Tanzania Wildlife Safari
12 days |
Sweep from the Serengeti to Ngorongoro, meeting the folks and fauna that call Tanzania home.
The Tanzanian wilderness is the stuff of legend, home to the Great Migration, the Big Five, and (much) more. But on this Safari Tour, you’ll dig a little deeper. Alongside the untamed expanse of Tarangire and the teeming shores of Lake Manyara, you’ll meet the artisans powering the Shanga social enterprise in Arusha; chat with Maasai and Iraqw tribespeople in their villages to learn about their traditions; and follow an archaeologist through the Olduvai Gorge museum to discover the origins of mankind.
Your tour package includes
- 9 nights in handpicked accommodations
- 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 10 dinners with beer or wine
- 16 sightseeing tours, including game drives across the Serengeti
- 1 expert Tour Director, your encyclopedia for all things Tanzania
- 4 local guides, ranging from trained naturalists to Iraqw villagers
- Private travel in 4x4 safari vehicles—your ticket to the wonders of the African plains
Included highlights
- Uncovering the meaning behind every handicraft at Shanga
- Tracking herds of elephants across Tarangire National Park
- Experiencing Maasai culture firsthand at a boma, or settlement
- Looking on as flocks of vibrant flamingos wade through Lake Manyara
- Circling the kopjes of Serengeti National Park, looking for rhinos and lions
- Driving down into Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact caldera in the world
Itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day
Board your overnight flight to Kilimanjaro today.
Arusha1 night
Day 2: Arrival in Kilimanjaro & transfer to Arusha
Included meal: Dinner
Welcome to Tanzania! Touch down in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro and transfer to your hotel in nearby Arusha. You’ll arrive later in the evening: Dig into an included buffet dinner at your leisure, then head to your room for the night.
Tarangire National Park 2 nights
Day 3: Tarangire National Park via Shanga & anti-poaching talk
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Welcome dinner
Before kicking off your safari, head to the outskirts of Arusha to visit Shanga. Since 2007, this social enterprise has employed locals with disabilities to make crafts celebrating Tanzanian culture—and with your hosts showing the way, you’ll tour their facilities and meet the folks powering their mission.
Afterward, stop at a restaurant for an included lunch before forging ahead into Tarangire National Park. Encompassing 1,100 square miles of sparse grasslands and swamps, the preserve is home to dik-diks, zebras, and other animals—as well as the leopards, lions, and other predators that hunt them.
Finally, make your way to your safari lodge and meet an anti-poaching expert for a chat on the state of wildlife conservation in East Africa. Ask whatever questions you have, then join your groupmates for a welcome dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 4: Tarangire National Park game drives
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ready for more? Following breakfast at your lodge, climb aboard a four-wheel drive Land Cruiser and rumble back into Tarangire National Park for a pair of game drives.
- As the sun climbs into the sky, keep watch for Tarangire’s resident elephant herds. (The park’s famous for its large elephant population.) More than 500 bird species call Tarangire home, too, and your safari guide will call them out as you go.
- Pause on the plains for an included picnic lunch, then embark on your second game drive of the day. Maneuver past hulking baobab trees, tracking wildebeest, giraffes, and other majestic creatures.
Cap a successful day with an included dinner, served with beer or wine, and trade stories of your favorite sightings before calling it a night.
Manyara Region1 night
Day 5: Lake Manyara National Park via Maasai boma
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave Tarangire National Park behind and make for the shores of Lake Manyara—but not before a special detour. The boma, or settlements, of the Maasai people have long dotted the Tanzanian countryside, and with a local guide in the lead, you’ll visit one and dive into the tribe’s culture.
After saying goodbye, you’ll continue through the Great Rift Valley to your lodge. Break for an included lunch before striking out on a game drive into Lake Manyara National Park.
- Roll across savanna dotted with umbrella-like acacia trees. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch an unexpected sight: lions lounging high above the plains, draped across sturdy branches.
- Glimpse Lake Manyara, its shimmering surface broken by lumbering hippos and pink flamingos feeding in the shallows.
Finally, return to your lodge and join your groupmates for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Serengeti National Park3 nights
Day 6: Transfer to Serengeti National Park & game drive
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Get an early start, settling aboard a Land Cruiser for the trek to the Serengeti. (Treat the journey like a game drive—what wildlife will you spot as you traverse the savanna?)
After pulling into your lodge and refueling with an included lunch, roll out into the expanse of Serengeti National Park and fill your afternoon in search of the Big Five. Lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffalo, and rhinos can all be found in this 5,700-square-mile preserve; keep a sharp eye and an open ear.
Game drive complete, return to your lodge and sit down to an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 7: Moru Kopjes game drives
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rising above the plains like islands out of the ocean, the Serengeti’s granite kopjes (say it like “copies”) are a beacon for nearby wildlife. Today, you’ll sandwich an included picnic lunch between two game drives to this unique ecosystem.
- Head to Moru Kopjes, eyes peeled for the elusive black rhino. These critically endangered beasts tend to roam by the rocks, and sighting one is cause for celebration.
- Get a close-up look at ancient Maasai art, drawn onto the rocks around the kopjes, and explore another aspect of this Indigenous culture.
Finally, head back to your lodge for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 8: Simba Kopjes & Seronera Valley game drives
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
For your final act in the Serengeti, head off on a game drive around Simba Kopjes—the tallest in the park and a refuge for prides of lions. Bohor reedbucks, Grant’s gazelles, bat-eared foxes, and other fauna live in the area, showcasing the biodiversity drawn to kopjes from across the plains.
Briefly return to your lodge for an included lunch before rumbling off on another game drive. Fed by its namesake river, the Seronera Valley’s also known by another name—the Big Cat Capital of Africa. Permanent population of lions, cheetahs, and leopards stalk the region; spend the afternoon tracking them before settling in at your lodge for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Ngorongoro Region2 nights
Day 9: Ngorongoro region via Olduvai Gorge & Iraqw village
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From the Serengeti, drive southeast to the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a 3,200-square-mile tract centered on its eponymous caldera. You’ll see it tomorrow—today, you’ll make a few different stops.
- Head into the Olduvai Gorge, dubbed the “Cradle of Mankind” for its trove of hominid fossils—some upwards of 1.5 million years old.
- Follow a trained archaeologist through the Olduvai Gorge Museum to learn more about the area’s history and significance, then continue to your lodge for an included lunch.
- Visit an Iraqw village and learn about this Indigenous Tanzanian culture the best way we know how—with a local guide leading you through hands-on activities and discussions.
End the day’s adventures at your lodge with an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater game drive
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Ngorongoro Crater—the world’s largest intact caldera—sprawls across more than 100 square miles, the result of a massive volcanic eruption millions of years ago. Tens of thousands of hyenas, wildebeest, and other animals live within; today, you’ll descend 1,000 feet to the crater floor for a grand finale of a game drive, complete with an included picnic lunch.
Tonight, join your fellow travelers for an included dinner, served with beer or wine, in the comfort of your lodge.
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 11: Departure
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Make your way back to the Kilimanjaro region and check into a dayroom ahead of your overnight flight home. Before heading to the airport, come together as a group one final time for a farewell dinner, served with beer or wine.
Arrive Home
Day 12: Travel day
Arrive home today.
Start planning today
Have a quick question about tipping or what to pack? Give us a call at 1-800-590-1161, or talk to a Tour Consultant.
Reviews
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Arusha - Four Points by Sheraton Arusha
This stylish hotel is located in the heart of Arusha just outside of the Arusha National Park. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, fitness center, and beautiful manicured gardens. Nearby you'll find the Central Market, the Arusha...

Tarangire National Park - Tarangire Sopa Lodge
This lodge-style hotel is located in Tarangire. Guests enjoy a gymnasium, swimming pool, and outdoor dining. Nearby, you'll find Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park.

Kanyara Region - Manyara Kilima Moja Lodge
This luxury hotel is nested on the rim of the African Rift Valley. Guests enjoy a pool, a fine dining restaurant, and lounges. Nearby, you’ll find Ngorongoro Crater, Oldeani, Lake Eyasi, Lake Manyara, and the Ngorongoro Highlands.

Serengeti - Embalakai Authentic Camps
You’ll find the Embalakai Camps in the heart of Serengeti National Park, a collection of luxury tents outfitted with eco-friendly amenities like individual solar units and biodegradable toiletries sourced from local businesses....

Ngorongoro Region - Karatu Country Lodge
This rustic hotel is located in Tanzania’s green belt district in the highlands. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and sprawling gardens of tropical flowers and plants. Nearby, you’ll find the town of Karatu, coffee plantations...
Flights
Make your journey to and from your tour as smooth as possible by letting our travel experts handle your round-trip flights. We’ll select the best itinerary for you at a great rate, thanks to our airline partnerships.
Your Go Ahead flight package includes:
- A round-trip flight for your tour from your preferred home airport
- An EF representative waiting for you on arrival to whisk you to your hotel
- Your lowest price locked in, so you don’t have to track airfare
- 24/7 on-tour support from our dedicated flights team
- Complimentary luggage retrieval services through Blue Ribbon Bags
- Dedicated flight experts to help arrange early arrivals, longer stays, or upgrades, so every detail fits your travel style
- Stress-free rebooking if your tour itinerary changes
Find out more about flights
FAQ
- In order to enter Tanzania, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
- U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in order to enter Tanzania (U.S. citizens must apply for a multiple entry visa). While it is possible to obtain a visa at the border, we strongly recommend purchasing your visa in advance as wait times upon arrival can exceed 2 hours. You can purchase an electronic visa on the Tanzanian Electronic Visa Portal website and follow our application walkthrough guide. You may also submit a request for a paper visa by visiting your local embassy or purchase your visa in advance by using a visa provider, such as our partner VisaCentral—however, these services charge a fee in addition to the cost of your visa. You will need to have your visa receipt with you upon arrival in Tanzania.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TWS.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Kilimanjaro.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Kilimanjaro, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a high physical activity-level tour. You can expect to be on the move on a regular basis throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a very fast-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Two 1-night stays
- Most days and evenings full of included activities
- Most transportation by 4x4 landcruiser safari vehicles
- Some transportation by motor coach
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- This tour requires minimal walking. When walking occurs it is over mostly flat terrain, some paved roads, unpaved trails, and dirt paths.
- Travelers can expect to spend 6-8 hours each day in the game drive vehicle.
- Travelers should feel comfortable stepping up and down or climbing a small ladder to get in an our of the vehicles.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on tour.
Climate Considerations
- Temperatures are consistent year round, but vary significnatly morning to afternoon, especially at higher altitude regions
- Travelers should be prepared for cold mornings and evenings (40sF-50sF) with mild afternoons of 70F-mid 80sF
- Tanzania experiences two rainy seasons, masika, which is mid-March through May, and vuli, November-December.
- Travelers on the Tanzania extension can expect similar weather conditions
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
- Most of the transportation on this tour will be via 4X4 landcruiser safari vehicle.
- The vehicle is open, allowing for panoramic views.
- 4x4 landcruiser's have high step(s) to board the vehicle.
- Transfers between parks are long and cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride and the impact that may have on a body.
- Safari luggage restrictions are strict and strongly enforced. It’s essential that your luggage meet the below requirements:
- Travelers should bring a soft, flexible duffel bag. No hard suitcases or bags with hard sides are permitted.
- Bags can be no larger than 34” W by 17” H by 15.” Total baggage weight cannot exceed 44 pounds.
- One small carry-on bag is also permitted.
- Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on safari vehicles.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must be able to manage their luggage throughout tour; porters aren’t guaranteed at hotels and airports.
- We recommend packing loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures. Quick-dry material is best for hot days outside and a warmer layer may be needed for chilly evenings and early mornings.
- Wear muted colors for game drives, as bright clothing may scare animals away and blue or black clothing attracts tsetse flies.
- Comfortable closed-toes shoes, such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots, are best for walking during the day.
- Pack a swimsuit as many of the hotels have pools that you are free to use at your leisure.
- Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
- Occasional rain showers are common during certain seasons, so lightweight rainwear may be necessary depending on the timing of your trip.
- Mosquito repellent, binoculars, and a flashlight are highly recommended.
- On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers or potable water is provided on the bus and/or hotel. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
- The Tanzanian government has a strict ban on plastic bags. It is illegal to use, sell, or carry plastic bags anywhere in the country under the new law, and violators will face charges including high fines or imprisonment. Please bring reusable cloth bags if you plan to go shopping on tour, and do not pack any plastic bags, including small resealable bags.
- Transfers between parks are long and cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels are designed so that each room feels like its own secluded cabin and customers will need to walk outside to reach the common areas.
- Please be advised that the air conditioning in African hotels and buildings is often not as strong or cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. Not all of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
- Electricity is not guaranteed throughout the night at some of the safari camps.
- Tanzania operates on 220-240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
- Local governments may require proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card ) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. This is only required of travelers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission (Please note: This does not include the U.S. or Canada). Visit cdc.gov/yellowfever for more information.
- If you will be traveling with medical equipment that requires electricity, such as a CPAP, please contact our customer experience team so we can ensure that this can be accommodated.
- Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
- Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
- Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry on luggage.
- This tour includes eight lunches and ten dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- Included lunches may be picnic style during some longer driving days.
- Spicy foods are common in Tanzania, and many dishes are infused with coconut milk. Meals consist of maize, tender grilled meats, maize porridge, and local vegetables. Most restaurants offer curries and other South Asian cuisine brought over by the many Indian immigrants.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Driver Guide (and Tour Director if your group has one) a gratuity in US dollars.
- We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Driver Guide and $2USD to $3USD per person per day for your Tour Director (if your group has one).
- If applicable, we also recommend tipping $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You’ll use the Tanzanian shilling on tour.
- Please note, travelers cannot export more than $5,000 in Tanzanian shillings from Tanzania.
- We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible as well as small amounts of U.S. dollars (only crisp bills printed in 2004 or later).
- Major North American credit cards are accepted but can be difficult to use in remote locations (Visa is the most widely accepted).
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
- To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- For the duration of your tour you will be assigned to your own Driver Guide and their vehicle in groups of four-six. There will also be one Lead Driver Guide for the whole group.
- You will have the same Driver Guides leading your group throughout your journey of mainland Tanzania.
- Your Driver Guide will provide commentary during your game drives which builds on each days activity of the course of your tour.
- The role of the Lead Driver Guide is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- On some departures, you will have a dedicated Tour Director in additional to your Driver Guides if your group size is over twenty.
- You will have a different Tour Director in Zanzibar on the tour extension.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- Tanzania is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and eight hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). Tanzania does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
- From November through March, when it’s noon in New York, it’s 8pm on tour. From April through October, when it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm on tour.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
- When you come across wild animals on tour, take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart: Don’t touch or feed them, and maintain a respectful distance. The animals you encounter on your trip should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior.
- Furthermore, avoid buying exploitative animal products, like crafts made from tortoiseshell or meals such as shark fin soup.
- If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.







































































