Experience the ultimate Tanzanian safari adventure with this comprehensive 7-day itinerary covering the country's most iconic national parks. From the elephant-rich plains of Tarangire to the endless savannah of the Serengeti and the wildlife-packed Ngorongoro Crater, this classic safari offers unforgettable wildlife encounters. Stay in carefully selected mid-range lodges and tented camps, enjoy thrilling game drives, and immerse yourself in Maasai culture. Optional hot air balloon rides over the Serengeti (not included) add an extra layer of adventure to this already spectacular journey.
Your Tanzanian safari adventure begins at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where your TanAfrica Safaris guide will welcome you. Transfer to your comfortable lodge in Arusha, where you can relax after your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore Arusha town or simply unwind at the lodge, enjoying the beautiful surroundings and preparing for the exciting days ahead. In the evening, meet your guide for a safari briefing and enjoy a delicious dinner.
Accommodation: Summit Safari Lodge or Tulia Boutique Hotel & SPA
Meals: Dinner
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Enjoy a full day of game viewing in this diverse park, which boasts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife during the dry season. Look for elephants, lions, leopards, and numerous bird species. Stop for a picnic lunch at one of the park's scenic viewpoints. In the late afternoon, continue to your lodge located near the park, where you can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Accommodation: Marera Valley Lodge or Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to the world-famous Serengeti National Park, stopping at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for breathtaking views. Enter the Serengeti and enjoy game drives en route to your camp. Spend two full days exploring this vast wilderness, home to the Great Migration (seasonal) and abundant resident wildlife. Optional: Rise early for a hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti plains (additional cost), followed by a champagne breakfast. Your days will be filled with game drives, searching for the Big Five and other wildlife. In the evenings, relax at your comfortable tented camp and listen to the sounds of the African night.
Accommodation: Osinoni Tented Lodge or Serengeti Heritage Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Hot air balloon safari over Serengeti (additional cost)
Enjoy a morning game drive in central Serengeti before beginning your journey to Ngorongoro. En route, visit a traditional Maasai village to learn about their culture and way of life. Stop at Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world, often called the "Cradle of Mankind." Continue to your accommodation on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, where you can relax and prepare for tomorrow's crater adventure.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp or Ngorongoro Angata Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of game viewing in this natural wonder. The crater's floor is home to approximately 25,000 large animals, including the rare black rhino. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the hippo pool while surrounded by wildlife. The crater offers excellent opportunities to see the Big Five in a single day. In the afternoon, ascend the crater walls and return to your lodge near Karatu.
Accommodation: Marera Valley Lodge or Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, and diverse birdlife. The park's groundwater forest and alkaline lake create varied habitats supporting different wildlife species. After your game drive, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back home or continue to Zanzibar for a beach extension (optional).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Summit Safari Lodge (Night 1): A comfortable lodge set in lush gardens with beautiful views of Mount Meru. Offers spacious rooms, a swimming pool, and excellent dining facilities.
Tulia Boutique Hotel & SPA (Night 1): An elegant boutique hotel offering luxurious accommodations, a spa, and beautiful gardens. Perfect for relaxing before your safari adventure.
Marera Valley Lodge (Nights 2 & 6): Situated on a coffee plantation, this lodge offers comfortable rooms with beautiful views. The lush surroundings attract various bird species.
Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge (Nights 2 & 6): Luxury tented accommodation set in an indigenous forest, offering a unique wilderness experience with modern comforts.
Osinoni Tented Lodge (Nights 3-4): Comfortable tented camp in the Serengeti offering an authentic safari experience with en-suite facilities and excellent service.
Serengeti Heritage Camp (Nights 3-4): A semi-permanent tented camp that moves with the migration, offering front-row seats to wildlife action in the Serengeti.
Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp (Night 5): Named after the iconic acacia tortilis trees, this camp offers comfortable tents with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Ngorongoro Angata Camp (Night 5): A luxury tented camp situated on the crater rim, offering spectacular views and excellent service in a wilderness setting.
Price per Person: $2,975
Total Safari Price: $
Optional Balloon Safari: +$599 per person