9-Day Safari · 4 comfort levels
From
$4,095
per person
Indicative prices per person for 2 adults sharing. Your written quote confirms the final price.
A safari off the usual route: three nights at remote Lake Natron beneath Ol Doinyo Lengai, then the Ngorongoro highlands and crater and three nights in the Serengeti.
This safari shows you a side of northern Tanzania few visitors see. You start at Lake Natron, a shallow soda lake in the Rift Valley beneath Ol Doinyo Lengai, the Maasai's Mountain of God, with flamingos on the water, a gorge walk to the Engaresero waterfall and huge, quiet landscapes.
From Natron, you cross to the cool Ngorongoro highlands and spend a day on the floor of the crater before continuing to the Serengeti for two full days on the plains, looking for lions, leopards, cheetahs and the great herds.
You travel throughout in a private 4×4 with your own driver-guide, and on the last day you return to Arusha by road or by a short flight.
Best months to travel: Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Dec · Jan · Feb
The route stays the same at every level. What changes is where you sleep, how you travel and how much is arranged for you.
From $4,095per person
$455–$555 per day · $4,095–$4,995 for 9 days
A comfortable, well-organised safari with excellent wildlife viewing and good value, without paying for extensive luxury services.
From $6,795per person
$755–$1,200 per day · $6,795–$10,800 for 9 days
Upgraded lodges and premium tented camps with stylish interiors, excellent dining and attentive hospitality, while the safari stays focused on wildlife.
From $11,700per person
$1,300–$2,200 per day · $11,700–$19,800 for 9 days
Exceptional camps and lodges with premium suites, refined cuisine and personal service, chosen for location and exclusivity.
From $20,700per person
$2,300–$5,000 per day · $20,700–$45,000 for 9 days
Created for special celebrations and discerning travellers. Inclusions are tailored to the property and flights you choose, because not every camp offers every service.
These are indicative planning prices per person, based on 2 adults sharing a room and a private safari vehicle. They are not confirmed quotations.
Your final cost depends on your travel dates, lodge and hotel availability, flight fares and the services you choose, so we confirm the price in writing before you pay a deposit.
To request a price for one traveller or a group of three to six, select your group size in the booking box and Ombeni will quote you directly.
Your private vehicle and guide are shared only by your own party, so the more of you there are, the less each person pays.
Day 1
Our driver meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and takes you to your hotel in Arusha, about an hour away, beneath Mount Meru. The first day is kept free so you can rest after your flight.
Depending on when you land, you can relax in the garden or by the pool. Your guide briefs you on the route, the driving times and what to bring before an early night.
Day 2
After breakfast, you leave the towns behind and drive north into the Rift Valley, through dry savannah, volcanic hills and Maasai country. The road gets rougher towards the lake, and Ol Doinyo Lengai rises ahead, its steep grey cone often streaked white at the top.
You reach your camp in the afternoon, with time for a short walk and photographs as the light softens over the escarpment.
Day 3
Today is for the lake. A shallow, alkaline soda lake, Natron is one of the main breeding grounds of the lesser flamingo, and at times huge flocks feed in the pink shallows. With your guide, you walk out across the flats to watch them without disturbing them.
Natron isn't a park full of animals. Its appeal is the scenery, the birds and the feeling of being somewhere remote. In the late afternoon, you can climb a nearby hill for the sunset over the Rift Valley.
Day 4
A local guide leads you up the Engaresero gorge, wading through a warm stream between rock walls to a waterfall and pools where you can swim. It's a refreshing change from the vehicle, and a chance to learn how the Maasai live with water in this dry land.
The rest of the day is free at camp, with Ol Doinyo Lengai on the horizon.
Day 5
You leave the volcanic lowlands and drive to the green Ngorongoro highlands, a long journey from a hot, dry world to cool hills and farmland. Your guide explains how altitude and rainfall shape the change along the way.
You arrive at your lodge near the crater with time to rest before an early start.
Day 6
You set off early and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a vast volcanic caldera with grassland, swamps and a soda lake. Buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas and lions live on the crater floor, and there's a chance of the endangered black rhino.
After a picnic lunch in the crater, you continue to the Serengeti, watching the highlands give way to endless plains. It's a long day, and you reach your camp in the late afternoon.
Day 7
You spend the whole day in the Serengeti with your private guide, starting early when the light is soft and the animals are active. Look for lions on the rocky kopjes, cheetahs scanning the plains, leopards in the trees along the rivers and herds of wildebeest and zebra. A picnic lunch keeps you out on the plains instead of driving back to camp.
For a special morning, you can add a sunrise hot-air balloon flight with a bush breakfast.
Day 8
Another day in the Serengeti gives your guide time to follow up on the best sightings or explore a new area. In the right season, you head for the herds of the Great Migration; at any time of year, the resident lions, elephants and giraffes keep the days full.
Day 9
After breakfast and, time allowing, a final morning game drive, you return to Arusha. By road, it's a long day through the Ngorongoro highlands with more views on the way; by air, a short flight from a Serengeti airstrip saves many hours.
If your international flight leaves early or the connection is tight, we recommend an extra night in Arusha.
Pick your comfort level, then choose a stay for each part of the route. Your choices go with your booking request. Ombeni confirms availability and your final price, and suggests a similar stay if one is full.
Your nights on this trip
Night 1
City hotel
Central Arusha
A modern hotel in the centre of Arusha, an easy first stop after your flight. Air-conditioned rooms and an outdoor pool make it a comfortable place to rest before your safari briefing.
What you can do here
Riverside country inn
Usa River, between Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport
A small country inn set in mature tropical gardens on the Usa River, about 35 minutes from Kilimanjaro Airport. Shaded paths lead down to the river, which makes it a quiet place to rest after a long flight.
What you can do here
Lodge on a coffee estate
Coffee estate about 7 km from Arusha
Thatched cottages in tropical gardens on a coffee estate outside Arusha, each with a fireplace and private veranda, with views of Mount Meru.
What you can do here
Four-star city hotel
About 2 km from central Arusha
A comfortable hotel close to the centre of Arusha, with a large outdoor pool beside a landscaped garden.
What you can do here
City hotel in gardens
Near the Clock Tower, central Arusha
A historic hotel in the middle of Arusha, close to the Clock Tower, with a swimming pool surrounded by gardens.
What you can do here
Large garden hotel
Foot of Mount Meru, Arusha
A large hotel set in about 15 acres of landscaped gardens at the foot of Mount Meru, a comfortable base before or after your safari.
What you can do here
Garden lodge
Usa River, near Arusha
A peaceful lodge of rooms, suites and a family cottage spread through gardens at Usa River, between Arusha and the airport.
What you can do here
Quiet country lodge
Near Arusha
A highly rated country lodge near Arusha, with plenty to do for travellers who like to stay active before their safari.
What you can do here
Airport lodge
Next to Kilimanjaro International Airport
A simple, country-club-style lodge of thatched cottages right by the airport, ideal for a late arrival or an early flight.
What you can do here
Airport lodge
Near Kilimanjaro International Airport
A newer lodge of cosy bungalows among banana and palm trees, well suited to a short stay around an international flight.
What you can do here
Elewana lodge on a working coffee estate
Western edge of Arusha
Set among the coffee fields of a large estate on the western edge of Arusha, at the foot of Mount Meru. It is a peaceful first stop after a long flight, with gardens to relax in before your evening safari briefing.
What you can do here
Boutique lodge on a coffee estate
Burka Coffee Estate, outside Arusha
An intimate lodge of garden cottages on a working coffee estate, with the former farmhouse at its heart. Winding paths link the cottages to the main house, giving it the feel of a private country home.
What you can do here
Luxury city hotel
Kijenge, Arusha
A large luxury hotel in Arusha, with private balconies, several restaurants and landscaped gardens. It suits travellers who like the facilities of a full-service hotel before heading into the bush.
What you can do here
Lakeside hotel and spa
Lake Duluti, about 20 km from Arusha
Formerly the Lake Duluti Serena, this hotel stands among coffee plantations on the shore of Lake Duluti, with stone-built cottages grouped around a flowery village square.
What you can do here
Boutique hotel
Serengeti Road, Arusha
An elegant boutique hotel of 29 rooms and suites, about 2 km from central Arusha, with a garden and an outdoor pool.
What you can do here
Villas and lodge
Private wildlife estate outside Arusha
A mix of private villas and a small lodge on a private wildlife estate just outside Arusha, a quiet start to your safari.
What you can do here
Private six-bedroom villa
Golf estate, about 25 minutes from Kilimanjaro Airport
A luxury six-bedroom villa on a championship golf estate. You can book the whole villa or single rooms, which makes it ideal for families and friends.
What you can do here
Nights 2–4
Tented camp
Lake Natron, at the foot of Ol Doinyo Lengai
A tented camp near the shores of Lake Natron, below the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano. Tents have their own bathrooms with hot showers, and the camp is a base for the lake, the waterfall walk and Maasai villages nearby.
What you can do here
Night 5
Garden lodge
Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
A relaxed lodge set in about eleven acres of gardens in Karatu, the highland farming town between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. It is a short drive from the Ngorongoro gate, so it works well before or after a day in the crater.
What you can do here
Lodge on a working coffee farm
Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
A lodge on a coffee farm in the Karatu highlands, close to the Ngorongoro Crater. The farm also grows vegetables and keeps livestock, which gives the place a warm, rural feel after a day in the park.
What you can do here
Lodge on the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
Built into the rim of the crater, with traditional decor and sweeping views over the crater floor. Sleeping on the rim puts you close to the descent road for your morning game drive.
What you can do here
Large lodge on the crater rim
Eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater
A large lodge on the quieter eastern rim of the crater, with its rooms set around a central swimming pool. Your Ngorongoro stay here comes with views over the crater floor.
What you can do here
Simple lodge near the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
A simple, good-value lodge in the forest close to the crater rim, with 24 en-suite rooms. It puts you close to the crater for much less than the bigger rim lodges.
What you can do here
Mid-range tented camp
Ngorongoro Highlands
A mid-range tented camp in the highlands, close to the descent road into the crater, which suits an early start.
What you can do here
Lodge on a coffee farm
About 20 minutes from Karatu
A lodge on a large coffee farm, about 15 minutes from the Lodoare gate of the conservation area, with a pool and evening campfires.
What you can do here
Lodge on a working coffee farm
Edge of Karatu town
A lodge on an active coffee farm at the edge of Karatu, with rooms in private cabins, a pool and a spa.
What you can do here
Mid-range lodge
Karatu
A mid-range lodge of cottages and spacious tents in landscaped gardens, with a pool, a bar and a restaurant.
What you can do here
Mid-range hilltop lodge
Hilltop near Karatu
A comfortable mid-range lodge on a scenic hilltop near Karatu, with a pool, a lounge and a restaurant.
What you can do here
Good-value cottage lodge
Eastern edge of Karatu town
Affordable cottage-style rooms at the edge of Karatu, about 30 minutes from both the crater and Lake Manyara.
What you can do here
Good-value lodge
Karatu
A comfortable and affordable lodge in Karatu, offering a good base for exploring the crater.
What you can do here
Cottage lodge
Karatu, near the Ngorongoro Crater
A lodge of private cottages at the edge of Karatu, close to the village of Rhotia and about 30 minutes from the Ngorongoro gate. Each cottage has its own veranda, making it a restful stop between Tarangire and the crater.
What you can do here
Colonial-style manor on a coffee estate
Karatu Highlands
An elegant manor house on a large Arabica coffee estate in the Karatu highlands, just outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Guests stay in private suites set in cottages around the grounds.
What you can do here
All-inclusive luxury lodge
Ngorongoro Highlands
An all-inclusive lodge of spacious cottages set in lush gardens, a calm base in the highlands for your crater day.
What you can do here
Historic working coffee farm
Near Karatu, on the slopes of the Ngorongoro highlands
A working farm with roots going back to 1929, set among gardens and coffee on the forested slopes below the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Guests stay in private cottages, and much of the food comes from the farm.
What you can do here
Luxury forest lodge
About 15 minutes from Karatu town
A luxury lodge on forested land near Karatu, with secluded cottages that have fireplaces and private decks overlooking the trees.
What you can do here
Lodge on a working coffee plantation
Karatu
A stylish lodge on a working farm and coffee plantation, with rooms and suites spread through park-like gardens around a large pool.
What you can do here
Farmhouse-style lodge
Karatu, about 15 minutes from the Lodoare gate
A farmhouse-style lodge of suites on about 40 acres, with views of the Oldeani Mountains and a pool.
What you can do here
Cottage lodge among coffee plantations
Between Rhotia and Karatu
A lodge of cottages surrounded by coffee plantations and forest, each with a private veranda and a fireplace.
What you can do here
Colonial-style lodge on a coffee plantation
Karatu highlands
An upper mid-range lodge on a working coffee plantation above Karatu, built in the style of old colonial farms, about 30 minutes from the Lodoare gate.
What you can do here
Luxury lodge on the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
A rebuilt lodge on the rim of the crater, reopened in 2023 on the site of one of the first lodges at Ngorongoro.
What you can do here
Boutique camp of dome tents
Slopes of Olmoti volcano, north of the crater
A small Asilia camp of eight dome-shaped tents, inspired by Maasai homes, on the slopes of Olmoti volcano. Each has a wood-burning stove against the cool highland nights.
What you can do here
Ultra-luxury lodge on the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
One of Africa's most celebrated lodges, with opulent suites on the crater rim and breathtaking views over the crater floor. It is closed for a major rebuild and due to reopen in 2027, so we confirm availability for your dates.
What you can do here
Nights 6–8
Small tented camp
Seronera, Central Serengeti
A small tented camp in the Seronera area, in the heart of the Serengeti and close to the airstrip. That makes it a practical base for a final game drive before you fly back to Arusha.
What you can do here
Mid-range tented camp
Central Serengeti
A comfortable tented camp in the heart of the Serengeti, well placed for game drives in the central park.
What you can do here
Hillside tented lodge
Central Serengeti
Spacious tents raised on wooden platforms on a ridge overlooking the central plains, about half an hour from Seronera. It is a comfortable base for the Seronera Valley, with big views from the camp.
What you can do here
Hilltop lodge
Central Serengeti
A lodge perched on a hill above the plains, blending African architecture with modern comfort, with a swimming pool and wide views.
What you can do here
Classic park lodge
Heart of the Serengeti
A classic lodge in the heart of the park, built around a rocky outcrop.
What you can do here
Tented lodge
Central Serengeti, about 24 km from Seronera Airstrip
A safari-tented lodge in Central Serengeti, a comfortable base for game drives around Seronera.
What you can do here
Tented camp
Makoma Hill, Central Serengeti
A tented camp at the foot of Makoma Hill, south-west of Seronera, about 45 minutes from the airstrip.
What you can do here
Luxury tented suites
Eastern Serengeti
A boutique camp of canvas suites in the eastern Serengeti, each with a private deck and plunge pool. The area is known for excellent predator viewing, particularly cheetah.
What you can do here
Tented camp
Seronera Valley, Central Serengeti
A tented camp in a secluded part of the Seronera Valley, one of the Serengeti's best areas for big cats.
What you can do here
Upscale safari lodge
Nyaburo Hills, Serengeti
A large new lodge on the Nyaburo Hills, built on the site of the former Serengeti Sopa Lodge, with rooms and suites overlooking the plains.
What you can do here
Luxury lodge
Nyamuma Hills, above the Mbalageti valley
A luxury lodge of 50 rooms overlooking the Mbalageti River valley, with a pool facing the park, under an hour from Seronera Airstrip.
What you can do here
Small semi-permanent camp by Asilia
Just north of the Moru Kopjes
A small camp of eight luxury en-suite tents in a lesser-visited part of the Serengeti, with easy access to Seronera and the southern plains.
What you can do here
Classic 1930s-style camp
Moru Kopjes, south-central Serengeti
A camp of 12 tents on a kopje overlooking the Moru Kopjes and Lake Magadi, inspired by the mobile safari camps of the 1930s.
What you can do here
High-end safari lodge
Central Serengeti
A high-end lodge in the central Serengeti with luxurious suites, an infinity pool, a spa and excellent service, close to prime wildlife areas.
What you can do here
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| June to October | The dry season: animals gather near water, the bush is thinner and game viewing is at its most reliable. |
| December to February | Green season, with the calving herds in the southern Serengeti and excellent birdlife. |
| November and March | Short rains or the start of the long rains: changeable weather, fewer vehicles and still good wildlife. |
| April and May | The long rains. Some camps close and some roads are harder, but the landscapes are lush. |
Tell us your travel dates, the number of travellers, your preferred comfort level and whether you'd like to return by road or by air. We confirm the lodges and final price in writing before you pay.
Still have questions? Ask Ombeni directly on WhatsApp.
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Indicative prices per person for 2 adults sharing. Your written quote confirms the final price.
From
$4,095
per person
