7-Day Tanzania Safari through Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore Tarangire National Park for elephant families, giraffes, and ancient baobab trees
• 02 Experience the vast Serengeti plains on multiple game drives
• 03 Look for the Great Migration of wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes in the Serengeti
• 04 Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a chance to spot the endangered black rhino
• 05 Discover Lake Manyara National Park, known for tree-climbing lions and rich birdlife

Embark on a 7-day Tanzania safari and discover some of East Africa's finest wilderness areas. Explore Tarangire National Park, where elephant families gather by the river beneath ancient baobab trees, then continue to the vast Serengeti plains for thrilling game drives in search of lions, cheetahs, leopards, and, depending on the season, the Great Migration. Descend into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater for one of the best chances to spot the endangered black rhino, and end your adventure at Lake Manyara National Park, home to famous tree-climbing lions and more than 500 bird species.

Concealed by steep volcanic walls, the crater contains a pristine wilderness of sweeping savannah, pockets of acacia woodland, glistening lakes, and swamps.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park

Languages English, French, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Arusha

• You will be picked up from the airport by a Lion King representative and driven to your accommodation in Arusha.
• Depending on your arrival time, you will have the opportunity to relax and prepare for the adventure ahead.
• Busy Arusha is an essential part of safari life in northern Tanzania, and most travellers pass through at some stage.
• Dinner and overnight at Kahawa House.

2

Day 02

Tarangire National Park Safari

• Your Lion King Safari guide will collect you from your accommodation after breakfast.
• You will drive to Tarangire National Park, with the journey taking approximately two and a half hours on good tarmac roads.
• The park is named after the Tarangire River, which runs through it and serves as the only source of water for wildlife in the region during the dry season.
• The park is well known for its elephant families, which can often be seen congregating by the river.
• You may also see giraffes, bushbucks, and hartebeests, which are closely followed by predators including lions and leopards.
• Tarangire is home to more breeding species of birds than anywhere else on the planet.
• The huge and ancient baobab trees can also be seen here, with some said to have lived for more than a thousand years.
• Lunch will be at a picnic site inside the park.
• After your game drive, you will continue to your accommodation.
• Dinner and overnight at Marera Valley Mount View Lodge.

3

Day 03

Ngorongoro Highlands to Serengeti National Park

• After breakfast, you will drive up into the cooler regions of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
• There will be a chance to stop and see the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater.
• You will then continue through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Serengeti, entering at the south of the park.
• The Serengeti is famous for its vast open grasslands, which allow for excellent wildlife sightings.
• It is perhaps best known for the annual Great Migration, during which vast numbers of wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes move in an annual pattern, constantly seeking fresh grazing.
• Your accommodation for the next three nights is flexible depending on the time of year, with Central Serengeti indicated but subject to change based on the location of the Migration.
• Dinner and overnight at Nyota Serengeti Camp.

4

Day 04

Full-Day Game Drives in the Serengeti

• This entire day is set aside for game drives in the Serengeti.
• The Serengeti is home to an abundance of wildlife, including impalas, buffaloes, crocodiles, and hippos.
• You have a good chance of encountering predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards.
• Depending on the location of the Great Migration, you may venture away from the Central region to experience this natural wonder.
• Dinner and overnight at Nyota Serengeti Camp.

5

Day 05

Another Day in the Serengeti

• Another full day is set aside for game drives in the Serengeti.
• You may enjoy a more relaxed pace with early morning and late afternoon game drives, returning to your accommodation for lunch and relaxation.
• Every day is different in the Serengeti, and there is always plenty to explore.
• Dinner and overnight at Nyota Serengeti Camp.

6

Day 06

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Safari

• You will enjoy your final sunrise in the Serengeti before making your way towards Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast.
• Concealed by steep volcanic walls, the crater contains a pristine wilderness of sweeping savannah, pockets of acacia woodland, glistening lakes, and swamps.
• The crater was created when a large volcano exploded and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago.
• The drive down into the crater is an adventure in itself.
• Upon reaching the crater floor, you will find yourself among large numbers of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, and more than 500 bird species.
• The crater offers the best chance of seeing the endangered black rhino, which can sometimes be spotted in the open grasslands.
• After a full afternoon inside the crater, you will drive to your accommodation in Karatu.
• Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge.

7

Day 07

Lake Manyara National Park and Return

• This morning, you will drive to Lake Manyara National Park for your final safari destination.
• Manyara is a small but diverse park located 120 kilometres west of Arusha.
• The park is both compact, being one of the narrowest parks in Africa, and epic, with the Great Rift Escarpment towering over its western boundary.
• The park's namesake is a shallow salt lake that covers a large area of the park, flooding and drying with the seasons, and is home to thousands of wading birds, including flamingos, and more than 500 other bird species.
• You may see baboons and elephants in the park's thick evergreen forest.
• Watch for the tree-climbing lions that have become famous throughout Africa.
• You will enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park.
• After your game drive, you will be dropped off at a place of your choosing, such as Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport, or Arusha Airport.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Park fees (for non-residents)
• All activities (unless labeled as optional)
• All accommodation (unless listed as an upgrade)
• A professional driver/guide
• All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
• All taxes/VAT
• Round-trip airport transfer
• Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
• Drinks (as specified in the day-by-day section)

What's Not Included

• International flights (from/to home)
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 pp per day)
• Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
• Government-imposed increases of taxes and/or park fees
• Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)

What to bring

• Light clothes (neutral colors)
• Warm jacket
• Rain jacket
• Comfortable shoes
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Personal medicine
• Sanitizer and wet wipes
• Camera/phone
• Power bank
• Binoculars
• Water bottle
• Passport and documents
• Travel insurance
• Plug adapter
• Flashlight
• Snacks
• Soft duffel bag
• Drones are not allowed in Serengeti National Park.

Know before you go

• Best time depends on migration movement between Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve.
• Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
• Game drives start very early (5-6 AM).
• Long travel hours on rough roads.
• Accommodation ranges from basic to luxury.
• Flights have strict luggage limits (soft bags only).
• Weather changes quickly (cold mornings, hot afternoons, rain possible).
• Travel insurance is recommended.
• Park fees should be confirmed in advance.
• Visa and vaccinations may be required.
• Limited internet and mobile network in remote areas.
• Respect wildlife rules inside Serengeti National Park.
• Tipping is customary.
• Dietary needs must be informed before arrival.
• Expect dust and basic safari conditions.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Kahawa House, Arusha, Tanzania

Tour start

Arusha, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.