11-Day Northern & Southern Tanzania Safari
A private 11-day safari that joins Tanzania's two great safari regions: Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in the north, then light-aircraft flights to Ruaha and Nyerere in the wild south.
Two Different Tanzanias
The north is Tanzania's classic safari: elephant herds in Tarangire, two nights on the Serengeti plains and a morning on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, all by road with your private driver-guide.
Then you fly south, to parks that see far fewer visitors. Ruaha, one of Tanzania's largest national parks, is known for big lion prides, elephants and rugged baobab country along the Great Ruaha River. Nyerere adds something the north cannot: boat safaris on the Rufiji River among hippos, crocodiles and water birds. The trip ends with a flight to Dar es Salaam, or to Zanzibar for a beach stay.
Why Travellers Choose It
- Tarangire, two nights in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater
- Three nights in Ruaha, among big lion prides and baobabs
- Two nights in Nyerere with a boat safari on the Rufiji River
- Light-aircraft flights between the regions
- Private vehicle and driver-guide in the north
We meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive you to your hotel in Arusha.
Overnight: Hotel in Arusha (or similar)
Meals: Dinner is not included on arrival day
A drive of about two and a half hours to Tarangire for a full day among elephant herds and baobab trees.
Overnight: Lodge near Tarangire National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You drive over the Ngorongoro highlands and down onto the Serengeti plains, with game drives on the way. A full day follows in the central Serengeti, looking for lions, leopards, cheetahs and, depending on the season, the herds of the Great Migration.
Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in the central Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Back across the plains to the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive on the crater floor, then up to the highlands for the night.
Overnight: Lodge in Karatu or on the crater rim
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You drive to Arusha airport for the flight south to Ruaha. Three nights in a tented camp with the camp's game drives along the Great Ruaha River, in country of baobabs, rocky hills and big lion prides.
Overnight: Tented camp in Ruaha National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A light-aircraft flight east to Nyerere. Game drives, and a boat safari on the Rufiji River among hippos, crocodiles and water birds.
Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in Nyerere National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a last morning activity you fly to Dar es Salaam for your flight home, or on to Zanzibar for a beach stay.
Meals: Breakfast
The price depends on your dates, your group size and the camps and flights available, so we quote this safari on request. Send us your dates and we will reply within 24 hours with a full price.
On requestWe can add a beach stay on Zanzibar at the end, or swap Ruaha for Mikumi to shorten the trip.
Trip Notes
- Start: Kilimanjaro Airport · End: Dar es Salaam
- Private safari: your group only, on the dates you choose
- Small planes: soft bags, about 15 kg per person
- Camps and lodges named when we confirm availability
Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and a professional driver-guide in the north
- All park entry and concession fees, and the Ngorongoro Crater vehicle fee
- Flights Arusha–Ruaha, Ruaha–Nyerere and Nyerere–Dar es Salaam
- 10 nights in lodges and tented camps, full board (Arusha: bed and breakfast)
- Game drives in Ruaha and Nyerere and a Rufiji River boat safari
- Drinking water
Excludes
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania's compulsory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors (44 US dollars per person, from 1 October 2026)
- Hot-air balloon flight (optional)
- Tips for guides and camp staff
- Drinks not included in the meal plans
- Any government increase in park fees or taxes after booking
Questions Travellers Ask
Why combine the north and the south?
The north has the famous parks and the most animals in one place; the south is wilder, with far fewer vehicles, and adds boat safaris and walking. Together they show two very different sides of Tanzania.
Why is the price on request?
Most of the cost is the southern camps and the light-aircraft flights, whose prices change with the season and availability. We check them for your dates and send you an exact price.
How much luggage can we take?
Small planes usually allow about 15 kg per person in soft bags. We can keep extra luggage for you in Arusha or Dar es Salaam.
Can we end on Zanzibar?
Yes. From Nyerere there are flights to Zanzibar; we can add beach nights at the end.
When is the best time?
June to October, the dry season, is best in both regions. Some southern camps close in April and May.
