8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari

Embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Tanzania’s wilderness on this 8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari, designed by Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd to deliver the ultimate wildlife experience. This safari focuses on encountering the iconic African Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo in their natural habitats across some of Tanzania’s most famous National Parks: Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park. Beyond the Big Five, this itinerary ensures opportunities to spot a wealth of other wildlife including cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, and numerous antelope species, giving travelers a complete and immersive African safari experience.

Tanzania offers a mosaic of landscapes, from expansive savannahs to dense forests and crater floor ecosystems. Your 8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari journey begins in Arusha, the safari capital, and moves through diverse ecosystems that host abundant wildlife. Tarangire National Park introduces travelers to vast elephant herds and baobab-studded plains, while the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides a rare opportunity to descend into the largest unbroken volcanic caldera, teeming with animals in a confined space. Serengeti National Park completes the safari with its sweeping plains, rich biodiversity, and exceptional wildlife density, including opportunities to witness the seasonal wildebeest migration.

This 8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, first-time visitors, and those seeking a blend of adventure and comfort. Each day is carefully planned to include morning and afternoon game drives, cultural insights, and scenic drives, ensuring travelers witness wildlife at its most active while enjoying Tanzania’s natural beauty. The combination of expertly guided excursions, strategic park visits, and well-chosen accommodations ensures a truly memorable Big Five safari experience.

8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari Highlights

 

Detailed 8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari

Day 01: Arrival in Tanzania Kilimanjaro International Airport

Your 8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari journey into the heart of Africa begins the moment you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where the spirit of Tanzania welcomes you. A professional representative from Deks Safaris and Tours Ltd will be ready to receive you warmly, ensuring a smooth transition from the airport to your awaiting safari adventure. After a short briefing and baggage assistance, you will board a private transfer vehicle and drive comfortably to your reserved lodge in Arusha, the vibrant safari hub of Tanzania.

Arusha rests at the foothills of Mount Meru and offers a refreshing environment, with lush greenery, cultural richness, and the backdrop of towering volcanic landscapes. Upon arrival at your lodge, check-in and settle into the serene surroundings that provide a perfect start to your safari. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax in the lodge gardens, enjoy a dip in the pool, or simply unwind with panoramic views of the surrounding highlands.

In the evening, your 8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari guide will join you for an informative briefing about your 8 Days Big Five Safari. This session gives you an overview of the journey ahead, what to expect, important safari guidelines, and safety precautions to guarantee a rewarding experience. Dinner will be served at your lodge, offering you the chance to savor a delightful first taste of Tanzanian hospitality and cuisine before retreating to your room for a restful night.

Meal Plan: Dinner

 

Day 02: Full-Day Exploration of Tarangire National Park

Your first full day of 8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari takes you into the magnificent Tarangire National Park, an incredible destination often regarded as Tanzania’s hidden gem. After an early breakfast, depart Arusha and drive through beautiful countryside landscapes until you reach the park’s gates. Tarangire is famous for its towering ancient baobab trees, vast golden savannahs, and seasonal swamps that attract incredible wildlife diversity. The park is especially renowned for its impressive elephant herds, some of the largest in East Africa, which gather around the Tarangire River during the dry season.

On your first morning game drive, your safari guide will help you track and identify a variety of species including elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and an array of antelopes. Bird enthusiasts will also find Tarangire rewarding, as it is home to over 500 bird species including colorful lilac-breasted rollers, ostriches, and hornbills. Around midday, check into your lodge within or near the park and enjoy a relaxing lunch while overlooking breathtaking landscapes.

Later in the afternoon, head out again for another thrilling game drive, as wildlife becomes more active with cooler temperatures. Watch predators such as lions prepare for their evening hunts and catch sight of elusive leopards resting in tree branches. As the sun sets over the park, the glowing skies create a magical backdrop for photography. Return to your lodge in the evening, where a warm dinner and a peaceful night under the African stars await.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 03: Morning Safari in Tarangire Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater Highlands

This morning begins with an exciting game drive in Tarangire National Park, giving you another opportunity to spot animals that might have eluded you the previous day. With the soft morning light spreading across the savannah, the park feels alive with movement as grazers feed and predators emerge. Herds of zebras, wildebeests, and giraffes often appear along the Tarangire River, while the echo of bird calls fills the air.

After this final exploration of Tarangire, return to your lodge for breakfast and some relaxation before checking out. Following lunch, begin your scenic transfer to the Ngorongoro Highlands, a journey filled with enchanting views of the Great Rift Valley, volcanic landscapes, and traditional Maasai villages that dot the countryside. Along the way, your guide will share insights into the unique cultural heritage of the Maasai people and the natural wonders that shape this region.

Upon arrival at your lodge near the Ngorongoro Crater, check in and unwind in the cool highland air. The lodge offers sweeping views of lush forests and rolling hills that form part of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the evening sets in, enjoy a hearty dinner and prepare for the next day’s adventure into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. This will be one of the highlights of your 8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari with Deks Safaris and Tours Ltd.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 04: Game Drives in the Iconic Ngorongoro Crater

Wake up early to a crisp highland morning, as today you descend into the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera. This remarkable natural wonder is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife and is often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”

The crater floor is a self-contained ecosystem where you can expect to encounter all members of the Big Five. Lions roam freely, elephants wander the forests, rhinos graze near the swamps, while buffalo and leopards occupy the open plains and wooded areas. In addition to the Big Five, the crater hosts hippos in freshwater pools, flocks of flamingos at Lake Magadi, and countless antelope species.

Your morning game drive will offer breathtaking wildlife encounters, enhanced by the crater’s dramatic landscapes of grasslands, acacia woodlands, and volcanic cliffs. After a picnic lunch at a scenic spot within the crater, continue exploring its diverse habitats during an afternoon game drive. Your 8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari guide will skillfully navigate different areas to maximize wildlife sightings and photographic opportunities.

As evening approaches, ascend the crater rim and return to your lodge. Relax with dinner while reflecting on the incredible day spent in this world-class safari destination.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 05: Transfer from Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, enjoy a final short game drive within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before starting your journey toward the Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations. The drive itself is a scenic experience, passing through the endless plains of the southern Serengeti, dotted with acacia trees and rich wildlife along the way.

The Serengeti, meaning “endless plains” in the Maasai language, stretches as far as the eye can see and is famous for its role in the Great Migration as well as its incredible year-round wildlife densities. Upon arrival, enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge, where you will settle in for a relaxing evening.

Dinner will be served at the lodge, offering you the chance to soak in the ambience of the Serengeti night under clear, star-filled skies.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 06 & 07: Full-Day Adventures in Serengeti National Park

The sixth and seventh days of your 8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari are dedicated entirely to exploring the Serengeti National Park, giving you a true sense of this iconic wilderness. With two full days at your disposal, you will embark on morning and afternoon game drives across various ecosystems – open savannahs, river valleys, rocky kopjes, and woodlands. Each area offers unique wildlife encounters and dramatic scenery.

The Serengeti is home to an impressive array of animals including large prides of lions, elusive leopards, powerful cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and countless herbivores such as wildebeests and zebras. Depending on the time of year, you may also witness the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeests and zebras move across the plains in search of fresh grazing.

During your stay, enjoy picnic lunches in the wild, maximize your wildlife viewing opportunities, and experience the magical Serengeti sunsets. In the evenings, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight, with the sounds of the African night creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 08: Return Journey from Serengeti to Arusha – Departure

After breakfast, bid farewell to the Serengeti as you begin your drive back to Arusha. The journey offers one last chance to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and occasional wildlife sightings along the way. Lunch will be provided en route.

Upon arrival in Arusha, your driver guide will either transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight or drop you at a hotel of your choice if you have extended travel plans. This marks the end of your 8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari with Deks Safaris and Tours Ltd, an unforgettable journey that has connected you to the true essence of African wilderness.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

 

8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

  • All airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Services of a professional English-speaking safari guide-driver
  • Park entrance fees to Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater
  • Game drives as per itinerary
  • Full-board accommodation (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Bottled drinking water during safari
  • Guided safari briefing and orientation
  • Government taxes and levies

 

Safari Exclusions

  • International airfare to/from Tanzania
  • Tanzania visa fees
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, and lodge staff
  • Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and personal expenses
  • Optional cultural tours or activities not mentioned in itinerary
  • Laundry services at lodges and camps
  • Any additional accommodation before or after the safari

End of 8 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari