Depart Arusha in the morning and drive ~2.5 hours to Tarangire, famous for its towering baobabs, large elephant herds, and the Tarangire River that draws wildlife throughout the year. Begin your first game drive upon entry, looking for lions lounging in the grass, elephants wallowing in the riverbanks, and the park’s prolific birdlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park and continue exploring until late afternoon before heading to your lodge inside or near the park.

Spend a full day inside Tarangire, exploring deeper corners of the park. Early morning drives offer excellent predator sightings, including leopards and lions near the Silale Swamp. Elephants are abundant year-round, and you may encounter zebra, wildebeest, and even rare species like kudu. Lunch can be enjoyed at a picnic site or back at the lodge. In the evening, drive to your lodge in Karatu or remain inside the park for an additional overnight surrounded by the wilderness.

After an early breakfast, drive from Karatu to Central Serengeti (~5.5–6 hours), with a scenic route through the Ngorongoro highlands and a descent into the expansive Serengeti plains. Wildlife spotting begins the moment you enter the park—giraffes, gazelles, and possibly even cheetahs hunting on the open plains. Arrive in Central Serengeti by afternoon, with time for a short game drive before heading to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Begin your day with a sunrise game drive in Central Serengeti when predators are most active. Explore Seronera Valley’s rivers and kopjes—prime lion and leopard territory. After a packed brunch or hot lunch at the lodge, begin your drive back toward Karatu (~6 hrs), enjoying more wildlife viewing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Reach your lodge by early evening.

Depart early from Karatu and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day safari in one of Africa’s most wildlife-dense areas. Expect sightings of black rhinos, massive tuskers, hippos, hyenas, and a high chance of seeing lions. Enjoy a picnic breakfast or brunch on the crater floor. By midday, begin the drive back to Arusha (~3.5 hrs), arriving by late afternoon.