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The northern parks and the Ndutu plains, 9 days

Tanzania 9 days Safari Private, not in a group

from €5,830

per person, incl. flights from Italy Not flying from Italy? We quote flights from your airport. Request a quote

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  • Herd of elephants in the Tanzanian savannah, with a hot-air balloon in flight
    Herd of elephants in the Tanzanian savannah, with a hot-air balloon in flight
  • Elephants beside a safari jeep with its roof open
    Elephants beside a safari jeep with its roof open
  • Male lion with a cub beside a waterhole
    Male lion with a cub beside a waterhole
Duration
9 days, 8 nights
Departures
On request, November 2026 – December 2027
Best time
December – March
Flights and insurance
Included in the price (flights from Italy)
Guide
English-speaking
Format
Private, not in a group

The complete safari through the northern parks, built around Ndutu: between December and April the southern plains of the Serengeti host the calving season of the Great Migration, and the concentration of predators reaches its highest of the year. Private 4x4 jeep with a professional guide and full board.

Why it is unique

It is built around the Ndutu plains, in the south of the Serengeti ecosystem: around February most of the wildebeest give birth within three weeks, the plains offer little cover and hunts are frequently seen. Around them lie the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the few places in Tanzania where black rhino are sighted, Lake Manyara and two days in Tarangire among baobabs and elephants.

What the journey is like

This is a true safari, with many hours of game drives: two days at Ndutu with a night in a tented camp, the dawn descent into the Ngorongoro caldera, two days in Tarangire. Private 4x4 jeep with unlimited mileage and water on board, and a day between a Maasai village and the farming community of Mto wa Mbu.

When to go

For Ndutu the best time is January to March, with calving at its peak in February. In other months the trip is still excellent for Ngorongoro and Tarangire, but the herds are far from the plains.

Good to know

The Tanzanian visa (US$50), the compulsory NIC insurance (US$44) and tips for the guides, around US$10 a day, are not included.

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. 1Day 1Arrival at Kilimanjaro
    Welcome at the airport by our driver-guide, briefing and transfer to Arusha. Dinner and overnight at the Olerai Lodge.
  2. 2Day 2Lake Manyara National Park
    An early start with a packed lunch. Five different ecosystems in 330 km², tree-climbing lions, elephants, hippos and the flamingos of the alkaline lake.
  3. 3Day 3Mto wa Mbu and a Maasai village
    Morning in a Maasai village, afternoon at Mto wa Mbu, a farming community where members of 120 ethnic groups live side by side. The visit begins at the banana plantation, with more than 30 varieties.
  4. 4Day 4The Ndutu plains
    Transfer towards Lake Ndutu, in the Ngorongoro area, at the heart of the southern Serengeti ecosystem. Afternoon game drive, night in a tented camp.
  5. 5Day 5Ndutu, full day
    Marshes, woodland, salt lakes and the grasslands of the Serengeti. Around February most of the wildebeest give birth within three weeks: the plains offer little cover and hunts are frequently seen.
  6. 6Day 6Ngorongoro Crater
    Descent into the caldera at dawn, the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (8,300 km²): some 30,000 resident animals and one of the few places in Tanzania where black rhino are sighted. Packed lunch in the crater.
  7. 7Day 7Tarangire National Park
    The Tarangire River, giant baobabs and the highest density of elephants in northern Tanzania. Night at the Sangaiwe Tented Lodge.
  8. 8Day 8Tarangire again
    A second day of game drives with lunch in the park: lions, giraffes, zebras and more than 500 bird species. Return to Arusha.
  9. 9Day 9Return home
    Breakfast at the lodge and transfer to the airport.

What you might see

  • Lion Very likely

    The Serengeti and Ngorongoro have some of the highest densities in Africa.

  • Elephant Very likely

    Large herds in Tarangire, especially in the dry season.

  • Giraffe, zebra and buffalo Very likely

    Found in all the northern parks.

  • Hippo Very likely

    In the pools at Seronera and in the crater.

  • Migrating wildebeest Likely

    All year round, but in great numbers only where the herds are passing that month.

  • Cheetah Likely

    On the open plains of the Serengeti and Ndutu.

  • Leopard Likely

    In the acacias along the rivers: patience is needed.

  • Black rhino Unlikely

    Almost exclusively in the Ngorongoro Crater, usually at a distance.

Indicative estimates. Nature can’t be booked: your guide knows where to look, but can’t guarantee a sighting.

When to go

Departures on request, November 2026 – December 2027

ideal good low season not recommended

Best time: December – March. Also good in June – November. Tap a month to use it in your quote request.

The climate, season by season
Jun–Oct · Dry season
Days between 24 and 28 °C, cool nights of 12–15 °C; on the rim of Ngorongoro, at 2,300 metres, it drops below 10 °C at dawn. Short grass and animals close to water: easier sightings, dusty tracks. You’ll need a jacket for morning game drives.
Nov–Dec · Short rains
Brief showers, usually in the afternoon, with 25–29 °C. The landscape turns green again and the herds move down to the southern Serengeti. Fewer vehicles at sightings.
Jan–Mar · Short dry season
Warm, 27–30 °C, with occasional rain. On the Ndutu plains the wildebeest calves are born and predators are at their most active.
Apr–May · Long rains
Frequent, heavy rain, some muddy tracks and several seasonal camps closed.

Indicative figures, averaged over recent years: with every quote we give you the latest picture.

Compare with other destinations and months

What the price includes

Included

  • Return international flight from Italy
  • Airport transfers
  • Medical, baggage and cancellation insurance
  • Private 4x4 jeep with pop-up roof and unlimited mileage
  • Full board and accommodation as per the itinerary
  • Entry fees to the parks and the crater
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Mineral water in the jeep during the safari

Not included

  • Tanzanian entry visa (US$50) and compulsory NIC insurance (US$44) · how to get it
  • Tips for the guides (around US$10 a day)
  • Drinks with meals at the lodges and camps
  • Personal expenses, laundry, shopping
  • Anything not listed in the price

Before you go

Visas and documentsPassport, visas and eTA: what you need, where to apply and how far in advance.Health and safetyVaccinations, malaria, health insurance and practical advice.Your protectionWhat package travel law provides if something goes wrong.

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