The estimated time of arrival (ETA) from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Arusha city is approximately 1 hour by road. The distance is about 50 kilometers (31 miles), but travel time can vary depending on traffic and weather conditions.
11 Days Tanzania Photographic safari Experience
11 Days Taking Pictures of Animals in Tanzania
This trip is for eleven days and it’s all about seeing amazing animals in Tanzania and taking pictures. You’ll start near the airport and go to a park called Tarangire where there are lots of elephants. Then you’ll go to the Serengeti, a very big park with many animals. You’ll spend many days there to try and see the big animal migration.
You’ll have chances to see lions, elephants, and other cool animals. You’ll also go to a big hole in the ground called Ngorongoro Crater that has lots of animals living inside. Every day you’ll be looking for great pictures to take. At the end, you’ll go back to the starting area before you go home with your wonderful photos.
Safari Highlights
- See lots of elephants in Tarangire National Park.
- Spend many days exploring the famous Serengeti.
- Try to see the huge animal migration in the Serengeti.
- Look for lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo (the "Big Five").
- Go down into the Ngorongoro Crater, a place full of animals.
- Have many chances to take amazing pictures of wildlife.
Tour Summary
Duration
11 Day
Vehicle Type
4WD Safari
Tour Type
Private
Languages
Any Language
Tour Itinerary
Day to day Best of Tanzania Safari Itinerary
Day 1:
Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your guide/driver will warmly welcome you and provide a short briefing about your safari. After the introduction, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Arusha, a journey of approximately one hour. This transfer allows you to take in the beautiful Tanzanian landscapes as you begin your adventure.
Once you arrive at your lodge or hotel in Arusha, you can relax and settle in for the night. This is the perfect time to rest after your journey and prepare for the exciting safari days ahead. Enjoy a delicious meal and a comfortable stay before setting off on your wildlife adventure.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Transfer From Jro Airport
Arusha City Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Arusha City
- Room Type: STANDARD CHALET
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
Travel Time
Day 2:
Arusha to Tarangire National Park to Karatu
On the second day of your safari, you’ll leave Arusha after breakfast and take a three-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. This park is very well-known for having a huge number of elephants, more than almost anywhere else. Once you arrive, you’ll go on an exciting game drive, which is like a tour in a vehicle to see the animals.
While exploring Tarangire, you’ll also enjoy a picnic lunch right inside the park. Besides the many elephants, Tarangire has a river that brings lots of animals, especially when it’s dry. You might even see lions that climb trees! The park is also home to other animals like wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, and many kinds of antelope. After a day of seeing incredible wildlife, you’ll travel to Karatu for the night and stay at The Plantation Lodge.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Tarangire Game Drive
Tarangire National Park Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Karatu
- Room Type: STANDARD
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
Expert Tip: Maximizing Your Tarangire Game Drive
As your Tanzania specialist, I recommend dedicating your second day to Tarangire National Park, a truly special place for wildlife. Focus your game drive along the Tarangire River – you’re practically guaranteed amazing elephant sightings here! Keep an eye out for other incredible animals and enjoy a fantastic picnic lunch within the park for a cool safari experience. We’ll then settle into the lovely Plantation Lodge in Karatu for the night.
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CONTINUE TO SERONERA - SERENGETI CENTRAL
Day 3:
Karatu to Serengeti Central for Game Drive
After a good breakfast, your third day takes you on a scenic four-hour drive to the famous Serengeti National Park. This park is truly amazing and known for its huge size and the incredible amount of wildlife that lives there. Once you arrive, you’ll go on a thrilling game drive, which is like a safari tour in a vehicle. Get ready to be amazed by what you see!
Exploring the Serengeti during a game drive is a very special experience. If you’re lucky, you might even witness the great wildebeest migration, where millions of animals move across the plains. You’ll also have the chance to spot the “Big Five” animals: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos. Besides these, you might see cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, and many other fascinating creatures, all set against the stunning scenery of the Serengeti with its rocky hills and winding rivers. Tonight, you’ll stay at the Nyikani Camp in the central Serengeti.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Enter Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Serengeti Central Game Drive
Serengeti National Park Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Seronera - Serengeti Central
- Room Type: Safari Tent
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
Wildlife Experience
Enjoy a third-day wildlife safari that includes a 4×4 game drive to see diverse African wildlife, including the Big Five
Travel Time
The drive from Karatu to Central Serengeti (Seronera area) by 4×4 safari jeep takes about 6 to 7 hours. The journey goes through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, passing the crater rim and Naabi Hill Gate before entering Serengeti. Roads are rough and dusty, especially during the rainy season, so a strong vehicle and an early start are recommended.
Day 4:
Full Day Serengeti Central Experience
Day four is all about fully experiencing the central Serengeti with a long game drive. This gives you plenty of time to search for some of the more difficult-to-spot animals, like lions, leopards, and speedy cheetahs. If you’re visiting at the right time of year, you might also get to witness the incredible wildebeest migration as huge herds move across the land – it’s something you’ll never forget.
As you drive through the park, make sure to have your camera ready. The Serengeti has many different kinds of landscapes, each with its own beauty and lots of wildlife. You’ll want to capture the unique sights and the many animals you’ll encounter throughout the day. Tonight, you’ll stay another night at the Nyikani Camp in the central Serengeti, surrounded by the sounds of the African plains.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Full Day Game Drive In Serengeti Central
Serengeti National Park Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Seronera - Serengeti Central
- Room Type: Safari Tent
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
Maximize Your Serengeti Predator Search
As your Serengeti specialist, I recommend embracing the full day game drive in the central Serengeti. This extended time maximizes your chances of encountering elusive predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs, and if the timing is right, witnessing the phenomenal wildebeest migration. 1 Keep your camera ready to capture the diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife this iconic region offers, creating lasting photographic memories
CONTINUE TO KOGATENDE - NORTHERN SERENGETI
Day 5:
Serengeti Central to North Kogatende
After breakfast on day five, you’ll journey from the central Serengeti to the northern Kogatende area. This drive itself is a game drive, taking you across the Togoro plains and past the Mbuzi Mawe kopjes (small rocky hills), offering chances to see wildlife along the way. The main reason for heading north is to put you in a prime location to potentially witness the spectacular wildebeest migration, a truly breathtaking event. Tonight, you’ll stay at the Nyikani Migration Camp in Kogatende, right in the heart of this action.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Serengeti Central To North Game Drive
Serengeti National Park Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Northern Serengeti - Kogatende
- Room Type: Safari Tent
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
Wildlife Experience
Enjoy a 4-day wildlife safari that includes a 4×4 game drive to see diverse African wildlife, including the Big Five
Day 6 - 8:
Full Day Serengeti North Kogatende Wildebeest Migration Experience
Days six to eight are dedicated to fully experiencing the incredible wildebeest migration in the Kogatende area of the northern Serengeti. After breakfast, you’ll embark on full-day game drives, giving you ample time to witness this natural wonder. Here, you’ll likely see thousands of wildebeests gathering, often preparing for their dramatic crossing into the Maasai Mara. This is a truly awe-inspiring sight that highlights the sheer scale of this annual event and promises unforgettable moments.
Exploring this northern region also offers opportunities to see a variety of other wildlife. The area around the North Hills is home to elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and buffalos, as well as the predators that hunt them. A key highlight is the Mara River, a significant obstacle for the migrating herds, teeming with hippos and Nile crocodiles. With patience and a bit of luck, you might even witness the thrilling and often dramatic river crossing itself. You’ll spend both nights at the Nyikani Migration Camp in Kogatende, perfectly positioned for this wildlife spectacle.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Serengeti Central To North Game Drive
Serengeti National Park Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Northern Serengeti - Kogatende
- Room Type: Safari Tent
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
Expert Advice: Witnessing the Migration in Kogatende
For the best chance to witness the thrilling wildebeest river crossings in the Serengeti, I strongly recommend focusing your time in the Kogatende area, typically between July and October. However, even in January, you’ll likely encounter massive gatherings of wildebeest and their predators.
To elevate your migration experience, consider an optional early morning hot air balloon safari over the plains. This offers an extraordinary bird’s-eye view of the vast herds and the stunning Serengeti landscape, providing incredible photographic opportunities you won’t get anywhere else.
Day 9:
Kogatende to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day nine begins with an early start after a satisfying breakfast as you embark on a scenic journey from the northern Serengeti towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This isn’t just a transfer; it’s another opportunity for fantastic wildlife viewing. You’ll enjoy a game drive as you travel through the breathtaking landscapes of the Serengeti. The early morning light is often ideal for spotting animals as they are most active at this time of day, offering chances for memorable encounters and photographs.
In the afternoon, you’ll continue your drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with another game drive along the way. This transition allows you to experience more of the diverse scenery and wildlife that this region of Tanzania offers. As the day ends, you’ll arrive at your accommodation near Ngorongoro, ready to settle in for the night, with the sounds of the African bush providing a natural lullaby as you anticipate the adventures awaiting you in the days to come.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Serengeti Central Game Drive
- Enter Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Crater Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Karatu
- Room Type: STANDARD
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
NOTE THAT
Please be aware that the Ngorongoro Crater offers a slightly different safari experience compared to the vast open plains of the Serengeti. Often referred to as a “natural zoo” due to its high concentration of wildlife within the caldera, a collapsed volcanic crater, the off-road driving rules are more restricted here than in the Serengeti’s national park areas. While this makes for exceptional and reliable wildlife sightings within a relatively contained area, the feeling of vast wilderness exploration might differ. Be prepared for potentially closer encounters with numerous animals within this unique and stunning geographical feature of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Day 10:
Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive to Arusha
Day ten promises an exhilarating experience as you descend into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site and often called the “eighth wonder of the natural world.” This massive caldera is teeming with wildlife, boasting one of the highest concentrations of animals in Africa, including excellent chances to spot the “Big Five.” You’ll spend the morning on a game drive within the crater floor, navigating its diverse habitats and marveling at the sheer density of life enclosed by its towering walls.
During your exploration of the Ngorongoro Crater, you’ll pause for a delightful picnic lunch at the famous hippo pool, a fantastic spot to observe these semi-aquatic giants up close. After an unforgettable morning immersed in the crater’s wildlife spectacle and stunning scenery, you’ll begin your journey to Arusha. Here, you’ll check into your accommodation for the night, carrying with you the incredible memories of your day spent in this extraordinary natural enclosure.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Enter Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Game Drive In Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Arusha City
- Room Type: STANDARD CHALET
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
Day 11:
Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport for flight back home
Day eleven marks the final day of your incredible Tanzanian safari. Depending on the time of your flight, you will enjoy a leisurely morning in Arusha. Your guide will then pick you up from your accommodation and provide a comfortable transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
As you head to the airport, take a moment to reflect on the unforgettable experiences and the stunning wildlife encounters you’ve had over the past eleven days. You’ll be departing with a wealth of captivating photos and cherished memories of the breathtaking landscapes and remarkable creatures of Tanzania, ready to share your safari adventure with those back home.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Transfer To Jro Airport
Best Time for Your Tanzania Photographic Safari
Discover the optimal periods to embark on this 11-day Tanzania photographic safari for the best wildlife viewing, including the Great Migration, and favorable weather conditions.
The ideal time for this specific 11-day Tanzania photographic safari, which focuses on the Serengeti migration and the Ngorongoro Crater, is generally during the dry season, from late June to October.
During these months, the vegetation is less dense, making wildlife easier to spot. This period also coincides with the dramatic river crossings of the wildebeest migration in the northern Serengeti (Kogatende area), which are a major highlight of this itinerary. Additionally, the weather is typically sunny with minimal rainfall, offering excellent conditions for photography. While the specific timing of the migration’s river crossings can vary, aiming for this window maximizes your chances of witnessing this incredible spectacle in the Kogatende region. You’ll also experience pleasant temperatures for game drives throughout the other parks included in your itinerary.
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Includes
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Air Ambulance Service by AMREF Flying Doctors;
Excludes
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips to your safari guide ($30-50 per day per car).
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcohol drinks
- Visas and visa fees where relevant
- Additional activities not offered as scheduled by the accommodation
- Lunch and dinner in hotel (only before and after safari);
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Popular questions about Tanzania Safari 11 Days Tanzania Photographic safari Experience
The best time to witness the dramatic river crossings of the wildebeest migration in the northern Serengeti (Kogatende) is typically from late June to October. However, large herds can often be seen in the area even outside these peak crossing months.
This itinerary visits prime wildlife areas like Tarangire, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater, all of which are home to lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos. Your chances of spotting all five are very high, though sightings of rhinos and leopards can sometimes be more elusive.
The safari includes stays in comfortable lodges and safari camps, such as Under The Shade Safari Lodge in Arusha, The Plantation Lodge in Karatu, and Nyikani Camps in the Serengeti. Specific room types are mentioned in the itinerary.
Yes, the meal plan for this safari is typically Full Board (FB), which includes dinner, breakfast, and lunch each day, as indicated in the "OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN" section for each location.
You will likely be traveling in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, which allows for excellent wildlife viewing and photography opportunities.
Yes, a knowledgeable English-speaking guide/driver will accompany you throughout your safari, providing information about the wildlife, flora, and local culture.
Yes, a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti plains is offered as an optional activity on Day 4. This provides a unique perspective of the landscape and wildlife.
Essential items include lightweight and neutral-colored clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, a camera with extra batteries and memory cards, binoculars, and any personal medications.
Yes, a hot air balloon safari is available for an extra cost. It’s an amazing way to see the Serengeti at sunrise.
This tour includes multiple private game drives, allowing you to explore different areas of Serengeti.
Some lodges provide Wi-Fi, but the connection may be slow due to the remote location.
Tipping is customary in the Tanzanian tourism industry to show appreciation for good service. Guidelines on tipping amounts for guides, drivers, and lodge staff can be provided by your tour operator.
Domestic flights usually allow soft-sided bags with a 15kg (33 lbs) weight limit. Hard suitcases may not be accepted.
Yes, Serengeti is safe. You will always be accompanied by an experienced guide and follow strict safety protocols.
Yes, you can add a hot air balloon safari for an extra cost of around $600 per person.
Off-road driving is generally more restricted in the Ngorongoro Crater compared to the Serengeti National Park, which allows for more extensive off-road exploration in certain areas to follow wildlife. Your guide will adhere to the park regulations.
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