8-Day Tanzania Private Safari
8 daysA longer private northern circuit flow—more Serengeti time, flexible pacing, and premium upgrades on request.
Explore Journey →7 Days All-Inclusive Namiri Plains Big Cat Safari
This is a predator-first Serengeti journey built around Namiri Plains—a remote eastern Serengeti area famous for high cheetah density, strong lion pride activity, and open plains that make wildlife behavior easy to follow and photograph. Namiri’s history as a former research zone gives it a special feel: wide horizons, fewer vehicles, and a safari rhythm that is focused on quality sightings rather than rushing between crowded hotspots.
Your trip begins with a polished arrival in Arusha and a comfortable first night to reset after travel. Then you fly into the Serengeti, where the landscape opens into classic big-cat territory. Game drives are timed for the best predator windows—early morning and late afternoon—while midday is yours for rest, spa time, and the simple luxury of the Serengeti moving around you.
The final safari chapter is Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most concentrated wildlife arenas and a strong place to search for the black rhino. The flow of this itinerary is intentional: deep Serengeti predator focus first, then crater density and variety—finishing with a smooth return to Arusha/JRO. Balloon safari and cultural moments are available exactly as you requested (and where listed below, included).
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – Private Transfer to Gran Meliá Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and meet our team for a seamless, private transfer to Arusha. The drive is an easy introduction to northern Tanzania: green foothills, local towns, and—when the sky is clear—Mount Meru appearing on the horizon. This first evening is designed to help you settle into safari time.
At Gran Meliá Arusha, check in and enjoy the comfort of a world-class base before the wilderness portion begins. If you arrive early, we can arrange a gentle add-on such as a coffee experience or a quick artisan market stop. Otherwise, relax at the pool, enjoy a calm dinner, and let the day end quietly.
In the evening, your safari plan is confirmed: flight timings, luggage guidance for the small aircraft, and the best way to structure your game drives based on the season. We also share practical tips—camera setup, best clothing colors, and how to maximize sightings without feeling rushed.
Overnight: Gran Meliá Arusha • Meals: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Fly to Eastern Serengeti – Arrive at Namiri Plains Camp – Game Drive En Route
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight into the Serengeti. Flying is part of the magic: the landscape unfolds from farmland and highlands to endless savanna, and you begin to understand the scale of the ecosystem. On landing, your camp team welcomes you and the safari begins immediately.
The drive to camp is not a “transfer”—it’s a first immersion into predator country. This area is known for cheetahs in open plains, lions using kopjes as lookout points, and the kind of wide visibility that makes tracking and behavior watching incredibly rewarding. Your guide reads the day: where fresh tracks cut across the road, where vultures suggest a kill, where gazelles are nervous—small signs that often lead to the biggest moments.
Arrive at Namiri Plains Camp, settle into your tented suite, and enjoy a relaxed lunch. Later, head out for a late-afternoon drive when temperature drops and activity rises. End with sundowners in a scenic spot and dinner back at camp beneath a sky filled with stars.
Overnight: Namiri Plains Camp (Luxury) • Meals: All-Inclusive (as per camp plan)
Day 3: Full Day Big Cat Safari – Cheetah Strategy, Lion Pride Dynamics & Leopard Chances
Today is designed as a true predator day. You depart early—when the light is soft and the Serengeti feels fresh—and focus on areas where cheetahs are most often active. Namiri’s open plains allow you to watch behavior: scanning patterns, stalking posture, and the split-second decisions that lead to a chase. Even without a hunt, the observations are powerful, and your guide explains what you’re seeing in a way that transforms sightings into understanding.
Between cheetah zones, you explore kopjes and river lines where lions and leopards are more likely. Lions may be found in shade after feeding, and the best moments can be subtle: cubs playing, the pride rearranging before moving, or a quiet social interaction that reveals hierarchy. Leopards require patience—tree scanning, understanding preferred cover, and timing the quieter hours when they become visible.
Midday is for rest and comfort: return to camp for lunch and downtime. Use this time for a nap, a swim, or a quiet sit on your veranda while zebra and antelope move across the plains. Later, head out again for the afternoon window—often the best for action—then return for dinner and a calm night in the wilderness.
Overnight: Namiri Plains Camp • Meals: All-Inclusive
Day 4: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Safari (Included) – Champagne Bush Breakfast – Afternoon Predator Drive
Before sunrise, you head to the balloon launch site. The Serengeti at dawn is a different world: cool air, silhouettes, and the first movement of the day. Floating above the plains is unforgettable—quiet, expansive, and perfect for photography. You may see herds flowing beneath you, hyenas returning from the night, or even big cats moving back toward shade.
After landing, enjoy a celebratory bush breakfast with champagne. Then return to camp for rest—this is a full day, and the pace stays luxurious, not exhausting. In the afternoon, set out again based on what you most want: more cheetah behavior, lion territories, or scanning for leopard in better evening light.
Tonight can be a special camp moment: an unhurried dinner, storytelling by the fire, and the kind of quiet that makes the Serengeti feel truly exclusive.
Overnight: Namiri Plains Camp • Meals: All-Inclusive
Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro – Scenic Road/Fly Connections – Optional Maasai Visit – Check-in at Meliá Lodge
After breakfast, you transition from Serengeti plains to the Ngorongoro highlands. Timing and routing are managed smoothly to protect the luxury feel of the trip. If you’d like a cultural touch, a Maasai visit can be arranged on request—kept respectful, guided, and informative, focusing on daily life, tradition, and how communities live alongside wildlife and conservation landscapes.
Arrive at your Ngorongoro-area luxury lodge with views that instantly explain why this region is iconic. The afternoon is purposely relaxed: enjoy the cool air, highland scenery, and prepare for the crater descent the next morning. Early positioning is important—being ready at dawn gives the best crater experience before the floor gets busier.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Meliá Lodge (Luxury) • Meals: Full Board / Lodge plan
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Full Day – Rhino Search – Big Game Density – Return to Arusha
Today is a signature Tanzania moment: descend the Ngorongoro Crater early while the light is fresh and animals are active. The crater is a natural amphitheater of grassland, swamp, woodland pockets, and a soda lake—each habitat supporting different wildlife. The density is exceptional: large buffalo herds, zebra, wildebeest, hyena, and lions are commonly seen, often within a short span of time.
Your guide prioritizes the best rhino search areas based on visibility and current movement. Seeing a black rhino here is truly special. You also have strong chances for big elephant bulls, hippos at pools, and diverse birdlife along the lake edges. A picnic lunch inside the crater keeps you immersed and maximizes viewing time.
In the afternoon, ascend back to the rim and continue to Arusha. Arrive in time to enjoy a comfortable evening at Gran Meliá Arusha—an ideal reset after intense wildlife days.
Overnight: Gran Meliá Arusha • Meals: Bed & Breakfast (or hotel plan)
Day 7: Departure – Private Transfer to JRO (or Connect to Zanzibar on Request)
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and a final moment to breathe—no rushing. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to enjoy the hotel grounds or pick up a few last souvenirs. Your driver will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in good time for check-in.
If you’re continuing to Zanzibar, we align the departure with your domestic flight connection and can also arrange a beach extension itinerary on request.
End of Safari.
