Your first African safari is an experience unlike any other. The excitement of seeing your first lion in the wild, the sound of a thousand hooves during the Great Migration, the warm hospitality of a Tanzanian lodge — it is a trip that will stay with you forever. But it is also normal to feel a little nervous about the unknown.
This guide walks you through an actual 6-day Tanzania safari, day by day, so you know exactly what to expect. From arriving at Kilimanjaro Airport to your final game drive, we cover the schedule, the wildlife, the meals, the accommodation, and the moments that will take your breath away.
Whether you are travelling solo, as a couple, or with family, this guide will answer every question you have about your first safari — and probably a few you did not know you had.
The short version: Your safari will be a mix of early starts, incredible wildlife sightings, delicious meals, comfortable lodges, and a lot of dust. You will see more than you expect, learn more than you thought possible, and leave already planning your return. The experience is safe, well-organised, and far exceeds any documentary or photograph.
Before You Go: Preparation Checklist
A little preparation goes a long way. Here is what to sort out before your safari:
Visa & Passport
Passport valid 6+ months. Tanzania e-visa or visa on arrival ($50–$100). Apply online at least 2 weeks before.
Health Prep
Malaria prophylaxis, yellow fever vaccine (if required), routine vaccines. Consult your travel clinic 4–6 weeks before.
Packing
Soft duffel bag, neutral clothes, warm fleece, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, camera. See our full packing guide.
Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover. Essential for peace of mind. See our insurance guide.
Flights
Fly into Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Dar es Salaam (DAR). We arrange airport transfers and domestic flights.
Money
USD cash (crisp bills) + credit card. Small denominations for tips. Most lodges accept cards.
The 6-Day Safari: Day by Day
This is a sample itinerary for a classic 6-day Tanzania safari. Your actual schedule may vary based on your chosen parks and accommodation:
Arrival — Kilimanjaro to Arusha
Travel DayYour safari begins the moment you step off the plane at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). A representative from Sightseeing Safaris will meet you at arrivals with a sign bearing your name. After a warm welcome, you will be transferred to your lodge or hotel in Arusha (approximately 45–60 minutes drive).
What to Expect
- Airport pickup: Look for our representative with a Sightseeing Safaris sign in the arrivals hall.
- SIM card: Buy a local SIM at the airport (Vodacom or Airtel) for data during your trip. A kiosk is available in the arrivals area.
- Currency: There is an ATM and exchange bureau at the airport. We recommend withdrawing some Tanzanian shillings for small purchases.
- First impressions: The drive to Arusha gives you your first taste of Tanzania — banana plantations, baobab trees, Mount Meru in the distance, and friendly waves from locals.
- Accommodation: You will stay at a comfortable lodge or hotel in Arusha. Most have pools, gardens, and excellent restaurants.
★ Highlight of the day: Your safari briefing. Your guide will sit down with you in the evening to review the itinerary, answer questions, check your packing, and build excitement for the days ahead.
Meals: Lunch and dinner at your lodge.
Wildlife today: None yet — but you might spot zebras or giraffes on the drive from the airport!
Arusha to Lake Manyara — First Game Drive
First Safari Day!Wake up early — your first game drive awaits! After breakfast, you will meet your guide and driver, load your bags into the safari vehicle, and head out for your first full day of adventure.
Your First Game Drive
- 6:30 AM: Breakfast at the lodge.
- 7:30 AM: Depart for Lake Manyara National Park (approximately 1.5 hours drive).
- 9:00 AM: Enter the park. Your first game drive begins!
- 12:30 PM: Picnic lunch at a designated picnic site inside the park.
- 2:00 PM: Afternoon game drive.
- 4:30 PM: Exit the park and drive to your lodge near Lake Manyara or Ngorongoro.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the lodge.
Lake Manyara is famous for its tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, and thousands of flamingos on the lake. You will also see baboons, blue monkeys, giraffes, zebras, impalas, hippos, and a spectacular variety of birds.
★ Highlight of the day: Seeing your first wild animal is an emotional moment. Whether it is a giraffe striding across the road, an elephant emerging from the forest, or a lion lounging in an acacia tree, your first sighting will be unforgettable. Have your camera ready!
Meals: Breakfast at lodge, picnic lunch in park, dinner at lodge.
Wildlife today: Elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, baboons, flamingos, tree-climbing lions, hippos, countless birds.
Ngorongoro Crater — Big Five Day
Park DayToday is one of the most anticipated days of your safari. The Ngorongoro Crater offers the highest concentration of wildlife in Africa, and it is your best chance to see all Big Five in a single day.
Your Crater Day Schedule
- 5:30 AM: Early wake-up. Breakfast at the lodge.
- 6:15 AM: Depart for the crater descent. The drive from the rim to the crater floor takes approximately 30 minutes.
- 6:45 AM: Enter the crater. Game drive begins immediately.
- 10:00 AM: Stop at Ngoitokitok Spring for a picnic breakfast or snack.
- 12:30 PM: Picnic lunch at the hippo pool picnic site.
- 2:00 PM: Afternoon game drive on the crater floor.
- 4:00 PM: Begin ascent back to the crater rim.
- 5:00 PM: Arrive back at lodge. Rest, shower, relax.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner.
The crater floor is teeming with wildlife: lions, hyenas, jackals, wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, hippos, elephants, and if you are lucky, the critically endangered black rhino. The views from the crater floor looking up at the 610-metre walls are stunning.
★ Highlight of the day: Spotting your first black rhino. These elusive creatures are the highlight of any crater visit. Your guide will scan the horizon patiently — and when they point and whisper “rhino”, the rush of excitement is incredible.
Meals: Early breakfast at lodge, picnic lunch in crater, dinner at lodge.
Wildlife today: Lions, hyenas, jackals, wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, hippos, elephants, black rhino, flamingos, and more.
Ngorongoro to Serengeti — Into the Wilderness
Travel + Game DriveToday you drive from the Ngorongoro highlands into the heart of the Serengeti. The journey itself is a game drive as you pass through the Serengeti ecosystem.
The Journey
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast and check out.
- 8:00 AM: Depart Ngorongoro, drive toward the Serengeti.
- 9:30 AM: Arrive at Naabi Hill Gate — the entrance to the Serengeti. The view from here is breathtaking.
- 10:00 AM–3:00 PM: Game drive through the southern and central Serengeti, with a picnic lunch en route.
- 3:30 PM: Arrive at your Serengeti camp or lodge. Check in and rest.
- 4:30 PM: Optional afternoon game drive.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner at camp.
The drive through the Serengeti is spectacular. The landscape changes from the lush highlands to the endless short-grass plains. You will see herds of wildebeest and zebra stretching to the horizon, and your first encounter with the vast scale of the Serengeti.
★ Highlight of the day: The first view of the Serengeti from Naabi Hill. The plains stretch to the horizon, dotted with thousands of animals. It is the moment you truly understand what “endless plains” means. Have your camera ready for the panoramic shot.
Meals: Breakfast at lodge, picnic lunch, dinner at camp.
Wildlife today: Wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs (depending on season and location).
Full-Day Serengeti Exploration
Park DayA full day in the Serengeti. This is the heart of your safari — a full day of exploration, discovery, and wildlife encounters that will stay with you forever.
Your Full-Day Serengeti Schedule
- 6:00 AM: Wake-up. Coffee or tea at camp.
- 6:30 AM: Depart for early morning game drive with packed breakfast. This is the best time for predator sightings.
- 9:00 AM: Stop at a scenic spot for bush breakfast.
- 9:30 AM–12:30 PM: Game drive continues. Explore different areas of the Serengeti.
- 12:30 PM: Picnic lunch at a designated site or in the vehicle.
- 2:00 PM–4:00 PM: Rest at camp during the heat of the day. Swim, nap, edit photos.
- 4:00 PM: Afternoon game drive with sundowners (drinks at sunset in the bush).
- 6:30 PM: Return to camp as the sun sets.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner under the stars.
A full day in the Serengeti gives you time to explore multiple habitats. Your guide will take you to areas based on recent sightings and the location of the migration. The central Seronera Valley is excellent for leopards; the plains are perfect for cheetahs; the rivers attract elephants and buffalo.
★ Highlight of the day: Sundowners in the Serengeti. Watching the sun set over the endless plains, a cold drink in hand, the sounds of the bush all around you, and the memories of the day’s sightings fresh in your mind. This is what safari dreams are made of.
Meals: Bush breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner at camp.
Wildlife today: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species.
Final Game Drive & Departure
Travel DayYour last day. It is bittersweet — but there is one more game drive before you head to the airport.
Departure Day
- 6:00 AM: Early morning game drive in the Serengeti. One last chance to see the animals in the golden morning light.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at camp or bush breakfast.
- 10:00 AM: Depart Serengeti for the airstrip for your flight back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro.
- 12:30 PM: Arrive at the airstrip, farewell to your guide, board your flight.
- 2:00 PM: Connect with your international flight from Kilimanjaro Airport.
Your guide will ensure you arrive at the airport with plenty of time for your flight. If your flight is later, you can add lunch in Arusha or a visit to a local craft market for souvenirs.
★ Highlight of the day: The farewell. Your guide will drive you to the airstrip, shake your hand, and thank you for visiting. By this point, you are no longer a tourist — you are part of the safari family. Many travellers find themselves emotional saying goodbye.
Meals: Early breakfast or bush breakfast, lunch on own.
Wildlife today: Whatever the Serengeti offers one last time!
What a Game Drive is Really Like
If you have never been on a game drive, here is exactly what to expect:
Early Morning Drive
The best time for wildlife. Animals are most active after the cool night. Your guide will track predators and herds. The golden morning light is perfect for photography. Bring a warm jacket — mornings are cold!
Midday Rest
The hottest part of the day. Animals rest in the shade. You will return to camp or lodge for lunch, a swim, or a nap. Some travellers do a picnic lunch in the park and continue the drive.
Afternoon Game Drive
Animals become active again as the heat fades. This is your second chance for predator sightings. The late afternoon light is beautiful and warm.
Sundowners
One of safari’s great traditions. Your guide stops at a scenic spot, sets up a small table with drinks and snacks, and you watch the sunset over the African bush. Magical.
What the vehicle is like: Safari vehicles are customised Toyota Land Cruisers or Land Rovers with pop-up roofs for 360-degree viewing. Most seat 4–7 passengers in stadium-style seating (each person gets a window seat). They have charging ports, cool boxes for drinks, and storage for camera gear. The ride can be bumpy on dirt roads — bring a cushion if you have back issues.
Where You Sleep: Accommodation Types
Tanzania offers accommodation for every budget and style. Here is what to expect:
- Dome tents (2-person)
- Sleeping mats + sleeping bag
- Shared bathroom facilities
- Camp cook prepares meals
- Campfire evenings
- Solar lighting
- Permanent stone/tent structures
- En-suite bathroom with hot water
- Wi-Fi in common areas
- Swimming pool (most)
- Restaurant with buffet/table service
- 24/7 electricity
- Spacious tented suites
- En-suite with bathtub + outdoor shower
- Personal butler service
- Premium drinks included
- Private vehicle + guide
- Gourmet dining, bush dinners
Food on Safari: What You Will Eat
Safari food is surprisingly good. Here is what a typical day of meals looks like:
- Breakfast: Buffet at the lodge or camp. Fruits, cereals, eggs, bacon, sausages, toast, coffee, tea, juice. On early game drive days, you might have a packed breakfast or bush breakfast.
- Lunch: Picnic lunch in the park (sandwiches, salad, fruit, snacks, soft drinks) or buffet lunch at the lodge.
- Sundowners: Drinks and snacks in the bush — beer, wine, soft drinks with nuts, chips, or samosas.
- Dinner: Three-course meal at the lodge or camp. Starters, soup, main course (meat, fish, or vegetarian), dessert. Most places offer a mix of international and Tanzanian dishes.
- Special diets: Most lodges accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets if notified in advance.
Pro tip: Stay hydrated! The African sun is intense, and safari vehicles can get warm. Your guide will provide bottled water, but bring a reusable water bottle to refill. Most lodges have filtered water stations. Avoid alcohol during midday game drives — save the sundowner drink for sunset.
Common Fears — and the Reality
It is completely normal to have concerns before your first safari. Here is the reality behind the most common worries:
Is it safe? What about wild animals?
Safaris are extremely safe. You stay inside the vehicle at all times during game drives, and wild animals see the vehicle as a single, non-threatening object. Your guide is trained in wildlife behaviour and knows when to approach and when to keep distance. The only danger is forgetting to take photos!
What about bathroom breaks?
Most parks have public restrooms at picnic sites and gates. In remote areas, your guide will find a private spot for a “bush bathroom break”. If you are concerned, limit fluids in the morning and use the facilities at lodge before departing.
Will I get motion sickness?
The roads in Tanzanian parks can be bumpy, especially in the Serengeti. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before each game drive. Sit in the front seat if possible. Focus on the horizon and the wildlife rather than reading or looking at your phone.
What about the heat and sun?
The African sun is intense, even on cloudy days. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, polarised sunglasses, and SPF 50+ sunscreen. Apply sunscreen before each game drive. Long sleeves and trousers protect better than short clothing. Most vehicles have a canopy for shade.
Will mosquitoes be a problem?
Mosquitoes are present, especially near water and during the green season (November–May). Use DEET-based repellent in the evenings, sleep under mosquito nets (provided by all lodges), and take malaria prophylaxis as prescribed. During daytime game drives, mosquitoes are rarely an issue.
Will I be bored on long drives?
The opposite! Every game drive is an adventure. Your guide will point out animals, birds, tracks, and interesting plants. There are often unexpected sightings around every corner. The anticipation of what you might see next keeps the excitement high throughout every drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wear neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige, tan) that blend into the bush. Avoid bright colours and camouflage. Dress in layers — early mornings are cold (5–10°C), midday is hot (25–35°C), and evenings cool down again. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are essential. A wide-brimmed hat and polarised sunglasses are non-negotiable.
You can get surprisingly close — sometimes within 5–10 metres of lions, elephants, and other wildlife. Park regulations require a minimum distance, but animals often approach the vehicle themselves. Wildlife in Tanzania is accustomed to safari vehicles and generally ignores them. Your guide will position the vehicle for the best views while respecting the animals’ space.
Most parks have public restrooms at gates, picnic sites, and visitor centres. If you are in a remote area and nature calls, your guide will find a private and safe spot for a “bush bathroom break” behind the vehicle. Simply let your guide know — they do this every day and will ensure you have privacy and safety.
Yes. Lodges and camps maintain high hygiene standards. Food is prepared fresh daily under strict conditions. Avoid drinking tap water — stick to bottled or filtered water provided by your lodge (most have refill stations). Avoid street food and raw salads if you have a sensitive stomach. Most travellers have no issues with safari food.
Most lodges and camps have charging points in rooms and common areas. Safari vehicles also have USB charging ports. Bring a universal travel adapter (Tanzania uses UK-style Type G plugs with 230V). A power bank is highly recommended for long game drive days — you will use more phone and camera battery than expected.
Most lodges and camps offer Wi-Fi, but it is satellite-based and speeds are slow. You will have signal in towns and some park areas (Vodacom has the best coverage in parks). Consider this a digital detox opportunity. The lack of constant connectivity is one of the best parts of a safari — it lets you be fully present in the experience.
Your guide is trained in first aid and carries a basic medical kit. For serious emergencies, the park has evacuation protocols. Most lodges have a vehicle for medical transport. For extreme emergencies, helicopter evacuation can be arranged (this is why travel insurance with evacuation cover is essential). The nearest major hospitals are in Arusha, Nairobi, or Moshi, and evacuation is well-practised.
Tipping is customary and appreciated. Recommended amounts: $15–$25 per person per day for your guide, $10–$15 per person per day for the cook, and $5–$10 per person per day for camp staff. Many travellers give a lump sum at the end of the safari. Tips can be given in USD cash. Your tour operator can provide specific guidance based on your itinerary.
Very likely, yes. On a well-planned 6-day itinerary that includes Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, most first-time travellers see all Big Five. Lions, elephants, and buffalo are almost guaranteed. Leopards require some luck and a good guide. The black rhino is the most challenging, but the Ngorongoro Crater offers the best chance. Our guides are experts at tracking each species and will do their best to complete your Big Five checklist.