This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines open now

User menu
FROM US$9,100-US$14,140

Tinkerbird Fly-in Safari

Explore Tanzania’s famous northern circuit in Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park. Four smart sister camps offer a high level of care, first-class guiding and a wide range of activities.

Tinkerbird Fly-in Safari: Day-by-day

More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Tinkerbird Fly-in Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.


Day 1

Starts: Kilimanjaro International Airport

On arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by a guide with a name board after you've collected your bags.

Day 1

Kilimanjaro to Tarangire by light aircraft & 4WD

At the domestic terminal, board a light aircraft for Tarangire, and keep an eye out for wildlife as you come into land after around 40 minutes. A guide from Oliver's Camp will meet you for the hour's game drive back to camp, shadowing the eastern edge of the Silale Swamp.

Oliver's Camp
Days 1-3

Oliver's Camp

2 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesTarangire National Park, Tanzania

In the quiet south-east of Tarangire National Park, beside Silale and Lormakau marshes, Oliver's Camp is a lovely tented camp set on a low, sandy ridge. It is particularly good for wildlife in the height of the dry season, when the marshes attract huge herds of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. It used to have a separate satellite camp, Little Oliver's, close by, but now the two camps are incorporated as one, with a suspension-bridge-style raised walkway linking the two, over an area of dense bush.

Oliver's Camp

In the quiet south-east of Tarangire National Park, beside Silale and Lormakau marshes, Oliver's Camp is a lovely tented camp set on a low, sandy ridge. It is particularly good for wildlife in the height of the dry season, when the marshes attract huge herds of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. It used to have a separate satellite camp, Little Oliver's, close by, but now the two camps are incorporated as one, with a suspension-bridge-style raised walkway linking the two, over an area of dense bush.

"beautiful location and accommodation… extraordinary catering "

BrydonfromUK

Arrived 18 Jan 2024, 3 nights

Oliver's is a lovely tented camp with a great location in the far south of the park. It retains a real bush camp feel, and has a rustic charm. The food, service and guiding here are very good and the camp offers a great wilderness experience. See our full report on Oliver's Camp

96%
60 reviews of Oliver's Camp by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Hot air ballooning

Night drive

Day 3

Tarangire to Ngorongoro by light aircraft & 4WD

Departing Oliver's, board a spectacular flight of about 20 minutes to Lake Manyara, before continuing by road. After the bustling, dusty town of Karatu you'll be driven up the Ngorongoro Crater, around the rim and on through rugged but beautiful scenery to The Highlands, arriving within some 2½ hours.

The Highlands
Days 3-5

The Highlands

2 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesNgorongoro Crater, Tanzania

The Highlands is located north of the Ngorongoro Crater, far from other camps in a forested area near the Olmoti Volcano. The design is unique – you won't find another camp like this anywhere else in East Africa.

The Highlands

The Highlands is located north of the Ngorongoro Crater, far from other camps in a forested area near the Olmoti Volcano. The design is unique – you won't find another camp like this anywhere else in East Africa.

"it is a lovely camp with great accommodations"

Mrs K.fromNice

Arrived 7 Sep 2023, 2 nights

The big draws of The Highlands are its location – far from other camps in the area and with beautiful views – and the opportunity to do some great walks and cultural activities, all from a stunning property with good food, service and guiding. Although this not one of the closest options for the Ngorongoro Crater, the drive there is beautifully scenic. If you can cope with a chilly start to the day, and are not looking for a typical safari camp, we think The Highlands is an inspired choice. See our full report on The Highlands

91%
25 reviews of The Highlands by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Safari in Ngorongoro Crater
Day 4

Safari in Ngorongoro Crater

To drive into the Ngorongoro Crater is to immerse yourself in a renowned wildlife park. Prides of lion and clans of hyena patrol amongst herds of zebra, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle, whilst flocks of crowned cranes keep out the way of jackals. Come for elephants with big tusks, too. And then there are the rhino… Read all about Ngorongoro Crater safari

Day 5

Ngorongoro to the Serengeti by 4WD & light aircraft

Leaving The Highlands by 4WD, descend towards the open plains and Lake Manyara Airstrip for your 45-minute flight to the central Serengeti. A guide from Dunia will meet you at Seronera Airstrip for the drive to camp, taking about an hour – or longer if you stop to watch wildlife.

Dunia Camp
Days 5-7

Dunia Camp

2 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesSerengeti Migration Area, Tanzania

Dunia Camp is situated near the Moru Kopjes, in the south of Tanzania's central Serengeti National Park. This elegant yet unpretentious camp is in a good area for seeing both the wildebeest migration between December and March, and the resident game of the central Serengeti all year round. Affectionately known as the "ladies camp", it is Tanzania's first and only safari camp to be fully led and run by female staff. It has a very inspiring atmosphere.

Dunia Camp

Dunia Camp is situated near the Moru Kopjes, in the south of Tanzania's central Serengeti National Park. This elegant yet unpretentious camp is in a good area for seeing both the wildebeest migration between December and March, and the resident game of the central Serengeti all year round. Affectionately known as the "ladies camp", it is Tanzania's first and only safari camp to be fully led and run by female staff. It has a very inspiring atmosphere.

"Dunia met my expectations. All of staff were very friendly and kind,"

Mrs MfromJapan

Arrived 1 May 2023, 3 nights

Dunia Camp is a stylish yet unfussy camp in the Serengeti. It offers a high-quality base from which to explore the south-central Serengeti area, which has excellent game viewing year round, but is especially good from about December to March when the wildebeest migration passes through. See our full report on Dunia Camp

94%
53 reviews of Dunia Camp by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Hot air ballooning

Day 7

Crossing the Serengeti by light aircraft & 4WD

Today you'll return to Seronera Airstrip for your flight of around an hour to the northern Serengeti. A guide from Sayari will be waiting at Kogatende Airstrip for the drive of some 15 minutes to camp, although you might first divert to seek out wildlife along the Mara River.

Sayari Camp
Days 7-9

Sayari Camp

2 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesSerengeti Migration Area, Tanzania

Sayari Camp is a luxurious, permanent camp situated in the far north of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. The Mara River meanders from east to west through this remote region's undulating bush, which is home to permanent, large populations of plains wildlife. This part of the Serengeti ecosystem is also a spectacular area to witness the great wildebeest migration.

Sayari Camp

Sayari Camp is a luxurious, permanent camp situated in the far north of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. The Mara River meanders from east to west through this remote region's undulating bush, which is home to permanent, large populations of plains wildlife. This part of the Serengeti ecosystem is also a spectacular area to witness the great wildebeest migration.

"A great camp in the northern Serengeti"

ChrisfromGermany

Arrived 19 Mar 2021, 4 nights

Our consistent experience is that Sayari is a well-run camp, with high levels of very personal service and great food. While the sheer luxury of the camp will not appeal to lovers of the wilderness, its biggest attraction is its location: perfect for witnessing the migration, at the right time of year. That said, we have noticed that this northern stretch of the Serengeti is no longer as quiet as it used to be, although out of season it is still very quiet up here. See our full report on Sayari Camp

96%
62 reviews of Sayari Camp by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Fly-camping

Hot air ballooning

Day 9

Serengeti to Kilimanjaro by 4WD & light aircraft

You may have time for a game drive en route to the airstrip this morning before boarding your light aircraft. During the flight, which usually stops for passengers to board or alight, take in the views over the Serengeti and possibly the Ngorongoro Highlands before landing after around three hours.

Day 9

Ends: Kilimanjaro International Airport

You'll arrive at Kilimanjaro in time to catch your onward flight.

Inspire me

Need inspiration?

Let our trip chooser narrow down the options for you

Inspire me

Experiences you can add to this trip.

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.


Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk

Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk

Two to three hours

Discover the nuances of day-to-day life in the large Tanzanian village of Mto Wa Mbu with a knowledgeable local guide. This is not a village set up for tourists – Mto Wa Mbu is a real community and offers a chance to see a side of Tanzania that many visitors pass by.

More about Village Walk
91% (7 reviews)
Balloon Safari over the Serengeti

Balloon Safari over the Serengeti

Three hours - approx. one hour flight

As the sun rises over the Serengeti National Park in Northern Tanzania, climb aboard for an extraordinary adventure. For an hour you’ll float in a hot air balloon over beautiful savannah and woodland and a diversity of plains wildlife.

More about Balloon Safari
100% (18 reviews)
Empakaai Crater Hike

Empakaai Crater Hike

Half day, two - three hour walk

Spend a half day hiking through the Empakaai Crater, in the Highlands area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), led by an experienced guide and accompanied by a ranger.

More about Empakaai Crater Hike
100% (1 reviews)
Olmoti Crater walk

Olmoti Crater walk

Half day - two to three hour walk

Follow an ancient Maasai cattle trail on this private hike up the Olmoti Crater, led by an experienced guide and accompanied by an armed ranger. The crater may not compete in size with the neighbouring Ngorongoro Crater, but the birding is good, the mountain views wonderful, and the array of ferns is a botanist’s dream.

More about Olmoti Crater walk
90% (2 reviews)
Lake Manyara Safari

Lake Manyara Safari

Half-day or full-day

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park makes a great safari destination. Here, along with elephant herds and plains game, you’ll find jungle-like forests that are home to blue monkeys, a soda lake tinged pink by flamingos and some of Tanzania’s best birding.

More about Lake Manyara Safari
85% (48 reviews)
Crater Rim Walk

Crater Rim Walk

Half day - two hour walk

For some fantastic views, and the chance to see flora and fauna up close, take a walk along the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. Led by an experienced safari guide and accompanied by an armed ranger, you will be able to take in the scale and beauty of the landscape from a different perspective.

More about Crater Rim Walk
100% (3 reviews)
Olduvai Gorge visit

Olduvai Gorge visit

One - two hours

See for yourself the renowned archaeological site of Olduvai (or Oldupai) Gorge, which lies en route between the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park. Famed for the discoveries of early hominin remains as well as the Laetoli Footprints, the site offers beautiful views, an engaging museum and potentially the opportunity to visit an active dig.

More about Olduvai Gorge visit
94% (16 reviews)
Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway

Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway

Usually one hour

Experience the forest of Lake Manyara National Park from a whole new perspective – high up in the trees. The first suspended walkway in Tanzania, it stretches underneath the canopy for 370m between the mahogany and fig trees, giving intrepid visitors a unique view of the surrounding flora and fauna.

More about Manyara Treetop Walk
75% (4 reviews)

Login to Expert Africa

Sign in with password

Sign in with email link


New to Expert Africa? Create an account

Forgotten your details?

It's free & quick to set up

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online for your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Full site benefits of the site

Need some help? Talk to our team

Africa