Whatever your arrival time at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your Pumba Safari guide will be waiting for you with a warm welcoming smile. Kick back and relax in your comfortable vehicle as he takes you to your hotel in Arusha, Tanzania’s self-styled ‘safari capital.’ On your one-hour journey to the hotel, you will get a brief impression of this large, bustling, commercial city. Depending on your arrival time, you may have your pre-safari briefing today; if not, it will take place early tomorrow morning.
Our two-hour drive (130 km) from Arusha to Lake Manyara offers a glimpse into the vibrant life of Tanzania. You might see Maasai herdsmen tending their goats, adding local color and culture to our journey. During the drive, you’ll have the chance to chat with your driver-guide, whose extensive knowledge and insights will enrich your experience.
Journey: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park As we bid farewell to the enchanting sights of Lake Manyara, our next adventure takes us north and west to the Serengeti. This 5-hour drive, covering approximately 222 km along the famous Rift Valley, immerses you in the vibrant tableau of everyday Tanzanian life. You’ll witness the vivid colors, diverse tribesmen, their herds, bustling transport, and lively roadside stalls and markets. As we continue, the signs of human habitation gradually fade into the expansive plains of the Serengeti, where we will stop for lunch upon arrival.
Day’s Highlight The Serengeti National Park is set to amaze you with its variety of wildlife in the coming days. However, for many—especially first-time visitors—the real thrill today may just be the Serengeti landscape itself. The vastness of the plains, stretching endlessly before you, is truly awe-inspiring.
Safari in Serengeti National Park Welcome to the Serengeti—Tanzania’s unparalleled natural wonder. Here, the next few days will be filled with spectacular wildlife sightings. Each game drive blends familiar scenes with thrilling unpredictability: you never know what you’ll see or when. The changing light and rotating cast of animal characters ensure that every moment brings something new. Make sure to capture some unforgettable photos, but also take time to breathe in and appreciate the unfiltered beauty of nature as it unfolds around you.
Day’s Highlight The wildlife in Serengeti National Park is so abundant it might seem like the animals are seeking you out instead of the other way around. The excitement of today’s safari lies in its unpredictability; after all, the animals don’t stick to a published schedule! Depending on the season, we might spot some ‘big cats’ like cheetahs, leopards, and lions on the hunt, making for thrilling viewing opportunities.
Safari in Serengeti National Park Today offers a full day immersed in the diverse landscapes of the Central Serengeti. The Seronera River, a lifeline for the park’s wildlife, snakes through this area, providing essential water sources. You’ll also encounter the iconic kopjes—massive rock formations that are as old as 600 million years, predating even the rise of the earth’s continents from the oceans. These granite outcrops are favorite spots for lions and other big cats, and they also shelter snakes and hyraxes. The kopjes, shaped by centuries of wind and rain, reveal their ancient layers upon closer examination.
As the seasons change, so does the spectacle of wildlife. During the months of May, November, and December, migratory herds swell the park’s year-round residents, creating an even richer tapestry of animal life. In the rainy season, the plains darken with the massive herds of wildebeest—an incredible sight that underscores the dynamic nature of this ecosystem.
Day’s Highlight Today’s adventure brings unexpected highlights, including the chance to spot the Kori Bustard, the world’s heaviest flying bird. Resembling a giant cargo plane, this remarkable bird can weigh up to 15kg and boasts a wingspan of nearly three meters. Keep your eyes peeled for this majestic aviator as it lumbers through the Serengeti skies.
Safari in Serengeti National Park The Seronera region, located in the heart of the Central Serengeti, is not only a hub for visitors with its informative center but also a favorite among the wildlife. Thanks to the Seronera River’s reliable water supply, this area offers year-round wildlife viewing opportunities. Here, our game drives may uncover large prides of lions, basking hippos, or roaming herds of elephants, whose numbers have been flourishing recently. Depending on the day’s animal movements and sightings, we might visit the Serengeti Visitor Centre. This facility provides a detailed overview of the park’s ecosystem and the history of conservation efforts here, including the influential work of the Frankfurt Zoological Society and conservationist Bernhard Grzimek. The Visitor Centre itself is also a wildlife hotspot, home to hyrax and mongoose populations, along with numerous small bird species, adding another layer to our exploration.
After breakfast, you will continue into the 600 meters deep unbroken caldera, and you will have a moment to take in the fantastic, awe-inspiring views of the collapsed volcano. Then you will descend into the caldera for a game drive. Over 25,000 mammals such as spotted hyenas and the “Big Five” – elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and lion being part of them. You will enjoy lunch at a picnic spot inside the crater. After lunch, you will continue the game drive and in the afternoon drive to back for overnight.
After breakfast, depart for ARK or JRO for your further travel plans.
From our accommodation, we set off after breakfast, a 6am departure to reach the rim and then descend into the vast crater itself. At one side there’s the Lerai Forest, classic mountain forest landscape with almost tropical characteristics. This is good elephant country, so keep your eyes peeled. By the side of the nearby swampland is what is sometimes called the ‘elephant graveyard’ as the mighty male tuskers at the end of their lives come to chew on the soft, swampland grasses once their teeth have failed them.
The crater has a population of around 120 lions, with well-defined territories; 15,000 wildebeest, 9,000 zebra, 400 hyenas, and around 50 black rhino. Many wildebeest and other herd animals are resident, benefiting from the many sources of year-round waters and are boosted by some migrators in season. Buffalo, Thomson’s gazelle and eland are also present in numbers. Hippos can be found in pools and swampland and highland birdlife is colourful and plentiful around the waters. Flamingos can often be seen in Lake Magadi, which occupies part of the crater floor.