Depart Arusha after breakfast and drive ~2.5 hours to Tarangire. The park is famed for its large elephant herds, baobab-studded landscape, and the perennial Tarangire River. Spend the day on game drives in different parts of the park, pausing for a picnic lunch under acacia trees. Late afternoon, continue to your lodge in Karatu (~1.5 hrs) for overnight in the highlands.

After breakfast, begin the journey from Karatu to Central Serengeti (~5.5–6 hrs), traversing the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As you descend onto the vast Serengeti plains, you’ll likely begin spotting giraffes, zebras, and elephants. Enter the park by midday and enjoy your first Serengeti game drive en route to your lodge.

Spend the day exploring the iconic Central Serengeti. This area is home to resident big cats, hippos, elephants, and large herds of plains game. You may spot lions lounging on kopjes, or leopards draped in acacia branches. Choose between a hot lunch at camp or a picnic box for a full day game drive. The Seronera River ensures good wildlife sightings throughout the year.

Begin the day with a sunrise game drive to catch early predators in action. After breakfast, continue game driving as you gradually make your way back through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (~6 hrs drive total). En route to Karatu, stop for scenic views and Maasai village sightings. Arrive by late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, visit Lake Manyara (~1 hr drive). Known for its lush forests, soda lake, and birdlife, Manyara offers a relaxed contrast to the Serengeti’s open plains. Look out for flamingos, tree-climbing lions, and elephants along the lake shore. Enjoy a game drive before heading back to Arusha (~2.5 hrs), where your safari concludes.