12-Day Off-the-Beaten-Track Tanzania Safari — Mkomazi, Lake Natron, Serengeti, Ndutu & Ngorongoro
trip overview
A real Tanzania safari, away from the crowds.
This 12-day safari is for travelers who want more than the usual route. You will start at a peaceful farm lodge on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, then head into Mkomazi, a quiet park where you may not see another vehicle all day. From there you travel to Lake Natron, with its pink flamingos and dramatic volcano views, before entering the Serengeti and spending real time in Ndutu, one of the best places in Tanzania for wildlife. The trip ends with a sunrise game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, then a flight on to Zanzibar. You travel the whole way in your own private 4x4, with the same driver-guide by your side every day.
day-by-day itinerary
Where you go, what you do, and where you sleep each night.
You'll spend 3 nights at Kibo View Farm Lodge and 6 nights camping, split between a public campsite, simple wilderness campsites, and a special fully-serviced campsite in Ndutu.
Arrival in Moshi — Kibo View Farm Lodge
You'll land at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where our driver will meet you and take you to Kibo View Farm Lodge, set on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Once you settle in, take some time to enjoy the calm surroundings and the views of the mountain. This first evening is kept simple and relaxed, so you can rest after your flight before the trip begins properly.
Moshi Town & Kibo View Farm Experience
After breakfast, you'll spend the morning exploring Moshi town, a friendly, everyday Tanzanian town that most visitors never get to see.
Back at the lodge, a guide will show you around the farm — the gardens, the animals, and how the lodge grows much of its own food. The rest of the afternoon is left free, so you can simply enjoy the lodge, the gardens, and the mountain views.
Moshi — Mkomazi National Park
After breakfast, you'll leave Moshi and drive to Mkomazi National Park, one of the quietest and least-visited parks in Tanzania.
Once inside the park, you'll set off on an afternoon game drive across open plains, acacia trees and low mountains. Mkomazi feels very different from the Serengeti — you'll likely have long stretches without seeing another vehicle. Keep an eye out for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, buffalo, and a range of birdlife, along with the chance of predators. In the evening, you'll settle in at your campsite for the night.
Full Day in Mkomazi — Rhino & Wild Dog
Today is set aside completely for Mkomazi. After an early breakfast, you'll head out for a full day of exploring the park.
One of the highlights of the day is a possible visit to the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary (this depends on access on the day), where you can learn about Tanzania's work to protect its rhinos. Mkomazi is also known for its conservation work with African wild dogs, making this a rewarding stop if you've already visited the more famous parks. You'll return to camp in the late afternoon for another evening around the campfire.
Mkomazi — Back to Kibo View Farm Lodge
Enjoy one more relaxed game drive in Mkomazi this morning — a good last chance to spot wildlife and take photos.
After lunch, you'll begin the drive back towards Moshi, arriving at Kibo View Farm Lodge in the late afternoon. After a few nights of camping, you'll be glad of the hot shower, a comfortable bed, and a quiet evening at the lodge.
Moshi — Lake Natron
After breakfast, you'll set off for Lake Natron, driving through remote countryside and traditional Maasai areas along the way. This drive is very much part of the experience — it takes you far from the usual tourist routes.
You should arrive at Lake Natron in the afternoon. Depending on the time and the weather, there may be a chance for a walk around the lake and to watch one of the area's famous sunsets. Lake Natron is known for its striking volcanic scenery, its alkaline waters, and the huge numbers of flamingos that gather here.
Full Day at Lake Natron — Waterfalls & Optional Volcano Climb
Spend the day getting to know the unique landscape around Lake Natron. After breakfast, take a guided walk to the waterfalls, passing through beautiful volcanic scenery, with the chance to swim in some spots along the way.
Later, you'll visit the lake and its surroundings, with good chances for birdwatching and for seeing everyday Maasai life in the area.
Optional: climb Oldonyo Lengai. If you're up for a real physical challenge, you can begin a night climb of the Oldonyo Lengai volcano, usually starting around midnight. It's a demanding hike over steep volcanic ground, with the aim of reaching the top around sunrise, weather allowing. This is optional and comes at an extra cost — just let us know in advance if you'd like to add it.
Lake Natron — Central Serengeti
After breakfast, you'll leave Lake Natron and continue towards the Serengeti. Little by little, the volcanic scenery of Natron gives way to the wide-open plains the Serengeti is famous for.
Once you enter the park, you'll have game viewing along the way as you head towards the central area. Rather than spending several nights here, we use Central Serengeti as a well-placed overnight stop, so more of your time can be spent where it matters most — around Ndutu and Ngorongoro.
Central Serengeti — Ndutu
After breakfast, you'll drive to the Ndutu area, with more game viewing along the way. Slowly, the landscape shifts as you get closer to the southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Ndutu is a favourite with experienced safari travellers, thanks to its wildlife-rich plains, the seasonal movement of wildebeest and zebra, strong predator sightings, and generally fewer vehicles than some of the better-known parts of the Serengeti. You'll arrive at your special campsite and settle into your own private bush camp for the next two nights.
Full Day — Ndutu Wilderness Safari
This is one of the true highlights of the safari. Spend the whole day exploring the Ndutu area at an easy pace, with plenty of time for wildlife watching and photography.
Depending on the time of year, you may see wildebeest and zebra herds, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, gazelles and other plains game, along with large numbers of resident and migratory birds. There's no need to hurry — your driver-guide will let the day follow the wildlife, so you can stay longer at good sightings instead of sticking to a fixed schedule. You'll return to camp for another night under the stars.
Ndutu — Ngorongoro Highlands
After breakfast, enjoy one last morning game drive around Ndutu before setting off towards the Ngorongoro Highlands. The route takes you through dramatic highland scenery, past Maasai villages, with changing plants and views across the land as you climb.
You'll arrive at Simba A Campsite, near the Ngorongoro Crater, and spend the evening relaxing at camp. This is a deliberately simple camping night — a contrast to the special camp experience you had in Ndutu — before your big day in the crater tomorrow.
Ngorongoro Crater — Airport — Zanzibar
Rise early and head down into the Ngorongoro Crater for one final, spectacular game drive. The crater is one of Tanzania's most remarkable wildlife spots, letting you see a huge range of animals in a fairly small, easy-to-explore area.
Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the crater before climbing back up in the afternoon. From there, you'll be driven to the airport for your onward flight to Zanzibar, marking the end of your safari.
camping options
Two ways to camp on this trip.
You can choose how much comfort you want during the camping nights. Ndutu is always set up as a special, fully-serviced camp either way.
Option 1 — Special Bush Camping
A more comfortable, fully-serviced camping experience.
- Spacious safari tents
- Comfortable beds, mattresses & bedding
- Dining area & camp furniture
- Private or shared bathroom facilities, where available
- Camp staff who set up, take down, and cook for you
Option 2 — Simple Mobile Camping
A more hands-on, budget-friendly camping experience.
- Dome tents for two people
- Sleeping mattresses & sleeping bags
- Tables, chairs & cooking equipment
- Drinking water provided
- You can join in and help prepare your own meals
what's included
Exactly what's covered — and what isn't.
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle, just for your group
- Experienced, English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- Airport pick-up on arrival, and drop-off for your Zanzibar flight
- 5 nights at Kibo View Farm Lodge
- 6 nights camping, as set out in the itinerary
- All national park and conservation area entry fees
- Ngorongoro Crater conservation & crater service fees
- Mkomazi National Park fees, and Rhino Sanctuary visit where available
- Lake Natron area and guide fees, where applicable
- Special campsite fees in Ndutu, and all camping equipment for your chosen option
- All meals during the safari, as shown in the itinerary, plus drinking water in the vehicle
- Moshi town tour, Kibo View Farm tour, and guided Lake Natron & waterfall walk
- Government taxes and tourism levies
- International flights to and from Tanzania
- Domestic flights, including the flight from the mainland to Zanzibar, unless separately quoted
- Zanzibar accommodation and activities
- Travel and medical insurance (required), and visa fees
- Alcoholic & soft drinks outside of the supplied drinking water
- Laundry, souvenirs, and other personal expenses
- Tips for your driver-guide and camp staff
- Phone calls, internet and data charges
- Medical, evacuation or rescue costs
- Oldonyo Lengai climbing fees and mountain guide, if you choose to climb
- Extra accommodation or costs from flight changes, delays or road closures beyond our control
Important to know before booking
- This trip has long drive days and real camping nights — it suits travellers who want a wilder, more adventurous style of safari.
- The Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary visit depends on access and availability on the day.
- The Oldonyo Lengai night climb is optional, physically demanding, and comes at an extra cost.
- Pack for both warm days and cold nights — temperatures drop a lot at Ngorongoro and in the highlands.
- A Tanzania e-Visa is needed for most nationalities — apply at immigration.go.tz at least 3 weeks before travel.
- A yellow fever certificate may be required, depending on which country you travel through on the way.
- The flight from the mainland to Zanzibar is not included, but we're happy to help you book it.
pricing
What you'll pay — no hidden extras.
| Option | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Option A — Basic Camping Simple mobile camping throughout, fully-serviced special camp in Ndutu | $4,105 | Per person, based on a private group |
| Option B — Special, Fully Serviced Comfortable, fully-serviced camping throughout, including Ndutu | $4,755 | Per person, based on a private group |
Payment & extras
A deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due before departure. Full terms are on our booking policy page.
Flights to and from Tanzania, the flight on to Zanzibar, and any Zanzibar accommodation, can be arranged and quoted separately.
Ready to plan your off-the-beaten-track safari?
Reach out and we'll confirm dates, talk through the camping options, and send you a full quote.
frequently asked questions
Questions we get asked most often.
This route adds Mkomazi and Lake Natron, two areas most visitors never see, and gives you extra time in Ndutu, which is one of the best wildlife areas in the whole Serengeti ecosystem. We also avoid spending unnecessary nights in the busier parts of the Serengeti, using Central Serengeti only as a practical overnight stop.
Option A (Basic Camping) suits travellers who don't mind helping with simple camp tasks and want the lower price. Option B (Special, Fully Serviced) gives you a more comfortable set-up with camp staff doing the work for you, at every campsite, including Ndutu.
No, the climb is optional and comes at an extra cost, since it needs its own specialist mountain guide and fees. Let us know in advance if you'd like to add it to your trip.
On Day 12, after your final crater game drive, you'll be driven to the airport and flown on to Zanzibar. The Zanzibar flight, accommodation and any activities there are arranged separately — just ask and we can put together a Zanzibar add-on for you.
Most nationalities need a Tanzania e-Visa, available at immigration.go.tz. A yellow fever certificate may also be required, depending on your transit country.
We recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you confirm your booking. Full cancellation and payment terms are on our booking policy page.
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