7-Day Chui Safari – Rift to Serengeti

Karibu sana—welcome to Tanzania! Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a friendly Pita Safaris driver-guide will greet you with a warm smile. Enjoy a scenic transfer to Arusha, a vibrant safari hub at the base of Mount Meru.
Along the way, soak up views of banana plantations, coffee farms, and the red-earth roads of the Northern Circuit. Check into Kibo Palace Hotel, your midrange base with spacious ensuite rooms, a refreshing pool, and lush gardens. Depending on your arrival time, you can unwind with a cool drink or explore Arusha’s colorful markets. In the evening, savor your first taste of Tanzania with a freshly prepared dinner at the hotel.

Travel Tip: If you arrive early, ask your guide about visiting a local craft cooperative for handmade souvenirs.
Ready to start your Tanzania safari adventure? Rest well—tomorrow the wild calls.

Distance: ~55 km | Drive Time: ~1 hour

Fuel up with breakfast, then set out for Arusha National Park, a hidden gem often overlooked by travelers. This biodiverse sanctuary offers dramatic views of Mount Meru, lush montane forests, and sparkling lakes.
Embark on a private 4x4 game drive in search of giraffes, Cape buffalo, zebras, and the rare black-and-white colobus monkeys swinging through fig trees. Bird lovers will delight in spotting trogons, hornbills, and flamingos on Momella Lakes. Optional add-ons include canoeing or a short guided walk with a park ranger. Return to Arusha in the evening for dinner and relaxation.

Photography Tip: Early morning light filters beautifully through Arusha’s misty forests—perfect for moody wildlife shots.
Want to add canoeing or a guided walk to your day? Ask Pita Safaris to customize your visit.

Distance: ~40 km each way | Drive Time: ~45 minutes

After breakfast, travel along the Great Rift Valley escarpment toward Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions and shimmering pink flamingos. This compact yet diverse park is a haven for elephants, hippos, and hundreds of bird species.
Enjoy a picnic lunch by the lakeshore and spend the afternoon on a game drive through acacia woodlands, grassy floodplains, and the alkaline lake itself. Keep your eyes peeled—Manyara’s lions are known for resting in the branches of acacia trees. End the day at Kirurumu Manyara Lodge, perched above the Rift Valley with stunning panoramic views.

Safari Moment: Watching the sun set over the Rift Valley from your lodge deck is pure magic.
Want guaranteed big cat sightings? Lake Manyara is a perfect warm-up for Serengeti.

Distance: ~125 km | Drive Time: ~2.5–3 hours

Leave the Rift Valley behind as you journey toward Serengeti National Park, the crown jewel of Tanzania’s wildlife reserves. Pass through the Ngorongoro Highlands, stopping at viewpoints for sweeping vistas of the crater below.
Descend into the Serengeti for an en-route game drive, where herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles stretch to the horizon. Lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are never far behind. Arrive at Serengeti Heritage Camp in the central Seronera region—ensuite tented comfort with hot showers, Wi-Fi, and the sounds of the savannah at night.

Did You Know? Serengeti means “endless plains” in the Maasai language.
Dreaming of the Great Migration? Serengeti delivers—any time of year.

Distance: ~250 km | Drive Time: ~6 hours (with stops and game drives)

Wake to the call of the wild and set out for a full day of game drives across Serengeti’s golden plains. Depending on the season, you might witness the Great Wildebeest Migration—a jaw-dropping movement of over 1.5 million animals.
Your guide will take you to prime wildlife areas for predator action, including lions lazing in the sun, cheetahs scanning for prey, and elusive leopards lounging in acacias. Picnic under a shady tree, then continue exploring until the golden sunset paints the horizon.

Optional Add-On: A sunrise hot air balloon safari with champagne breakfast.
Ready to see nature’s greatest show? Pita Safaris will get you front-row seats.

Enjoy a short morning game drive before bidding farewell to Serengeti. Travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, passing Maasai villages and dramatic highland scenery.
Arrive at Ang’ata Ngorongoro Camp, located near the crater rim, just in time to watch the sun dip behind the caldera. Relax with hot tea or coffee, then gather for a hearty dinner in the mess tent.

Travel Tip: The crater rim can be chilly—pack a light sweater or jacket.
Want to maximize your crater experience? Early starts mean fewer crowds and more wildlife sightings.

Distance: ~150 km | Drive Time: ~4–5 hours (with game drives)

Rise early for a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the densest concentration of wildlife in Africa. Keep your eyes open for the Big Five, including rare black rhinos grazing the grasslands.
Pause for a picnic lunch by the Hippo Pool, surrounded by grazing zebras and birdsong. After lunch, ascend the crater walls and drive back to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your evening flight. For those extending their stay, Pita Safaris can arrange an extra hotel night in Arusha.

Safari Reflection: From the forests of Arusha to Serengeti’s predator-filled plains and Ngorongoro’s wildlife wonderland—you’ve just experienced Tanzania’s very best.
Want to come back for calving season or the Mara River crossings? Let’s start planning your next Pita Safaris adventure.

Distance: ~290 km | Drive Time: ~6–7 hours (with crater game drive)