9-Day Tanzania Budget Safari and Cultural Tour
Explore the heart of Tanzania on this 9-Day Tanzania Budget Safari and Cultural Tour, an unforgettable blend of wildlife adventures and authentic cultural experiences. Visit Tarangire, Serengeti, Lake Eyasi, and Ngorongoro Crater, while engaging with the Maasai and Hadzabe tribes for a true taste of local culture. Perfect for travelers seeking an affordable safari that goes beyond game drives, this tour combines nature, people, and adventure.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha, meet your safari guide and transfer to your budget lodge for rest and briefing. Depending on your arrival time, explore Arusha town or relax as you prepare for the adventure ahead.
Dinner and overnight stay in Arusha.
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its huge elephant herds and scenic baobab landscapes. Enjoy a full-day game drive spotting zebras, giraffes, lions, and many bird species along the Tarangire River.
Dinner and overnight stay at a campsite or budget lodge near the park.
Day 3: Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park
Head to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions and pink flamingos. Explore its lush forests, open plains, and the beautiful Rift Valley escarpment.
In the late afternoon, drive to Mto wa Mbu village for a cultural experience, where you’ll visit local markets, banana plantations, and artisan workshops.
Dinner and overnight at a lodge or campsite near Manyara.
Day 4: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, depart for Serengeti National Park through the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands. Stop at viewpoints along the way before entering the endless plains of Serengeti. Enjoy a game drive en route to your campsite, spotting lions, elephants, and possibly leopards.
Dinner and overnight stay at a public campsite or budget lodge in Serengeti.
Day 5: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti
Spend the entire day exploring Serengeti’s diverse ecosystems, home to the Big Five and, seasonally, the Great Wildebeest Migration. Your guide will take you to prime wildlife areas where you can see predators and large herds of grazers.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Serengeti campsite or lodge.
Day 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands
Enjoy a final morning game drive before heading to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Visit the famous Olduvai Gorge (optional), where early human fossils were discovered.
Arrive at your campsite near the crater rim for dinner and overnight stay with breathtaking views.
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Tour
After an early breakfast, descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, often described as the “Eden of Africa.” This natural wonder shelters an incredible concentration of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalo, and black rhinos.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at the crater floor before ascending and driving to Lake Eyasi, home of the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes. Dinner and overnight stay at a local campsite or lodge near Lake Eyasi.
Day 8: Lake Eyasi Cultural Experience
Spend the morning with the Hadzabe bushmen, one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes in East Africa. Join them in traditional hunting, learn about their tools and survival skills, and visit the Datoga blacksmiths to witness local metalwork techniques.
In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic walk along Lake Eyasi before returning to your lodge or campsite for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Return to Arusha
After breakfast, drive back to Arusha, enjoying scenic views of the Great Rift Valley and small villages along the way. Upon arrival, transfer to your lodge or the airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your 9-Day Tanzania Budget Safari and Cultural Tour.
Safari Includes
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- Park entrance fees for all mentioned parks
- Accommodation in budget lodges and campsites
- All meals during the safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Bottled water during game drives
- Cultural visits to Mto wa Mbu, Hadzabe, and Datoga tribes
- Government taxes and levies
Safari Excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Visa and travel insurance
- Tips for driver/guide and lodge staff
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, drinks, laundry, optional activities)
- Optional Olduvai Gorge visit or balloon safari
- Email: info@mandaritravel.com
- Call/WhatsApp +255 750 900 811.
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