7-Day Tanzania Safari (The Traveller’s Choice Tour Package).

(7-Day Ultimate Northern Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Bush Walk, 3 Nights Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara)

Trip Overview

Experience an unhurried, comprehensive exploration of East Africa’s wildlife regions on a seven-day journey across Tanzania’s Northern Circuit. Designed to eliminate long daily transits and maximise wilderness immersion, this route features an active bush walking safari in Tarangire National Park, three dedicated nights in the central savannas of Serengeti National Park, a morning descent into the UNESCO World Heritage Ngorongoro Conservation Area crater floor, and a final game drive through the groundwater forests of Lake Manyara National Park.

Guided by expert naturalists in private 4×4 vehicles, guests experience diverse biomes from riverine woodlands and baobab groves to open acacia plains and volcanic crater floors with ample time for deep predator tracking and birdwatching.

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Land of Baobabs & Giants

Meet your safari guide in Arusha at 8:00 AM for a safari briefing before departing southwest toward Tarangire National Park. Arrive by mid-morning and enter into game drives along the Tarangire River circuit, where large elephant herds gather alongside zebras, wildebeests, and giraffes during dry periods. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Matete viewpoint overlooking the riverbanks before continuing an afternoon drive toward the Silale Swamp. Check in to your camp or lodge inside or near the park for dinner and rest.

• Drive Time & Distance: ~2 hours / 120 km
• Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Comfort: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge / Tarangire Ang’ata Camp
• Luxury: Tarangire Safari Lodge / Maramboi Tented Lodge

 

Day 2: Tarangire Guided Bush Walk & Afternoon Drive to Karatu

Step out early on foot alongside an expert TANAPA park ranger and your safari guide for a guided bush walking safari. Walking through the wilderness provides an up-close perspective on tracking animal tracks, local plant life, and bird species. Return to camp for a late breakfast before continuing game drives through the park’s acacia woodlands. In the late afternoon, exit Tarangire and drive up into the temperate highlands of Karatu for dinner and overnight rest.

• Drive Time & Distance: ~1.5 hours / 90 km (Tarangire to Karatu)
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Comfort: Marera Valley Lodge / Farm of Dreams Lodge (Karatu)
• Luxury: Kitela Lodge / Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge (Karatu)

 

Day 3: Karatu to Central Serengeti National Park via Ngorongoro Highlands

Depart early after breakfast, ascending through the rainforests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before dropping onto the expansive Serengeti plains. Pause at Naabi Hill Gate for park clearance and a picnic lunch before entering the Seronera Valley. Spend the afternoon game driving through granite kopjes and acacia savannas, tracking lions, leopards, and cheetahs before arriving at your central tented camp for sunset.

• Drive Time & Distance: ~4 to 5 hours transit & en-route game viewing / ~170 km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Comfort: Kati Kati Tented Camp / Tanzania Bush Camps (Central Serengeti)
• Luxury: Ole Serai Luxury Camp / Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge (Central Serengeti)

 

Day 4: Full Day Exploration in Central Serengeti

Dedicate the entire day to game drives across the Seronera Valley, home to resident prides of lions, leopards resting in sausage trees, and large herds of grazers. Embark on a morning game drive during peak predator activity, followed by breakfast in the field or back at camp. In the afternoon, explore distant river systems and kopjes in search of hunting cheetahs before returning to camp for dinner under the stars.

• Drive Time & Distance: Full day game viewing across Central Serengeti
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Comfort: Kati Kati Tented Camp / Tanzania Bush Camps (Central Serengeti)
• Luxury: Ole Serai Luxury Camp / Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge (Central Serengeti)

 

Day 5: Central Serengeti Game Drives to Ngorongoro Crater Rim

Enjoy a final morning game drive across the Central Serengeti savannas, focusing on hidden kopjes and riverine channels. After a mid-day picnic lunch, begin your transit out of the park and enter the high-altitude forests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive at the crater rim in the late afternoon to take in panoramic views across the caldera floor before checking in to your rim lodge for dinner and overnight rest.

• Drive Time & Distance: ~3 to 4 hours transit / ~140 km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Comfort: Ngorongoro Angata
• Luxury: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / Lion’s Paw Camp

 

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Exploration Descent to Karatu

Descend 600 meters onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor at first light for a full morning game drive inside the volcanic caldera. Search for black-maned lions, spotted hyenas, bull elephants in the Lerai Forest, and the endangered Black Rhino. Pause for a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool at Ngoitokitok Swamp. In the afternoon, ascend the crater walls and drive a short distance back to Karatu for relaxation, dinner, and overnight rest.

• Drive Time & Distance: ~45 minutes crater rim to Karatu
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Options:

• Comfort: Farm of DreamsLodge / Country Lodge (Karatu)
• Luxury: Kitela Lodge / The Manor at Ngorongoro (Karatu)

 

Day 7: Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha or JRO Airport

After breakfast, descend the Great Rift Valley escarpment to explore Lake Manyara National Park. Pass through the park’s lush groundwater forest, home to olive baboon troops, blue monkeys, and bushbucks. Continue toward the alkaline lake shores to spot flamingos, pelicans, and storks, while scanning acacia branches for tree-climbing lions. After lunch, begin the return drive to Arusha or transfer directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for evening flights.

• Drive Time & Distance: ~30 minutes Karatu to Lake Manyara; ~2.5 to 3 hours Lake Manyara to Arusha/JRO / ~150 km
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

Please Note on Lodging:

Accommodations listed are subject to availability upon booking. Should a specific property be unavailable, an equivalent property within the same standard and location category will be substituted.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What’s Included

• A 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
• Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
• TANAPA armed ranger fee for Tarangire walking safari
• All national park entry fees, transit fees, and Ngorongoro Crater descent permits
• 6 nights’ accommodation as selected
• All meals on safari (6 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 6 Dinners)
• Bottled mineral water and soft drinks in the vehicle

 

What’s Excluded

• Arrival Day airport pickup and hotel night in Arusha (available as separate add-on days)
• Departure Day transfer or post-safari hotel night (available as separate add-on days)
• International and domestic flights
• Tanzania tourist visa fees
• Travel, medical, and emergency evacuation insurance
• Gratuities for safari driver-guide, walking ranger, and lodge staff
• Premium alcoholic drinks and lodge laundry service
• Optional Serengeti hot air balloon safari ($550–$600 pp)
• Personal expenses and souvenir purchases

Pricing & Booking Policy

Customization & Separate Add-On Services

• This package covers safari operational days only and is 100% customizable.
• Airport Transfers & Extra Days: Pre-safari arrival days (airport transfer + Arusha hotel night) and post-safari departure days are managed as separate add-on services and charged separately based on client flight logistics.
• Domestic Flight Upgrades: Fly-back transfers from Seronera Airstrip to Arusha or Zanzibar can be integrated upon request.

Pricing Basis

• Rates are quoted in USD per person based on Double Occupancy (2 guests traveling together).
• Single Supplement: Surcharges apply for solo travelers or individual room occupancy.
• Child Policy: Children under 12 sharing with adults receive discounted rates (30–50% off adult land rates).
• Seasonal Variations: High Season rates apply July–October and December 20–January 5; Green Season discounts apply April–May.
• Deposit & Cancellation Terms
• Deposit: A 30% non-refundable deposit is required at confirmation to secure park permits, walking permits, and lodging.
• Final Payment: Balance is due 45 days prior to arrival.
• Cancellation Fees: 60+ days prior = Loss of deposit; 45–59 days = 50% fee; under 44 days = 100% fee.

Health, Safety & Travel Preparation

• Walking Safari Safety: Bush walking safaris are accompanied by a trained, armed TANAPA ranger. Closed walking shoes and neutral-colored clothing are required.
• Vaccinations & Health: Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from endemic regions. Malaria prophylaxis (e.g., Atovaquone/Proguanil) is strongly recommended.
• Insurance: Comprehensive medical and emergency evacuation insurance (e.g., AMREF Flying Doctors) is required.
• Packing: Pack neutral clothing (avoid dark blue/black), warm layers for crater rim mornings, sun protection, sturdy shoes, and personal medications.

Sustainability & Community Impact

• Conservation Support: Direct contributions to wildlife management and anti-poaching operations through TANAPA and NCAA park fee structures.
• Eco-Lodging: Lodges selected prioritize solar energy systems, water conservation, and plastic-free operations.
• Community Benefits: Employment of local guides and sourcing of fresh produce from smallholder farmers in Karatu and Mto wa Mbu.