4-Day Northern Tanzania Safari

Your safari begins early in the morning, as you depart Arusha and head southwest toward Tarangire National Park. Within two hours, the landscape transforms into golden savannah dotted with massive baobab trees some of the oldest living things on the continent. Once inside the park, the real magic begins. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds, and you’re likely to encounter them marching across dry riverbeds or taking shelter beneath the baobabs. Giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, and even tree-climbing pythons share this wild kingdom. If you’re lucky, you might catch a pride of lions lounging in the shade or stalking prey through the tall grass. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the scenic viewpoints inside the park. In the late afternoon, as the sun casts golden light across the plains, you exit the park and drive to your lodge, located either in Mto wa Mbu. Freshen up, enjoy a hearty dinner, and spend the evening listening to the distant calls of the wild. Overnight: Surcata Boma Meal Plan: Full board

After breakfast, you set off on a scenic journey north toward Lake Natron a land of raw beauty, remote wilderness, and geological wonder. The drive itself is an adventure, passing through rugged Maasai country, dramatic escarpments, and open plains with the sacred Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano looming in the distance. You arrive at the edge of Lake Natron by early afternoon. The lake, shallow and vividly coloured, is one of the most alkaline in the world and a critical breeding site for flamingos. A local guide takes you on a short walk to the shores, where you can photograph the surreal reflections and flocks of birds. Later, you may choose to hike (easy to moderate) to the nearby Engaresero Waterfalls, tucked into a cool gorge a refreshing contrast to the arid surroundings. As the day ends, you’ll exit to lake natron and drive to your lodge for dinner and overnight Overnight: Surcata Boma Meal Plan: Full board

Wake early for a sunrise walk if you wish this is when the lake is most peaceful, and the flamingos most active. After breakfast, you leave the volcanic desert and drive southwest toward Lake Eyasi, a vast seasonal soda lake nestled below the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The journey takes you through shifting terrain from desolate lava plains to fertile farmlands until you arrive at Eyasi, home to Tanzania’s oldest tribal communities. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll have a chance to visit the Datoga tribe, skilled blacksmiths who still forge tools using ancient methods. The evening is peaceful and quiet a perfect time to enjoy the sunset over the lake and prepare for a special cultural encounter the next day. Overnight: Retreat at Ngorongoro Meal Plan: Full board

After a relaxed breakfast at your lodge in Karatu, you set out for your final destination Lake Manyara National Park, just a short drive away. Despite its relatively small size, Lake Manyara is a park of remarkable diversity. As you enter, the cool canopy of the groundwater forest embraces you home to playful troops of blue monkeys and baboons leaping through the fig trees. The road soon opens into vast floodplains, acacia woodlands, and the shimmering expanse of the lake itself, often dusted pink with flamingos and teeming with other birdlife. Keep your eyes open for elephants browsing near the forest edge, hippos wallowing in the shallows, and, if you’re lucky, the park’s famous tree climbing lions an iconic sight unique to this region. Your game drive continues into the early afternoon, pausing for a scenic picnic or hot lunch at one of the park’s peaceful spots. After a rewarding final game drive, your safari concludes with a smooth transfer back to Arusha or directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight, depending on your travel schedule. It’s the perfect ending to a journey that’s taken you across volcanic valleys, cultural heartlands, and wildlife rich havens a short safari with stories that will last a lifetime. Meal Plan: Half board Drop-off: Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport