10-Day Tanzania Safari Off-the-Beaten-Path

Venture into Tanzania’s hidden corners with this 10-Day Off-the-Beaten-Path Tanzania Safari, a unique journey through Lake Manyara, Lake Natron, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Eyasi, and Tarangire National Park.

It is a 10-day midrange Tanzania safari package which offers you private game drives in a 4×4 vehicle with a pop-up roof, guided by experts to maximize your chances of spotting wildlife, and visit Authentic villages to meet some of the famous Tanzanian tribes.  You will connect with local tribes like the Maasai, Datoga, and Hadzabe for authentic cultural experiences. You’ll stay in carefully selected midrange lodges and camps, blending comfort with the wild’s allure.

In this 10 day Tanzanian Adventure you will get a chance see Lake Manyara’s and Lake Natron’s flamingo-filled shores, hike Lake Natron’s remote trails, track the Big Five in Serengeti, marvel at Ngorongoro’s crater, hunt with Hadzabe Bushmen at Lake Eyasi, and roam Tarangire’s baobab plains. It is a fun packed adventure that is also a great Family Vacation. Children will leave Tanzania with memories of a lifetime.

For the more adventurous in spirit, you can attempt to summit the Oldoinyo lengai mountain which is a semi active volcano located near Lake Natron.

10-Day Off-the-Beaten-Path Tanzania Safari Highlights

This 10-Day Off-the-Beaten-Path Tanzania Safari takes you into Tanzania’s hidden wilderness and iconic parks, blending thrilling adventures, vibrant wildlife, and rich cultural encounters in authentic villages

Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania

Lake Manyara National Park, covering 330 km², is a compact haven known for its soda lake, dense forests, and diverse wildlife. Its alkaline lake attracts flamingos, while groundwater forests shelter tree-climbing lions and baboons.

While visiting this lush park you may spot elephants, giraffes, hippos, or leopards, though luck is key, with over 400 bird species, like hornbills, enhancing your game drives. The park’s scenic variety will be the first location on your 10-Day Off the Beaten track Tanzanian safari, exploring the Northern Circuit.

Lake Natron, Tanzania

Lake Natron, a remote soda lake spanning about 600 km², is famed for its stark beauty and flamingo breeding grounds, set against volcanic landscapes and the active Oldoinyo Lengai. Its off-the-beaten-path trails offer waterfall hikes and Authentic Maasai cultural encounters.

You might see flamingos, zebras, or ostriches, but sightings depend on chance. The area’s isolation and tribal villages make it a highlight of this 10-Day Off-the-Beaten-Path Tanzania Safari.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park, spanning 14,763 km², is renowned for its endless plains and Great Migration (May-September), when millions of wildebeests and zebras cross rivers; Grumeti and Mara Rivers. Its vast grasslands, kopjes, and forests host the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, black rhinos. The park is believed to be home of over 4,000 lions but the park is also a bird watching haven with more than 500 bird species recorded.

In Central Serengeti, you’ll have strong chances for sightings, especially during the dirier months. With a little bit of luck you will encounter cheetahs or hyenas, zebras, topis, gazelles, impalas, jackals and many other species. Your game drives anchor this Tanzania safari package with classic safari thrills.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, spanning 260 km². This natural enclosure hosts over 30,000 animals, offering high chances for sightings, though luck is key. Its springs and grasslands support wildlife year-round, even in rainy season; April & May.

You might see the Big 5 in a single day including lions, black rhinos, elephants, or leopards. Colorful flamingos and birds like storks can be seen in abundance, as well as many other birds. The crater’s dense ecosystem delivers unforgettable game drives for your 10-Day Off the beaten path safari in Tanzania.

Lake Eyasi, Tanzania

Lake Eyasi, a seasonal soda lake spanning about 1,050 km², is surrounded by acacia woodlands and rocky hills, home to the Hadzabe Bushmen and Datoga tribes. Its off-the-beaten-path setting offers immersive hunter-gathering and blacksmithing experiences. During the months of April – May’s, rains may fill the lake, attracting birds but dispersing larger wildlife.

You may encounter flamingos or pelicans, though sightings depend on luck, with cultural visits stealing the spotlight. Lake Eyasi’s tribal encounters enrich this 10-Day Off-the-Beaten-Path Tanzania Safari.

Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Tarangire National Park, covering 2,850 km², is famed for its elephant herds, baobab trees, and diverse landscapes. The Tarangire River sustains swamps, grasslands, and woodlands, drawing wildlife, though the rainy season may spread animals out, making sightings less predictable. During the dry season Tarangire never disappoints!

With a little luck you may spot elephants, giraffes, lions, or cheetahs, depending on luck, with over 550 bird species, like the ashy starling, enhancing your game drives. Tarangire’s scenic plains conclude your Tanzania safari package with a memorable

Where to Stay in the 10-Day Off-the-Beaten-Path Tanzania Safari

You will stay in mid-range accommodations chosen for their strategic locations, warm hospitality, and authentic wilderness connection. The following lodges and camps offer comfort and safari vibes.

You can upgrade to luxury options like Kisima Ngeda Camp or Ziwani Lodge in Lake Eyasi, or choose budget camps to suit your budget, customizing this 10-Day Tanzania safari tour to your preferences.

Check out an overview of the accommodations included in our published itinerary which are subject to revision in case you want to stay at cheaper places or upgrades to more luxurious accommodations.

Manyara Secrets, Lake Manyara

At Manyara Secrets, located on the edge of Lake Manyara National Park, you’ll enjoy a luxurious retreat with six spacious suites and one family villa, each featuring private verandas, en-suite bathrooms, and elegant decor blending African and contemporary styles. A Boutique lodge with great views over the lake and a nice breeze from the lake.

The lodge offers a sparkling infinity pool, a spa for relaxing treatments, and a restaurant serving gourmet meals with views of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Its intimate setting and proximity to the park ensure a serene start to your safari, with personalized service enhancing your experience.

Lake Natron Camp, Lake Natron

Lake Natron Camp, nestled in the shores of the Lake Natron, offers you a rustic yet comfortable tented experience with ten en-suite tents. An eco camp; each tent is equipped with solar-powered lighting, eco-flush toilets, and bucket showers, set against the dramatic backdrop of Oldoinyo Lengai.

You’ll dine on hearty, locally inspired meals in an open-air mess tent, with campfire evenings under the stars fostering a true wilderness ambiance. The camp’s eco-conscious design and proximity to Engaresero Falls and authentic Maasai villages make it ideal for your off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Baobab Central Serengeti Camp, Central Serengeti

Baobab Central Serengeti Camp, situated in the heart of Serengeti National Park, provides you with 22 spacious tented suites, each featuring en-suite bathrooms, private verandas, and modern amenities like solar power and Wi-Fi, designed to blend with the savannah’s natural beauty.

You will enjoy gourmet meals in a stylish dining tent, with panoramic views of the plains and evening campfires creating a classic safari atmosphere. Its prime location offers easy access to migration routes and wildlife hotspots, ensuring unforgettable game drives. In case you wish to stay at a more luxurious camp or a lodge (brick and mortar) in Serengeti, we can always customize your itinerary to your liking and budget.

Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge

Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge by Bougainvillea Safari Lodges, is set amidst a working coffee plantation near the Ngorongoro Crater’s main Loduare Gate. The lodge offers you 20 elegant rooms with fireplaces, private balconies, and modern amenities like Wi-Fi and minibars, reflecting a blend of colonial charm and African artistry.

You will savor farm-fresh cuisine in the plantation-style dining room, with a cozy lounge and spa for relaxation after your adventures. Its serene location and optional cultural coffee tours provide a unique complement to your safari experience.

Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge

Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge also owned and operated by famous locally owned Bougainvillea Safari Lodges, is perched on a hillside overlooking the seasonal Lake Eyasi. The lodge features eight stone-built chalets, each featuring en-suite bathrooms, private verandas, and rustic decor inspired by the surrounding woodlands.

You’ll enjoy locally sourced meals in a communal dining area, with a swimming pool and lounge offering relaxation before and after tribal visits.

Optional upgrades to Kisima Ngeda Camp, with eight palm-roofed tented chalets overlooking the lake, or Ziwani Lodge, offering upscale rooms with escarpment views, provide enhanced comfort and eco-friendly designs for your stay. Ask our Tanzania safari specialists for a free tour customization and advice.

Korongo Luxury Camp, Tarangire

Korongo Luxury Camp, located within Tarangire National Park, offers you 12 luxury tents with en-suite bathrooms, king-sized beds, and private verandas overlooking the bush. This camp is designed to blend luxury with the park’s wilderness.

Its strategic location inside the park and therefore near the Tarangire River ensures prime access to elephant herds and other wildlife, enhancing your final safari days. Other upgrades are also available if you wish to stay in a more luxurious camp. If you wish to spend less, we can also propose a cheaper option outside the park

Best Time to Take the 10-Day Off-the-Beaten-Path Tanzania Safari

The dry seasons—January-March and June-October—are ideal for your 10-Day Off-the-Beaten-Path Tanzania Safari. June-October offers prime wildlife viewing, with Serengeti’s Great Migration (June-September) and Tarangire’s animals gathering at water sources.

Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara provide consistent sightings all year through, with pleasant weather – daytime temperatures of 20-28°C. Perfect for game drives and hikes.

In the rainy months of April and May 2025, which is the long rains season, you’ll see lush landscapes and fewer crowds, but animals may be slightly harder to spot due to abundant water and vegetation.

Brief showers may affect hikes at Lake Natron or game drives, though roads remain accessible.

Logistics of the 10-Day Off-the-Beaten-Path Tanzania Safari

This 10 Days Tanzania Safari is a road safari. You will be travelling in a private 4×4 vehicle with a pop-up roof, ensuring comfort and great views during game drives.

Your journey starts in Arusha, with drives of 2-3 hours to Lake Manyara, 4-5 hours to Lake Natron, 5-6 hours to Serengeti via Loliondo, 3-4 hours to Ngorongoro, 1-2 hours to Lake Eyasi, 2-3 hours to Tarangire, and finally 3-4 hours to Kilimanjaro International Airport for flights back home. Despite of the length of the tour and  locations involved, it is still a well balanced road safari which can be taken even with your children and the elderly folk.

Your expert private safari guide will lead all activities, with the vehicle equipped for photography. He will also be incharge of balancing the park entry permits which are usually issued on 24 our basis but with a single entry policy.

Documents needed for this 10 day Off the beaten track Tanzania Safari

You will need a passport (with at least 1 empty page and has validity of at least 6 months), Tanzania visa. You can get your visa online

Yellow fever vaccination certificate will be required onl if you are travelling from a yellow fever endemic country or have travelled to Tanzania with a stop over of over 12 years in such a country.