7-day Best of Tanzania Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Safari Briefing

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport followed by transfer to your lodge in Arusha, set beneath Mount Meru. The town serves as the gateway to Tanzania’s northern parks.

The evening includes a detailed safari orientation covering seasonal wildlife movement, driving times between parks, and the ecological contrasts you will encounter during the journey.

Overnight Stay: Arusha Coffee Lodge / Gran Meliá Arusha
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire – Baobab & Elephant Landscape

After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park. The drive passes Maasai villages and open countryside before entering a park defined by towering baobab trees and the Tarangire River.

Game drives reveal Tarangire’s signature wildlife—large elephant herds that gather along riverbanks, particularly during dry season months when water sources elsewhere diminish. Giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and various antelope species are commonly seen, while lions rest in shaded areas.

The park’s relatively quieter atmosphere provides an excellent introduction to Tanzanian safari.

Overnight Stay: Nimali Tarangire / Tarangire Treetops
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 3: Tarangire to Serengeti—Expanding Horizons

After a morning game drive, continue toward the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro Highlands. As the road climbs, temperatures cool and landscapes shift from woodland to highland forest.

Descending into the Serengeti plains reveals vast, uninterrupted savannah stretching to the horizon. Afternoon game drives begin immediately upon arrival.

The Serengeti supports one of the highest predator densities in Africa. Lions, cheetahs, and leopards patrol territories across open plains, while seasonal migration herds may dominate the landscape depending on the time of year.

Overnight Stay: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti / Lemala Ewanjan Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 4: Serengeti—Full-Day Big Game Safari

A full day in the Serengeti allows deeper exploration of varied ecosystems—riverine woodland, kopje outcrops, and open grasslands.

Morning drives focus on predator movement during cooler hours. Cheetahs are often spotted scanning plains from termite mounds, while lions may be found near recent kills.

Afternoon drives explore water sources where herbivores gather. The sheer scale of the Serengeti enhances the sense of immersion.

Overnight Stay: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti / Lemala Ewanjan Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands

After breakfast and a final morning drive, depart the Serengeti toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

As you ascend toward the crater rim, the landscape transitions into lush highland forest and cooler air. Arrival at your lodge provides sweeping views across the crater floor far below.

The afternoon is reserved for relaxation or a short highland walk in designated areas.

Overnight Stay: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / The Highlands Ngorongoro
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater – Dense Wildlife Encounters

Descend early into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day safari. The crater floor supports exceptional wildlife concentration within a compact area.

Large buffalo herds graze near wetlands, zebra and wildebeest move across open plains, and lion prides patrol the grasslands. Black rhino may be spotted grazing in protected zones, making this one of the best places in Tanzania to view this endangered species.

After a picnic lunch on the crater floor, ascend and return to the lodge before continuing toward the Lake Manyara region.

Overnight Stay: Lake Manyara Tree Lodge / Manyara’s Secret
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 7: Lake Manyara & Return to Arusha – Departure

This morning explore Lake Manyara National Park, known for its groundwater forest and alkaline lake ecosystem. Large baboon troops are often seen near the entrance, while elephants move through forest clearings.

The lake itself attracts flamingos seasonally, and tree-climbing lions are occasionally sighted in acacia branches.

After the morning drive, return to Arusha for transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for departure.

Your 7 Days Best of Tanzania Safaris concludes, having explored Tanzania’s most iconic landscapes—baobab plains, endless savannah, volcanic crater, and Rift Valley lake—in one well-rounded wildlife journey.

Overnight Stay: Not applicable
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch