8 Day Safari to Lake Natron, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Climb Ol Doinyo Lengai
Arrival
Arrive: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
Once you have completed customs formalities and collected your luggage, please exit the airport building and then look out for our driver who should be wearing a black Team Kilimanjaro t-shirt and carrying a placard with your name on it, who will be waiting under a shelter for you at the meeting point outside. Our driver will transfer you to Outpost Lodge for your overnight stay.
Your chief guide will come to you at Outpost Lodge for your pre-climb briefing on the evening before your climb at 1800, during which he will introduce himself, brief you on everything that will be happening throughout the duration of the climb, check any kit that you may have concerns over, issue any kit hire items that have been requested and he will also deal with any final pre-climb administration and answer any questions you may have.
Kilimanjaro
Your mountain guide and supporting crew will collect you from your hotel at approximately 0730 to transfer you to Kilimanjaro's Lemosho Gate to start your open 8 day TK Lemosho ‘Advantage Series’ climb.
A comprehensive itinerary of this route is available to download here 📥
Following your descent from Kilimanjaro, we will collect you from Mweka Village and transfer you back to The Outpost Lodge in Arusha for a well-deserved evening of rest and recovery.
At 18:00, your safari guide will meet you at the hotel for a pre-safari briefing, where you will have the opportunity to discuss the upcoming safari itinerary, ask any questions, and prepare for the next stage of your Tanzanian adventure.
Safari
Day 1: Depart Arusha at approximately 0730 and travel to Tarangire National Park for your first game drives. Tarangire is known for its large elephant population, classic savannah landscapes, and the Tarangire River, which attracts wildlife throughout the dry season.
The park is also notable for its ancient baobab trees and excellent birdlife, with a wide range of species recorded year-round.
In the late afternoon, transfer to Nasikia Ndovu Tented Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Today's journey leads into a stark, dramatic, and breathtakingly beautiful landscape. Lake Natron is a vast, red-tinged soda lake, the primary breeding ground for millions of lesser flamingos. The backdrop is dominated by the perfect cone of the active Ol Doinyo Lengai, the 'Mountain of God.' Visit a waterfall oasis in the Rift Valley wall and walk on the alien-like shores of the lake. This is a day for breathtaking geology, unique photography, and a sense of remote adventure far from the standard safari trail.
Overnight at Lake Natron Camp.
Day 3: Today you will continue exploring the beautiful Lake Natron region, including the spectacular Ngaresero Waterfall and Gorge hike. There will also be time to enjoy any activities from Day 2 that we may not have had time to complete, as well as an opportunity to rest and prepare for the evening ahead.
After an early dinner and some relaxation, you will begin your midnight ascent of Ol Doinyo Lengai, the “Mountain of God,” under the stars. This unique and challenging volcanic hike offers an unforgettable adventure, with the goal of reaching the summit in time for sunrise over the Great Rift Valley and surrounding landscapes.
Day 4: Today’s safari will take you through the breathtaking landscapes of the Northern Serengeti, renowned for its vast open plains, abundant wildlife, and dramatic scenery. This region is particularly famous for the Great Migration during certain times of the year, where enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra move across the ecosystem in search of fresh grazing.
Throughout the day, you will enjoy extensive game viewing opportunities with chances to spot lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, and many other iconic African wildlife species while exploring one of Tanzania’s most spectacular safari regions.
Your visit offers an opportunity to explore the site, its setting, and the surrounding landscape before continuing onward to Nasikia KasKaz Mara Camp.
Day 5: Today you will enjoy an additional full day exploring the remarkable Northern Serengeti, allowing for even more time to experience this remote and wildlife-rich region. With another day dedicated to game drives, you will have greater opportunities to witness incredible wildlife activity and fully appreciate the beauty of the Serengeti’s rolling plains, river systems, and dramatic landscapes.
During September, you will also have the chance to witness parts of the Great Migration, as large herds of wildebeest and zebra move through the area, closely followed by predators such as lions, hyenas, and crocodiles. This extra day provides a more relaxed safari pace and maximises your chances of unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Day 6: Today you will continue your safari through the iconic Central Serengeti, an area renowned for its year-round wildlife viewing and diverse landscapes. The central plains are home to an incredible concentration of animals, offering excellent opportunities to spot lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, and large herds of plains game throughout the day.
Your game drive will also include visits to the Retina Hippo Pool, where dozens of hippos can often be seen wallowing and interacting in the water, as well as the famous Moru Kopjes. These striking granite rock formations provide shelter for a variety of wildlife and are particularly well known for excellent predator sightings, including lions resting among the rocks. The Moru area is also rich in scenery and history, making for a truly memorable day in the Serengeti.
Continue thereafter to Angata Serengeti Camp for overnight.
Day 7: Today you will visit Olduvai Gorge, a dramatic ravine within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area that has long been of interest to archaeologists and historians. The site is often discussed in relation to early human history, and some believe it provides important insights into humanity’s distant past.
During your visit, you will learn about discoveries made in the area, as well as the broader cultural and geological significance of the landscape itself.
Afterwards, continue your journey to EAC Pakulala Luxury Safari Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Depart early this morning for your descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, carrying a packed breakfast to enjoy during your game drive. The crater floor offers one of the most concentrated wildlife experiences in Africa, with excellent chances of seeing lion, elephant, buffalo, zebra, and, with luck, the elusive black rhinoceros.
The Ngorongoro Crater is often referred to as a natural amphitheatre, formed by the collapse of a volcanic caldera, and supports a remarkable diversity of wildlife within a relatively compact area.
In the late afternoon, ascend the crater and transfer to Arusha for dinner and overnight.
Safari route map
Safari Prices Per Person in US Dollars
Prices are on the basis of 2026 accommodation rates.
| No. in group 👉 | Solo | 2 🧍 | 3 🧍 | 4 🧍 | 5 🧍 | 6 🧍 | 7+ 🧍 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safari | $8,890 | $7,350 | $6,580 | $6,495 | $6,410 | $6,325 | $6,240 |
Mobiles: scroll right for larger groups 👉
This itinerary is recommended throughout the year.
This itinerary is recommended throughout the year.
This itinerary is recommended throughout the year.
This safari itinerary is recommended from November to April when we expect the migration to be in the Ndutu and south regions.
This safari itinerary is recommended for the discerning traveller visiting from July to October - as this is when the migration is expected to be in the Mara Region - and who wants to minimise wasted transiting time in the vehicle.
This safari itinerary is recommended from November to April when we expect the migration to be in the south.