serengeti social
Safari Overview
This 9-day safari is perfect for a group of friends or those looking to join a “shared group” experience. It balances the social energy of a group with the tactical advantages of the Northern Circuit’s best wildlife zones.
By using luxury tented camps or high-end lodges inside the parks, your group will “overstay” the day-trippers, enjoying the Serengeti long after the crowds have left.
Why this works perfectly for families
Balanced driving times
Wildlife + culture + learning
Kid-friendly lodges & activities
Daily rest periods
Safe, private guide & vehicle
Meet your guide at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer to your lodge in Arusha.
Meet your fellow travelers (if joining a group) and enjoy a welcome dinner. This is the time to sync cameras and discuss the shared adventure.
A detailed safari briefing at the lodge before we depart.
Drive to Tarangire National Park for an afternoon of tracking the famous “Red Elephants.”
A hot lunch at the lodge to settle in before the first drive.
A luxury tented camp located inside the park, where you can hear the bush sounds around the campfire.
Morning Activity: Drive to Tarangire + game drive
Lunch: At lodge
Afternoon Activity: River safari drive
Analysis:
Tarangire’s elephants, baobabs and birdlife create excitement for all ages. The river keeps wildlife active even in dry season.
Overnight: Family safari lodge in Tarangire area
Morning game drive, then a scenic drive up to the misty Crater Highlands.
A hot lunch at a lodge in the highlands to recharge.
Sunset views from the rim. We’ll take 30 minutes to simply watch the light change over the caldera floor.
A luxury lodge situated directly on the Ngorongoro Crater Rim.
A full-day descent into the Crater floor at sunrise.
This is your best chance for “Big Five” group photos. Look for the rare Black Rhino.
A picnic lunch somewhere in the park by the hippo pool.
Luxury lodge on the Crater Rim.
Transit toward the Ndutu region (South Serengeti).
- Culture: A stop at Olduvai Gorge for a look at human history or a visit to a local Maasai community.
A picnic lunch en route to allow for spontaneous wildlife stops.
A luxury mobile tented camp located in the heart of the wildebeest calving plains.
Full day of off-road tracking (permitted in Ndutu).
Cheetahs on the hunt and the vast wildebeest herds.
A hot lunch at the camp to enjoy a midday break with the group.
Luxury mobile tented camp (Ndutu).
Move North into the Seronera Valley, the “Big Cat Capital.”
A picnic lunch somewhere in the park among the iconic granite kopjes (rock outcrops).
- Tranquility: 30 minutes under a lone Acacia tree in the middle of the endless plains, experiencing the true scale of the Serengeti.
A luxury tented camp in the Central Serengeti.
A final dawn game drive to see the leopards before they retreat from the morning sun.
Mid-morning transfer to the local airstrip for a bush flight back to Arusha.
A farewell group lunch in Arusha before your international flight home.
INCLUSIVE AND NON-INCLUSIVE
To help you plan and budget accurately, here is the breakdown of what is typically covered in our premium safari packages and what you should expect to handle personally.
What is Included
Professional Private Guide:Â A highly experienced, English-speaking local guide (or photography expert) dedicated to your group for the entire duration.
Custom 4×4 Safari Vehicle: Use of a Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for 360-degree viewing, charging ports for cameras/phones, and a fridge/cooler box.
Park & Entry Fees:Â All national park fees, Ngorongoro Crater service fees, and conservation taxes for all locations listed in your itinerary.
Accommodations: All nights in luxury tented camps, mobile camps, or lodges as specified.
Full Board Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. This includes the mentioned hot lunches at camp and picnic lunches in the bush.
Drinking Water: Unlimited purified/bottled water provided in the vehicle during all game drives. Airport Transfers: Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Arusha Airport.
Internal Bush Flights: If your itinerary includes a flight (e.g., Kogatende to Arusha), the flight ticket and airstrip transfers are included.
The “Experiences”:Â Cultural visits, Olduvai Gorge entry, and the specific Tranquility Experiences (as these are part of our guided service).
What is Not Included
International Flights:Â Your travel from your home country to Tanzania and back.
Tanzanian Visa: Most travelers require a visa (approx. $50–$100 USD depending on nationality), which can be obtained online or at the airport.
Travel Insurance:Â We strongly recommend comprehensive insurance that covers medical emergencies and trip cancellations.
Tips & Gratuities: Tipping is customary in Tanzania. As a general guideline:
Safari Guide: $20–$30 USD per vehicle, per day.
Camp/Lodge Staff: $10–$15 USD per person (usually via a communal tip box).
Alcoholic Beverages & Sodas: While water is provided, alcohol and soft drinks at lodges are typically billed extra (unless staying at an “Ultra-Luxury All-Inclusive” camp).
Optional Balloon Safari: Usually costs approx. $550–$600 USD per person (unless explicitly added to your total package).
Personal Items:Â Laundry services, souvenirs, telephone calls, and any extra snacks or specialized snacks not provided by the camp.
Medical Requirements: Yellow Fever vaccinations (if required) and Malaria prophylaxis.