8-Day Tanzania Big Cats Safari.

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Your safari begins with a drive from Arusha into the warm, golden landscapes of Tarangire National Park. Famous for its towering baobab trees and impressive elephant herds, Tarangire is also a stronghold for big cats. Lions patrol riverbanks, leopards hide in acacia branches, and cheetahs scan open clearings for prey. The afternoon unfolds with rich wildlife viewing before settling into a lodge or tented camp where the sounds of the wild fill the evening air.

Day 2: Morning Game Drive in Tarangire & Transfer to Lake Manyara

Morning light reveals fresh predator tracks along the river. You begin with a game drive searching for lions on the move, leopards descending from trees, and hyenas returning from nocturnal activities. By midday, you depart for Lake Manyara National Park. Known for its tree-climbing lions and diverse habitats—from lush groundwater forest to open plains—Manyara provides excellent chances for big-cat sightings. You end the day at a comfortable lodge in Manyara or Karatu.

Day 3: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, you travel toward the Serengeti, passing through the fertile highlands of Karatu and the dramatic Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As you enter the Serengeti, the world expands into endless savannah where predators roam freely. Lions rest atop kopjes, cheetahs perch on termite mounds scanning for gazelles, and leopards hide along riverine vegetation. A game drive en route leads you to your wilderness camp just in time for sunset—a perfect introduction to the Serengeti.

Day 4: Full-Day Game Viewing in Central Serengeti

Central Serengeti is renowned for its dense big-cat populations. At sunrise, lions may be heard roaring across the plains, leopards may be spotted lounging in trees, and cheetahs may begin early hunts. You spend the full day following predator movements across the savannah, stopping for a bush lunch under a shaded acacia tree. The afternoon brings even more wildlife action, and you return to camp as the sky turns fiery orange.

Day 5: Seasonal Exploration – Northern or Southern Serengeti

Depending on the season, you head north or south for optimal big-cat viewing.
Northern Serengeti (June–October): Expect lion-pride territories near the Mara River, leopard sightings along rocky outcrops, and cheetahs stalking migrating herds.
Southern Serengeti (December–March): This is calving season—thousands of newborn wildebeests attract intense predator activity, offering some of the most dramatic big-cat encounters on Earth.
After a full day of exploration, you return to your camp for a peaceful dinner and starlit evening.

Day 6: Second Full Day in the Serengeti

With a second day to explore predator territories, you deepen your understanding of Serengeti’s wildlife rhythms. You may witness hyenas challenging lions for a kill, servals hunting rodents in tall grass, or cheetahs sprinting across open plains. The Serengeti always reveals something new. By evening, you return to camp with a deeper appreciation for Africa’s predator kingdom.

Day 7: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, you enjoy a final Serengeti game drive before heading back toward the highlands. The road rises gradually into cooler air as you approach the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Your lodge sits perched above the enormous caldera with breathtaking views spilling across the crater floor—home to lions, hyenas, rare black rhinos, and a dense concentration of wildlife. The evening is tranquil and scenic.

Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater Tour & Return to Arusha

Your final morning begins with a descent 600 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural wildlife sanctuary like no other. Lions roam widely, leopards may be spotted along the crater walls, and hyenas dominate the open plains. Elephants, buffaloes, flamingos, zebras, wildebeests, and rhinos complete the vibrant ecosystem. After a picnic lunch near a hippo pool, you exit the crater and begin your return to Arusha. By late afternoon, your safari concludes with a heart full of predator-filled memories and the raw drama of Tanzania’s wild landscapes.