A private lodge safari in Tanzania refers to a personalized and exclusive wildlife tour through one of the country’s national parks or game reserves. This type of safari allows visitors to have a more intimate and tailored experience with the wildlife and landscapes, often with a private guide and vehicle. Some of the popular destinations for a private safari in Tanzania include Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park.
Life on Safari
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your lodge in Arusha and driven to Tarangire National Park for a full-day game drive.
Tarangire is famous for hosting the largest elephant population in northern Tanzania. During the dry season, the park becomes a wildlife hotspot, offering incredible sightings of zebras, wildebeests, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, and four of the Big Five.
You may also encounter giraffes, gazelles, and other herbivores, all closely followed by predators. After an exciting game drive, you will transfer to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation upgrades are available upon request.
Safari Season Overview – Tarangire
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Time to Visit | July–November (wildlife gathers at the river) |
| High Season | June–October |
| Best Weather | June–October (dry season) |
Accommodation:
Suricata Boma Lodge – Mid-range lodge (1–2 hrs from Tarangire)
Meals & Drinks:
Lunch & Dinner (Breakfast not included)
Non-alcoholic drinks
After breakfast, depart for Serengeti National Park (approximately 6 hours including stops), passing through the scenic Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
You will stop briefly at a viewpoint overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater for about 20 minutes to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. An optional visit to a Maasai village (20–45 minutes, USD 10–20 entry fee) can also be arranged, offering insight into their traditional lifestyle and culture.
Continue your journey into the Serengeti, arriving in the late afternoon. Enjoy an evening game drive in the Seronera region, famous for high wildlife density and predator activity, often including hunting scenes at sunset.
Safari Season Overview – Serengeti
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Time to Visit | January–February and June–October |
| High Season | July–March (Seronera can be busy) |
| Best Weather | June–October (dry season) |
Accommodation:
Misako Luxury Camps & Lodges – Luxury tented camp inside Serengeti
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
Start your day with an early morning game drive in the Serengeti, maximizing your chances of seeing active wildlife and predators.
After the game drive, return for lunch and packing before continuing with a final en-route game drive as you exit the Serengeti (approximately 3 hours’ drive) toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Arrive in Karatu in the late afternoon and check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Safari Season Overview – Serengeti
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Time to Visit | January–February and June–October |
| High Season | July–March |
| Best Weather | June–October |
Accommodation:
Farm of Dreams Lodge – Mid-range lodge in Karatu
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks
After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive in one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife ecosystems.
The crater is one of the best places in the world to spot the endangered black rhino, along with elephants, buffaloes, lions, hyenas, zebras, wildebeests, and hippos. Its unique floor ecosystem makes wildlife viewing exceptionally easy and rewarding.
After lunch, enjoy a final game drive before ascending the crater and driving back to Arusha, where your safari concludes.
Safari Season Overview – Ngorongoro
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Time to Visit | June–October (excellent wildlife viewing) |
| High Season | July–March |
| Best Weather | June–October (dry season) |
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast & Lunch (Dinner not included)
Non-alcoholic drinks
All prices are per person, valid year-round. Group discounts apply — the more travellers, the lower your per-person cost. Children under 15 receive a special rate.
- All Park entrances & taxes
- All Meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner),
- soft drinks & water (bottled water 3litres or more a day)
- Transfer to & from the airport
- Accommodation during safari
- Transportation in a custom safari 4×4 with a viewing roof and guaranteed window seating
- Safari vehicles have an inverter for charging batteries, communications radio, electric cooler, and filtered water
- Tips for guides, cook
- International and domestic flights
- Tanzania Visa fee
- Balloons In Serengeti USD600
"Our guide Emmanuel was incredible — he spotted a leopard and two lion cubs that three other vehicles completely missed. The most magical experience of our lives."
"The private setup meant we could spend 45 minutes with a cheetah and cubs without feeling rushed. The lodges were far beyond what we expected."
"As first-time safari travelers, we were nervous. From the moment we arrived, Serengeti African Tours took care of everything. The Ngorongoro Crater literally took our breath away."
"Booked through SafariBookings and couldn't be happier. Every detail was handled perfectly. Guide Abouh is extraordinary — his knowledge of wildlife is encyclopaedic."
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