9-Day Ndutu, Ngorongoro & Serengeti Safari (9-Day Itinerary)

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you’re met by your private guide and transferred to Arusha — a charming town at the base of Mount Meru.

Spend the evening unwinding at your lodge. Whether you stroll through lush gardens, sip Tanzanian coffee, or enjoy a spa treatment, tonight is about preparing for the journey ahead.

Today, head to Tarangire National Park, famed for its dense elephant population and iconic baobab trees. The park’s ecosystem attracts a wide array of wildlife — from massive herds of buffalo to tree-climbing pythons.

Enjoy a full-day game drive with picnic lunch. In the dry season, wildlife gathers near the Tarangire River, creating exceptional viewing opportunities. End your day at a stylish lodge near the park boundary.

After breakfast, drive through the highlands and descend into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, eventually reaching the Southern Serengeti plains of Ndutu.

This is the heart of the calving season — where thousands of wildebeest give birth each day between January and March. Begin your wildlife experience with an afternoon game drive before settling into camp.

Spend the day exploring Ndutu’s open grasslands, acacia woodlands, and seasonal lakes. The abundance of newborn calves draws predators like lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals.

Watch as calves take their first steps, vulnerable yet resilient. The predator-prey interaction here is unmatched — offering unforgettable photo opportunities and emotional wildlife moments.

After a final morning drive in Ndutu, travel north to the Central Serengeti, passing herds of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope en route.

Central Serengeti is known for year-round predator activity. Leopards rest in sausage trees, lions patrol the kopjes, and the Seronera River sustains incredible biodiversity. Arrive for a golden-hour game drive before checking into your camp.

Enjoy a full day exploring the rolling savannahs and river valleys of Seronera — the core of Serengeti National Park. This area teems with wildlife, from elephants and giraffes to elusive leopards and large lion prides.

Stop for a bush lunch with sweeping views before continuing to track movement across the plains. Birdwatchers, big cat fans, and wildlife photographers will all find this region particularly rewarding.

Leave Serengeti behind and drive back through the highlands toward the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Along the way, pass by Maasai homesteads and wide escarpments carved by time.

Check in at your lodge perched on the rim or in Karatu’s lush countryside. Enjoy dinner with views into the crater or relax beside a cozy fireplace in your farmhouse lodge.

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s best places to spot the Big Five. The crater is a self-contained wildlife ecosystem with forests, lakes, marshes, and open grassland.

Spot rhinos grazing on the crater floor, lions on the hunt, and flamingos along Lake Magadi. After your crater tour, return to Arusha in the evening for your final overnight or transfer to the airport.

Enjoy breakfast at your lodge or a day room in Arusha (depending on flight time), then transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure — or catch a flight to Zanzibar for a beach escape.