Signature: Tanzania's Serengeti, Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater

Signature: Tanzania’s Serengeti, Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater

• Trip code: 478X032
• Dauer: 8
• Stil: National Geographic Signature

Traverse the wild heart of Tanzania, from Tarangire’s ancient baobabs to the Serengeti’s endless horizon. Your path leads deep into the Ngorongoro Crater and through the history of Olduvai Gorge, connecting you with conservation experts who reveal the living story of the landscape, its wildlife, and its people.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt), Lodges (6 nts)

Checklist

Cold weather:
• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater
• Scarf
• Warm gloves
• Warm hat
• Warm layers

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Smart Dress:
• Smart outfit (For evenings out)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Bitte beachte: The climate in East Africa varies between the dry and rainy season. Light weight, quick-drying, clothes are advisable for safari. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a light windproof/waterproof jacket. Layering is essential.

We’re working with our accommodation partners to reduce single-use plastic on our tours by providing safe drinking water for refillable bottles wherever possible. Find out more about our Plastics Partnership Project here.

Group Leader

National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert throughout

Group Size Notes

Max 18, avg. 14

Highlights

Learn how experts empower communities to protect wildlife in the Tanzanian savanna, Connect with the team helping Maasai herders and lions coexist on the crater rim, Walk the gorge where the Leakeys unearthed history on a National Geographic funded expedition to Tanzania, Witness the drama of the wild on drives through the Serengeti’s endless golden plains

Introduction

Traverse the wild heart of Tanzania, from Tarangire’s ancient baobabs to the Serengeti’s endless horizon. Your path leads deep into the Ngorongoro Crater and through the history of Olduvai Gorge, connecting you with conservation experts who reveal the living story of the landscape, its wildlife, and its people

Meals Included

7 Frühstück, 7 Mittagessen, 6 Abendessen

Meal Budget

Plane USD75-100 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Keine optionale Aktivitäten

Start / Finish

von Arusha

Transport

Private vehicle, 4x4 safari vehicle, plane, walking

What's Included

Dein Welcome-Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group, Arusha
Signature Moment: KopeLion Presentation & Field Work Visit, Ngorongoro. Arrival transfer. Safari drives in Tarangire National Park. Safari drive in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Morning safari drive to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater with brunch in the bush. Visit to the Olduvai Gorge and its museum. Safari drives in the Central Serengeti. Free time to enjoy lodge amenities. Engaging Discussions with the National Geographic Expert Throughout. Internal flight from the Serengeti to Arusha. Departure transfer. Porterage at hotels and when getting on and off of vehicles. Tips are included for all activities, meals and porterage, except for your Expedition Leader. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Packing Note

The climate in East Africa varies between the dry and rainy season. Light weight, quick-drying, clothes are advisable for safari. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a light windproof/waterproof jacket. Layering is essential.

We’re working with our accommodation partners to reduce single-use plastic on our tours by providing safe drinking water for refillable bottles wherever possible. Find out more about our Plastics Partnership Project here.

Internationale Flüge

No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour.

However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your National Geographic Signature Specialist or booking agent for further details.

In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport

Minimum Age

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a National Geographic Signature tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12

Itinerary

Day 1 Arusha

Welcome to Tanzania. Your expedition begins at the airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel, a peaceful retreat situated in the verdant foothills of Mount Meru. Take time to settle into the rhythm of East Africa. If you arrive early, you may wish to explore the area — perhaps visit a local coffee estate to trace the bean from berry to cup, wander through colourful markets brimming with crafts and produce, or simply relax by admiring the views of Mount Meru in the distance as the sun dips behind the peaks

Day 2 Arusha/Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, meet your fellow travellers and National Geographic Expedition Leader. The adventure opens with an inspiring talk by a conservationist from African People & Wildlife, co-founded by National Geographic Explorer Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld. Then, travel to Tarangire National Park, a landscape defined by sweeping savannahs, the bulbous silhouettes of towering baobabs, and the rumble of Tanzania’s largest elephant herds. Watch for giraffes, lions, and a whole host of birdlife as you make your way to the lodge. Upon arrival, check in to your inviting haven and enjoy lunch. Later, head out on an afternoon safari drive, watching the bush come alive in the amber light of dusk, before returning to the lodge to refresh and enjoy a warm welcome dinner served against the backdrop of the wild

Day 3 Tarangire National Park/Ngorongoro

Ascend towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area this morning, climbing from the dry plains into the cool, mist-shrouded forests of the highlands. The drive offers chances to spot wildlife as you transition from Tarangire’s savannas into the lush hills. Upon arrival, check in and have lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, engage with the KopeLion Project, meeting conservationists dedicated to protecting lions in this shared landscape. Learn how the Maasai coexist with predators during a visit to a nearby boma, hearing stories of resilience and respect. Return to the lodge to refresh, then gather for sunset drinks and dinner overlooking the crater rim as the vast caldera falls into shadow

Day 4 Ngorongoro

Descending into the Ngorongoro Crater, you enter a lost world — one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife havens. On a morning safari across the crater floor, the density of wildlife is staggering; watch for elephants, lions, spotted hyenas, and grazing herds roaming against the dramatic backdrop of sweeping volcanic walls. Pause for a scenic bush brunch set amidst the acacia, surrounded by the sounds of the wild and the cool morning breeze. Returning back to the lodge, spend the afternoon at leisure, soaking in breathtaking views of the crater from the rim. As the light softens, gather for sundowners and an engaging talk on conservation through tourism, before ending the day with dinner at the lodge

Day 5 Ngorongoro/Serengeti National Park

Travel across the highlands to Olduvai Gorge, the dusty ravine where a National Geographic– supported expedition led by Louis and Mary Leakey uncovered Homo habilis. Explore the museum and drive into the gorge to learn about this groundbreaking discovery that rewrote history. Continue into the vast plains of Serengeti National Park, stopping for a picnic lunch under the open sky. This afternoon, enjoy your first safari drive through the Serengeti’s iconic landscapes — a sea of gold grass alive with wildebeest, zebras, impala, and the big cats stalking the herds. Arrive at the lodge to check in and enjoy dinner beneath the stars, accompanied by the distant calls of the wild

Day 6 Serengeti National Park

Rise to the sounds of the savannah — the dawn chorus of birds and the low grunts of hippos — and set out early for a morning safari drive across the Serengeti’s golden plains. Watch the drama of the bush unfold: elephants stripping bark from trees, lions seeking shade, and herds of antelope bounding through the tall grass. Return to the lodge for breakfast and a relaxed morning before gathering for a talk to deepen your understanding of the Serengeti’s intricate ecosystem. After lunch, enjoy time at leisure before venturing out again for an afternoon safari drive to track predators on the move. As dusk settles, return to the lodge for dinner and share the day’s stories around the fire

Day 7 Serengeti National Park

Wake early and set out on a safari drive across the park’s sweeping savannahs, seeking out the elusive sightings: lions, elephants, cheetah, and other wildlife moving against the endless horizon. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then enjoy free time to relax or explore the lodge’s surroundings, perhaps watching wildlife from your private deck. This afternoon, gather for high tea — a refined pause in the wilderness — then venture out on one last wildlife drive in the national park as the sun paints the sky in hues of violet and orange. Return to the lodge for a farewell dinner, celebrating the sights, sounds, and memories of your Serengeti adventure

Day 8 Serengeti National Park/Arusha

Take to the skies for a flight back to Arusha, watching the sprawling ecosystem shrink to a patchwork of green and gold below. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and some time to refresh at the lodge — a final moment of calm — before your onward transfer to the airport. Reflect on your expedition through Tanzania’s iconic landscapes — from the ancient trunks of Tarangire’s baobabs and the sheer walls of Ngorongoro’s crater to the boundless space of the vast Serengeti plains — as you prepare to say farewell to East Africa

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arusha

Day 2 Arusha/Tarangire National Park

Day 3 Tarangire National Park/Ngorongoro

Day 4 Ngorongoro

Day 5 Ngorongoro/Serengeti National Park

Day 6 Serengeti National Park

Day 7 Serengeti National Park

Day 8 Serengeti National Park/Arusha