10 Days Northern Tanzania Self Drive Safari Roadtrip
Exceptional 10-Day Tanzania Road trip safari Itinerary – ideal for safaris from July to September. You will be so blown away by this incredible 10-day Tanzania safari itinerary that you will have no choice but to go back.
The 10-day Tanzania safari itinerary journeys Tanzania’s premier wildlife destinations of Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara National Park. Additional time will enable you to explore multiple lakes and incorporate cultural excursions. Lake Manyara is perfect for birding with over 400 bird species. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact crater globally, teeming with wildlife such as elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, lions, leopards, and hyenas. Tarangire National Park is a picturesque park abundant in Baobabs and Acacias, hosting a diverse array of wildlife including zebras, elephants, giraffes, and waterbuck. You will also explore the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania‘s most renowned and expansive national park, recognized as one of the most magnificent landscapes globally. The “endless plains” encompass around 14,763 square kilometers, with extensive plains, short grasslands, kopjes, and lakes.
A Detailed 10 Days Tanzania Self Drive Safari
Day 1: Depart for Lake Manyara or Tarangire, afternoon game drive (LD) – 10-DAY TANZANIA SAFARI
Drive from Moshi or Arusha to either Lake Manyara National Park (best from December to May) or Tarangire National Park (best from June to November), with a picnic lunch en route and an afternoon game drive. Both parks are exceptional, offering several photographic chances. This 10 -day Tanzania Safari provides the inherent possibility to visit both reserves regardless of the season.
Lake Manyara National Park, bordered by the picturesque 600-meter cliffs of the Rift Valley escarpment, safeguards a substantial alkaline lake and hosts a diverse wildlife-rich savannah-forest ecosystem. This serves as an exceptional introduction to Africa’s wildlife, with elephants, wildebeest, giraffes, buffalo, zebra, impala, and waterbuck in substantial populations, alongside the presence of lions.
Tarangire National Park is renowned for its extensive elephant herds and baobab trees. Elephants and thirsty antelope wander hundreds of kilometers to drink at the Tarangire River during the dry season.
Included meals: Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Lodgings: Endoro Lodge
Mid-Range Lodgings: Escarpment
Opulent Lodgings: Tarangire River Camp
Super luxury: Lemala Manyara
Day 2: Game drives, guided walk, or cycling (BLD)
Today, go further into the region by embarking on a full-day game drive with your car to either Tarangire or Lake Manyara, or engage in an energetic or cultural half-day excursion.
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Available local activities encompass a zipline experience, a cultural trek, cycling along the Lake Manyara shoreline, a tour of Mto wa Mbu hamlet, a Tinga Tinga art session, and a coffee tour. Preferably, these activities are conducted as a half-day morning excursion followed by a leisurely afternoon.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Lodgings: Endoro Lodge
Mid-Range Lodgings: Escarpment Luxury Lodge
Luxury Accommodations: Tarangire River Camp Premier Lodgings: Lemala Manyara
Day 3: Drive to Ngorongoro Crater, half-day wildlife excursion (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Travel to the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day safari. Ngorongoro Crater is a magnificent locale teeming with wildlife, housing over 20,000 huge animals, including the last remaining black rhinos in Tanzania.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is distinctive in permitting over 40,000 Maasai pastoralists, together with their cattle, goats, and sheep, to coexist with the diverse species in a natural environment.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Lodgings: Rhino Lodge
Mid-Range Lodgings: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Luxury Accommodation: Gibbs Farm
Super Luxury: Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp
Day 4: Drive to Lake Natron or Lake Eyasi (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast at the lodge, proceed to the picturesque and surreal Lake Natron, a high-alkaline soda lake encircled by stunning desert landscapes and traditional Maasai villages. Following a period of repose at the campsite, partake in an afternoon activity.
The perfect months for visiting Lake Natron, in terms of temperature, are June-July and December-January; nevertheless, the peak flamingo season, when the region’s flamingo population congregates to nest in extraordinary numbers, is between August and October.
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Lake Eyasi is an exceptional destination for cultural aficionados eager to explore Tanzania’s remarkable living legacy. Here, one can accompany bush people during their hunting activities and see a pastoral Datoga community. Although the wildlife is not exceptional, bird-watching may be immensely gratifying.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Tindiga Tented Camp
Mid-Range: Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp
Luxury Accommodation: Ziwani Lodge
Day 5: Engagements at Lake Natron or Lake Eyasi (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
ACTIVITIES AT LAKE NATRON:
Hiking in the canyon to the waterfalls
This is a one-way guided hike lasting 20 to 30 minutes across a picturesque rocky river gorge. While donning your Chaco or Teva-style sandals, you will be navigating and traversing the river, occasionally reaching waist depth. The river offers a wonderful swim and a refreshing respite beneath the picturesque waterfalls, providing a cool-down from the intense sun.
Lake Natron is exceptionally remarkable for Bird Watching. You can traverse from your campsite or the roadway across the mudflats to the water’s edge. During the arid season, this may constitute a half-mile trek. From August to October, flamingos breed here, producing a birdwatching experience that is on the same level with nearly any other in the world. Nonetheless, a few of flamingos will be there throughout the entire year. Endemic desert avifauna offers an exceptional advantage for the enthusiastic ornithologist.
Picturesque Route
Comprehensive picturesque tour encompassing the southern and western periphery of Lake Natron. This region permits off-road driving. Although animals may be present near the camp, it remains safe to traverse the vicinity due to the absence of hazardous species in this region.
Maasai Village
Numerous genuine Maasai settlements are located in the vicinity for visitation. This is an opportunity to engage with genuine Maasai families and observe the realities of rural life. You may tour residences and accompany them from boma to boma, encountering children en route, and even assist in milking the cows.
Numerous genuine Maasai settlements are located in the vicinity for visitation. This is an opportunity to engage with genuine Maasai families and observe the realities of rural life. One may tour residences, observe traditional dances, and get handcrafted jewelry.
Footprints from long ago
Examine the remarkable prehistoric human footprints located in the adjacent mud flats.
Sundowners
Drive to a nearby hill for panoramic views of the strange environment and the imposing Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, Tanzania’s third highest mountain.
Climb Ol Doinyo Lengai (at an additional expense)
An exceedingly challenging ascent with significant exposure. Contact us for further information; we may arrange for a local mountain guide to navigate you up the steep, loose scree slopes.
LAKE EYASI:
Morning excursion to the Bushman tribe, followed by a tour of onion fields and a blacksmith workshop.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Tindiga Tented Camp
Luxury Accommodations: Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp
Elite Accommodations: Ziwani Lodge
Day 6: Drive to Serengeti, including a wildlife drive along the route (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
If you are at Lake Natron, you will drive to the northern Serengeti region today (Mara/Kogatende). If you are in Lake Eyasai, you will proceed to the center Serengeti region (Seronera). A game drive will occur along the journey. This will entail an extended day of driving, necessitating a two-night stay at your camp or lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Serengeti Halisi Camp
Mid-Range Accommodations: Serengeti Tortilis Camp
Luxury Accommodations: Kubu Kubu Tented Camp
Supper Luxury: Lemala Ewanjan Camp (Seronera)
Day 7: Serengeti, comprehensive game drive, optional hot air balloon safari (BLD)
Today, partake in a full-day game drive in the Serengeti or opt for a morning and afternoon game drive with an intermission for relaxation at your safari lodge. An additional payment allows you a picturesque hot air balloon tour this morning.
The remarkable Serengeti is a unique safari locale in Africa. The Serengeti, the oldest and biggest intact terrestrial ecosystem globally, is renowned for its abundance of leopards and lions. Serengeti, signifying ‘endless plains,’ hosts the largest annual terrestrial migration of mammals globally, comprising over one million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles, alongside various antelope species, as they embark on an extensive trek exceeding 800 kilometers in search of new grazing territories.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Lodgings: Serengeti Halisi Camp
Mid-Range Accommodations: Serengeti Tortilis Camp
Luxury Accommodations: Kubu Kubu Tented Camp;
Super Luxury: Lemala Ewanjan Camp (Seronera)
Day 8: Drive to a distinct region of the Serengeti for a full day of wildlife driving (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
From the northern region of the Serengeti, one must drive to the central section, known as Seronera. If you are located in the central region, you will proceed to drive to the northern area (Mara/Kogatende).
The essential features of the Serengeti ecosystem have remained largely unchanged for over a million years. The Serengeti’s expansive plains are interspersed with wooded hills, towering termite mounds, rocky kopjes, and rivers bordered by acacia trees. Large felines and a multitude of herbivorous species traverse the area, among distinctive fauna such as mongooses, hyraxes, warthogs, bat-eared foxes, jackals, bushbabies, monkeys, baboons, and several others.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Mara Kati Kati Tented Camp
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mara Under Canvas (TWC)
Luxury Accommodations: Lemala Camp (Ndutu/Mara)
Super Luxury Accommodations: Lemala Kuria Hills Camp (Mara)
Day 9: Serengeti, comprehensive game drive (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, delve deeper into this renowned animal reserve with your safari guide. The Serengeti offers exceptional animal observation throughout the year, highlighted by the “great migration”.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Lodgings: Mara Kati Kati Tented Camp
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mara Under Canvas (TWC)
Luxury Accommodations: Lemala Camp (Ndutu/Mara)
Premier Accommodation: Lemala Kuria Hills Camp (Mara)
Day 10:Drive Back from Serengeti (BL)
A brief early morning wildlife drive may be achievable en route to from Serengeti National Park to to Arusha Airport, Kilimanjaro Airport, or Zanzibar (flight costs are additional).
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch