7-Day Classic Tanzania Safari
Discover the highlights of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit on a 7-day safari designed especially for first-time visitors. Journey from the elephant-rich landscapes of Tarangire to the endless plains of the Serengeti, then experience the extraordinary wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater and the scenic diversity of Lake Manyara. With a private 4×4 safari vehicle and experienced guide, you have time to enjoy wildlife, photography and the changing landscapes at your own pace.
Highlights
Itinerary
Airport → Arusha | 30–60 min | Dinner | Kutoka Lodge
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Mwemezi African Safaris representative. Enjoy a private transfer to your lodge beneath the slopes of Mount Meru. The rest of the day is kept relaxed, giving you time to recover from your journey. Your guide will brief you about the safari ahead before you enjoy your first evening in Tanzania.
105 km to Tarangire | About 2 hrs | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Eileen’s Tree Inn
After breakfast, leave Arusha and head toward Tarangire National Park, where your safari adventure officially begins. Enter a landscape of giant baobabs, acacia woodland and seasonal wetlands, famous for its large elephant herds. Spend the day on game drives searching for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, impalas and predators. Enjoy a packed lunch at a designated picnic area surrounded by the African wilderness. After an afternoon game drive, continue approximately 95–120 km to Karatu for a relaxing evening at Eileen’s Tree Inn.
200–250 km | About 5–7 hrs travelling | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Tanzania Bush Camp
Rise early and leave Karatu, travelling through the spectacular Ngorongoro Highlands toward the Serengeti. As farmland and forest give way to volcanic landscapes and open grasslands, the journey itself becomes part of your safari. Continue through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area toward Northern Serengeti, with scenic and wildlife-viewing opportunities along the way. Enjoy a packed lunch at a suitable picnic stop before continuing north. Depending on the season, this region may offer opportunities to witness the Great Migration, while resident wildlife such as lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and leopards can be seen year-round. Arrive at Tanzania Bush Camp in the evening and settle into the wilderness.
Full-day game drive | 6–8 hrs | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Tanzania Bush Camp
Wake to the sounds of the Serengeti and set out early for a full day of exploration. Northern Serengeti offers a more remote wilderness experience, with fewer vehicles in many areas. Your guide will follow wildlife activity and seasonal conditions to find the best opportunities for game viewing. During the migration season, the Mara River area can provide a spectacular setting for witnessing wildebeest and zebras on their journey. Beyond the migration, search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas and many other species. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing your afternoon game drive and returning to camp as the sun sets over the plains.
120–170 km | About 4–5 hrs direct travel | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Tanzania Bush Camp
After breakfast, head south through the Serengeti toward the Central Serengeti and Seronera area. Today is more than a transfer — your safari continues throughout the journey. Watch as the landscape changes from the northern hills and rocky country to the vast open plains of Central Serengeti. The Seronera area is rich in wildlife thanks to its permanent water sources, grasslands, woodland and rocky kopjes. Keep your camera ready as wildlife encounters can happen along the route. Enjoy a packed lunch at a designated picnic area before continuing your en-route game drive and arriving at camp later in the afternoon.
Approx. 135 km to Ngorongoro | About 3.5 hrs | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Eileen’s Tree Inn
Rise early for one final morning experience in the Serengeti before travelling toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The endless plains gradually give way to rolling highlands and volcanic scenery as you approach one of Tanzania’s greatest natural wonders. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a spectacular volcanic caldera supporting an extraordinary concentration of wildlife. Spend several hours on a crater game drive, with opportunities to see lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas and, with luck, black rhinoceros. Enjoy a packed lunch inside the crater before ascending toward Karatu through lush highlands, farms and local villages.
30–40 km | 45–60 min
Lake Manyara → Arusha: 120–130 km | 2–2.5 hrs | Breakfast & Lunch Box After breakfast, descend toward Lake Manyara National Park for your final wildlife adventure. The park offers a beautiful contrast to the Serengeti, with groundwater forests, open grasslands, woodland, wetlands and the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Enjoy a game drive with opportunities to see elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, baboons, hippos and abundant birdlife. Lake Manyara is also known for its tree-climbing lions, although sightings are never guaranteed. After the game drive, continue toward Arusha, arriving in the afternoon with unforgettable memories of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit.
included
- Airport transfers and private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking safari guide/driver
- 6 nights accommodation as per itinerary
- All park, conservation and crater fees
- Daily game drives
- Meals as indicated, including packed lunches
- Drinking water during the safari
- Government taxes and service charges
excluded
- International and domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal expenses and laundry
- Optional activities
- Personal items
- Any service not specifically listed under inclusions