7 Day Tanzania Wildlife Discovery Safari – Arusha, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti
Price Per Person (USD)
Overview
Tanzania’s Signature Wildlife Discovery Safari
This unforgettable Tanzania Wildlife Discovery Safari showcases the very best of the country’s world-famous Northern Circuit. Perfect for travellers seeking an immersive yet comfortable safari adventure, this itinerary combines diverse ecosystems, rich wildlife encounters, dramatic landscapes, and hand-picked lodges for the ultimate East African experience.
From the lush forests and Rift Valley escarpment of Lake Manyara, to the awe-inspiring depths of the Ngorongoro Crater—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the legendary savannahs of the Serengeti National Park, each day promises spectacular wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities. With the Serengeti home to the highest concentration of large mammals in Africa, expect sightings of lions, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, wildebeest, and countless other species in their natural environment.
Featuring a scenic flight from the Serengeti back to Arusha, this journey allows more time on safari and less time on the road. Professional guides, quality accommodation options across Comfort, Comfort Plus, and Luxury categories, and seamless logistics ensure an expertly curated safari suitable for couples, families, photographers, and first-time visitors alike.
Crafted for those seeking the quintessential Tanzanian safari, this itinerary delivers an outstanding blend of wildlife, scenery, culture, and comfort—offering an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Key Highlights
- Explore the world-renowned Serengeti National Park, Africa’s premier wildlife destination
- Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Big Five
- Game viewing in Lake Manyara National Park, famous for flamingos and tree-climbing lions
- Optional visit to Olduvai Gorge, one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world
- Wide choice of accommodation: Comfort, Comfort Plus, and Luxury options
- Expert driver-guides offering deep knowledge of wildlife and ecosystems
- Scenic flight from the Serengeti to Arusha to reduce travel time
- Incredible chances to see lions, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, zebras, and the endangered Black Rhino
- Authentic cultural encounters with the Maasai community
- Ideal itinerary for families, couples, photographers, and first-time safari travellers
Included/Excluded
- Lodge Accommodation 6N
- Meals – 6 Breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
- Game drives
- Maasai Boma Village
- Olduvai Gorge Museum
- Vehicle fees
- Park & Concession fees
- Guide fees
- AMREF Airlift
- Coffee & Tea
- Water daily
- Flight from Serengeti to Arusha
- Arusha Coffee Lodge lunch
- Return Airport or hotel transfer
- Alcoholic beverages Lahia/Kubu, Neptune Ngorongoro
- Guide Tips
- Lodge gratuities
- Entry visas
- Travel Insurance – Compulsory
- Additional activities not listed in inclusions
- Personal items required,
- Alcoholic beverages where applicable
Tour Plan
Day 1
Day 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport → Arusha
Welcome to Tanzania. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a SafariHQ guide meets travellers in person for the transfer to the chosen accommodation in Arusha. Depending on the arrival time, the remainder of the day may be spent relaxing at the lodge or exploring the lively city of Arusha.
For those wishing to discover local culture, Arusha’s vibrant craft markets offer colourful scarves, Makonde carvings, batik fabrics, jewellery, and artwork—ideal for souvenirs and a first glimpse into Tanzania’s artistic traditions.
Meals: Dinner (depending on arrival time)
Accommodation: Comfort (C) – Arusha Safari Lodge | Comfort Plus (CP) – Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge | Luxury (L) – Gran Melia Arusha
Travel Time: Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha: Approx. 1 hour
Day 2
Day 2 – Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
After a relaxed breakfast, depart Arusha for a panoramic morning drive to Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania’s most diverse and picturesque reserves. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, flocks of flamingos, and the largest baboon troop ever recorded in East Africa.
Stretching along the base of the dramatic 600-metre-high Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara covers nearly two-thirds of the park. The remaining third consists of a remarkably varied mosaic of habitats—open savannah grasslands, rocky outcrops, marshlands, groundwater forests, and acacia woodlands. This diversity supports an impressive range of wildlife, making Lake Manyara a wonderful and gentle introduction to the safari experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tloma Lodge (Comfort) | Ngorongoro Farmhouse (Comfort Plus) | Ngorongoro Neptune (Luxury)
Travel Time: Arusha to Lake Manyara: Approx. 2 hours
Day 3
Day 3 – Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Crater
Today features a memorable journey into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” With an estimated 30,000 mammals living within the crater at any one time, the wildlife density here is unmatched. This is one of the few places in East Africa where it is still possible to encounter the Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and the highly endangered Black Rhino—all within a single day.
Descend 600 metres to the crater floor for a morning of game viewing across sweeping grasslands, acacia woodlands, and shimmering wetlands. A picnic lunch is enjoyed at a scenic hippo pool before ascending the crater walls in the early afternoon.
A visit to a nearby Maasai Boma follows, offering an authentic insight into Maasai culture, traditions, and daily life. Afterwards, continue to the lodge for a relaxing evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tloma Lodge (Comfort) | Ngorongoro Farmhouse (Comfort Plus) | Ngorongoro Neptune (Luxury)
Travel Time: Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Crater: Approx. 1.5–2 hours
Day 4
Day 4 – Olduvai Gorge & Serengeti National Park
Depart early and begin the journey toward the legendary Serengeti National Park, travelling across the Ngorongoro highlands before descending into the vast, sweeping plains. En route, stop at the world-renowned Olduvai Gorge, one of the most significant paleoanthropological sites on the planet. This is where Louis and Mary Leakey made their famous discoveries, including early human fossils such as Zinjanthropus boisei, which reshaped our understanding of human evolution.
After visiting the museum and viewpoint, continue toward the Serengeti, a park unequalled for its natural beauty and scientific importance. Often regarded as the classic African safari destination, the Serengeti hosts more than 2 million wildebeest, 500,000 Thomson’s gazelles, and 250,000 zebras, making it home to the largest concentration of plains game in Africa. The diversity of wildlife includes lions, cheetahs, elephants, hyenas, giraffes, and countless other species thriving across its endless plains.
Arrive in the Serengeti in time for an afternoon game drive, with wildlife sightings often beginning well before reaching the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tukaone Tented Lodge (Comfort) | The Singing Grass Tented Lodge (Comfort Plus) | Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge (Luxury)
Travel Time: Ngorongoro to Olduvai Gorge: Approx. 45 minutes; Olduvai to Serengeti: Approx. 1.5–2 hours
Day 5
Day 5 – Serengeti National Park
Rise at dawn for an early morning game drive in the Serengeti National Park. Sunrise on the Serengeti is a truly unforgettable sight, with golden light spreading across the plains and offering exceptional photographic opportunities. Wildlife is often most active at this time, making early morning one of the best periods for game viewing.
Later in the morning, return to the lodge for a hot lunch, or choose to remain out in the bush with a packed lunch to maximise time on safari. The afternoon continues with another game drive, exploring new areas of the Serengeti and searching for lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, and vast herds of plains game.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tukaone Tented Lodge (Comfort) | The Singing Grass Tented Lodge (Comfort Plus) | Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge (Luxury)
Travel Time: Game drives within Serengeti National Park
Day 6
Day 6 – Serengeti National Park
Spend another full day exploring the vast landscapes of Serengeti National Park. The day can be tailored to preference—either return to the lodge for a hot lunch or carry a packed lunch to enjoy at one of the scenic picnic sites within the park, allowing more time out on safari.
The afternoon continues with further game viewing across different areas of the Serengeti. As dusk approaches, keep watch for lions becoming active in the cooler hours. Cheetahs are also frequently seen during the early morning and late afternoon, relying on daylight and speed to hunt across the open plains. With its rich wildlife and diverse habitats, every game drive in the Serengeti offers new and memorable encounters.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tukaone Tented Lodge (Comfort) | The Singing Grass Tented Lodge (Comfort Plus) | Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge (Luxury)
Travel Time: Game drives within Serengeti National Park
Day 7
Day 7 – Serengeti National Park to Arusha
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning in the Serengeti National Park, watching the first rays of sunlight sweep across the plains and taking in one last glimpse of the area’s incredible wildlife and birdlife. This serene morning marks the perfect farewell to one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes.
Transfer to Seronera Airstrip for the short flight back to Arusha. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at the Arusha Coffee Lodge, a relaxing spot set among the region’s oldest coffee estates. Afterwards, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, where the safari concludes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: End of safari (no accommodation included)
Travel Time: Seronera to Arusha by air: Approx. 1 hour; Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport: Approx. 1 hour
