Ultimate 8 Days Luxury Safari Tanzania Itinerary & Costs
An 8-day luxury safari in Tanzania typically focuses on the northern circuit’s most famous parks, including Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater. Luxury experiences provide private 4×4 vehicles, high-end lodges, professional guides, and personalized service for an unforgettable wildlife adventure. The best time for this safari is during the dry season from June to October.
Awakening under the expansive blue sky of East Africa, adorned with delicate white clouds infused with pink and gold hues from the morning sun, you are greeted by the melodies of birds in Tanzania, where the Arusha Coffee Lodge invites you to the realm of the Big 5.
This 8-day Tanzania luxury safari offers additional experiences: explore Lemala Ngorongoro, situated on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, a renowned African landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caldera of the crater houses over 30,000 animals, facilitating some of the most accessible game viewing on the continent and providing the highest likelihood of encountering all of the Big Five during a single game drive.
Subsequently, from December to March, establish a campsite at Lemala Ndutu within the permanent marsh of Ngorongoro Crater, which offers optimal vantage points for observing the Great Migration. Between July and October, the camp relocates to Lemala Mara in the northern Serengeti, adjacent to the Mara River. This location offers an unobstructed view of the vast herds of wildebeest and zebra across the crocodile-infested river.
8 Days Luxury Safari Tanzania Itinerary Cost: $6,970 – $8,600 Per Person Sharing
8 Days Luxury Safari Tanzania Itinerary Highlights & Activities
What’s on offer whilst on this itinerary?
- Walk the Ngorongoro Crater
- Excellent Wildebeest Migration viewing in season
- Unrivalled views of calving & predator action
- Intimate, mobile camps
Expert Opinion
This 8 Days Luxury Safari Tanzania itinerary evokes the traditional safaris of the past, emphasising the observation of large game in wildlife-abundant regions like as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Accommodations consist of intimate, tented mobile camps that enhance proximity to nature while maintaining contemporary conveniences.
A Complete 8 Days Luxury Safari Tanzania Itinerary
Days 1-2: Welcome to Arusha | 1 Nights
Commence your East African journey at Arusha Coffee Lodge, residing in the Plantation Room, nestled amidst the lush rows of coffee bushes adorned with vibrant red cherries. Arusha Coffee Lodge is located on an operational farm, ensuring you receive the freshest cup of exceptional coffee imaginable.
You may traverse the fields, savouring the fragrance, or acquire further knowledge about the plant on the ‘Bean to Cup’ tour. For a tranquil commencement to your stay, choose a massage or treatment at Peaberries Therapies. The lodge was constructed in relation to the original farmhouse, established in the 1900s, and it resonates with the opulence of past eras.
Arusha is a favoured location to commence or conclude the Tanzanian segment of a safari. Overshadowed by Mount Meru, it provides as an entrance to some of the nation’s premier reserves. During your vacation, explore Arusha National Park or notable attractions in the town, such as the vibrant Maasai Market or the Tanzanite Museum, which focusses on the unique deep-blue gemstone found exclusively in this region.
Days 2-5: An Ancient World in the Crater | 3 Nights
Your next destination is Lemala Ngorongoro, situated among an old acacia forest on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater. The setting is intimate, located in a less-frequented area of the Ngorongoro Conservancy, adjacent to the tranquil Lemala access path. The camp comprises 12 tents, each providing seclusion and intimacy, making them suitable for couples or honeymooners, along with two tents designated for families with teenagers. Each unit features an en suite bathroom, equipped with a flush toilet and a bucket shower that provides hot water. A generator exists, however the electricity supplied for 24 hours is predominantly solar, minimising environmental impact. The tents are equipped with gas heaters for the colder evenings.
In accordance with traditional safari customs, dining and socialising occur in the spacious mess tent, which features a pleasant lounge and a bar. Lemala Ngorongoro offers prompt access to the crater, with game drives commencing as early as 6:15 AM. This indicates immediate access to the remarkable crater bottom within ten minutes, eliminating any waiting at the entrance. This early commencement also provides photographers with optimal lighting conditions. Embark on a guided walk with a Maasai guide and an armed ranger along the crater rim and through the bush for a more immersive tour of the reserve.
The crater offers some of the most accessible and gratifying wildlife observation in East Africa. This is a Big Five country, entirely situated within the world’s largest caldera. Game drives may last throughout the day, allowing one to relax and appreciate the stunning landscapes and diverse fauna, particularly the predators.
The region was designated a World Heritage Site in 1979. Fossil data indicates that multiple hominid species have inhabited the region for three million years. The Maasai pastoralists established their settlement in the crater during the 1800s and currently impart their expertise of the region to visitors.
Days 5-8: Time Stands Still on the Serengeti | 3 Nights
The final three nights of your safari are allocated to either Lamala Ndutu in the crater or Lemala Mara in the northern Serengeti, contingent upon the season. Ndutu offers premier seating for the Wildebeest Migration, during which over a million wildebeests traverse the plains in pursuit of fresh pastures. The movable camp operates from November to April adjacent to the marsh in the Ngorongoro Crater. The calving season in February and March is a significant period during which millions of calves are born. Africa’s predators are drawn to the young calves, making hunts a frequent occurrence.
The camp features 12 tents, fostering an intimate atmosphere and enabling full immersion in nature. Each unit is equipped with an en suite bathroom, featuring a flush toilet and a bucket shower. The primary source of electricity is solar, however a generator is also present. A sociable mess tent features a lounge and bar, ideal for moments when stories are exchanged. In the evening, a campfire is held for pre-dinner beverages, succeeded by meals in the mess tent or beneath the stars. Picnic breakfasts and lunches can be prepared for extended safaris. From July to October, the camp relocates to Lemara Mara in the northern Serengeti to capitalise on the migration occurring farther north. It is situated on a secluded elevation that overlooks the plains, providing prime vantage points to observe the herds traverse the crocodile-infested Mara River.
Majestic Euclea trees provide shade for your relaxation, allowing you to admire unparalleled landscape, disconnected from the frenetic pace of the 21st century. Upon departing from Kogatende to board your connecting flights home, you will have encountered some of the most remarkable sights and sounds of Tanzania, a premier safari destination globally.
End of the 8 Days Luxury Safari Tanzania Itinerary
What’s Included?
- 7 nights accommodation
Meals:
Arusha Coffee Lodge : Bed & Breakfast
Lemala Ngorongoro : Game Package
Lemala Mara Camp Northern Serengeti : Game Package - All necessary permits, conservancy and park fees
- All activities specified, including morning and evening game drives each full day on safari
- Inter-camp transfers
- Selected park entrance fees
- Walking safari at Lemala Ngorongoro
- All transfers during your itinerary
- 24/7 assistance and support during your trip
What’s Excluded?
- Your international flights to and from Africa + any related taxes
- Any travel visas you require (though we help you with this)
- Tips
- Personal items (eg. travel insurance, souvenirs)
