9 Days | 8 Nights Scenic African Adventure safari & Materuni Waterfalls
Itinerary Overview
Step into the heart of Africa with this extraordinary 9-day Mid-range safari, perfectly crafted for travelers seeking unforgettable wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, and Materuni waterfalls at foothills of mount kilimanjaro all in one seamless journey through Northern Tanzania.
From the elephant-studded baobab plains of Tarangire, the predator-rich savannas of the Serengeti, and the wildlife haven of the Ngorongoro Crater, to the mystical forests of Arusha National Park, cascading Materuni Waterfalls, this itinerary delivers adventure, nature, and culture in perfect harmony.
Whether you’re a first-time explorer or a seasoned safari-goer, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience designed with thoughtful luxury and local insight.
Destination Highlights
- Start: Arusha
- Day 1: Arusha
- Day 2: Tarangire National Park
- Day 3: Serengeti National Park (Central)
- Day 4: Serengeti National Park (North)
- Day 5: Serengeti Safari & Drive to Ngorongoro Highlands
- Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 7: Lake Manyara National Park
- Day 8: Arusha National Park
- Day 9: Materuni Waterfalls
- End: Arusha
Price: $ 3396 Per Person
- for 2 Adults
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Your journey begins the moment you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where your private safari guide greets you with a warm Tanzanian welcome. You’ll then be transferred to your elegant hotel in Arusha, a vibrant city set at the base of Mount Meru. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll have the opportunity to unwind with a drink on the terrace, enjoy the spa or pool facilities, or simply relax amidst tropical gardens. Your guide will also give a short briefing about the days ahead. Dinner is included depending on your arrival time, and you’ll settle in for a peaceful night, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of your first African destination.
Overnight:
Arusha Planet Lodge
Meals:
Dinner (based on arrival time)
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, you’ll begin your safari with a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, a less-crowded gem known for its ancient baobab trees and large elephant populations. During your full-day game drive, you’ll explore a range of landscapes, from river valleys to savannahs and swamps. Tarangire is especially rich in wildlife during the dry season, when animals congregate along the Tarangire River. Expect to see large herds of elephants, giraffes, impalas, zebras, buffalo, and if you’re lucky, lions or leopards resting in the shade. Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled with over 500 species recorded here. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing your drive to Karatu, a peaceful town nestled in the Ngorongoro highlands, where you’ll enjoy dinner and rest.
Overnight:
Farm of Dreams Lodge
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks Included:
Bottled Water, Soft Drinks
Day 3: Central Serengeti
Today you journey into the world-famous Serengeti National Park. You’ll depart early, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you might see Maasai herders with their cattle grazing in open landscapes. As you enter the vast plains of the Central Serengeti, the scenery opens up into one of the most iconic wildlife habitats on Earth. This region offers excellent game viewing year-round, with chances to spot lions, cheetahs, elephants, and the ever-present herds of wildebeest and zebra. Game viewing begins the moment you enter the park and continues throughout the day. In the evening, enjoy a freshly prepared dinner under the stars, surrounded by the natural sounds of the African savannah.
Overnight:
Tukaone Luxury Camps
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks Included:
Bottled Water, Soft Drinks
Day 4: Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, set out for the northern reaches of the Serengeti, toward the Mara River one of the most dramatic wildlife arenas in Africa. This area is a seasonal hotspot for the Great Migration, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras risk their lives to cross the crocodile-infested river in search of greener pastures.
Your day will be spent exploring this rugged, predator-rich terrain with your expert guide, who will help position you for the best chance to witness a river crossing or predator interaction. The landscape here is stunning, with rolling hills, riverine woodlands, and open grasslands. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wild before returning to your camp for a relaxing evening in the heart of the wilderness.
Overnight:
Sero Tented Lodge
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks Included:
Bottled Water, Soft Drinks
Day 5: Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Ngorongoro Highlands
Today begins with one last morning game drive in the Serengeti, capturing the soft morning light as animals begin their day. This is a great time to see predators on the move or feeding after a night hunt. After a relaxed lunch, you’ll begin your journey out of the park and back through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive takes you past panoramic viewpoints and traditional Maasai villages. You’ll arrive in the Ngorongoro highlands in the late afternoon, where the cool mountain air and forest surroundings offer a refreshing contrast to the Serengeti plains. Enjoy a hearty dinner and a restful night in preparation for tomorrow’s descent into the crater.
Overnight:
Tortilis Camp Ngorongoro
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks Included:
Bottled Water, Soft Drinks
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater
Prepare for one of the most magical days of your safari. After an early breakfast, descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural wonder often referred to as Africa’s “Garden of Eden.”
The crater is home to an incredible concentration of wildlife, including all members of the Big Five lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and the rare black rhino. You’ll also see herds of wildebeest, zebras, hippos, flamingos, hyenas, and jackals. The crater floor offers a variety of habitats including lakes, swamps, forests, and open grasslands, making it ideal for wildlife viewing. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch beside a hippo pool before returning to Karatu in the afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Overnight:
Marera Valley Lodge
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks Included:
Bottled Water, Soft Drinks
Day 7: Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, take a short drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a small but diverse reserve nestled between the Great Rift Valley escarpment and a shallow soda lake. Known for its famous tree-climbing lions, Lake Manyara also hosts large troops of baboons, elephants, hippos, and a rich variety of birdlife, including flamingos and storks.
The park’s groundwater forest provides shade for elephants and a unique setting for your game drive. You’ll enjoy a relaxed safari through different ecosystems, followed by a picnic lunch within the park. In the afternoon, return to Arusha where you’ll have time to relax and enjoy your final safari dinner.
Overnight:
Under the Shade Arusha
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks Included:
Bottled Water, Soft Drinks
Day 8: Arusha National Park
Today, explore the hidden gem of Arusha National Park, located just outside the city but offering surprisingly diverse habitats. Begin with a scenic game drive through lush montane forest, open grasslands, and the beautiful Ngurdoto Crater. Spot black-and-white colobus monkeys, giraffes, zebras, and bushbucks, with stunning views of Mount Meru and, on clear days, Mount Kilimanjaro.
You’ll have the option to join a guided walking safari with an armed ranger, a rare opportunity to explore the bush on foot and learn about plants, tracks, and animal behavior. Optional canoe safaris on Momella Lakes offer a peaceful way to view hippos and birdlife from the water. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and reflection on your adventures so far.
Overnight:
Arusha Planet Lodge
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks Included:
Bottled Water, Soft Drinks
Day 9: Materuni Waterfalls
After breakfast, head to Materuni Village on the lush slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro for a refreshing day in nature. Enjoy a guided hike through green farmlands and forest trails to the stunning 80-meter-high Materuni Waterfalls, where you can relax or take a dip in the natural pool. Afterwards, visit a local home to experience traditional Chagga coffee-making roast, grind, and brew your own cup while enjoying local songs and stories. After a freshly prepared village lunch, return to Arusha for your transfer to the airport or hotel, depending on your flight schedule.
Overnight:
Not included (can be arranged based on flight schedule)
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
Drinks Included:
Bottled Water, Soft Drinks
Inclusions
- All park and conservation entry fees
- Private 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- 8 nights accommodation as specified
- All meals as specified
- Bottled water and soft drinks during game drives
- All airport and inter-lodge transfers
- All activities unless labed as options
Exclusions
- International/domestic flights
- Visa & travel insurance
- Gratuities ($10–$20/day recommended)
- Alcoholic beverages, personal items, laundry
- Optional excursions (see below)
Optional Activities
- Balloon Safari – $500 per person
- Maasai Village Visit – $25 per person
- Night Game Drive (Tarangire or Manyara) – $120 per person
- Ngorongoro Crater Rim Walking Safari – $35 per person
- Visit to Olduvai Gorge Museum – $40 per person
- Laetoli Footprints Visit – $35 per person
- Shifting Sands – $40 per person
- 7 Days | 6 Nights
Scenic African Adventure safari & Materuni Waterfalls
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