What You Need to Know: The 8-day safari costs from US$3,800 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range level (US$2,730 budget, US$5,645 luxury), covering Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Lake Natron, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and a Hadzabe visit at Lake Eyasi. It suits travelers who want culture and landscapes as well as wildlife. For more time in the Serengeti instead, see the 7-day safari.
Is the 8-Day Northern Safari with Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi Right for You?
Choose this if you want more than game drives: the volcanic landscape and flamingos of Lake Natron, and the Hadzabe way of life at Lake Eyasi. The trade-off is one Serengeti night and some long, rough roads, especially to Lake Natron.
| This safari suits you if… | Consider another safari if… |
|---|---|
| You want culture and landscapes too | You want more Serengeti time: the 7-day or 10-day safari |
| You want to see Lake Natron's flamingos | You prefer short, smooth drives: the 6-day safari |
| You have eight days | You want the migration: the migration safari |
The 8-Day Northern Safari with Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi Route at a Glance
Arusha – Arusha National Park – Tarangire – Mto wa Mbu – Lake Natron – Serengeti – Ngorongoro crater rim – Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Manyara – Lake Eyasi – Arusha.
| Day | Route | Driving or flying | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha National Park | Short drives | Arusha |
| 2 | Tarangire – Mto wa Mbu | About 2.5 hours, then 1 hour | Mto wa Mbu |
| 3 | Lake Natron day trip | Long drive on rough roads each way | Mto wa Mbu |
| 4 | Mto wa Mbu – Serengeti | About 6–7 hours with a game drive | Central Serengeti |
| 5 | Serengeti – crater rim | About 4 hours after a morning drive | Crater rim |
| 6 | Ngorongoro Crater – Mto wa Mbu | About 1.5 hours after the crater | Mto wa Mbu |
| 7 | Lake Manyara – Lake Eyasi area | Short drives | Karatu or Lake Eyasi area |
| 8 | Hadzabe visit – Arusha | About 4 hours | — |
8-Day Northern Safari with Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi Itinerary, Day by Day
Wildlife days alternate with landscape and culture days, so no two days feel the same.
-
Day 1: Arusha National Park
A gentle first day in the park between Arusha and Mount Meru: giraffes, buffalo, colobus monkeys in the forest and the Momella lakes, often with flamingos. Your lunch box is eaten at a picnic site.
A gentle startArusha National ParkLunch box, dinner -
Day 2: Tarangire, then Mto wa Mbu
Tarangire game drives with a picnic lunch, then on to Mto wa Mbu at the foot of the escarpment.
Elephants and baobabsTarangireBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Lake Natron day trip
A long drive on rough roads to Lake Natron below Ol Doinyo Lengai, where lesser flamingos often gather, and back to Mto wa Mbu. The landscape is stark and spectacular; the local village and activity fees are included.
Flamingos and volcanoesLake NatronBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Mto wa Mbu to the Serengeti
Through the Ngorongoro highlands and into the central Serengeti, with a game drive to your lodge.
Into the SerengetiHighlands, SerengetiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Serengeti, then the Ngorongoro crater rim
A morning game drive, then about 4 hours to the crater rim.
Serengeti morningSerengeti, crater rimBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater, then Mto wa Mbu
A crater game drive and picnic lunch, then down to Mto wa Mbu.
The crater floorNgorongoroBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 7: Lake Manyara, then the Lake Eyasi area
A game drive in Lake Manyara, then on towards Lake Eyasi for the night.
Forest and lakeLake ManyaraBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 8: Hadzabe cultural visit, return to Arusha
An early morning with the Hadzabe community, arranged locally, then the drive back to Arusha.
CultureLake EyasiBreakfast, lunch
What You Can See on the 8-Day Northern Safari with Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi
Arusha National Park, between Arusha and Mount Meru, has giraffes, buffalo, colobus monkeys in the forest and the Momella lakes, often with flamingos. It is the closest park to Arusha and a gentle first day.
Lake Natron is a soda lake in the Rift Valley below Ol Doinyo Lengai, the Maasai's 'mountain of God' and an active volcano. Lesser flamingos often gather on the lake, and the landscape is unlike anywhere else on the circuit. The road there is long and rough, so it suits travelers who want something different from game drives.
Lake Eyasi is home to the Hadzabe, one of the last hunter-gatherer communities in Africa. A morning visit, arranged with the community, which receives the visit fee, shows how they live from the bush around the lake.
Where You Stay and What You Eat on the 8-Day Northern Safari with Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi
| Night | Area | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha | Parachichi House, The Charity Hotel | Greenside Hotel, Samora River Lodge | Arusha Coffee Lodge, Gran Meliá Arusha |
| 2 | Mto wa Mbu | Fig Tree Lodge, Nsya Lodge | Moonbow Lodge, Mawe Mawe Manyara | Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge |
| 3 | Mto wa Mbu | Fig Tree Lodge, Nsya Lodge | Moonbow Lodge, Mawe Mawe Manyara | Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge |
| 4 | Central Serengeti | Maboresho Tented Camp, Nyani Campsite | Mberesero Serengeti Central Lodge, Serengeti Classic View Camp | Serengeti Serena Lodge, Four Seasons Serengeti |
| 5 | Ngorongoro crater rim | Ngorongoro Wild Camp, Simba Campsite | Ngorongoro Safari Lodge, Ang'ata Ngorongoro | Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, Lion's Paw |
| 6 | Mto wa Mbu | Fig Tree Lodge, Nsya Lodge | Moonbow Lodge, Mawe Mawe Manyara | Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge |
| 7 | Karatu, for Lake Eyasi | Bougainvillea Lodge, Karatu Villas | Karatu Tented Lodge, Eileen's Tree Inn | Maasailand Coffee Lodge |
How Much Does the 8-Day Northern Safari with Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi Cost?
The 8-day safari costs from US$3,800 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range level, US$2,730 on a budget basis and US$5,645 at luxury level. The Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi fees are included, so the price covers the whole route.
| Travelers | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US$4,250 | US$5,635 | US$7,720 |
| 2 | US$2,730 | US$3,800 | US$5,645 |
| 3 | US$2,245 | US$3,295 | US$4,910 |
| 4 | US$2,095 | US$3,170 | US$5,015 |
| 5 | US$1,935 | US$2,990 | US$4,700 |
| 6 | US$1,885 | US$2,960 | US$4,800 |
Park fees on this route
| Fee | 2026 rate (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Arusha National Park | About US$59 per person per 24 hours |
| Tarangire National Park | About US$59 per person per 24 hours |
| Serengeti National Park | US$82.60 per person per 24 hours |
| Serengeti concession fee (nights inside the park) | Per person per night, by season |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area (also charged when you drive through) | US$70.80 per person per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro crater service fee | US$295 per vehicle per descent |
| Lake Manyara National Park | About US$59 per person per 24 hours |
| Lake Natron, Lake Eyasi and village fees | Local fees, included |
What the 8-Day Northern Safari with Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi Price Includes
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and your own driver-guide
- All park fees and the Ngorongoro crater service fee
- 7 nights' accommodation at the level you choose
- Lunch box on Day 1; other meals at your lodges
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights and visas (US$100 for US citizens)
- Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult from October 1, 2026 (we can help you buy it)
- Travel insurance, including medical evacuation
- Tips for your guide and lodge staff
- Drinks at lodges and personal items
- Arusha hotel nights and airport transfers, which we can add
- Optional activities such as a Serengeti balloon flight
Tips are the main extra. We suggest US$10–25 per person per day for your driver-guide, or US$40–60 per vehicle per day for a group, plus US$5–10 per guest per night for lodge staff. For this 8-day safari that is about US$80–200 per person for the guide. See our safari tipping guide.
When Is the Best Time for the 8-Day Northern Safari with Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi?
June to October and January to February are best. Lake Natron's flamingo numbers vary with the season and water levels, and the Natron road is hard going in the rains, so we don't recommend this route in April and May.
8-Day Safari Compared with the 7-Day and 10-Day
The 8-day trades Serengeti time for Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi.
| 7-day | 8-day | 10-day | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serengeti nights | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Lake Natron and Eyasi | No | Yes | No |
| Price from (2, mid-range) | US$3,680 | US$3,800 | US$5,085 |
See the 7-day and 10-day safaris.
How to Book the 8-Day Northern Safari with Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
What Else to Read Before You Book
This page covers what is particular to the 8-Day Safari. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:
- Our safari vehicles: the Land Cruisers we use, pop-up roofs, charging and who drives.
- Airport transfers and nights in Arusha: getting from Kilimanjaro airport to the start of your safari.
- Zanzibar beach holidays: adding a few days on the coast after the safari.
- Safari safety tips: how game drives, camps and walks are kept safe.
- Vaccinations and travel health: malaria, yellow fever and what to ask your doctor.
- Tipping on safari: how much to give your driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Booking and cancellation terms: deposit, payment and refunds.
Common Questions About the 8-Day Northern Safari with Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi
Is the Hadzabe visit respectful?
It is arranged with the community, which receives the visit fee. Your guide explains the customs, and photography is by consent.
Are Lake Natron fees included?
Yes. The local village and activity fees are included in the price.
Is the safari private?
Yes. Your vehicle and guide are for your group only.
The Bottom Line
Choose the 8-day safari if you want northern Tanzania's landscapes and cultures as well as its parks. If the Serengeti is your priority, the 7- or 10-day safari gives it more time.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our sales team will reply with a written quotation.