Tanzania's Highlights

Tour Code: TZA01

A 15-day birdwatching and mammal-viewing safari through the magnificent national parks of Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Serengeti.

15 days from
£8,295 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£7,395
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

The string of national parks that lies along Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya offers some of the finest game and wildlife-viewing in all of Africa. Starting in Arusha National Park, beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, this popular wildlife safari next moves to Tarangire National Park, home to African Elephants, African Buffalo, Giraffe and Lions. We then visit the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater - one of the world’s natural wonders - and perhaps the best place in all of Africa to see the endangered Black Rhinoceros. Next, we move to the world-famous Serengeti for four nights, split between the central and south of the reserve. Between December and April, 1.2 million Blue Wildebeest, and thousands of Plains Zebra and gazelles, crowd the Serengeti’s short-grass plains alongside Giraffe, African Bush Elephant, Thomson’s Gazelle, Lion, Cheetah, and numerous birds. Leaving the Serengeti we will stop at Olduvai Gorge, before ending our holiday at Lake Manyara, set in the Great Rift Valley. 

  • Visit the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater
  • Witness the Wildebeest migration on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti
  • Game drives in Arusha, Tarangire & Lake Manyara National Parks
  • Visit Olduvai Gorge, ‘The Cradle of Humankind’
  • Abundant birdlife
  • Lion, Cheetah & Bat-eared Fox all likely
  • Comfortable landcruisers with opening roof & guaranteed window seat

Grading

Grade A. A traditional vehicular wildlife and birdwatching safari. Limited walking around lodges.

The magnificent game-laden lands of Africa are unique. Some of the best of them are in Tanzania. Here, Lions and Cheetahs may still enjoy a meal, free from the gaze of all-encircling tourist buses, and the largest concentrations of mammals anywhere in the world may be found. With a remarkable 35% of its area set aside for the preservation of this unique heritage, Tanzania offers such globally threatened species as the Black Rhinoceros a measure of protection that hopefully may save them from extinction.

On this tour we concentrate on northern Tanzania, an area of superlatives and variety. We explore beautiful soda and freshwater lakes, the great grasslands of the Serengeti, and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. Covering such a range of habitats and altitude zones, we will encounter a great variety of mammals, and also birds, for conveniently the national parks harbour the best of African birdlife, from the giant Ostrich to tiny finches and colourful weavers.

We begin our holiday in Arusha National Park, a microcosm of Tanzanian scenery. Spectacularly set between the huge volcanic peaks of snow-capped Kilimanjaro and rugged Mount Meru, the park is a verdant wilderness where monkey-filled rainforest encompasses the undisturbed Ngurdoto Crater and the beautiful Momella Lakes that hold Hippos, waterbirds, and the reflection of Mount Kilimanjaro. African Buffalo, Olive Baboon, Bushbuck, Warthog, Masai Giraffe and Guereza Colobus may be seen; whilst, amongst an abundant birdlife, we will look out for African Pochard and Maccoa Ducks on the lakes, and White-eared and Brown-breasted Barbets in the woodland.

We drive next to Tarangire National Park, where thousands of animals from the southern Masailands must come regularly in search of water from the Tarangire River. In the park’s rolling bushland and savannah, punctuated with spectacular Baobab Trees, African Buffaloes, Eland, Impala, Elephants and Lesser Kudu may be found, together with such bird species as Crested Francolin, Yellow-collared Lovebird, Brown and Orange-bellied Parrots, Northern Pied Babbler and Magpie Shrike. Next we visit the legendary Ngorongoro Crater. Permanently watered, the crater’s 260 square kilometres support a year-round residential population of thousands of mammals. Amongst great herds of Blue Wildebeest, African Buffalo and Plains Zebra, we will see Lions, Black-backed Jackals and Spotted Hyenas. Most notably, the crater is perhaps the best place in all of Africa to see the endangered Black Rhinoceros.

Birdwatching is excellent at Ngorongoro; the lakes and rivers attracting abundant wetland species, and the grasslands holding Ostriches, bustards, Secretary Birds, eagles and vultures. On the crater rim the lush montane forest holds an entirely different range of species which we may encounter around our lodge and on early morning and evening walks. Here we will also meet the people of the Masai tribe, proud, elegant and well attuned to their environment.

The Serengeti National Park’s 14,750 square kilometres of acacia-dotted plains hold 1.3 million Blue Wildebeest and 2,000 Lions; its selection of other mammals and birds is mouth-watering. We have four full days to sample the wealth of this great African wilderness.

Leaving the Serengeti we will stop at the Olduvai Gorge —‘Cradle of Mankind’ — the famous archaeological site where Dr. Leakey discovered the 2-million-year-old remains of the Nutcracker Man, alongside those of prehistoric elephants and giant ostriches. Even today it is an area teeming with game.

Lake Manyara is our last port of call. Its hotel and pool, beautifully perched on the wall of the Great Rift Valley, overlook the forest, plains, and flamingo-lined lake of the national park where we will search for its particularly large Elephants, tree-climbing Lions, and abundant birdlife.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Depart London
Day 2
Arusha
Day 3
Arusha National Park
Day 4/5
Tarangire National Park
Day 6/8
Ngorongoro Crater
Day 9/12
Serengeti National Park and Olduvai Gorge
Day 13
Lake Manyara
Day 14
Depart Arusha
Day 15
Arrive London
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    We stay in comfortable safari lodges and tented camps. All rooms have private facilities.

  • Food:

    All meals are included in the price, except for lunch on Day 2 and dinner on Day 14.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Sat 11th Jan – Sat 25th Jan 5 £8,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£8,095
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Sat 1st Feb – Sat 15th Feb 2 £8,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£8,095
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Fri 31st Oct – Fri 14th Nov SPACES £8,295
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£795 
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Mammal Watching Holidays


Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.


Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours


Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.


Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:



Bargain mammal selection


We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.




Our specialist recommends...







"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager




  


All Mammal Watching Tours

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Safari Holidays – Experience Earth’s Greatest Continent for Wildlife


Why choose Africa for wildlife safaris?


When people think of visiting Africa, safari holidays are regularly at the top of the list. Riding in an open-top jeep along dusty tracks and looking out across sun-baked savannahs teeming with big game is arguably one of life’s best experiences.


For the nature enthusiast, Naturetrek’s African safari holidays offer unparalleled opportunities. Africa is the world’s greatest continent for wildlife, being home to many of the planet’s most iconic mammals and birds.


Many of these animals are relatively easy to observe and exist in scarcely believable abundance, guaranteeing that our African safari tours are always full of amazing sightings.


From the Okavango Delta in Botswana and Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park to Namibia’s Etosha National Park and the superb Kruger National Park in South Africa, our African wildlife safaris will take you to all the continent’s most unmissable destinations.


Classic African safari holidays


We offer classic safari-style packages to Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Namibia.


On these African safari tours you will stay in or very near the prime game-rich areas such as national parks and reserves, heading out daily for wildlife watching in vehicles. There will usually be additional chances to join night drives and look for nocturnal species.


On the majority of our African wildlife safaris, even those in our bargain range, we are able to use superb accommodation, including in remote locations. Tented, fully serviced camps with private facilities are the norm.


Expert naturalist guides


All of our African safari tours are led by expert naturalist guides. Most of our tours are led by superb local guides (the quality of guiding in many parts of Africa is second to none), while some of our longer tours are joined by a UK leader.


What wildlife might I see?


Africa is the best place in the world for seeing large concentrations of big game such as African Bush Elephant, Lion, Cape Buffalo, Giraffe and Blue Wildebeest. On Naturetrek’s African safari tours we visit some of the world’s most famous national parks and reserves, such as the Serengeti, Kruger and Okavango Delta, as well as some less well known regions, in search of a full range of the continent’s most spectacular mammals, from Hippos, Wild Dogs and White Rhinos to Leopards, bushbabies and African Wildcats.


The birdlife is equally staggering, with an enormous variety of charismatic species found across the continent, from bee-eaters and hornbills to finches, weavers and a stunning diversity of birds of prey. Naturetrek’s African wildlife safaris offer a chance to search for a superb variety of species and avian spectacles, such as flamingo-lined lakes in the Rift Valley, bizarre Shoebills in Uganda’s swamps, and giant Ostriches strutting across endless savannahs.


See our list of the best African Safari Holidays


 




Our specialist recommends...







"We offer a superb choice of expert-led African safari holidays ranging from 9-day bargain tours in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park to a 17-day birdwatching and mammal-viewing safari through Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. For those who have previously enjoyed a traditional safari, I would recommend our ‘South Africa’s Rare Mammals’ tour, which targets some of the continent’s most rarely seen creatures, such as Aardwolf, Black-footed Cat, Cape Porcupine, African Wildcat, Brown Hyaena and the iconic Aardvark





Paul Stanbury – Operations Manager


 







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Big Cat Safari Holidays


Big cats are among the most admired and sought-after mammals on the planet, and we are proud to offer a broad and comprehensive range of big cat safari holidays. We offer inspiring and truly memorable wildlife tours to enjoy sightings of all of the world’s iconic species in their natural habitats, including Tigers in India and Nepal, Jaguars in the Pantanal, Pumas in Chile and Snow Leopards in India and Mongolia and we certainly do not neglect the smaller cats either.


We offer a range of itineraries around Africa and encounter the continent’s high-profile species like Lions, Cheetahs and Leopards and also the lesser known species such as Caracal, Sand Cat, Black-footed Cat, Serval and African Wild Cat. We also have wildlife holidays that catch sightings of the Asiatic Lion in India and the elusive Leopard in Sri Lanka.


We also offer a pioneering tour to try to see the most difficult of all big cats the Sunda Clouded Leopard in Borneo with Leopard Cat, Marbled Cat and Flat-headed Cat all having being seen on our Borneo holidays. Closer to home, we offer holidays in Europe to go in search of Wildcat and both Eurasian and Iberian Lynx.


We have run these holidays for many years with great success, working with the best local contacts and guides and staying at the very best locations with carefully crafted itineraries which allow the optimum amount of time to achieve sightings.  




Our specialist recommends...






"Naturetrek has been instrumental in designing, researching and pioneering many of the big cat safari tours on the market. Our dedicated Tiger-watching trips have an unparalleled 100% success record with sightings, while if you want an experience dedicated to looking for Jaguars (also with a 100% success rate), you can’t do any better than our 'Brazil – Just Jaguars!' holiday. Additionally, our 'South Africa – Just Cats!' holiday offers a chance to see a wide variety of species in stunning scenery and for a real adventure, well off the beaten track, our 'Borneo's Mammals - Deramakot Forest Reserve' holiday is hard to beat for sheer excitement as we go in search of Sunda Clouded Leopard with extensive night time spotlighting outings encountering a wonderful number of mammals as we search for this elusive cat. Finally, if you wish to combine two holidays in one, our 'South America's Big Cats' holiday, first goes in search of Pumas in Chile followed by Jaguars in Brazil with a wonderful chance now for Ocelot in the Pantanal. "

Tom Mabbett - Operations Manager


 




ALL BIG CAT TOURS

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For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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