7 Days Tanzania Safari - 7 Days Tanzania Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Afternoon/Evening – Arrival in Arusha

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), where you’ll be warmly welcomed by your safari guide. Arusha is a lively city that serves as the gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. Known for its lush surroundings at the base of Mount Meru, it’s a great spot to rest before starting your safari adventure.
Transfer to Hotel

After arrival, you’ll be driven to your hotel in Arusha. Take some time to settle in, relax, and recover from your journey. The hotel provides a peaceful setting to get a good night’s rest before your first safari day.
Optional Exploration

If time allows, you can stroll around Arusha’s local markets, visit the Cultural Heritage Centre, or simply enjoy the amenities at your hotel. Arusha offers a blend of traditional Tanzanian culture and modern touches, with plenty of restaurants and shops.
Overnight: Hotel or lodge in Arusha

Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
7:00 AM – Breakfast at Hotel

Begin your day with a delicious breakfast, and get a briefing on the safari itinerary from your guide. Make sure your camera, binoculars, and day pack are ready for the adventure.
8:00 AM – Drive to Tarangire National Park

Embark on a scenic two-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. Known for its signature landscapes dotted with ancient baobab trees and impressive elephant herds, Tarangire’s rich ecosystem is a haven for diverse wildlife.
10:30 AM – Start of Game Drive in Tarangire

Upon entering the park, the game drive begins. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants, which are present in large numbers here, as well as other animals like wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, and various antelope species. Tarangire is also home to predators, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs. The Tarangire River is a life source for the animals, drawing a steady stream of wildlife throughout the day.
1:00 PM – Picnic Lunch in the Park

Pause at one of the picnic spots for lunch. Enjoy the views of the savanna as you savor your meal, with opportunities to observe animals at a distance.
2:00 PM – Afternoon Game Drive

Continue exploring the park, visiting various sections to catch glimpses of more wildlife and unique plant species. The park’s swamp areas are especially good for birdwatching, with over 500 species recorded, including ostriches, yellow-collared lovebirds, and hornbills.
5:30 PM – Arrival at Lodge/Camp

After a fulfilling day, head to your selected lodge or camp within or near Tarangire. Unwind, enjoy a hearty dinner, and discuss the day’s sightings with fellow travelers or your guide.
Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in or near Tarangire National Park

Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park
7:00 AM – Breakfast at Lodge

Enjoy a fresh breakfast to fuel up for the day. Take in the morning views and prepare to set out.
8:00 AM – Drive to Lake Manyara National Park

Depart Tarangire for the short drive to Lake Manyara National Park (about 1.5 hours). Known for its diverse ecosystem in a compact space, Manyara offers forests, acacia woodlands, and an expansive lake.
10:00 AM – Game Drive in Lake Manyara

Embark on a game drive in Lake Manyara. This park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which can sometimes be seen lounging in trees to escape the heat. Manyara is also home to elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and baboons, the latter of which form some of the largest troops in Africa. The lake attracts large flocks of flamingos, and the park’s birdlife is abundant and colorful.
12:30 PM – Picnic Lunch with Lake Views

Pause for lunch at a scenic spot near the lake, where you may spot hippos cooling off in the water.
2:00 PM – Afternoon Game Drive

Continue exploring the park’s various habitats, from dense woodlands to open savannahs and lush marshlands. Look for different animals and enjoy the peaceful scenery.
4:30 PM – Drive to Karatu

After the game drive, depart for Karatu, a small town near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The 30-minute drive allows you to enjoy the picturesque landscapes of the Rift Valley escarpment.
6:00 PM – Arrival and Dinner at Lodge

Check in to your lodge or camp, enjoy a delicious dinner, and relax for the evening.
Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in Karatu or near Lake Manyara

Day 4: Serengeti National Park (Central Serengeti)
6:00 AM – Early Breakfast and Departure

Start the day early with breakfast, and prepare for the journey to Serengeti National Park. The drive takes around 3-4 hours through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you may encounter Maasai herders with their cattle.
10:00 AM – Serengeti Game Drive Begins

Enter the Serengeti, famous for its endless plains and the iconic Great Migration. Begin a game drive en route to your accommodations in the Seronera area of Central Serengeti.
12:30 PM – Lunch at Camp

Arrive at your lodge or camp, check in, and enjoy a relaxing lunch.
2:00 PM – Afternoon Game Drive in Central Serengeti

Head out to explore the wildlife-rich Seronera region, known for predator sightings. Lions are often spotted lounging in the shade, and leopards may be seen resting in trees. Look out for cheetahs sprinting across open grasslands and hyenas patrolling in packs.
6:00 PM – Return to Camp

After an exciting day, head back to your camp for dinner and relaxation. The campfire and the sounds of the Serengeti at night make for a memorable evening.
Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in Central Serengeti

Day 5: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
6:00 AM – Sunrise Game Drive (Optional)

Start the day with an early morning game drive to witness the park at sunrise. The soft morning light is ideal for photography, and many animals are more active during these hours.
8:30 AM – Breakfast at Camp

Return to camp for breakfast. Afterward, enjoy some relaxation time at camp or get ready for a full day of game drives.
10:00 AM – Morning Game Drive

Continue exploring different areas of the Serengeti, focusing on any animals or regions you haven’t seen yet. The Serengeti ecosystem is home to a high diversity of wildlife, from majestic elephants to agile gazelles and striking bird species like secretary birds and lilac-breasted rollers.
12:30 PM – Picnic Lunch in the Bush

Enjoy lunch in the wilderness, surrounded by the vast plains of the Serengeti.
2:00 PM – Afternoon Game Drive

Spend the afternoon spotting more wildlife, keeping an eye out for the “Big Five” (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos) as well as other fascinating animals like warthogs, hippos, and crocodiles along the rivers.
5:30 PM – Return to Camp

Head back to your camp for dinner, relaxation, and another night immersed in the Serengeti’s wilderness.
Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in Central Serengeti

Day 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
6:00 AM – Optional Morning Game Drive

Take advantage of a last early morning game drive in the Serengeti before leaving.
8:30 AM – Breakfast and Check Out

Enjoy breakfast and pack up for the journey to Ngorongoro.
10:00 AM – Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Drive through the Serengeti toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with stops to take in scenic viewpoints and cultural sites. The route offers a glimpse into the Maasai way of life, with many Maasai communities living and herding their livestock in this area.
1:00 PM – Lunch en route

Stop for a picnic lunch at a scenic location before continuing on to the crater.
3:00 PM – Check-In and Relaxation at Lodge

Arrive at your lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Take in the breathtaking views of the crater, one of the largest intact volcanic calderas in the world.
6:00 PM – Dinner and Evening at Lodge

Enjoy a sumptuous dinner and take the evening to rest up for an exciting day in the crater.
Overnight: Lodge or camp on the Ngorongoro Crater rim

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater and Return to Arusha
5:30 AM – Early Breakfast and Descent into the Crater

After an early breakfast, descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater. This 100-square-mile caldera is home to a densely concentrated population of wildlife, making it one of Africa’s best safari destinations.
6:30 AM – Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater

Explore the crater floor, which hosts almost every type of East African animal. Spot the endangered black rhino, herds of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and an impressive lion population. The Lake Magadi area often has flamingos, while the swamp areas are frequented by hippos.
12:00 PM – Picnic Lunch

Enjoy a lunch break near the hippo pool, where you can watch the hippos while dining.
1:00 PM – Continue Exploring the Crater

After lunch, finish exploring the crater’s unique habitats and its diverse array of animals.
3:00 PM – Return to Arusha

Ascend the crater walls and start the drive back to Arusha (approx. 2-3 hours).
6:00 PM – Departure or Overnight in Arusha

Return to Arusha. If departing the same day, you can visit local markets or have a farewell meal before heading to the airport. Alternatively, check in for an additional night in Arusha.