Arusha Safari Review: 6 Days in the Eastern Great Rift Valley

Thinking about a safari? An Arusha safari might be just the ticket! So, a 6-day private safari into the Eastern Great Rift Valley certainly sounded like a trip to write about. From the jump, you can probably get ready for expansive landscapes and, too it’s almost a meeting with some pretty captivating creatures. Let’s take a more thoughtful look into what you might actually experience, is that right?

The Appeal of a Private Safari

What makes a private safari different? Okay, picture yourself completely free to explore on your own terms. That usually means no fighting for the window seat or having to compromise on what you wanna see with other people. It’s almost as though it’s your own dedicated vehicle, a driver, and even a guide, too it’s almost all geared towards crafting your viewing experiences. As you can imagine, that level of attention can be a rather big deal, if that is what you prefer.

You might find a group safari could involve different personalities and interests, yet a private setup allows for that added bit of personal flair. So, wanna spend extra time watching a lion pride or chase after that rather shy leopard? It’s very likely that the schedule is there to fit around you, yet that makes all the difference.

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha and Settling In

Okay, the adventure rather begins as soon as you hit the ground at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). As I was saying, after dealing with customs, you’ll more or less be greeted and taken to your accommodation in Arusha. A bit of advice? Make sure your accommodation actually offers you a relaxing vibe.

Arusha acts as a basecamp for a lot of safaris, and even getting some rest on your first day is always a good thought. Spend some time taking it all in, arguably even walking through the local markets (but do ask your tour operator about locations, as well as what sections are okay for tourists to browse unsupervised). Or you can typically recharge by the hotel pool; yet be ready for your safari that actually begins soon.

Day 2: Tarangire National Park

After Arusha, Tarangire National Park awaits. You could say Tarangire is pretty famous for its masses of elephants, and I mean a lot of elephants! This is especially true during the dry months, in that case those magnificent animals almost crowd near the Tarangire River.

While you’re driving, keep your eyes open; yet Tarangire is also pretty great for spotting giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, and many bird species. As a matter of fact, the park is home to over 550 species of birds! You’ll probably spend the full day game viewing with a break for a picnic by the bush; yet the idea is to almost totally experience that East Africa landscape.

Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park

Alright, you will go onward to Lake Manyara National Park. A lot of first-time safari visitors tend to find this location as surprisingly different. So, instead of large open areas, Manyara almost has dense woodlands, groundwater springs, and of course that big lake.

It has pretty big populations of flamingos that like to flock to the lake, too it’s almost a location that’s a perfect place to birdwatch, as a matter of fact! People sometimes do see Manyara lions; they will be up in trees (although as I was saying, there have been fewer recent sightings) with a few herds of elephants, too it’s almost something for animal lovers! As you’ll no doubt observe, the setting here can be extremely enchanting.

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater

Are you ready for what they often regard as a wildlife hotspot? Arguably, Ngorongoro Crater could be described as just that! What you will get there is a big, steep volcanic caldera, too it’s almost like it is housing every species imaginable.

Look out for lions, elephants, rhinos, wildebeests, and flamingos over on Lake Magadi. A really cool thing you will notice? A lot of the animals live permanently inside the crater, where in that case, it kind of creates a pretty unique environment to view animals and enjoy the view. It has, clearly, also earned it that spot on that pretty sought-after UNESCO World Heritage list.

Day 5: Serengeti National Park

Well, now onto the Serengeti! What happens if your safari does not check out the Serengeti? Arguably, it seems very incomplete. Picture big land expanses, in that case, countless animals live.

It doesn’t matter whether you happen to be there to spot the Great Migration or, on the other hand, maybe big cats, is that right? I want to say Serengeti pretty often has views of amazing kinds. Be aware to have cameras ready. You might actually make some safari photos that you actually love!

Day 6: Departure

I want to say goodbye when you leave, right? If you actually leave from the Serengeti (it hinges upon a person’s exact logistics), then you’re almost sure to get a final drive through before you go to a flight heading back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport. As I was saying, reflect a bit with joy and delight over an animal tour that’s likely given many lasting memories. Yet what else would come to mind?