11 Days Tanzania Self Drive Safari

11 Days Tanzania Self Drive Safari:It’s not easy to plan a Tanzania Self Drive route itinerary; you need to know a lot about the area. Car Rental 4×4 Africa helps its clients plan their own Self Drive Tanzania Safaris to Southern Tanzania and Northern Tanzania for a memorable experience. The 11-Day Tanzania Self-Drive itinerary is a distinct to the 7-Day Tanzania Self Drive Roadtrip Itinerary, leading to Tarangire National Park, Lake Natron, Lake Eyasi, Serengeti National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, including the opportunity to hike Kilimanjaro.

We propose this 11-day self-drive itinerary through Tanzania’s northern circuit as the most ideal option for holidaymakers seeking to tour the premier national parks of Tanzania in a rented safari Land Cruiser equipped with rooftop tents or Pop Up roof for an immersive camping experience.

Take note!Analyze the comparison between the Northern Tanzania Circuit itinerary and the Southern Tanzania Self Drive Circuit when partnering with Car Rental 4×4 Africa.

Highlight: 11-Day Northern Tanzania Self Drive Safari Expedition
Day 1: Travel from Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Day 2: Conduct a game drive in Tarangire National Park.
Day 3: Drive from Tarangire to Lake Eyasi
Day 4: Tribal Tours near Lake Eyasi
Day 5: Drive to Ngorongoro Crater
Day 6: Explore the Ngorongoro Crater and continue to the Serengeti National Park.
Day 7: Game drive in Serengeti National Park.
Day 8: Drive from Serengeti National Park to Lake Natron.
Day 9: Drive from Lake Natron to Kilimanjaro Mountains National Park.
Day 10: Waterfall climbs and experience Kilimanjaro.
Day 11: Drive Back to Arusha.

Detailed 11-Day Self-Drive Itinerary for Northern Tanzania Adventure

This 11-day road trip in Tanzania focuses exclusively on the Northern Circuit, encompassing Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Natron, and Mount Kilimanjaro National Park for hiking and nature walks, all within an in-depth self-drive itinerary with Car rental 4×4

The Tanzanian parks are secure for self-drive excursions, encompassing both Southern and Northern Tanzania, which are the epicenters of tourism in the country, including the opportunity to witness the wildebeest migration in a dependable 4×4 car rental Land Cruiser. The roads are only rugged in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

Among all East African destinations, Tanzania and Kenya represent the most luxurious wildlife experience compared to a self-drive itinerary in Uganda.

Day 1: Drive From Arusha Town to Tarangire National Park – Distance: 100 kilometers

You will commence the day by collecting the reserved rental jeep from car rental 4×4 Africa representative and carrying out grocery shopping before proceeding to Tarangire National Park, the nearest park to Arusha, following the two others in proximity: Arusha National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro National Park.

Tarangire National Park is a popular destination in Northern Tanzania for wildlife observation, renowned for its magnificent baobab landscapes and large herds of elephants. You will reach the campsite in the evening.

Campsites: Tarangire Tortilis Camp and Ang’ata Tarangire Camp.

Day 2: Explore Tarangire National Park

It is advisable to enter Tarangire National Park between 10 and 11 AM to minimize entrance fees. You will enter the park to commence the game drive, with the intention of observing lions, elephants, and the magnificent Baobab scenery. You will eat lunch within the park and subsequently proceed for the evening game drive. Evening meal and overnight stay at the campsite within the park.

Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp is recommended.

Day 3: Drive from Tarangire National Park to Lake Eyasi

Distance: 135 kilometers, Duration: 2.5 hours

You will go on a game drive in the morning and leave the park before the entrance fees expire. You will then drive to Lake Eyasi and meet the tribes that live around the lake. You will arrive in the late afternoon, unwind at the campsite, and appreciate the surrounding area.

Suggested Camp: Lake Eyasi Village

Day 4: Tribal Visits and Drive to the Ngorongoro Crater

You will get up at around 5:30 AM to meet your guide and start hunting with the Hadza before you travel to the Ngorongoro area. This is encompassed inside your community admission fee. Warning: it’s a hot, fast-paced hike that can go over 7 miles, and you’ll probably see cute animals get seriously hurt. This is the manner in which the Hadza sustain themselves. All of their food comes from hunting and foraging. It is not for the timid, however I believe it is a significant aspect of Tanzanian culture to experience. A closer look of the lifestyles of our ancestors.

Subsequently, you will proceed to the Datoga village to gain insight into their lifestyle before returning to the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area.

Accommodations: Sunset Safari Camp

Day 5: Drive to Ngorongoro Crater -11 Days Tanzania Self Drive safar

Advised The best time to reach the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is at 4 p.m., since the park pass is good for 24 hours after entry. From Ngorongoro, you can easily cross into Serengeti National Park. The drive via the Ngorongoro Conservation Area requires around two hours from the crater. To fully capitalize on your Crater entrance fees, this is the sole logical approach.

Your plan of action for the day is to enter the conservation area in the evening, proceed to a campground at the crater rim, and prepare for an early morning safari inside the crater. Stop by the crater viewpoint en route for an excellent vista!

Where to Camp: Public Campsite Simba

When camping in Tanzania, this is likely to be one of the busier spots you visit. However, you’ll be up before everyone else and on your way to the Ngorongoro Crater descent path far before daybreak.

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti (Seronera)

Make sure to check Maps.me at 5:30 AM to make sure you’re ready to leave and drive along the rim toward the downhill road (which is not the same as the ascent road). The access road to the crater opens at dawn, typically about 6 AM, and it is advisable to arrive at that time.

You can drive loops around the crater for the next six to eight hours to look for wildebeest, lions, servals, rhinos, elephants, hyenas, and more.
Therefore, by 2 PM at the latest, ensure your departure from the crater. The journey from the crater ascent road to the Ngorongoro exit gate, which also serves as the Serengeti entrance, will need 2 hours. You must arrive by 4 PM to avoid incurring an additional full day’s payment. Timing is paramount in Tanzanian parks.

After purchasing your Serengeti tickets (2 days & 2 tents) at the entrance gate, you can enter the park and drive a short loop to see animals in the evening before the sun goes down.

All four public campgrounds in this Serengeti region exhibit uniformity in terms of crowd levels and amenities. You will likely arrive at dusk and depart before dawn, rendering your choice meaningless.

Note: The road conditions are more challenging than those in southern Tanzania, necessitating preparation for the challenging drive to central Seronera in the Serengeti.

Day 7: Serengeti (Lobo)

On your 11-days self-drive Tanzania Safari, we are pleased to welcome you to the most popular campsite and favorite park in the country. Today, you will rise before dawn to traverse the extensive Serengeti.

Start your journey to Lobo Public Campsite between 2 and 3 PM. The entire two-hour trip will be spent seeing wildlife, including herds of wildebeest and leopard territory. Lobo is secluded and breathtakingly gorgeous. It’s without a doubt a favorite camping spot in all of East Africa.

Camping Spots: Lobo Rest Camp

Day 8:Drive from Serengeti National Park to Lake Natron

We advise getting up early and heading to the river crossing where the great migration occurs, as your park passes are valid in the Serengeti until 4 PM. The journey lasts around 2 hours each direction, during which you will be in the park and observing wildlife continuously. Should you choose to proceed with this, ensure that you allocate an additional 3 hours to your trip duration for the day.

Afterward, you must drive these roads to Lake Natron after leaving the park, preferably by 2:00 to 3:30 PM at the latest. The journey will encompass both the finest and most challenging paths; simply accept it as it unfolds. This will get you to the Lake Natron area just before sunset.

Camping area: Maasai Giraffe Rest

This camp or lodge is very nice. It has a pool and a haven in the middle of the desert. Each person must pay $15 to camp here. Take a self-drive trip in the morning to Flamingo Lake (Lake Natron) and the oldest footprints ever found. There, you will enjoyed the beauty.

Day 9: Drive from Lake Natron to the Kilimanjaro Region

Spend the morning relaxing at camp and taking in the view of the lake. Then, it’s time for another long drive day. Here’s where you’ll encounter the previously described obstacle and have to pay the Lake Natron costs.

Today, there is not much to do or see—only a full day of driving on dusty back roads in the direction of Africa’s highest mountain. Depending on whatever part of the Kilimanjaro region you want to see on this Self Drive Tanzania Itinerary, you can stay in one of two places.

Lodging: Simba Farm (Matadi)

Day 10: Chemka Thermal Springs

A turquoise oasis bordered by lush palms, offering unobstructed views of Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day. Amidst small desert towns and unpaved roads featuring chameleon crossings, this modest natural hot spring appears unexpectedly. During daylight hours, the spring is frequented by local tourists from the adjacent towns of Moshi and Arusha. Camping here permits swimming during the evening and early morning hours, providing exclusive access to the pools.

Accommodation: Maji Moto Spring Campsite
The campsite is adjacent to the hot springs amidst the beautifully contorted tree trunks.

Day 11: Drive Back to Arusha Town

The route to Arusha is entirely paved and straightforward. Conclusion of the Rental in Tanzania and the 11-Day Northern Circuit Road Trip in Tanzania.