Tanzania Grand Safari
The ultimate 10-day Tanzania odyssey spanning the northern circuit parks and the remote southern wilderness of Nyerere and Ruaha.
Duration
10 Days
Price From
$4,500 pp
Country
Tanzania
Difficulty
Easy
Both northern and southern Tanzania park circuits
This is Tanzania at its grandest — a sweeping 10-day luxury expedition that traverses both the celebrated northern circuit and the wild, untouched southern parks. The journey begins among the iconic landscapes of Tarangire, where elephant herds roam through cathedrals of ancient baobab trees. From there, you plunge into the Serengeti's limitless plains, spending two nights in the heart of Africa's greatest wildlife arena. The Ngorongoro Crater delivers a concentrated burst of Big Five action on its ancient caldera floor. But the true revelation comes in the south: a charter flight whisks you to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous), Africa's largest protected area, where boat safaris on the Rufiji River offer an entirely different perspective on the bush. The grand finale unfolds in Ruaha National Park, a vast and rugged wilderness where massive elephant herds, large lion prides, and endangered wild dogs roam with barely another vehicle in sight. This comprehensive safari is designed for discerning travelers who want to experience the full spectrum of Tanzania's extraordinary biodiversity, from the tourist-friendly north to the exclusive and untamed south. Every night is spent in carefully selected luxury lodges and camps that reflect the character of their surroundings.
What Makes This Safari Special
Both northern and southern Tanzania park circuits
Serengeti plains — two full days of game drives
Ngorongoro Crater — Big Five in a single caldera
Nyerere (Selous) boat safari on the Rufiji River
Ruaha's wild dogs, elephants, and enormous lion prides
Charter flights connecting north and south circuits
Luxury lodges and exclusive tented camps throughout
Fewer than 10 guests per departure for intimacy
Your Journey, Day by Day
10 carefully curated days across Arusha, Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Nyerere (Selous) & Ruaha
Day 1
Arrival in Arusha
Touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your luxury estate hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure — perhaps stroll through the hotel's coffee plantation or take a dip in the pool with views of Mount Meru. A welcome dinner introduces you to your fellow travelers and your head guide.
Day 2
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Drive south to Tarangire, arriving in time for a full afternoon of game drives. The park's dry-season concentrations of wildlife rival anywhere in Africa, with hundreds of elephants congregating along the river and predators lurking in the shade of massive baobabs.
Day 3
Tarangire to Central Serengeti
An epic driving day carries you northwest through the Rift Valley, past Maasai villages and golden wheat fields, and into the Serengeti ecosystem. Cross the park boundary and immediately begin game viewing as the Seronera Valley reveals its resident big cats, herds of wildebeest, and towers of giraffes.
Day 4
Full Day in the Serengeti
Dedicate the entire day to exploring the Serengeti's vast plains. Your guide navigates to the most productive areas based on seasonal wildlife movements. Expect encounters with lion prides on the hunt, cheetahs scanning the horizon from termite mounds, and vast herds stretching beyond the skyline. A bush lunch keeps you in the field all day.
Day 5
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
Depart the Serengeti with a final game drive en route. Stop at Olduvai Gorge to learn about the discoveries that reshaped our understanding of human evolution. Climb to the Ngorongoro Crater rim and settle into your lodge, where the caldera panorama dominates every window.
Day 6
Ngorongoro Crater Floor & Flight to Nyerere
Descend into the crater at dawn for an intensive morning game drive. The density of wildlife here is extraordinary — lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard share the caldera floor with zebra, wildebeest, and hippo. After lunch, transfer to the Manyara airstrip for your charter flight south to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve).
Day 7
Nyerere National Park — Boat & Walking Safaris
Nyerere is a true wilderness — Africa's largest protected area, yet visited by a fraction of the tourists who flock north. Start with a boat safari on the Rufiji River, gliding past pods of hippo, enormous Nile crocodiles, and a kaleidoscope of waterbirds. In the afternoon, join an armed ranger for a walking safari that brings you face-to-face with the bush at ground level.
Day 8
Nyerere to Ruaha National Park
Bid farewell to Nyerere and fly west to Ruaha, Tanzania's largest national park and its best-kept secret. The Great Ruaha River carves through the landscape, creating dramatic gorges and providing a lifeline for huge herds of elephants, buffalo, and the park's famous super-prides of lions. Settle into your riverside camp and enjoy an evening game drive.
Day 9
Full Day in Ruaha National Park
Explore Ruaha in depth with morning and afternoon game drives. The park is famed for its large prides of lions, endangered African wild dogs, and herds of several thousand elephants. The rugged baobab-strewn landscape feels primordial and untouched. With so few visitors, you may spend hours at a sighting without another vehicle in sight — pure, exclusive wilderness.
Day 10
Ruaha to Dar es Salaam — Departure
Enjoy a final sunrise game drive before breakfast, then transfer to the airstrip for your charter flight to Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International Airport. Connect with your international departure or extend your journey to Zanzibar. Your grand Tanzanian odyssey concludes with unforgettable memories of two profoundly different wilderness circuits.
End of itinerary — 10 days, 9 nights
What's Included
- All airport and inter-park transfers
- Domestic charter flights (Arusha–Nyerere, Nyerere–Ruaha, Ruaha–Dar)
- All national park and conservation fees
- Full-board luxury accommodation
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- 4x4 safari vehicle in the north
- Open-sided safari vehicle in the south
- Boat safari on the Rufiji River
- Walking safari with armed ranger in Nyerere
- Drinking water and soft drinks during activities
- Flying Doctor emergency evacuation insurance
- Laundry service at all camps
What's Excluded
- International flights
- Tanzania tourist visa
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Premium wines and spirits
- Optional hot air balloon safari
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
African DMC
Professional destination management company operating across 7 African countries with dedicated teams, contracted suppliers, and local expertise in each market.
Based in Arusha, Tanzania