5D Serengeti Horizons - A Journey Through Tanzania Wild Heart Tour

After breakfast at Raha Wildlife Lodge, your guide will escort you to Tarangire National Park, located approximately a 2-hour drive away. Tarangire is the sixth largest park in Tanzania, covering 2,850 square miles (7,600 square kilometers). This park is renowned for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees, which create an otherworldly landscape. The park is also home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and a variety of antelope species, including the elusive greater kudu.
Tarangire is a birdwatcher's paradise, with over 500 species recorded, including the vibrant lilac-breasted roller and the endangered grey-crowned crane. The temperature here varies, but generally, it is hot during the day, with daytime highs ranging from 30°C to 35°C (86°F to 95°F) and cooler evenings around 15°C (59°F). The park was established in 1970 and is famous for its diversity of habitats, including swamps, savanna, and woodlands.
After an exciting day exploring Tarangire, including a picnic lunch at 13:00, you will exit the park at 17:00 and head to STC Safari Lodge (or similar), located in Karatu. Here, you can relax and enjoy a hearty dinner before overnighting in this comfortable lodge, set in the heart of Tanzania’s Rift Valley.

The next morning, after breakfast, you will drive from Karatu to the Central Serengeti, one of the most famous wildlife destinations in the world. Covering an area of 5,700 square miles (14,763 square kilometers), the Serengeti is renowned for its vast plains and incredible wildlife migrations, which draw visitors from all over the globe. The Serengeti was established in 1951, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not just for its natural beauty but also for its rich ecosystem.
During your drive into the park, you’ll start to witness the park’s famous wildlife: lions lounging on rocks, herds of wildebeest, and gazelles grazing the grassy plains. The Serengeti is home to the Big Five—lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinoceroses—along with numerous other species like cheetahs, hyenas, and over 500 species of birds. Temperatures during the day are typically warm, around 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F), with cooler nights that dip to 15°C (59°F).
You will enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot at 13:00 and continue your exploration of the Serengeti, including a chance to see its famed predators in action. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be at Serenity Lodge, a luxurious tented camp offering stunning views of the Serengeti’s plains, where you’ll unwind after a full day of adventure.

On Day 4, you will continue your exploration of the Serengeti, this time focusing on the eastern section, known for its rich wildlife and the iconic Serengeti Kopjes—rock formations that serve as prime viewing points for predators. The eastern Serengeti offers a slightly more rugged terrain, with dry woodlands and grasslands providing perfect conditions for cheetahs and lions to hunt.
As you drive through this part of the park, you will encounter large herds of zebra, gazelle, and wildebeest, along with the occasional rhino or elephant. Birds like the secretary bird, ostriches, and golden eagles are also common. After a picnic lunch at 13:00, you will continue your safari, perhaps spotting a pride of lions lounging in the shade or watching a cheetah sprint across the plains in pursuit of prey.
Your evening will be spent back at Serenity Lodge, where you can reflect on the day's experiences over a delicious dinner, followed by a peaceful night under the stars.

On the final day, after breakfast, you’ll leave the Serengeti and head toward the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s most unique wildlife conservation areas. The crater, which is a collapsed volcanic caldera, spans 102 square miles (264 square kilometers) and is home to a dense concentration of wildlife. It’s often referred to as the "Garden of Eden" due to its lush, fertile landscape, with a permanent water source and abundant vegetation that supports a rich diversity of animals.
The Ngorongoro Crater is home to around 25,000 large mammals, including a large population of elephants, buffaloes, and wildebeest. It is one of the best places to see the endangered black rhinoceros, as well as cheetahs, lions, and leopards. Birdwatching is exceptional, with flamingos often seen around the crater's soda lakes.
You will have lunch at a scenic picnic site at 13:00, with a view of the crater floor, and spend the afternoon driving through this magnificent area, capturing the last moments of your safari. Afterward, you will exit the park and be transferred to either your hotel in Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward journey.