13 Days Tanzania Safari Tour – Culture & Wildlife Viewing, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Arusha

13 Days Tanzania Safari Tour – SAFARI OVERVIEW

13 days Tanzania safari tour is a popular 13 days safari in Tanzania vacation tour, offering you unique culture, scenery, and excellent wildlife viewing experiences in Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Arusha National Parks-the classic wildlife destinations of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit.

You kick off your 13 days Tanzania safari tour in Arusha with game viewing in Arusha National Park and Arusha city tour. Arusha is the safari gateway to Tanzania and, from here, it’s a drive of about 2½ hours to Tarangire, which is known for its massive elephant herds, diverse wildlife, 550 bird species, and giant baobab trees.

Your next stops will be Mto wa Mbu village and the scenic Great Rift Valley soda lake, Lake Manyara with flamingos and diverse flora and fauna including tree-climbing lions, hippos, and a primate hotspot – baboons and blue monkeys.

Finally, it’s off to Tanzania’s greatest jewels: Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Here, you’re assured of superb Big 5 game viewing and if you’re in Great Migration season, then you’ll marvel at millions of wildebeest on Serengeti plains. Throughout this tour, predators like Lion, Leopard, Cheetahs, and Hyenas are well represented and the general game viewing and bird watching are excellent.

You can book or customize this 13 days Tanzania safari tour to your interests and experience the best of Tanzania at an affordable price!

13 Days Tanzania Safari Tour – PRIME SAFARI ACTIVITIES

Arusha city tour
Daily game drives
Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in season
Watch the Big 5 animals in the wild
Spot Big Cats (Lions, Leopards, and Cheetahs)
See Tarangire’s large herds of elephants
Watch Lake Manyara’s rare Tree-climbing lions
Explore the world’s largest volcanic caldera
See the endless plains of Serengeti
Tour Olduvai Gorge, the Cradle of Mankind
Cultural tour in Mto wa Mbu village
Excellent birdwatching
Optional hot air ballooning over the Serengeti plains

13 Days Tanzania Safari Tour – FEATURED SAFARI DESTINATIONS

Day 1 & 2: Arusha City & Arusha National Park

Day 3, 4 & 5: Tarangire National Park

Day 6 & 7: Lake Manyara National Park & Mto wa Mbu Village

Day 8, 9 & 10: Serengeti National Park

Day 11 & 12: Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Olduvai Gorge.

Day 13: Departure.

13 Days Tanzania Safari Tour – SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport & transfer to Arusha.

Day 2: Game drive in Arusha National Park & Arusha city tour.

Day 3: Transfer to Tarangire National Park for a game drive.

Day 4: Unlimited game drives in Tarangire National Park.

Day 5: Whole day game drives in Tarangire National Park.

Day 6: Travel to Lake Manyara National Park. En-route cultural tour in Mto wa Mbu Village & game drive on arrival.

Day 7: Full-day game drive in Lake Manyara National Park.

Day 8: Transfer to Serengeti National Park for game drives.

Day 9: Full-day game drives in Serengeti National Park.

Day 10: Unlimited game drives in Serengeti National Park.

Day 11: Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area via Olduvai Gorge.

Day 12: Full-day game drive in Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 13: Crater rim walk & drive to Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport) for departure.

13 Days Tanzania Safari Tour – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport & Transfer to Your Hotel in Arusha.

Your first glimpse of Tanzania will be as you jet into Kilimanjaro International Airport. Here, you will be met by our company representative who will transfer you to your overnight hotel in Arusha, less than an hour’s drive away. You may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Mt Kilimanjaro (5895m), Africa’s highest mountain.

Arusha is located at the base of Mount Meru (4566m), Africa’s fifth highest peak. This growing town is set in a lush and hilly area of Tanzania that has a cool climate. Arusha is the gateway to the Northern Safari Circuit of Tanzania which includes the world-famous Serengeti Park and Ngorongoro Crater Area.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Kibo Palace Hotel/Impala Hotel/Arusha Coffee Lodge

Midrange: – Outpost Lodge

Meal Plan: – Dinner

Activities & Services: –

Airport pick up
Transfer to a hotel

Day 2: Game Drive in Arusha National Park & Arusha City Tour.

Your day 2 of the 13 days Tanzania safari tour starts with breakfast and a short drive of about 45 mins to Arusha NP for a game drive. With an area of about 137km², the park has a wide range of habitats, from alkaline lakes and swamps to montane forests, alpine vegetation, and the summit of Mt Meru, Africa’s 5^th highest peak.

Mammals include Giraffes, Buffaloes, Elephants, Hippos, Zebras, Leopards, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Hyenas, Duikers, baboons, Blue monkeys, and almost 400 bird species. It is most famous for the beautiful black and white colobus monkeys which swing from branches in the tall rainforest trees.

After a game drive, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.

In the afternoon, go for the Arusha city walking tour. Visit colorful local markets and craft shops/art-craft galleries, where you may buy souvenirs. You can also visit the extraordinary social enterprise Shanga that employs disabled people from the community to create export quality recycled glass products.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Impala Hotel/Arusha Coffee Lodge/Kibo Palace Hotel

Midrange: – Outpost Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

Arusha NP Game drive
Arusha city walking tour

Optional Activities:-

Arusha NP walking safari
Canoe ride on Momella Lakes

Day 3: Transfer to Tarangire National Park for A Game Drive.

You start day 3 of the 13 days Tanzania safari with a leisurely breakfast at a hotel. Then, set off on a beautiful drive of about 2½ hours southwest to Tarangire National Park, which is home to Tanzania’s largest elephant herds.

You’ll reach your lodge or camp for the next three nights in time for lunch. After lunch, have some time to relax and then get your first real taste of Tarangire on an afternoon game drive. The 2850km², 280,500 hectares Tarangire National Park is named after the Tarangire River that crosses it. Though it’s a peaceful park that is much quieter than most other Tanzania northern safari game parks, it still boasts an incredible wealth of classic African safari big game species.

Tarangire’s varied landscapes of rocky ridges, rolling hills, and golden savannah are generously scattered with Africa’s iconic ‘upside down trees’ or baobabs, teeming with animals. Herds of up to 300 elephants are often encountered whereas migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, gazelle, and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. These large numbers of game animals attract numerous predator species, especially Lions.

After a game drive, return to lodge/camp for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Midrange: – Tarangire Kirurumu Camp

Budget: – Roika Tented Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance/Time: – Approx. 150km/2½ hours

Activities & Services: –

Transfer to Tarangire
Game drive

Optional Activity: –

Night game drive

Day 4: Unlimited Game Drives In Tarangire National Park.

On day four of the 13 days Tanzania safari tour, you have a full day to enjoy Tarangire. You’ll have morning and afternoon game drives and return to camp/lodge for lunch and a short rest in the heat of the day.

Tarangire is the one place in Tanzania where you can see the dry-country antelope such as the fringe-eared Oryx and the long-necked gerenuk or giraffe gazelle, a particularly winsome and creatively constructed antelope.

You’ll also look for Waterbuck, Giraffe, Impala, Baboon, Cheetah, Leopard, Caracal, Honey Badger, Spotted hyena, African painted wolves, and Common Dwarf Mongoose. After a wonderful day in Tarangire, you’ll once again return to your camp/lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Midrange: – Tarangire Kirurumu Camp

Budget: – Roika Tented Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

Tarangire NP game drives

Optional Activities:-

Tarangire NP walking safari
Night game drive in Tarangire

Day 5: Whole Day Game Drives In Tarangire National Park.

On day five of your 13 days Tanzania Safari tour, you will have another full day to see more of what Tarangire National Park offers. You will again enjoy breakfast at the lodge and then go on your morning game drive. You will return for lunch and some downtime before embarking on an afternoon game drive.

Tarangire NP is not only about mammals. There are also over 550 bird species. Some of the top specials you can look out for on your game drives today include Yellow-collared Lovebirds, Common Ostriches, Kori bustards, Red-throated Tits, Ashy Starlings, Lazy Cisticola, and Red-and-yellow Barbet, along with many vultures, and other raptors, such as Pygmy Falcon and African Hawk-eagle.

You will return to your lodge in the early evening, have another superb dinner and enjoy being out in the African bush.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Midrange: – Tarangire Kirurumu Camp

Budget: – Roika Tented Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

Tarangire National Park game drives

Day 6: Travel to Lake Manyara National Park. En-Route Cultural Tour in Mto wa Mbu Village & Game Drive on Arrival.

After a good breakfast on day 6 of the 13 days Tanzania Safari tour, set off on a drive of about 2 hours, this time you are heading north to an area described by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa” – Lake Manyara.

En route, have a walking tour in Mto wa Mbu village.

This is a fascinating snapshot of small-town African life, home to some 18,000 people from 120 different Tanzania tribes! Stroll around farming areas, milling machines, and local homes. Visit a bustling local market and meet artisans in their workshops. After that, continue to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.

In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive around Lake Manyara.

Lying on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara is a shallow alkaline lake, protected by Lake Manyara National Park. The park is a birder’s paradise, hosting over 400 bird species, including large flocks of flamingos. It’s also a haven for many of the most attractive African animals including the usual tree-climbing lions.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge

Midrange: – Manyara Kirurumu Camp

Budget: – Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 60km/2 hours

Activities & Services: –

Transfer to Lake Manyara
Village walk in Mto Wa Mbu
Lake Manyara NP game drive

Day 7: Full-Day Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park.

On day 7 of your 13 days Tanzania safari tour, have the full day in beautiful Lake Manyara National Park. You will begin with an early breakfast at the lodge and then drive into the park with your packed lunch.

Much of the 648km² park is taken up by the lake but one of the many surprises in store is the remarkably wide diversity of terrestrial habitats – forest, wetland, floodplain, and acacia woodland – which in turn supports an equally impressive variety of wildlife. The park boasts over 670 species of flowering plants. Furthermore, the park has the world’s highest concentration of Baboons!

You will also look for Buffalos, Elephants, Hippos, Giraffes, Zebras, Wildebeests, Gazelles, Impalas, Waterbucks, Bushbucks, Dik-dik, Warthogs, Leopards, Hyaena, Jackals, Otters, and Egyptian mongoose. You will return to your lodge late in the afternoon for your final dinner and overnight here.

Tomorrow you are off to the legendary Serengeti!

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge

Midrange: – Manyara Kirurumu Camp

Budget: – Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

Full-day game drive

Optional Activities:-

Night game drive
Walking safari

Day 8: Transfer to Serengeti National Park for game drives.

After breakfast this morning, head north. It is a long drive to your next destination, but the road trip will be worth it. You will drive through the cool crater highlands and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Leaving Ngorongoro, you pass beautiful Maasai Villages before descending into Serengeti – a World Heritage Site.

Serengeti is one of the world’s most famous wildlife parks. Its great rolling savannah grasslands host the annual Great migration of over 1.5 million Wildebeest, 250,000 Zebras, 300,000 Gazelles, and 15,000 Elands. It’s one of the greatest wildlife shows on Earth and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. The park is a paradise for predators: Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, and hyenas.

This afternoon, enjoy a bush picnic lunch and wildlife drive up to your camp/lodge in Central Serengeti. This area of the park encompasses the world-famous Seronera River Valley, which is known for its prime big game and other wildlife. Lions and cheetahs are common here, and leopards are often seen in the valley.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Serengeti Sopa Lodge/Serengeti Serena Lodge

Midrange: – Serengeti Kati Kati Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 250km/5-6 hours

Activities & Services: –

Transfer to Serengeti
Evening game drive

Day 9: Full Day Game Drives In Serengeti National Park.

On day nine of your 13 days Tanzania safari tour, spend the entire day in Central Serengeti’s Seronera Valley, going for a morning drive after breakfast and returning to your lodge or camp for lunch and a break in the heat of the day.

The “Endless Plains” of the Serengeti, which span some 1.4 million hectares, see myriad colors during the year – brown and burnt in the dry season, green after the rains, – but one thing is a constant: this great landscape is home to thousands upon thousands of animals moving as herds across the plains.

This region gets its name from the local Maasai word ‘Siringet’, meaning the “place where the land runs forever”, and you’ll understand why on your game drive today.

After another fantastic day in the park, you’ll return to your lodge and freshen up. You will then enjoy dinner and a good night’s rest.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Serengeti Serena Lodge/Serengeti Sopa Lodge

Midrange: – Serengeti Kati Kati Camp

Budget: – Kijereshi Tented Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

Serengeti Game drives

Optional Activity: –

Hot air balloon ride over Serengeti

Day 10: Unlimited Game Drives In Serengeti National Park.

Start the 10 of your 13 days Tanzania safari tour nice and early with a game drive at dawn. You will head out while the animals are at their most active, then head back to camp for lunch at around 11.30 am.

This morning, you also have the option of a hot air balloon ride over Serengeti today. If you have pre-booked this activity, you’ll be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, where you’ll get some amazing photo opportunities.

After landing, enjoy a delicious bush breakfast, then return to your camp/lodge.

After spending the hottest part of the day relaxing just as the animals do, depart again in the afternoon for a game drive through the wild, returning in time for dinner.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Serengeti Sopa Lodge/Serengeti Serena Lodge

Midrange: – Serengeti Kati Kati Camp

Budget: – Kijereshi Tented Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

Morning and afternoon game drives

Day 11: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater via Olduvai Gorge.

After a relaxed breakfast today, you will set off for the final, and another exciting, part of your 13 days Tanzania safari tour. You will drive across the Serengeti plains as you make your way to Ngorongoro Crater – another World Heritage Site.

En route, you will make a stop at Olduvai Gorge. Famed for the evidence it has produced about human evolution. It is where Drs. Louis and Mary Leaky unearthed remains of the earliest humans – hominin fossils, dating back almost two million years. The Gorge is known by some as the ‘Cradle of Humankind.

After visiting the gorge, enjoy a picnic lunch and then proceed to your lodge near the Ngorongoro Crater rim for relaxation, dinner, and overnight. Widely known by its nickname -” Africa’s Garden Eden” – the gigantic Ngorongoro Crater is one of the continent’s most celebrated natural wonders.

It was formed over 2 million years ago by the explosion and collapse of a massive volcano, which some say would have been higher than Mount Kilimanjaro. Left behind was a depression more than 2,000 feet deep, with a floor covering 260km² – the largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera on planet Earth.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge/Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Midrange: – Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge

Budget: – Karatu Simba Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & Time: – Approx.140km/3-4 hours

Activities & Services: –

Transfer to Ngorongoro
Olduvai Gorge visit
Game drive

Day 12: Full Day Game Drive In Ngorongoro Crater.

After an early breakfast on day ten of your 13 days Tanzania safari tour, descend 2000 feet to the Crater floor for a full-day game drive. You’ll have a picnic lunch on the crater floor, returning in the early evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Ngorongoro Crater has one of the densest wildlife populations in Africa. Some 30,000 animals live within the crater. Many of the residents here are ungulates (hoofed animals); among them, approximately 7,000 wildebeest, 4,000 zebras, 3,000 elands, and 3,000 Thompson’s gazelles. These enormous herds attract a large number of predators, like spotted hyenas, cheetah, leopards, and most notably lions.

Other members of the Big 5 are also easily spotted here, including Cape buffalo, elephants, and black rhino. The crater also hosts some 500 avian species including Ostriches, Secretary birds, Flamingos, and Kori bustards. Interestingly, there’s only one iconic African animal that doesn’t live inside the crater: A giraffe – the edges of the crater are too steep for them to navigate with their long legs.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Ngorongoro Serena Lodge/Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Midrange: – Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge

Budget: – Karatu Simba Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

Ngorongoro Crater game drive

Day 13: Crater Rim Walk & Drive to Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport) For Departure.

After a relaxing final breakfast, you will take a short crater rim walk for dramatic crater photographs. Then embark on a 5-6 hour drive back to Arusha. You can stop for some last-minute shopping before making your way to Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure flight at the end of this incredible 13 days Tanzania safari tour.

End of the 13 Days Tanzania Safari Tour

13 Days Tanzania Safari Tour − SAFARI INCLUSIONS

Full Board Accommodation on Safari
Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof &AC
Fuel
Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
Entrance fees to the tourist sites mentioned
Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
Bottled water while on safari
Airport transfers