7 Day Tanzania Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater &…

Day 1: Arusha – Tanzania

Your Tanzania Safari adventure starts when you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and meet your friendly driver who will take you to your luxury hotel in Arusha, at the foot of Mount Meru.

Settle in at the grand hotel and rest in your elegant en-suite room. Later, you can head out and see the sights of Arusha and sample the local cuisine at one of the town’s restaurants or dine at the hotel (own account) at a restaurant overlooking the lush gardens.

• Included Meals: None
• Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel in Arusha

Day 2: Arusha to Serengeti National Park – Tanzania

The second day of your wildlife safari in Tanzania begins with breakfast at the hotel. Then, you will check out and travel to Arusha Airport for a scheduled flight to the Seronera Airstrip in Serengeti National Park. Touching down in Africa's most famous national park your driver collects you and transfers you to our authentic tented camp.

This luxury safari camp is set on the banks of the Orangi River in the heart of Serengeti National Park. It is located in an area boasting exceptional wildlife sightings and easy access to Serengeti's famed hot air balloon safaris (available as an optional extra). Settle in and enjoy lunch in this scenic wild setting. Then dive right into your Serengeti Safari adventure on an afternoon 4x4 game drive in the Seronera region boasting excellent game viewing year-round.

The Serengeti National Park is Tanzania's largest wildlife park, covering 14,763 km² (5,700 mi²) of rolling savannah plains. Located at the heart of the larger Serengeti ecosystem, it is the country's oldest park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sets the scene for unforgettable game drives and guided nature walks.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Included Activities: Afternoon Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
• Optional Activities: Hot-Air Balloon Safaris
• Accommodation: Serengeti Luxury Tented Camp

Day 3: Serengeti Safari – Tanzania

The third day of our Tanzania Safari is dedicated to exploring the legendary Serengeti National Park teeming with wildlife. The Serengeti is home to tens of thousands of hoofed animals, that roam the savannahs in search of fresh grasslands. Be ready to witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration (in season) and marvel at the sight of these animals in their natural habitat.

Serengeti National Park is renowned for its large predators, big cats in particular. It is rated as one of the best places to take photos of lions and cheetahs. Other wildlife found in abundance include zebras, giraffes, hippos, gazelles, elands, impalas, klipspringers and warthogs.

After our morning game drive, we will return to the luxurious camp for lunch and a rest. You can also embark on a guided bush walk at the camp to experience the Serengeti ecosystem up close. Later we embark on an afternoon 4x4 game drive in the central Serengeti region which offers easy access to the Great Migration when it passes through and outstanding game viewing throughout the year. At the end of an eventful day of exploring Serengeti National Park, we return to our camp for a sumptuous dinner and spend the night in comfort as we prepare for a new wildlife adventure the next day.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Included Activities: Morning & Afternoon Game Drives, Guided Nature Walks
• Optional Activities: Hot Air Balloon Safaris
• Accommodation: Serengeti Luxury Tented Camp

Day 4: Serengeti Safari – Tanzania

Savor another full day on safari in Serengeti National Park, the most famous game park in Tanzania. Spend the entire day exploring the vast plains and its diverse wildlife including lions, giraffes, cheetahs, and hyenas among others. Get the chance to watch the sunrise and sunset over the plains and take home memories that will last a lifetime.

We embark on 4x4 game drives in the early morning and late afternoon or take an optional (extra cost) hot air balloon ride over Serengeti Park and join a guided nature walk at our safari camp.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Included Activities: 4x4 Game Drives, Guided Nature Walks
• Optional Activities: Hot Air Balloon Safaris
• Accommodation: Serengeti Luxury Tented Camp

Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater – Tanzania

After breakfast, we depart from the camp, enjoying a final 4x4 game drive in Serengeti Park. Then we take a leisurely drive into the highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping to visit the world-famous Olduvai Gorge paleoanthropological site, known as the Cradle of Mankind. After our tour of Olduvai, we tuck into our packed lunches and enjoy the scenery.

Then we take a slow drive to our ideally-located lodge with stunning views of the Ngorongoro Crater. The Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its high concentration of wildlife.

This afternoon we visit a traditional Maasai Homestead in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to experience a bit of local Tanzanian culture. The rest of the day is spent at our scenic lodge perched on the southern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, overlooking the yellow fever trees of the Lerai Forest.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner
• Included Activities: Morning Game Drive in Serengeti & Traditional Maasai Homestead Visit
• Accommodation: Safari Lodge at Ngorongoro Crater

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara – Tanzania

Day six of our Tanzania Safari starts with an early breakfast at the lodge, or we can head straight for the crater taking packed breakfasts to enjoy along the way. The morning is set aside for a 4x4 game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, frequently referred to as the world's eighth wonder. The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area is one of Africa's most well-known wildlife parks, hosting the world's largest inactive volcanic crater. The crater is also home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.

On our game drive, we are likely to encounter four of the Big 5 - lions, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos - and occasionally even leopards. Ngorongoro Crater is considered the best place to see rhinos in Tanzania. Other animals commonly seen in this compact reserve are hippos, wildebeest, cheetahs, hyenas, and zebras.

After our exhilarating 4x4 game drive, we have lunch before making our way out of the crater. Then we visit Simba Milima School (during term time) before driving to our next scenically-located lodge at Lake Manyara National Park. We spend the rest of the afternoon soaking up the beautiful views from our luxurious safari lodge before dinner.

• Included Meals: Breakfast/Packed Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner
• Included Activities: Half-Day Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater, Visit to a Local School
• Accommodation: Safari Lodge at Lake Manyara National Park

Day 7: Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha – Tanzania

Begin your final morning on safari in Tanzania with a leisurely breakfast at the lodge overlooking the Great Rift Valley. Then, take one last 4x4 game drive in Tanzania. We venture into Lake Manyara National Park for a morning game drive in this beautiful reserve. Keep an eye out for the famed tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara as we explore. Common sightings here include elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalos, hippos, wildebeests, monkeys, and baboons, along with a rich array of birds.

After our last rewarding game drive in Tanzania, you can either be transferred to the Manyara Airstrip for your optional onward flight (at extra cost), or you can be transferred to either Arusha or the Kilimanjaro International Airport.

If you choose to fly out of Manyara Airtstip the lodge will provide a packed lunch for you today. For those taking the road transfer from Lake Manyara to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport, we stop for lunch at a scenic lodge on a coffee plantation near Arusha if time allows. Then you're driven to Arusha or to the Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight, bringing our memorable Tanzania Safari adventure to a close.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch/Packed Lunch
• Included Activities: Morning Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park

Tanzania Safari Transport

This scheduled group safari is conducted in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with 12 guests at most.

At the start of this Tanzanian Safari, you are collected from the Kilimanjaro International Airport, near Arusha and Moshi. On day 2 you are transferred to Arusha Airport for a scheduled flight (at extra cost) to Seronera Airstrip in Serengeti National Park. The flight from Arusha to Serengeti is mandatory and is listed separately in the full pricing information.

At the end of this Tanzania Safari, you can catch an onward flight (at extra cost) from Lake Manyara. Alternatively, you will be driven back to Arusha or the Kilimanjaro International Airport in the 4x4 safari vehicle.

Safari Luggage Restrictions

This Tanzania Safari requires a domestic flight (from Arusha to Serengeti) by light aircraft and thus luggage restrictions apply. Due to the type of aircraft used for local flights guests are required to adhere to a baggage allowance of 15 kg (including hand luggage) in weight. The maximum size allowed for hand luggage is 21"x12"x9".

We recommend using soft duffel bags to carry your luggage. There are a few extra duffel bags available at the starting point of the safari for those who need to repack. Storage facilities are also available for guests to store excess luggage securely in Arusha, for collection on their return. For assistance with storage and repacking ask your safari guide at the start of the safari.

Tanzania Safari Accommodations

Each accommodation establishment on this safari has been carefully selected for its cleanliness, unique setting, proximity to nature, and great atmosphere, all while keeping home comforts in mind. This safari includes accommodations at a mix of 4-star luxury tented camps and traditional safari lodges.

Tanzania Safari Meals

For most of this Tanzania Safari breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, except for the last day of the safari where only breakfast is provided. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements when you book your tour. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets can all be accommodated. Snacks and drinks are not included in the tour price.

Customize this Tanzania Safari

This Tanzania Safari can be customized to meet your specific needs upon request. If you would like to book this Tanzania Safari for a private group, contact African Budget Safaris.

Wildebeest Great Migration Explained

Please note that the Wildebeest Great Migration is seasonal. As a natural wildlife phenomenon, it is fluid and unpredictable. For this reason, seeing the Great Migration cannot be guaranteed.

The wildebeest and other wild herbivores migrate between Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania. These herds move in a massive circular route covering some 1200 miles (1931km). It is a continuous movement of wildlife that can be seen in different areas at different times of the year. During certain phases of this annual trek the animals disperse or slow down, whilst at other times the migration picks up speed, with the herds becoming larger and denser. Not only does the Wildebeest Great Migration vary from place to place and season to season but the movement of these large wildlife herds varies from year to year.

Please talk to a travel expert from African Budget Safaris about seeing the Wildebeest Great Migration on your safari to find out more. Also, check out our detailed article about the Great Migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara.