9-Day Big Five & Culture (with Hadzabe visit)
See Tanzania’s Big Five and meet the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers near Lake Eyasi. Travel in a private 4×4 with an experienced driver-guide. This trip covers Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, plus a respectful, guide-led Hadzabe visit. Start and finish in Arusha. You can add flights to/from the Serengeti to save time.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha → Tarangire
Drive to Tarangire National Park.
Game drive among baobabs, elephants, and giraffes.
Dinner and overnight near/inside Tarangire.
Day 2: Tarangire → Karatu (Manyara area)
Sunrise game drive in Tarangire.
Continue to Karatu for rest or a short local walk (optional).
Dinner and overnight in Karatu.
Day 3: Lake Manyara → Lake Eyasi
Morning game drive in Lake Manyara (forest, lake views, birdlife).
After lunch, drive to Lake Eyasi.
Sunset by the lakeshore. Overnight near Eyasi.
Day 4: Hadzabe visit → Serengeti (Central)
Early dawn visit with the Hadzabe, guided by local trackers.
Learn about daily life; short bush walk (easy pace).
Optional stop to meet the Datoga blacksmiths.
Continue through Ngorongoro highlands to Central Serengeti (Seronera).
Sunset game drive. Overnight in Serengeti.
Day 5: Serengeti — full day
Sunrise and afternoon game drives for lions, cheetahs, hippos, and large herds.
Picnic lunch in the bush or hot lunch at camp.
Overnight in Serengeti.
Day 6: Serengeti — second full day
Explore a new area or follow fresh sightings.
Optional hot-air balloon at dawn (extra).
Overnight in Serengeti.
Day 7: Serengeti → Ngorongoro/Karatu
Unhurried game drive out of Serengeti.
Optional Olduvai Gorge stop (entry extra).
Overnight on the crater rim or in Karatu.
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater — game drive
Early descent into the crater for a half-day drive.
Look for lions, buffalo, zebra, and (with luck) rhino.
Return to your lodge in Karatu. Overnight.
Day 9: Karatu → Arusha (or Zanzibar)
Easy morning and drive back to Arusha.
Drop-off at hotel or airport, or connect to Zanzibar.
Trip ends.
Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
English-speaking driver-guide
Park and conservation fees (including crater descent fee)
Community fees for the Hadzabe visit
8 nights in mid-range lodges or tented camps (private ensuite)
Meals as per itinerary (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
Airport/hotel transfers in Arusha and to/from airstrips if flying
International flights
Domestic flights (can be arranged on request)
Visas and travel insurance
Optional activities (balloon safari, Olduvai entry), spa, and personal expenses
Drinks at lodges/camps other than drinking water
Tips for guide and lodge staff
Note: The Hadzabe visit is early in the morning and led by local guides. We keep group sizes small and follow community guidelines for a respectful experience.