Welcome to Tanzania!

No matter when you touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport, rest assured that your Mirable driver-guide will be there to greet you with a warm and welcoming smile. Sit back and unwind in your cozy vehicle as they whisk you away to your hotel in Arusha, fondly known as Tanzania's 'safari capital.' During the approximately one-hour journey to the hotel, you'll catch a glimpse of this vibrant, bustling commercial city. Depending on your arrival time, you may receive your pre-safari briefing today; if not, it will be arranged for early tomorrow morning.

Tour Briefing

If you didn't have your safari briefing yesterday upon arrival, don't worry; it will be arranged for after breakfast. During this briefing, we'll provide you with all the essential information you need before we embark on our journey westwards and then south to our first safari destination, Tarangire National Park. Afterward, we'll enjoy lunch before heading out for our afternoon game drive.

Journey: (morning) Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Our two-hour (120km) journey begins by heading westwards from Arusha. Along the route, you'll be treated to the vibrant colors and captivating scenes of Tanzania, perhaps witnessing Maasai herdsmen guiding their flocks of goats to new pastures. During the drive, you'll also get acquainted with your knowledgeable driver-guide, who will impress you with their depth of knowledge as they effortlessly answer all your questions.

Day’s Highlight

The highlight of the day will undoubtedly be your afternoon game drive in Tarangire National Park, known for its incredible diversity, towering baobab trees, and vast herds of elephants.

Safari (Game Drive) in Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is truly expansive, stretching as far as the eye can see when you stand at the park gate and gaze southwards. Aptly named the ‘Elephant Playground,’ this remarkable park is home to massive herds of these majestic mammals. However, Tarangire's wildlife doesn't stop there; it also boasts buffalo, lion, wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, rivaling even the Serengeti in animal densities.

During your game drive, you might encounter a variety of wildlife scenes, from a solitary male lion lounging beneath a tree to a group of cheetahs basking in the sun. Keep an eye out for graceful Grant’s gazelle or zebra bounding away from the road, as well as giraffes munching on acacia branches. For unique Tarangire sightings, watch for kudu and oryx.

In addition to the larger animals, don't overlook the smaller creatures. Your guide can point out fascinating species like the agama lizard, which changes color according to the temperature, or the hyrax, a small but intriguing relative of the elephant.

As you explore the park, you'll also be treated to sightings of various bird species, including the colorful lilac-breasted roller and the blue-eared starling. Keep an eye out for ostriches and the unique secretary bird as it patrols the grasslands.

While the park can be dusty at times, the abundance of wildlife makes it a minor inconvenience worth enduring. So, don't forget to wear a scarf over your mouth and get ready for an unforgettable safari experience amidst Tarangire's splendid baobab trees, rolling savannah, and acacia woodland.

Journey: (morning) Tarangire National Park to Serengeti National Park (afternoon)

With the wonders of Tarangire still fresh in your mind, we set our sights on the iconic Serengeti, embarking on a captivating 7-hour journey (344km) to the north and west. During this scenic drive, take advantage of the opportunity to engage with your knowledgeable driver-guide, quizzing them about various aspects of Tanzanian culture, traditions, tribes, and wildlife. Consider them your very own 'encyclopedia on legs,' as their wealth of knowledge rarely disappoints. Before you know it, you'll feel like an expert yourself, even before setting foot on the awe-inspiring Serengeti plains. Upon arrival, we'll indulge in a delicious lunch before commencing our afternoon game drive.

Day’s Highlight

As we venture into the Serengeti, prepare to be mesmerized by the sheer magnificence of the terrain. The vastness of the plains stretching endlessly before you evokes a profound sense of awe, setting the stage for an unforgettable safari experience.

Safari in Serengeti National Park

Finally, the incomparable wonder of Tanzania, the Serengeti, awaits us, ready to unveil its natural splendors over the coming days. Our afternoon game drive here promises a perfect blend of the familiar and the unexpected, with the certainty of amazement coupled with the anticipation of what each turn may reveal. As the light shifts and the cast of animal actors changes, every moment brings a new experience. While you capture memories through your camera lens, remember to pause and savor nature's real-time, unfiltered beauty. In the Serengeti, every sight, sound, and scent tells a story of the untamed wilderness, inviting you to immerse yourself fully in its raw magnificence.

Day’s Highlight

As we depart from our accommodation in the Central Serengeti, prepare for an immersive wildlife encounter unlike any other. Here, amidst the rich tapestry of bushland merging with expansive grasslands, wildlife thrives abundantly. Today's highlight remains a mystery, as the animals operate on their own schedule! Depending on the season, this area serves as a prime hunting ground for Africa's iconic big cats: cheetahs, leopards, and lions may grace us with their majestic presence.

Safari in Serengeti National Park

Today unfolds as a full day of exploration, offering a glimpse into the diverse landscapes of the Central Serengeti. The Seronera River meanders through this region, providing a lifeline for all manner of wildlife. Amidst the rolling plains, you'll also encounter the iconic rocky outcrops known as kopjes, synonymous with the Serengeti's rugged beauty. Our lunch break promises an unforgettable experience, surrounded by the untamed wilderness of the bush.

Throughout the year, the Central Serengeti plays host to a dynamic array of wildlife. In May, November, and December, migrating herds converge with the resident animal population, creating a spectacle of unparalleled diversity. During the rainy season, the landscape transforms as hundreds of thousands of wildebeest paint the plains black in a breathtaking display of natural wonder.

Journey: (morning) Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area (afternoon)

After a thrilling morning game drive and a satisfying lunch, we embark on a scenic journey southeastward toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Covering a distance of approximately 145 kilometers, the drive is expected to take around 3½ hours.

Day’s Highlight

Today marks our introduction to the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater, a geological marvel and the centerpiece of the Conservation Area that bears its name. But before we reach this natural wonder, we have another opportunity for adventure with a morning game drive in the remarkable Serengeti. Prepare to be captivated by the diverse wildlife that inhabits this iconic landscape as we experience on yet another exhilarating day of exploration.

Safari in Serengeti National Park

The Seronera area in the heart of the Central Serengeti is renowned for its abundant wildlife and serves as the park's most popular destination. The Seronera River, which flows year-round, attracts a plethora of animals, providing ample opportunities for observation. Multiple game drives in this region offer the chance to encounter lions in sizable prides, lazing hippos, or majestic herds of elephants. The Serengeti Visitor Centre, with its informative exhibits detailing the park's ecosystem and conservation history, provides an enriching educational experience. Keep your eyes peeled even here, as the center is often frequented by resident populations of hyrax, mongoose, and various bird species.

Following lunch, we set our course southeastward toward Ngorongoro. As we traverse the Serengeti's expansive plains, the sheer vastness of this iconic landscape will leave an indelible impression. Passing by Simba Kopjes, made famous by 'The Lion King,' we make our way to Naabi Hill Gate, situated near the boundary between Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Here, you'll have the opportunity to gather information at the gate's visitor center, ascend the hill for panoramic views of the plains, or spot a vibrant agama lizard amidst the rocky terrain.

Journey: (morning) Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area (afternoon)

After a thrilling morning game drive and a satisfying lunch, we embark on a scenic journey southeastward toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Covering a distance of approximately 145 kilometers, the drive is expected to take around 3½ hours.

Day’s Highlight

Today marks our introduction to the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater, a geological marvel and the centerpiece of the Conservation Area that bears its name. But before we reach this natural wonder, we have another opportunity for adventure with a morning game drive in the remarkable Serengeti. Prepare to be captivated by the diverse wildlife that inhabits this iconic landscape as we experience on yet another exhilarating day of exploration.

Safari in Serengeti National Park

The Seronera area in the heart of the Central Serengeti is renowned for its abundant wildlife and serves as the park's most popular destination. The Seronera River, which flows year-round, attracts a plethora of animals, providing ample opportunities for observation. Multiple game drives in this region offer the chance to encounter lions in sizable prides, lazing hippos, or majestic herds of elephants. The Serengeti Visitor Centre, with its informative exhibits detailing the park's ecosystem and conservation history, provides an enriching educational experience. Keep your eyes peeled even here, as the center is often frequented by resident populations of hyrax, mongoose, and various bird species.

Following lunch, we set our course southeastward toward Ngorongoro. As we traverse the Serengeti's expansive plains, the sheer vastness of this iconic landscape will leave an indelible impression. Passing by Simba Kopjes, made famous by 'The Lion King,' we make our way to Naabi Hill Gate, situated near the boundary between Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Here, you'll have the opportunity to gather information at the gate's visitor center, ascend the hill for panoramic views of the plains, or spot a vibrant agama lizard amidst the rocky terrain.