Where northern Tanzania safaris begin

Arusha

12 safaris

The destination

About Arusha

Arusha sits at the foot of Mount Meru and is the starting point for almost every safari on Tanzania's northern circuit: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti all lie to the west. Kilimanjaro International Airport is about an hour's drive away, and our office and Land Cruisers are based here. Most guests spend a night in Arusha after the long flight before driving into the parks. A spare half day fits a coffee farm on Meru's lower slopes, the Cultural Heritage Centre, or a walk in Arusha National Park, the closest park to town.

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Arusha in context

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Ready-made journeys

Safaris visiting Arusha

Every journey is tailor-made, use these as your starting point.

From $3,095

6 days

Featured

6 Days Best Northern Tanzania Safari

Serengeti National Park game drives. Ngorongoro Crater descent. Big Five game viewing. Tarangire elephant herds

Arusha | Tarangire National Park | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Serengeti National Park | Lake Manyara National Park

5 Days Serengeti Great Migration Safari

Great Wildebeest Migration. Mara River crossings. Predator-prey action

Arusha | Ngorongoro Crater | Serengeti National Park | Ngorongoro Conservation Area

5-Day Tanzania Low Season Safari

Same camps and guides as the peak season, with far fewer vehicles at the sightings. Low-season rates for November 2026 and May 2027, from US$1,620 per person. A full day of game driving in Tarangire. Two nights in Central Serengeti, with a full day on the Seronera plains. A morning on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, with lunch by the lake. Your own Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, on-board Wi-Fi and a private guide. Starts from your hotel in Arusha, so it fits after a Kilimanjaro climb or a night in town

12-Day Signature Great Migration Calving Photographic Safari

Four nights on the Ndutu calving plains, not a single overnight stop. A maximum of four photographers per private vehicle, for real access to the windows and pop-up roof. A full day inside Ngorongoro Crater, descending early while the light is still soft. Three nights in Central Serengeti for leopard, lion and cheetah photography. A scheduled Seronera to Arusha flight, so the last day is spent shooting rather than driving. Vehicle refrigerator, charging points and Wi-Fi where network coverage permits

Arusha | Ngorongoro Crater | Ndutu Area | Central Serengeti

12-Day Signature Great Migration River Crossing Photographic Safari

Four nights in Northern Serengeti, so the safari never depends on one afternoon at the Mara River. A scheduled flight straight to Kogatende, saving a full day of overland transfer. A maximum of four photographers per private vehicle, for real shooting space. Three nights in Central Serengeti for leopard, lion and cheetah photography. A full day inside Ngorongoro Crater, descending early into soft light. A final Arusha night to back up files and repack equipment before flying home

Arusha | Serengeti National Park | Central Serengeti | Ngorongoro Crater

6-Day Tanzania Low Season Safari

Same camps and guides as the peak season, with far fewer vehicles at the sightings. Low-season rates for November 2026 and May 2027, from US$1,705 per person. A full day of game driving in Tarangire, including a hot lunch in the park. Two nights in Central Serengeti, with a full day on the Seronera plains. A morning on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, with lunch by the lake. Your own Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, on-board Wi-Fi and a private guide. Met at Kilimanjaro Airport, with your first night in Arusha included

Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee & Chemka Hot Springs Day Trip

Guided walk through Chagga farmland to Materuni Waterfalls. Roast, grind and taste coffee with a local Chagga family. A home-style Tanzanian lunch in Materuni village. Swim in the clear spring water at Chemka (Kikuletwa) Hot Springs. Views of the Kilimanjaro foothills, and of the peak on a clear day. Private vehicle and guide, so the day moves at your pace

10 Days Signature Tanzania Premium

Fly-in Serengeti safari. Ngorongoro Crater descent. Zanzibar beach holiday. Private luxury camps

Arusha | Tarangire National Park | Lake Manyara National Park | Serengeti National Park | Ngorongoro Conservation Area

10 Days Tanzania Luxury Sky Safari

Witness the Great Migration herds. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. Guided walking safari. Authentic cultural encounters. Explore Tarangire National Park. Explore Lake Manyara National Park

Arusha | Tarangire National Park | Lake Manyara National Park | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Serengeti National Park

9 Days Wildlife Safari & Zanzibar Beach Holiday (Bush to Beach)

Big Five game viewing. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. Zanzibar island discoveries. Game drives with a professional guide. Explore Tarangire National Park. Explore Serengeti National Park

7-Day Machame Route Climb

Explore Mount Kilimanjaro. 8 days fully guided

Mount Kilimanjaro | Arusha

8 Days Wildebeest Migration River Crossing

Witness the Great Migration herds. Big Five game viewing. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. Search for tree-climbing lions. Explore Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Explore Serengeti National Park

Tarangire National Park | Arusha | Serengeti National Park | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Lake Manyara National Park