Plan your Self Drive

13 Day Tanzania Safari

13 day Tanzania safari itinerary
Lion resting beside a Safari Masters safari vehicle
Giraffes standing in the savannah
Rooftop tent and ladder set up on a Land Cruiser in a pine forest

Durations

13 days / 12 nights

Group Size

Up to the seats of your vehicle

Price per person

$ 7,280.00

13 Days in Northern Tanzania Self-Drive Safari: Parks, Culture & Kilimanjaro Foothills - Overview

Embark on a 13-day self-drive safari through Northern Tanzania, perfect for independent travelers. This well-paced journey combines iconic wildlife, cultural immersion, and scenic natural stops. With your own 4×4 vehicle, you’ll explore highlights like Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti, while also experiencing local life in Mto wa Mbu and Moshi. Moreover, the itinerary blends freedom and adventure, allowing you to travel at your own pace.
Fully-equipped 4×4 Land Cruiser with rooftop tent
Offline GPS routes & printed roadbook
24/7 phone support
Pre-booked park permits & campsites
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Itinerary

Day 1Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your lodge in Arusha. After check-in and a welcome briefing, take the rest of the day to relax from your journey.
Lodge Arusha Planet Lodge
Meet our team for your vehicle handover and a full safari briefing. Shop for supplies in Arusha, then drive to Tarangire National Park for your first game drive.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Baobab Tented Camp

Explore the park’s baobab-filled savannahs and follow elephant herds along the Tarangire River. Enjoy a full day of self-drive adventure in one of Tanzania’s most peaceful parks.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Baobab Tented Camp

Take a short drive to the colorful village of Mto wa Mbu. Choose a guided village walk or cycling tour to meet local families, visit banana farms, and enjoy a traditional Tanzanian lunch.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Karatu Tented Lodge

Depart early and drive along the scenic Ngorongoro Crater rim. Continue into the Serengeti, watching wildlife as you enter through Naabi Hill Gate. Camp or stay in a lodge deep in the savannah.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Mawe Serengeti Tented Camp

Spend the day exploring the heart of the Serengeti. Search for lions, cheetahs, elephants, and the Great Migration. Optional sunrise balloon safari available on request.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Mawe Serengeti Tented Camp

Spend a second day visiting central Serengeti. You might witness the Great Migration—thousands of wildebeest and zebras moving in search of greener pastures. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wild and take your time to soak in one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes.
Camping Public campsite

Lodge Mawe Serengeti Tented Camp
Enjoy a morning drive in the Serengeti, then head back east to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Karatu Tented Lodge

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning safari in this unique ecosystem.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Karatu Tented Lodge

Drive from Karatu via Arusha toward Moshi and stop at the Kikuletwa Hot Springs. Plan for about 4–5 hours on the road. Afterwards, swim in the crystal-clear turquoise pools of this beautiful natural oasis.
Camping Kikuletwa campsite
Travel to Materuni Village at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Hike to a lush waterfall and join a hands-on Chagga coffee experience—from bean to cup.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Tulivu Kilimanjaro Retreat

Go for a day hike on the Marangu Route, one of the main trails up Mount Kilimanjaro. A licensed park guide must join you on this hike. Enjoy forest views, mountain air, and your last night near the slopes of Africa’s tallest mountain.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Tulivu Kilimanjaro Retreat

After breakfast, drive back to Arusha. Return your vehicle and transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport or your post-safari accommodation.

Faqs

Do I need 4x4 experience for this trip?
No prior 4×4 driving experience is required. Full instruction and support are provided before departure.
Yes, with our detailed briefings, roadmaps, GPS, and support network, self-driving in Tanzania is safe with proper preparation and incredibly rewarding.
We provide fully-equipped Toyota Land Cruisers, ideal for Tanzania’s terrain, with pop-up roofs for wildlife viewing.
Absolutely. This itinerary can be customized with a mix of public campsites and mid-range or luxury lodges.
June to October offers great wildlife sightings and dry weather. December to March is also ideal, especially for calving season in the southern Serengeti.
Yes, all park and conservation fees are included in the quoted cost.
Yes, with appropriate adjustments. We recommend it for families with older children due to the travel distances and camping.

Stories from Our Africa RoadTrip Adventure

Lions resting in the grass on a Safari Masters game drive

A True Feeling of Freedom on the African Roads

Laly B, April 2025

“A great experience every time” …

Read the full review on Tripadvisor
Safari Masters 4x4 self drive safari vehicle in the bush

Self-drive safari Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Mara River

Felix Drinkall

We had such a great experience with Safari Masters. We self-drove through the Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorogoro, Serengeti, and up to the Mara River to see the Great Migration. The car was powerful, very reliable and well-stocked. We also had great support from Felix who helped us work out where we should stay on our journey
Read full Review
Front view of a Safari Masters 4x4 safari vehicle

4x4 with a rooftop tent and pop-up roof from Safari Masters

Tidjane Mangane

Unforgettable self-drive safari thanks to Safari Masters! My wife and I rented a 4×4 with a rooftop tent and pop-up roof from Safari Masters in Arusha for a 5-day self-drive through Ngorongoro and the Serengeti — and it was the adventure of a lifetime.
Read full Review

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