8 Days Self Drive Safari Adventure

Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport, pick up your 4×4 rental—your trusted companion for the next eight days. Opt for a sturdy vehicle outfitted with camping gear if you’re planning to sleep under the stars. Spend the night in Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania, where you can stock up on supplies, study your routes, and rest before your adventure begins.

Drive Time: Approximately 2 hours from Arusha

Start your safari by heading to Tarangire National Park, renowned for its high density of elephants and baobab trees. As you enter the park, you’ll find yourself amidst a vast landscape punctuated with these ancient trees and winding river valleys.

While driving through the park, keep your eyes peeled for Tarangire’s infamous elephant herds, as well as diverse wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, buffalo, and even tree-climbing lions. The birdlife is equally impressive, so binoculars are a must.

Upon finding a perfect camping spot, set up camp, and enjoy your first night in the wild. The sounds of the African bush will serenade you to sleep.

Spend another day soaking in Tarangire’s beauty. Drive around the park at leisure, traversing various terrains from grassy savannas to swampland. Remember, you set the pace. That’s the beauty of a self-drive safari.

Visit the Silale Swamp, a hotspot for game viewing, especially during the dry season, when animals congregate for water. Finish your day with a sundowner, watching the sky turn fiery red as the sun sets over the Tarangire landscape.

Drive Time: Approximately 4 to 5 hours to the Serengeti gate

Leave Tarangire early and head towards the Serengeti, one of Africa’s most famous national parks. The drive is scenic, taking you through rural Tanzania and Maasai villages. Once you reach the Serengeti, enter via the Naabi Hill Gate. Pay your entry fees and get ready for an unforgettable journey across the ‘endless plains’.

Search for the Big Five as you traverse the vastness of the Serengeti. Watch herds of wildebeest and zebra grazing, oblivious to the watchful eyes of predators hidden in the tall grasses.

Set up camp at one of the designated campgrounds, and feel the exhilaration of being deep within the wild, far from civilization.

You have two full days to explore the Serengeti’s diverse regions. Drive to the western corridor where the Grumeti River crosses, or head north towards the Mara River, especially if you’re visiting during the migration season, when millions of wildebeest make their epic journey.

Venturing towards the central Seronera region increases your chances of spotting leopards and lions, often lounging on the kopjes. These central plains are also excellent for spotting cheetahs on the hunt. Plan your drives to catch both the early morning and late afternoon activities, as animals are most active during these times.

At night, enjoy the surreal experience of sleeping amidst the sounds of the wilderness, an orchestra of nocturnal creatures, rustling grasses, and distant lion roars.

Drive Time: Approximately 3 to 4 hours from the Serengeti to the Crater Rim

On day seven, wake up early for your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive to the crater rim is steep and windy but incredibly scenic, with sweeping views of the highlands.

Once at the crater’s edge, descend the 600-meter wall into the world’s largest unbroken caldera. This natural amphitheater is teeming with wildlife including black rhinos, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and the densest population of lions on Earth.

After an enriching day of game viewing in the crater, drive up to a campsite on the rim for a night under the stars at one of the highest altitudes of your trip. The chill in the air is a sharp contrast to the heat of the plains below, but the clear night sky is unmatched.

Drive Time: Approximately 3 hours back to Arusha

On your last day, take one more glimpse of the crater at sunrise before departing for Arusha. The drive back gives you a chance to reflect on the adventure you’ve had and the memories you’ve made.

Arriving back in Arusha, return your rental vehicle and prepare for your flight home or extend your stay to explore other attractions, like Mount Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar’s beaches.