A safari day follows the rhythm of the animals. Most wildlife is active in the cool hours after sunrise and before sunset, so days start early and include a rest in the middle. Here is what a normal day looks like on our northern circuit trips.
A typical day, hour by hour
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 05:30–06:00 | Wake-up call with tea or coffee brought to your tent. |
| 06:00–06:30 | Leave for the morning game drive as the park opens. |
| 09:00–10:00 | Breakfast back at camp or a picnic in the bush. |
| 12:30–13:00 | Lunch at camp or at a picnic site. |
| 13:00–15:30 | Rest, swim or read during the heat of the day. |
| 15:30–18:30 | Afternoon game drive until close to sunset. |
| 19:00–20:00 | Drinks by the fire, then dinner. |
This is a guide, not a rule. On a private safari you can stay out all day with a packed lunch, or skip a drive to rest. Full-day drives are often the best choice in the Serengeti, where the good areas can be far from camp.
The morning drive
Early morning is the best time to find predators. Lions are often still active after a night’s hunting, and leopards may be moving before they settle into a tree. The light is soft and good for photography. It is also cold, so bring a fleece and a hat.
The safari vehicle
Most safaris in northern Tanzania use a 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof. You can stand to look out and take photos. Every guest should have a window seat. On a private safari, the vehicle is only for your group.
Your guide drives and spots at the same time. Tanzanian guides are trained in wildlife, tracking and first aid, and many have spent years in the same parks. Ask questions. The more you tell your guide about what you want to see, the better they can plan the day.
Rules on game drives
- Stay inside the vehicle unless your guide says it is safe.
- Keep voices low at sightings.
- Keep arms and cameras inside when close to elephants or lions.
- Never feed animals.
- Vehicles stay on marked tracks in most areas.
Food and drink
Meals on safari are generous. Breakfast is usually cooked to order, lunch may be a buffet at camp or a picnic box in the bush, and dinner is often three courses. Lodges handle most dietary needs if you tell us in advance. Bottled or filtered water is provided in the vehicle and at camp.
Toilets on the road
Park gates, picnic sites and some viewpoints have toilets. Between them, your guide will find a safe place to stop. It is a normal part of safari life, and guides handle it discreetly.
Where you sleep
Accommodation ranges from lodges with pools to tented camps deep in the park. Tented camps are far from basic. Most have proper beds, en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers, and a private veranda. Mobile camps move during the year to stay close to the migration.
At night you will hear the bush: hyenas calling, lions roaring in the distance, hippos grazing near the tent. In unfenced camps, staff walk you to and from your tent after dark. Use the whistle or radio in your tent if you need anything.
The Ngorongoro Crater day
A crater day is different. Vehicles descend about 600 metres to the crater floor early in the morning. Time on the floor is limited, so you usually take a picnic lunch and return to the rim in the afternoon. It is one of the best places in Tanzania to see black rhinos. Our Crater & Manyara Quick trip includes a full crater day.
Travel days between parks
Moving between parks takes most of a day, but it is not wasted time. Drives through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and into the Serengeti pass Maasai herders, giraffes and huge open plains. Guides turn the journey into a long game drive. Read things to know before your first safari for tips on pacing.
How to get the most out of each day
- Be ready on time. The first hour after sunrise is often the best.
- Use binoculars. Many great sightings are too far for the naked eye.
- Be patient at sightings. Waiting 20 minutes at a sleeping lion can end with a hunt.
- Look at the small things. Birds, dung beetles and tracks make quiet stretches interesting.
- Put the camera down sometimes. Our photography tips help you take good pictures quickly so you can watch too.
If you want to try it in five nights, Serengeti & Crater covers the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater at a comfortable pace.
Frequently asked questions
Morning drives usually last three to four hours and afternoon drives two to three. Full-day drives with a packed lunch are common in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Parks have toilets at gates, picnic sites and some viewpoints. Between them, your guide can find a safe spot for a ‘bush stop’.
Yes. Tents are solid, with proper beds and bathrooms. In unfenced camps, staff walk you to and from your tent after dark.
