45 Days Northern and Southern Tanzania Safari
A 45-day safari through Tanzania is the ultimate journey for travelers who want to experience every side of the country’s extraordinary wilderness. From the endless plains of the Serengeti and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater to the untouched landscapes of Katavi, the mighty Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park, and the chimpanzee forests of Mahale Mountains, this itinerary takes you across Tanzania’s most remarkable destinations. It is designed for adventurous self-drive travelers as well as those exploring with a private guide, combining world-famous wildlife parks with remote wilderness, mountain scenery, and authentic cultural experiences.
Safari Overview
- Duration: 45 Days
- Start: Arusha
- End: Dar es Salaam or Kigoma
- Recommended Vehicle: Fully equipped 4×4 Land Cruiser or Toyota Prado
- Best Time to Visit: June to October and December to March
Days 1–2: Arrival in Arusha
Your adventure begins in Arusha, Tanzania’s safari capital. After arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, take time to collect your safari vehicle, purchase supplies, and settle into the rhythm of East Africa. The city offers an excellent introduction to Tanzania, with vibrant markets, coffee plantations, and views of Mount Meru providing the perfect start to your journey.
Days 3–4: Tarangire National Park
Leaving Arusha behind, the road leads to Tarangire National Park, famous for its ancient baobab trees and one of the largest elephant populations in East Africa. The Tarangire River attracts wildlife throughout the dry season, making game drives exceptionally rewarding. Lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and countless bird species are regular sightings, while evenings at a campsite inside the park allow you to experience the sounds of the African bush after sunset.
Days 5–6: Lake Manyara National Park
The journey continues to Lake Manyara National Park, a compact but remarkably diverse reserve stretching along the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Dense groundwater forests gradually give way to open grasslands and the shallow alkaline lake that attracts thousands of flamingos during the right season. The park is also known for its famous tree-climbing lions, playful baboons, elephants, and abundant birdlife.
Days 7–9: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
From Lake Manyara, ascend into the cool highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The highlight is a full-day safari inside the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife destinations. The crater floor supports an incredible concentration of animals, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, and the endangered black rhino. Beyond the wildlife, the area is home to Maasai communities who continue to practice their traditional pastoral lifestyle.
Days 10–15: Serengeti National Park
Few places capture the imagination like the Serengeti. Spending six days here allows you to explore multiple regions of the park while maximizing wildlife encounters. Vast grasslands stretch to the horizon, supporting enormous populations of predators and herbivores throughout the year. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Migration as millions of wildebeest and zebras move across the plains in search of fresh grazing. Sunrise and sunset game drives reveal different sides of the ecosystem, while an optional hot-air balloon safari offers an unforgettable perspective over the endless landscape.
Day 16: Olduvai Gorge
On the journey back toward Arusha, stop at Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites. Often called the Cradle of Humankind, the gorge preserves some of the earliest evidence of human evolution and provides fascinating insight into our ancient ancestors.
Days 17–18: Arusha National Park
Although often overlooked, Arusha National Park offers a refreshing contrast to Tanzania’s larger wildlife reserves. The park combines lush forests, volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, and open grasslands, creating ideal conditions for walking safaris and canoeing excursions. Colobus monkeys, giraffes, buffaloes, and numerous bird species are frequently encountered against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Meru.
Days 19–20: Mkomazi National Park
Your route then heads east to Mkomazi National Park, one of Tanzania’s least-visited protected areas. Its semi-arid landscape supports unique species rarely found elsewhere, including the lesser kudu, gerenuk, and African wild dogs. The park also plays an important role in black rhino conservation, making it one of the country’s most important wildlife restoration projects.
Days 21–22: Mikumi National Park
Continuing south, Mikumi National Park welcomes visitors with open plains that resemble the Serengeti on a smaller scale. Wildlife is easy to spot across the grasslands, with elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, and numerous antelope species regularly seen during game drives.
Days 23–28: Nyerere National Park
Formerly known as the northern section of Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park is one of Africa’s largest protected wilderness areas. The Rufiji River forms the heart of the park, creating a rich ecosystem that supports large populations of elephants, hippos, crocodiles, lions, and the endangered African wild dog. Boat safaris along the river provide a completely different safari experience, while guided walking safaris allow visitors to appreciate the smaller details of the bush that are often missed from a vehicle.
Days 29–33: Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is one of Tanzania’s true hidden treasures. Known for its enormous lion prides and impressive elephant herds, the park offers a rugged wilderness experience with relatively few visitors. Rocky hills, baobab-dotted valleys, and the Great Ruaha River create spectacular scenery, while predators such as leopards and cheetahs thrive alongside a remarkable diversity of antelope species.
Days 34–35: Kitulo National Park
Known as the “Garden of God,” Kitulo National Park is unlike any other destination in Tanzania. Instead of traditional game drives, visitors come here to enjoy mountain scenery, hiking trails, and one of Africa’s finest displays of wildflowers during the rainy season. The peaceful highland grasslands also attract numerous endemic bird species, making Kitulo a paradise for nature lovers and photographers.
Days 36–40: Katavi National Park
The journey continues into one of Africa’s most remote safari destinations. Katavi National Park remains largely untouched by mass tourism, rewarding adventurous travelers with exceptional wildlife viewing and true wilderness solitude. Massive buffalo herds roam the floodplains, while hippo-filled rivers, crocodiles, elephants, and lions dominate the landscape. With very few vehicles sharing the park, every game drive feels like a private safari.
Days 41–43: Mahale Mountains National Park
The final wilderness destination is Mahale Mountains National Park, situated on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika. Reaching the park is part of the adventure, but the reward is unforgettable chimpanzee trekking through lush rainforest. Beyond the forest, the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika offer opportunities for swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, or simply relaxing on secluded beaches surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery.
Day 44: Kigoma
Spend your final full day exploring Kigoma, Tanzania’s lakeside gateway to Lake Tanganyika. Visit the bustling local markets, enjoy fresh fish along the waterfront, or simply relax while reflecting on the incredible journey across Tanzania’s diverse landscapes.
Day 45: Departure
Your 45-day adventure concludes with either a domestic flight from Kigoma to Dar es Salaam or an extended overland journey back across Tanzania. After visiting the country’s famous northern parks, remote southern wilderness, western rainforests, and scenic highlands, you will leave with unforgettable memories of one of Africa’s greatest safari destinations.
Best Time to Travel
The itinerary can be enjoyed throughout much of the year, although the dry season from June to October offers the best wildlife viewing as animals gather around permanent water sources. January through March is particularly rewarding in the southern Serengeti, where the wildebeest calving season attracts an abundance of predators. The short rains of November and December transform the landscapes into lush green scenery while bringing fewer visitors to many parks.
Estimated Budget
A fully equipped self-drive safari covering 45 days generally costs between USD 12,000 and USD 18,500 per vehicle, depending on accommodation style, park fees, fuel consumption, and optional activities such as hot-air balloon safaris, boat excursions, and chimpanzee trekking permits. While it is a significant investment, few journeys offer such an extraordinary combination of wildlife, scenery, and authentic wilderness experiences.
A safari of this length showcases virtually every major ecosystem Tanzania has to offer. From the iconic plains of the Serengeti to the remote wilderness of Katavi, the mighty rivers of Nyerere, the dramatic landscapes of Ruaha, and the rainforest-covered mountains of Mahale, this itinerary represents one of the most comprehensive wildlife adventures available anywhere in Africa.