Early in the morning, depart from Arusha and fly over the Serengeti plains, where the grass sways in the breeze and looks like a sea of shimmering gold. From the plane, elephant herds can be observed parading around the prairie, at first appearing as small dots in a gilded plain until the plane lowers, the elephants enlarge, and you land in the Serengeti Nature Reserve’s natural splendor.
Your Tanzanian safari will begin with a wildlife drive once you are on the ground. The Serengeti is one of the world’s most well-known wildlife reserves, both for its large number of species and the fact that it is home to one of the most famous lions ever created: Simba from “The Lion King.” The dry grass and soft ground suffuse the sunny afternoon. Explore the grounds with your knowledgeable guide, who will point out the various species of creatures that call the bush home.
Keep an eye out for the elephant herd that’s traveling toward the horizon. On the horizon, their big gray outlines loom large, and when close to the car, they loom even larger. Their tusks droop and tip, glistening slightly in the sunshine. Occasionally, stray leaves dangle from the elephant’s tusks, as if the elephant is conserving some leaves for later. As the sun sets over the horizon, they stand tall in the chilly sky. Before fading away in pursuit of a drinking hole, the elephants become a shadow in the approaching darkness.

The wildebeest migrate between the vast flatlands of the Serengeti and the continuous green of various areas of Kenya in what is known as “The Great Migration,” as the Serengeti’s lush green grass fades to a dry gold. Rise and shine in the Serengeti’s heartland of wildlife, where the sound of birdsong at sunrise is enough to remind you that the world around your campsite is open and inviting. It’s the same world that tempts you to get out of bed in the morning, enjoy the soothing warmth of your morning coffee, and jump back into your car after breakfast to see more.
The endless plain inhabited by millions of wildebeest stretching as far as the eye can see can be seen on both sides of the vehicle. Some graze on the fading grass alongside the road, staring at you as you watch their beady eyes, long horns, thin legs, and long bearded chins dip to the ground and tear the grass from the drying terrain. Their bodies are built for migration, allowing them to run for long periods of time and jump over obstacles such as fallen trees or large riverbanks.
 
The sound of clopping hoofs is almost deafening as the wildebeest travel in a line. Dust flies through the air as they run. Their guttural screams blend into the din. The bright stripes of zebras blend in with the gray herd of wildebeest. You take out your binoculars and stretch your eyes to the horizon, looking for the end of the gray mass, but there is none. The wildebeest appear to be as endless as the Serengeti, and you’re right in the middle of them, in the vast golden ocean of the plain, with no end in sight.

Before heading out on a morning game drive, start your day with a hearty meal. Local elephants are often drawn to your campsite’s wide area as well as the welcoming water tanks; after all, an elephant never forgets. This morning, you can wake up to one of the few extraordinary images of an elephant lowering its long trunk into the water tank in the cool of the morning. The elephant’s trunk lifts and contorts, taking up water and spraying it into its mouth and body.
Enjoy your breakfast meal while watching the elephant drink, bathe, and return to the wild before following its lead and leaving the camp. When the Serengeti is your morning playground, an early morning visit from an elephant is never enough. Look for the white tips of jackal tails in the dense grass, and listen for their high-pitched yip. They have the appearance of a medium-sized fox and are usually observed in pairs because they mate for life. As you finish your morning game drive, wave goodbye to the Serengeti’s beautiful plains.
Travel to the Olduvai Gorge. The bright afternoon light fills the air with the scent of freshly baked clay. The gorge’s rim resembles clay, rusty red from deteriorated sand that shimmers in the sunlight, just like the air. The gorge rim’s stratified colors, as well as the massive rock in the valley’s heart, demonstrate the evolution of the topography, which was carved out by two rivers cutting through the rugged terrain. Here you will see some of the oldest human fossils ever discovered. These fossils led scientists to assume that humanity began in Africa and spread to other continents after that. The museum also has a variety of different fossils and displays, ranging from the creatures that once roamed the area to what the gorge would have looked like before Mother Nature carved it. Continue on your way to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater once you’ve filled your mind with facts and your stomach with food. The aroma of freshly cut grass wafts across the cool evening breeze. The trees rattle in the breeze. You can look down into the crater even in the crimson glow of the setting sun, watching the distant color of Lake Makat sparkle.

In the dawn light, the morning mist that keeps the crater fresh and green fades. The sun breaks through the clouds, bringing with it a warm welcome. The crater is 25 meters in diameter and teems with life. The grass gleams in the sunlight, and dew drops twinkle in the early morning light. The grass stays green all year, keeping grazers satisfied and preventing migration. Because of the dependable herbivore population, the predators stay fat and happy.

You’ll be able to witness the incredible fauna up close and personal once you’re deep inside the crater. Hyena clans saunter through the lush greenery. Their heads drop down and their necks lengthen. Their tattered fur has dark brown speckles. Females grow to be larger than males and are more domineering. When the air is calm, the hyenas’ laughter may be heard in the distance as they call to one another. Watch them rummage down the road in search of an easy meal or an easy hunt, as they are known to be opportunistic predators. As you follow the colors out of Ngorongoro Crater, the rich flora of the crater reaches out and up to the rim, reminding you that what you have seen is unique and can’t be compared to anything else in the world or put a price on.
 
From the crater, continue on to the Mto wa Mbu village market. You’ll find a wide range of things to browse through if you’re looking for mementos or a sense of the local culture and surroundings. Rich blues, reds, and greens contrast in a collage of Maasai costumes shown to draw your attention. Plantains can grow to be as big as a wildebeest’s head, with the same brilliant green. The market area is filled with freshly cut wood and freshly harvested produce.
 
Woodcarvings are organized by size and can be customized to your preferences. Elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions, and buffalo are among the most popular carvings. As you walk through the Mto wa Mbu market and see the different colors of the fresh fruit shimmering in the fading sunlight, merchants will tell you, “Looking is free.” This will give you a taste of the local shopping culture and give you a chance to look at some souvenirs.

In Tanzania, another beautiful sunrise awaits you. The lake’s low mist rises and then dissipates. You will leave after breakfast to explore the depths of Lake Manyara National Park. The orange and gold sky fills the horizon until Lake Manyara no longer reflects the sun’s gold but glows bright pink in the morning air. Flamingos are abundant at the lake, which is known for its birdlife, and they shine as brightly as the sun along its shore, if the sun were indeed pink. Their necks entwine and twist, and their sharp, black beaks dig for fish in the clear water.
Pay attention to the trees as you drive along the bumpy track roads, because Lake Manyara is known for its tree-climbing lions. Their golden fur stands out against the deep bark of the trees as they relax among the branches, their tails dangling down and swishing in the cool breeze. The lions climb the trees to get a better view of the terrain, looking for signs of prey that might be hidden in the thickets of certain areas. There is a riot of color and movement swirling through and around Lake Manyara, between the tree-dwelling lions and the flock of flamingos.

The Great Rift Valley appears from a distance to be a massive rock wall that runs the length of Tanzania, and this is correct. The Great Rift Valley stretches from Jordan to Mozambique, and it is here that you stand, looking down on Tanzania’s lowlands. The rift’s rim, which resembles a mountain range, stretches into the distance. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about Tanzanian culture on a walking safari through villages that are still connected to their culture through current traditions and a desire to preserve their heritage in the face of modernity. From woodcarving to fishing, the region is rich in historic heritage and current economic activity, including ideas for geothermal power generation.

The Maasai, who are known for their wanderlust, make up a large portion of the Great Rift Valley’s population. Their clothing, cow and goat herding techniques, and patriarchal polygamist traditions with large families have all remained unchanged. People interested in learning more about Maasai culture will find them extremely courteous and welcoming. The kids scream with joy, crowd around you, and lead you to the village’s perimeter gate, the boma. Allow yourself to be entertained by the joyful singing of the children. You’ve discovered Tanzania’s hidden gem: its people, as the goats bleat and the cows moo.

You will have another opportunity today to learn about the Maasai people’s history through their own experiences and oratory. A Maasai guide will show you the differences in their clothing, including his bright red cloth, dangling earlobes, and a wide-beaded bracelet on his wrist.

Following your cultural education, go on a walking safari through the Great Rift Valley’s bush. Wander through the trees with your guide in search of the area’s wildlife’s hidden and quiet beauty. Leopard tortoises saunter through the grass, their shells a rich yellow with dark spots and swirls that resemble a leopard’s coat. Starlings sing in the trees, their blue feathers glistening in the sun. Slowing down for a moment and paying attention to what you may have sped past reveals the quieter beauty of the Great Rift Valley and Tanzania. Slow time down as much as possible to savor your final moments in the Tanzanian wilderness. Time will eventually speed up again, and your last day in Africa will come to an end. Return to Arusha at the end of your journey, filled with golden memories. Alternatively, consider extending your trip. Ideas and travel reviews can be found in the Tanzania safari tour package section.