This itinerary promises a thrilling and immersive journey through Tanzania iconic national parks, offering a blend of wildlife encounters, cultural insights, and moments of natural beauty.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by a Benson Safaris Tanzania Transfer Driver and transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure – rest in your room, relax in the manicured gardens, enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool or explore Arusha and the surrounding areas on one of our day tours, the choice is yours.
Overnight at Mount Meru Hotel, Arusha.
Your Mount Meru adventure begins with a morning pick-up from your hotel in Arusha, followed by a scenic drive of approximately one hour to Momella Gate in Arusha National Park.
Upon arrival at Momella Gate, you will complete the necessary registration and park formalities before meeting your armed ranger and professional mountain guide, who will accompany you throughout the hike. You will also receive a briefing on the route, safety measures, and what to expect during the trek.
You will then begin your ascent through the lush montane forest of Mount Meru. The trail offers a beautiful combination of scenery, flora, and wildlife, with opportunities to spot animals such as buffaloes, giraffes, monkeys, and a variety of bird species along the way.
Halfway through the hike, you will stop for a packed lunch along the trail, allowing you to enjoy a well-deserved break surrounded by the natural beauty of the forest.
After lunch, continue trekking toward Miriakamba Hut, located at approximately 2,500 metres above sea level. Upon arrival, settle in and take some time to rest while enjoying the spectacular views of the crater floor and surrounding landscapes.
The day's trek takes approximately 4–5 hours, depending on the pace and trail conditions.
Dinner and overnight will be at Miriakamba Hut.
After breakfast, begin your trek toward Saddle Hut. The trail continues through the forest, with the vegetation gradually changing as you gain altitude. Along the way, enjoy beautiful views over the surrounding landscapes and Momella Lakes.
Continue to Saddle Hut at approximately 3,570 metres, where you will have lunch and time to rest.
In the afternoon, an optional acclimatization hike to Little Meru (3,820 m) can be undertaken. This short climb offers rewarding views and helps your body adjust to the increasing altitude.
Return to Saddle Hut for dinner and an early rest in preparation for the summit attempt.
The day's trek takes approximately 3 - 4 hours, plus optional Little Meru hike depending on the pace and trail conditions.
Dinner and overnight will be at Saddle Hut.
Your summit day begins very early, usually around midnight, with a light breakfast before setting off into the darkness.
Begin the challenging ascent toward Socialist Peak, the summit of Mount Meru at 4,566 metres. The trail passes through Rhino Point and Cobra Point, with increasingly dramatic mountain scenery as you approach the summit.
After several hours of trekking, reach Socialist Peak in time to experience the spectacular sunrise from the summit. Weather permitting, you may enjoy magnificent views toward Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding landscapes. After spending some time at the summit, begin the descent back to Saddle Hut for breakfast and a well-deserved rest.
Depending on the group's energy levels and the final trekking arrangements, you may continue down to Miriakamba Hut or spend another night at Saddle Hut.
The day's summit trek takes approximately 8 – 10 hours, depending on the pace and trail conditions.
Dinner and overnight will be at Saddle Hut or Miriakamba Hut.
After breakfast, begin your final descent through the beautiful montane forest toward Momella Gate. Enjoy the changing scenery as you gradually descend from the mountain.
Upon reaching the gate, complete the park check-out procedures and say farewell to your mountain crew. You will then meet your vehicle and enjoy a comfortable drive back to Arusha, marking the end of your Mount Meru trekking adventure.
Overnight at Mount Meru Hotel, Arusha.
After breakfast in Arusha, you will drive to Makuyuni Wildlife Park for a full-day wildlife experience, a hidden gem within the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem. Covering 49 square kilometers, the park offers a peaceful and secluded wildlife experience away from the crowds.
During your game drive, you may encounter lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and various antelope species, as well as a rich variety of birdlife. The park’s beautiful landscapes of open savannahs, lush woodlands, and acacia-dotted plains also make it an excellent setting for a walking safari.
After a picnic lunch, continue exploring the park and later drive back to your lodge for an evening rest and overnight stay.
Overnight at Masai Boma Eco Lodge, Makuyuni.
After breakfast, your professional guide will meet you and start your journey to the Tarangire National Park for a full day game drive. Tarangire is one of Africa’s little-known gems and should be on the itinerary of all lovers of wilderness and solitude. Its name originates from the Tarangire River that crosses through the park and is the only source of water during the dry season.
Tarangire’s landscape is incredibly diverse with a mix that is not found anywhere else on the northern safari circuit. It is dotted with ancient baobab trees, which the Maasai people believe are the first tree in creation, and large termite mounds. The dry season sees the harsh sun suck the moisture from the landscape, baking the earth a dusty red while the wet season brings dense bush and luscious high grasses.
Famous for its large elephant population, it is also home to zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, waterbuck, baboons, dwarf mongoose, impala, buffalo, antelope and fringe-eared oryx. Predators include lion, cheetah and leopard. The swamps are shared by flocks of birds; green wood hoopoes, lovebirds, tallish herons, white bellied go-away birds and giant kingfishers. On drier ground you will find the kori bustard and the heaviest of the flying birds; the ostrich.
Later, drive back to Karatu for overnight stay.
Overnight at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge, Karatu
Today you will be rewarded with a full day game drive in the stunning Ngorongoro Crater which became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 and is one of the only places on earth where mankind and wild animals co-exist is harmony. The Ngorongoro Crater is famous for Africa’s best game viewing as there is an ever-present abundance of wildlife due to the permanent water supply on the crater floor.
Upon arrival at the Crater’s rim, you will descend 610 metres into the Crater where your safari truly begins. Spot the endangered black rhino as well as wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, eland, Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelle and of course, giant tusked elephants. The Crater also has the largest known population of lions and you will also find leopards and cheetahs as well as scavengers such as spotted hyenas, jackals and rare wild dogs. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and these include white pelicans and flamingos.
Afterwards, you will drive to Ndutu which is part of the lower Serengeti and one of Africa’s premier game parks. Driving through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area you will begin to experience the vastness of this territory and marvel at the multitude of animal and bird life while cruising through this acacia spotted savannah.
As you arrive at your camp, you will check in, dinner and rest as you wind up your day.
Overnight at Sero Tented Migration Camp, Ndutu Area
Today you will venture deeper into Ndutu where you will see the great wildebeest migration. December to March is the calving season when the wildebeest and zebra give birth to their offspring and it is highly likely you will see a live birth. This is also an excellent time to see predator action as lion and leopards’ prey on the young and vulnerable calves.
Overnight at Sero Tented Migration Camp, Ndutu Area
Today you will enjoy another full day game drive in the Ndutu area to explore deeper.
Overnight at Sero Tented Migration Camp, Ndutu Area
After breakfast, you will enjoy another full day game drive as you travel between Ndutu to Central Serengeti National Park.
Today you have the flexibility to create your own itinerary - spend another full day in the Ndutu before driving to Central Serengeti or enjoy a half day game drive in the Ndutu and a half day game drive in the Central Serengeti - the choice is yours.
The Serengeti is Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Serengeti is a year-round destination and each season has its own special highlight with the most famous being the annual wildebeest migration, a once in a lifetime experience.
Overnight at Kon Tiki Serengeti Tented Camp, Serengeti National Park.
After breakfast, you will set out and immerse yourself into the heart of Serengeti National Park for more adventures. You will spot more than what you had past few days on a full day game drive.
Overnight at Kon Tiki Serengeti Tented Camp, Serengeti National Park.
After breakfast, you will depart from the Serengeti and drive towards spectacular Lake Natron, located at the foot of Africa's only active volcano, Oldoinyo Lengai, also known as the "Mountain of God" by the Maasai people. Enjoy the scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley and traditional Maasai villages. Enjoy a scenic journey through the remote landscapes of northern Tanzania, with opportunities to admire the changing scenery and local communities along the way. The area around Lake Natron contains some of the most harsh and amazing scenery in Africa and is utterly breathtaking.
Upon arrival at Lake Natron, check in at your accommodation and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. This day is dedicated as a transit drive from Serengeti and it will take approximately 7 – 8 hours, hence on your arrival, you may have the opportunity to relax at the lodge and enjoying the spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Overnight at Lengai Safari Lodge, Lake Natron
FLAMINGO LAKE WALK IN THE MORNING:
Lake Natron is one of the most alkaline lakes in the world and home to millions of tiny crustaceans. The lake is a haven for literally thousands of flamingos and it is one of the most important flamingo breeding grounds on earth. It is the landscape rather than the animals that is the attraction here and the area around the lake is dry, desolate and hauntingly beautiful.
In the early morning which is a good time for this activity before the heat becomes intense, and the walk is relatively gentle., you will set out on a guided walk to the shores of Lake Natron, one of the world’s most alkaline lakes and an important breeding ground for the Lesser Flamingo.
December can offer excellent opportunities to observe flamingos around the lake, depending on seasonal conditions, as they gather in the shallow waters to feed and breed. Enjoy the peaceful morning atmosphere and spectacular views of the lake, with the dramatic Oldoinyo Lengai rising in the background.
ENGERE SERO WATERFALL HIKE:
After breakfast or a short break, you will you will be joined by a local Maasai guide for a guided hike to the beautiful Engero Sero Waterfalls. This is the more physically active daytime activity, as you walk through a narrow gorge with towering rock walls to reach a natural pool fed by cascading spring water, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim.
Later you will drive back to your camp for dinner and preparations of midnight hike at Oldoinyo Lengai.
Return at Lengai Safari Lodge, for dinner and refreshing.
MID-NIGHT: OLDOINYO LENGAI SUMMIT TREK
Shortly before midnight, you will leave the lodge and transfer to the trailhead, where you will meet your experienced local guide and prepare for an unforgettable ascent of Oldoinyo Lengai, the sacred "Mountain of God."
The trek begins around 12:00 AM, allowing you to hike during the cooler night hours and reach the summit just in time for a spectacular sunrise. This challenging climb covers approximately 8 – 9 km (round trip) with an elevation gain of about 1,600 meters (5,250 feet), taking approximately 5 – 7 hours to ascend and 3 – 4 hours to descend, depending on your pace and fitness level.
An approximated schedule is:
Upon reaching the summit, you will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Natron, the Great Rift Valley, and the surrounding volcanic landscapes bathed in the golden light of dawn. After spending time at the summit, you will descend the mountain and return to the camp later in the morning for a well-earned breakfast, followed by the remainder of the day at leisure to relax, recover, and reflect on one of Tanzania's most extraordinary hiking experiences.
Please note: The Oldoinyo Lengai summit trek is physically demanding and requires a good level of fitness, sturdy hiking boots, adequate hydration, and a spirit of adventure.
Return at Lengai Safari Lodge, for dinner and refreshing.
After breakfast, depart from Lake Natron and drive back to Arusha. Enjoy the scenic journey through the beautiful landscapes of northern Tanzania, passing through local villages and rural communities along the way.
Upon arrival in Arusha, check in at your accommodation and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. This will be a relaxing opportunity to unwind after your safari adventure.
Overnight at Mount Meru Hotel, Arusha.
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight
