Oct

★★★★★

Knowledgeable and very respectful with animals.

The safari with Antony was amazing. We trusted him our itinerary and it was worth it. In my opinion, the best thing about it was his knowledge and how respectful he is with wildlife. It is amazing finding people that really love their job and show it.

Cristian PintoUnited Kingdom · Visited October 2024
★★★★★

Excellent

Was an interesting trip, a wonderful place and a perfect experience

Moisés RodríguezPeru · Visited January 2023
★★★★★

It was a unique experience!!

We went on a 5 days Safari in Tanzania. We visit the Serengeti and Ngororo plains, around the Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks & the Ngororo crater. Big boss Antony designed an amazing programme and our guide Peter gave us a unique experience into the wild Africa. His magic eye was able to catch exotic animals, like cheetahs and rhinos, finding the perfect spot in a middle of a vast plain. My only complaint was that I had to go back to work 🤓 Miss you already, guys! What a wonderful adventure !!!

Marcela Celis AmorteguiColombia · Visited October 2025
Personal planning

Want this safari shaped around your exact dates and style?

Tell us your timing, travel style and must-have moments. We will turn this itinerary into a bespoke proposal with the right rhythm, camps and route.

  1. Share dates, travellers and the feeling you want the journey to hold.
  2. We shape an itinerary with routing logic, lodge fit and a calmer sense of luxury.
  3. You receive a clear proposal with prices per person, inclusions and lodge options.
WhatsApp+255 653 110 463
Emailinfo@bigfivetrails.com
Favourite animals
We reply within 24 hours, usually much sooner.
Included with every booking

The BigFiveTrails Promise

Six things you can count on, whichever safari you choose.

Free date changes

Move your dates free of charge up to 60 days before arrival.

No hidden costs

Park fees, taxes, private vehicle, guide and drinking water are in your price.

Met at the airport

Airport pickup and drop-off included on every safari.

Lodges we know

Every lodge and camp hand-picked by our team in Arusha.

24/7 on WhatsApp

Our Arusha team answers you every day of your trip, day or night.

Your own guide

Private vehicle and guide – no strangers, no fixed schedule.

Book with confidence

Clear terms, real people, no surprises.

Rated 5.0 out of 5 on SafariBookings by verified travellers. Planned and run from our base in Arusha.

How booking works

  • 30% deposit to confirm your booking
  • Balance due 60 days before arrival
  • Written confirmation of every lodge and park permit
  • Licensed Tanzanian tour operator based in Arusha

Ways to pay

  • Bank transfer (USD)
  • Visa / Mastercard (card fee may apply)
  • Wise transfer

While you travel

  • Your own private vehicle and guide
  • WhatsApp support from our Arusha team every day of your trip
  • Park fees and taxes included and paid in advance
If you cancelCancellation charge
More than 60 days before arrivalDeposit retained, or moved to new dates within 12 months
59 to 30 days before arrival50% of the total trip price
29 to 15 days before arrival75% of the total trip price
Less than 15 days before arrival100% of the total trip price

Park fees and flights already paid to third parties may be non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation. Full refund policy

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