The Tanzania Classic – Simba Lodges

Spend the morning at leisure, with optional activities available (payable locally). After a safari briefing and lunch at the hotel, depart for Tarangire National Park. As you leave the bustling city of Arusha behind, the landscape opens up to vast plains scattered with traditional grass-thatched huts. Along the way, it is common to see young children herding cattle and sheep. In the distance, the imposing wall of the Great Rift Valley rises on the horizon. Arrive in the afternoon at your tented lodge, located adjacent to the park, where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation at Tarangire Simba Lodge on a full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks).

Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park, located in northern Tanzania, is one of the country’s most rewarding yet often overlooked safari destinations. Covering approximately 2,850 square kilometres, the park is renowned for its vast, rugged landscapes, ancient baobab trees, and a rich diversity of wildlife. During the dry season, Tarangire becomes a magnet for animals, drawing one of the highest concentrations of wildlife outside the Serengeti. The life-giving Tarangire River, which winds its way through the park, is a crucial water source for herds of elephants, wildebeest, zebras, and antelope.

The park is particularly famous for its elephant population, offering visitors remarkable close-up encounters with these majestic creatures. It is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 500 recorded species, including vibrant, yellow-collared lovebirds, bateleur eagles, and the rare ashy starling. Predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs are also present, often seen stalking the open savannah or resting in the shade of acacia trees. The dramatic scenery, shifting from open plains to swamps and woodlands, provides a varied and stunning backdrop for wildlife viewing.

Tarangire’s distinctive character lies in its quieter, more authentic atmosphere compared to the more famous parks nearby. Visitors can explore its beauty through traditional game drives, guided walking safaris, and cultural visits to nearby Maasai and Barabaig communities. Whether it’s marvelling at a parade of elephants silhouetted against a fiery sunset or listening to the calls of distant lions at night, Tarangire National Park offers an unforgettable and deeply immersive safari experience.

Tarangire Simba Lodge
Tented Rooms
Tarangire National Park is a gem on the northern safari circuit. Teeming with wildlife, especially in the dry season, this area is a safari-goer's dream. The camp is located near the Sangaiwe Gate of Tarangire National Park.

Accommodation at Tarangire Simba Lodge is in sixteen classic canvas safari tents situated permanently under thatch. The spacious tents are constructed on platforms complete with wooden floors, a large en-suite dressing room, toilet and shower. There are twin and queen tents; triples are possible. There is also a family tent with two queen-sized beds. Additionally, there is an outdoor shower, and each tent has a private veranda with views to the bush and Lake Burunge. Furnishings are handcrafted from African hardwood, complemented with tastefully selected fabrics; electricity and hot water are solar-powered. Full amenities are provided.

Meal Plan: Full Board

After a morning game drive and lunch at the lodge, depart the Tarangire region. Your journey takes you through the surrounding bushland, passing small Maasai villages and farmland. The road is mostly unpaved but generally well-maintained, with occasional bumps and dips.
After approximately 20 minutes, you will reach the town of Makuyuni, where you turn left onto the main road leading towards Lake Manyara, the Great Rift Valley, and onward to Karatu town. This section of the drive is on a paved road in good condition, winding through lush green hills and valleys, with stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.

As you near Karatu, you will notice small roadside markets and shops. Karatu itself is a lively, bustling town, known for its vibrant local market and its location near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Upon arrival at your lodge, check in and enjoy the remainder of the day and evening at leisure.

Accommodation at Karatu Simba Lodge on a full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks).

Karatu Simba Lodge
Tented Rooms
Located between Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro, Karatu Simba Lodge is nestled up against the lush Ngorongoro Forest Reserve.
Travellers can take a break from the safari trail to experience a taste of rural Tanzanian life, relax and enjoy the changing rhythm and landscape of the seasons. Sleep under the Southern Cross listening to the call of bush babies and montane night jars.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Depart early from your lodge and enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Your journey begins with a climb up the back wall of the crater, continuing to the rim before descending to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater. Here, you will enjoy a game drive in what is often referred to as a natural wildlife paradise. Covering just 102 square miles, yet home to over 30,000 resident mammals, the crater offers an excellent opportunity to encounter all members of the famed Big Five.

A picnic lunch box will be provided and enjoyed at a scenic spot within the crater floor, allowing you time to relax and absorb the stunning surroundings. In the afternoon, ascend once more to the crater rim and continue to your lodge, where dinner and an overnight stay await.

Accommodation at Karatu Simba Lodge on a full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks).

Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, located in northern Tanzania, is one of Africa’s most extraordinary protected regions, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Covering over 8,000 square kilometres, it encompasses a diverse range of habitats, from open grasslands and volcanic craters to dense forests and sweeping highlands. The area was established to conserve wildlife while allowing the traditional Maasai communities to maintain their pastoral lifestyles, creating a rare balance between human and wildlife co-existence.

At the heart of the conservation area lies the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact, unfilled volcanic caldera. Formed approximately two to three million years ago after the collapse of a massive volcano, the crater spans about 19 kilometres in diameter and drops 600 metres to the floor below. This natural enclosure creates a unique ecosystem, supporting an astonishing concentration of wildlife year-round, including lions, elephants, black rhinos, buffalo, and large herds of wildebeest and zebra. The crater's permanent water sources, including Lake Magadi and several freshwater springs, ensure that the resident animals rarely need to migrate, offering exceptional game viewing in all seasons.

The Ngorongoro Crater is often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World," thanks to its breathtaking scenery and prolific wildlife. Visitors can expect dramatic vistas from the crater rim before descending into a landscape teeming with life. In addition to game drives, the conservation area offers opportunities for cultural visits to Maasai villages, birdwatching, and exploration of archaeological sites such as Olduvai Gorge, famously known as the cradle of humankind. Whether viewed from above or explored at ground level, Ngorongoro offers an unforgettable experience of Africa's natural beauty and ancient heritage.

Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast, depart your lodge and begin your journey back to Arusha, arriving in the city in time for lunch (drinks not included). Following lunch, you will be transferred to either Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport for your departure flight (arranged by your agent or booked independently). End of our services.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch