DAY 1
Arrival – Arusha
Arrive in Arusha, meet your Chatama guide, and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner with a briefing on the adventure ahead.
Accommodations:
Arusha Coffee Lodge
13 Days Across Tanzania National Parks
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Who this safari is built for?
Private guided Tanzania safaris - planned for you, priced in USD, backed by 15 years of getting Americans to Africa.
Serious Wildlife Enthusiasts
Birdwatchers
Primate Enthusiasts
Photographers
Overview
This itinerary is a deep dive into Tanzania's national parks — from the acacia-dotted landscapes of the Serengeti to the lush rainforests of the Mahale Mountains. It is designed for travelers who want to go beyond the standard northern circuit and experience the full range of what Tanzania has to offer. You begin in Arusha, then spend two days in Tarangire National Park exploring its elephant herds and baobab landscapes. A day in Lake Manyara follows before two nights in Ngorongoro, including a full day on the crater floor. Three days in the Serengeti cover its vast plains and the Great Migration if in season. Then you fly west to Rubondo Island National Park on Lake Victoria — one of Africa's hidden gems with forest elephants, sitatunga antelope, over 400 bird species, and almost no other visitors. The journey ends at Mahale Mountains National Park on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, home to some of Africa's last remaining wild chimpanzees. You track them through the mountain forest — sitting metres away from a wild chimp family is one of those encounters that stays with you permanently.
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Trip Itinerary
DAY 2
Tarangire National Park – Day 1
Depart for Tarangire National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and baobab trees. Afternoon game drive focusing on diverse wildlife and birdlife.
Accommodations:
Tarangire Sopa Lodge
DAY 3
Tarangire National Park – Full Day
A full day exploring different areas of the park, including riverbeds and swamp areas. Overnight at the lodge.
Accommodations:
Tarangire Sopa Lodge
DAY 4
Lake Manyara National Park
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a day of game viewing — known for its tree-climbing lions and vast flocks of flamingos. Picnic lunch in the park. Transfer to a lodge near the Ngorongoro Crater for dinner and overnight.
Accommodations:
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
DAY 5
Ngorongoro Crater – Full Day
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day game drive. Lions, elephants, buffalo, hippo, flamingos, and the rare black rhino. Packed lunch on the crater floor.
Accommodations:
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
DAY 6
Ngorongoro – Optional Activities
Optional activities: a visit to a Maasai village or a nature walk on the crater rim. Afternoon at leisure before preparing to move to the Serengeti tomorrow.
Accommodations:
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
DAY 7
Serengeti National Park – Day 1
Travel to the Serengeti National Park — three days exploring its vast plains and witnessing the Great Migration if in season. Afternoon game drive and overnight at camp.
Accommodations:
Serengeti Sopa Lodge
DAY 8
Serengeti National Park – Full Day
A full day in the Serengeti. Extended game drives covering the open plains and woodland zones. Packed lunch in the field.
Accommodations:
Serengeti Sopa Lodge
DAY 9
Serengeti National Park – Final Day
Third and final day in the Serengeti. One last extended game drive before preparing to fly west.
Accommodations:
Serengeti Sopa Lodge
DAY 10
Fly to Rubondo Island National Park
Fly to Rubondo Island National Park in Lake Victoria — one of Africa's hidden gems. Check in at Rubondo Island Camp. Afternoon nature walk or canoe safari on the lake.
Accommodations:
Rubondo Island Camp
DAY 11
Rubondo Island – Full Day
A full day of activities on the island — nature walks through forest elephant territory, canoe safaris, Nile perch fishing on Lake Victoria, or birdwatching. Rubondo sees very few visitors.
Accommodations:
Rubondo Island Camp
DAY 12
Fly to Mahale Mountains National Park
Fly to the Mahale Mountains National Park on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Begin your chimp tracking experience in the afternoon with a primatologist guide. Relax at your beachfront lodge in the evening.
Accommodations:
Greystoke Mahale
DAY 13
Mahale Mountains – Return to Arusha
A final morning in Mahale — another chimp tracking excursion or simply sitting on the beach of Lake Tanganyika. In the afternoon, fly back to Arusha, marking the end of your Tanzanian safari.
Accommodations:
Arusha Lodge (if overnight)
What is included?
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- All meals and drinking water
- All park fees and activities mentioned
- Professional Chatama guide and all game drives
- Domestic flights: Serengeti → Rubondo Island → Mahale Mountains → Arusha
- Airport transfers and transportation
- Chimpanzee tracking permits
What is excluded?
- International flight tickets
- Gratuities for guides and staff
- Items of personal nature
- Travel insurance
- Fishing equipment at Rubondo (available for hire)
All-inclusive rates in USD
Standard (sharing)
$12,500
per person
Luxury (sharing)
$17,500
per person
Best time for this safari
June – October
Best chimp tracking visibility and peak Serengeti wildlife
November – December
Short rains — lush landscapes and exceptional birdwatching
Free, no commitment
Talk to a safari planner
Tell us your dates, how many people, and what matters most to you.
Experiences we offer
Customer reviews
What our travelers say
"Sitting two metres from a wild chimpanzee family in the Mahale forest. Nothing I have experienced before or since comes close."
Dr. Patricia H.
13 Days Across Tanzania, July 2024
"Rubondo Island was the surprise of the whole trip. No one else on the island. Just us, the elephants, and 400 bird species."
Mark & Susan T.
13 Days Tanzania, October 2024
Experiences we offer
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Adventure calls from the wild heart of Africa. Are you ready to answer? With Chatama Safaris, step into a world where each day brings a new story, and a new discovery.
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