7-Day Tanzania Big Five Safari with Maasai Culture and Olduvai Gorge

7 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Experience authentic cultural encounters with the Maasai, Hadzabe, and Datoga communities
  • 02 Enjoy exciting game drives through Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park
  • 03 Search for the Big Five, including lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos
  • 04 Witness the spectacular landscapes of the Serengeti and the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater
  • 05 Visit the historic Olduvai Gorge, one of the world's most important archaeological sites
  • 06 Spot flamingos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, cheetahs, hyenas, and a remarkable variety of birdlife

Experience a 7-day Tanzania safari that combines unforgettable wildlife adventures with authentic cultural encounters. Discover the traditions of the Maasai, Hadzabe, and Datoga communities before exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and the world-famous Serengeti National Park. Search for the Big Five, witness vast herds of wildebeests and zebras, and observe lions, elephants, giraffes, flamingos, and countless bird species in their natural habitats. Visit the historic Olduvai Gorge and enjoy spectacular game drives through Tanzania's most iconic national parks.

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, Lake Eyasi
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arusha, Olpopongi Maasai Village and Shanga Cultural Village

  • Begin with breakfast and a safari briefing in Arusha.

  • Visit Olpopongi Maasai Village and experience authentic Maasai traditions, customs, and daily life.

  • Continue to Shanga Cultural Village and meet local artisans creating crafts from beads, glass, and other recycled materials.

  • Sample traditional local cuisine at the open-air restaurant.

  • Enjoy free time to purchase handmade crafts directly from the artisans.

  • Return to Arusha.

2
Day 02

Lake Manyara Game Drive and Transfer to Karatu

  • Depart Arusha after breakfast and drive to Lake Manyara National Park.

  • Enjoy a morning game drive through acacia forests and around the alkaline lake.

  • Spot elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, flamingos, lions, and a variety of birdlife.

  • Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park.

  • Continue the afternoon game drive while admiring the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment.

  • Drive to Karatu in the evening.

3
Day 03

Lake Eyasi with Hadzabe and Datoga Cultural Encounters

  • Depart after breakfast for Lake Eyasi.

  • Meet the Hadzabe Bushmen and learn about their traditional hunting techniques and unique way of life.

  • Visit the Datoga community and discover their pastoral lifestyle and traditional blacksmithing skills.

  • Observe colorful birdlife around Lake Eyasi.

  • Return to Karatu in the afternoon.

4
Day 04

Ngorongoro Crater Big Five Safari

  • Drive into the Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast.

  • Spend the day exploring the world's largest intact volcanic caldera.

  • Search for the Big Five, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, and leopards.

  • Observe hyenas, gazelles, elands, waterbucks, bushbucks, and numerous bird species.

  • Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the crater.

  • Continue wildlife viewing before returning in the evening.

5
Day 05

Olduvai Gorge and Serengeti National Park

  • Depart after an early breakfast and travel toward Serengeti National Park.

  • Stop at Olduvai Gorge to learn about important archaeological discoveries and early human history.

  • Continue into the Serengeti and enjoy an afternoon game drive.

  • Observe vast plains, rocky outcrops, wildebeests, zebras, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and other wildlife.

  • Arrive at your camp or lodge inside the Serengeti.

6
Day 06

Full-Day Serengeti Plains Safari

  • Enjoy a full-day game drive across the Serengeti plains.

  • Search for the Great Migration, depending on the season.

  • Observe lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, and numerous bird species.

  • Stop for a picnic lunch in the park.

  • Continue exploring different wildlife areas with your experienced safari guide.

  • Return to your camp or lodge in the evening.

7
Day 07

Serengeti to Arusha Return Journey

  • Enjoy breakfast before departing the Serengeti.

  • Continue game viewing while driving through the park.

  • Stop for lunch along the journey.

  • Drive back to Arusha while enjoying the changing landscapes.

  • Arrive in Arusha in the early evening.

  • Transfer to your hotel or the airport for your onward journey.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Arusha 6 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Full-board accommodation in en-suite tented camps and safari lodges

  • Private professional safari guide

  • Authentic Maasai cultural experience

  • Extended Toyota Land Cruiser for safari travel

  • Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for game viewing

  • Round-trip airport transfers

  • All national park entrance fees

  • All Ngorongoro Crater conservation and entry fees

  • All meals during the safari

  • Airport meet and greet service on arrival and departure

  • Safari vehicle equipped with an ice chest, bottled mineral water, and wildlife guidebooks

  • Government taxes, VAT, and service charges related to accommodation and included meals

What's Not Included

  • Tanzania tourist visa fees

  • Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, and beverages

  • Meals not specified in the itinerary

  • Optional activities such as a hot air balloon safari

  • Tips and gratuities

  • Personal items and additional expenses

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Kilimanjaro International Airport, Kilimanjaro Airport Road, Tanzania
Tour start
Arusha, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 days finish where they began, in Arusha.

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