The Bennetts’ Tanzanian Safari

Giraffe near Chem Chem Lodge / Courtesy of Chem Chem Safaris

For Tanzania, I suggest going in mid-September. There is still good availability, it is high season but slightly off-peak – and it will still be an ideal time to get away from the Florida heat. Because this is your first safari, I suggest a classic 7-10-night two-stop itinerary through northern Tanzania.

This trip includes one night in Arusha, followed by a few nights in the Serengeti and Tarangire National Park areas. Many clients also inquire about Ngorongoro Crater, but I steer people away from it because it has an over-tourism problem and doesn’t do a good job controlling crowds.

Our main questions are around what types of lodges you like. I’ve checked availability for some of my favorites and listed the top options below. I have also included retail prices, which include food/drink and activities. However, these do not include transfers, park fees, and tips.

You would really like the Legendary Expeditions camps mentioned below, which are just one notch below the Singita lodges. All of the properties are luxury level, but I can work with your budget if you want to see a wider range of options. 

Let me know what looks appealing, and I can put together a full itinerary with prices!

Arusha

Legendary Lodge / Courtesy of Legendary Expeditions
Legendary Lodge / Courtesy of Legendary Expeditions

Most Tanzania trips start with one night in Arusha. International flights often arrive too late to catch the morning flights to the Serengeti, so it’s nice to have some extra time to relax. Legendary Lodge is my favorite hotel here. However, there are many hotels near the city, so I usually defer this decision until after the rest of the itinerary is settled.

Serengeti

The Serengeti’s vast plains are perhaps Africa’s most iconic safari area. This is a good place to see large herds of animals, such as zebra and wildebeest. Most camps here are mobile, tented to follow the animals, but the service and comfort levels are still really high.

Nyasi Tented Camp

Nyasi Migrational Camp / Courtesy of Legendary ExpeditionsNyasi Tented Camp / Courtesy of Legendary Expeditions

Nyasi Tented Camp is a Legendary Expeditions tented camp in the northern Serengeti near the Kenyan border. It’s in a popular area for the Great Migration. The herds are unpredictable, though they’re more likely to be in Kenya this time of year. Still, there is plenty of resident wildlife in the area to keep you busy. 
$1,635 per person per night

Namiri Plains

Namiri Plains / Courtesy of Asilia AfricaNamiri Plains / Courtesy of Asilia Africa

Namiri Plains is a camp by Asilia in the remote eastern Serengeti. It’s off the migration route in September, but it’s probably the best place in Tanzania to see lions and cheetahs. I often share it with clients who want a more substantial luxury tent than the migrational camps can provide. 
$1,980 per person per night

Mwiba Lodge

Mwiba Lodge is in the far south of the Serengeti, perched on a rocky outcrop in a private reserve. This is a truly luxurious property on par with Singita and is more lodge-style. It’s often combined with Nyasi to get a mix of tented and lodge in the Serengeti. 
$2,620 per person per night

Tarangire

Tarangire National Park lies between Lake Manyara and Arusha. The landscape here is more brushy than in the Serengeti, and it is known for its large elephant population. I particularly like Chem Chem Reserve, which is outside of the national park and is more private. It’s an excellent place for cultural visits, and the lodges are loosely associated with the Legendary Camps.

Little Chem Chem

Little Chem Chem / Courtesy of Chem ChemLittle Chem Chem / Courtesy of Chem ChemLittle Chem Chem / Courtesy of Chem ChemPool at Chem Chem Lodge / Courtesy of Chem Chem Safaris luxury Tanzania safari

Little Chem Chem is a smaller luxury tented camp in line with Nyasi Tented Camp in the Serengeti. It’s in the most wildlife-rich area of the reserve so that you will see lots of animals around camp. 
$1,680 per person per night

Chem Chem Lodge

Giraffe and Chem Chem Lodge / Courtesy of Chem Chem Safaris luxury Tanzania safariBedroom at Chem Chem Lodge / Courtesy of Chem Chem Safaris luxury Tanzania safariMaasai guide at Chem Chem Lodge / Courtesy of Chem Chem Safaris luxury Tanzania safariFlamingos on Lake Manyara near Chem Chem Lodge / Courtesy of Chem Chem Safaris luxury Tanzania safari

Chem Chem Lodge is the larger sister camp to Little Chem Chem. It’s closer to the lake, but there isn’t quite as much wildlife as around Little Chem Chem. It’s a good place if you want a more substantial tent and camp with more amenities. 
$1,740 per person per night.

Mpingo Ridge

Lemala Mpingo Ridge / Courtesy of Lemala

Mpingo Ridge is one of the few camps I’ll actually book inside the national park. It has a great location with one of the most fantastic views in Tanzania. 
$1,241 per person per night