7-Day Luxury Tanzania Big Five Safari with Serengeti and Ngorongoro

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Spot the Big Five across Tanzania's iconic national parks
• 02 Explore Serengeti's endless plains and diverse wildlife habitats
• 03 Experience the Great Wildebeest Migration in one of Africa's most famous safari landscapes
• 04 Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, often described as the world's eighth wonder
• 05 See Lake Manyara's varied ecosystems, including groundwater forest, plains, swamp, and lake

Embark on a 7-day luxury safari from Arusha through Tanzania's most celebrated wildlife areas, including Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Tarangire National Park. Track the Big Five across diverse landscapes, from Rift Valley forests and crater floors to endless plains and baobab-dotted savanna. Along the way, enjoy rich game viewing, the chance to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, and comfortable lodge stays that make this an unforgettable safari experience.

Relax for a full day in the Serengeti - unequalled for its beauty and home to the Great Wildebeest Migration.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Luxury

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

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

Languages English, French, German, Latin, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Arusha

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport. After clearing customs, look for your driver, who will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name. You will then be transferred to Arusha for your overnight stay at Kizumba House, with breakfast included, or a similar property.

2

Day 02

Lake Manyara National Park Safari

• Drive to Lake Manyara National Park in the morning. Set against the steep escarpment of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park features an evergreen groundwater forest and a variety of ecosystems, including acacia woodland, grassy plains, a swampy fan delta, and, of course, the expansive lake. This diversity attracts a wide variety of mammals, birds, and other wildlife species. Manyara is also home to rare tree-climbing lions.
• The park offers excellent game viewing, with buffalo, impala, giraffe, bushbuck, waterbuck, hippos, and many elephants roaming near the lake. Also look out for blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, and very active olive baboons. Overnight at St. Catherine Monastery, with lunch, dinner, and breakfast included, or a similar property.

3

Day 03

Journey to Serengeti National Park

• Head out after breakfast for the drive to Serengeti National Park. The word "Serengeti" is derived from the Maasai language, meaning "endless plain." En route to the Serengeti, you can visit a Maasai village, a perfect place to explore Maasai culture and even participate in some tribal activities.
• Alternatively, visit Olduvai Gorge, known as the Cradle of Humanity. The museum stands as a testament to the long journey humanity has made from its humble roots in East Africa to its current state as the dominant species on earth. Enjoy a game drive en route to your camp. Overnight at Serengeti Safari Lodge, with lunch, dinner, and breakfast included, or a similar property.

4

Day 04

Full Day in the Serengeti

• Relax for a full day in the Serengeti - unequalled for its beauty and home to the Great Wildebeest Migration. Huge herds of plains game, such as wildebeest, zebra, and antelope, dominate the park, while predators such as lion and cheetah can be found among the many kopjes scattered across the plain. The landscape varies from open grass plains in the south, to savanna with scattered acacia trees in the center, hilly wooded grassland in the north, and extensive woodland and black clay plains in the west. Overnight at Serengeti Safari Lodge, with lunch, dinner, and breakfast included, or a similar property.

5

Day 05

Ngorongoro Crater Exploration

• Enjoy a morning game drive en route to Ngorongoro Crater. Descend into the crater for game driving and exploration. The crater is 600 m deep, 16 km across, and 265 sq km in area. Take in the spectacular scenery and game viewing in what has been described as the world's eighth wonder.
• Many of Tanzania's last remaining black rhinos can be seen grazing on the open grassland of the crater floor, surrounded by some of the 20,000 large animals that occupy the crater, including lion, cheetah, eland, zebra, and gazelle. Flamingos, among other bird species, can often be seen feeding at Makat Soda Lake. In the afternoon, drive to your lodge for your overnight stay at St. Catherine Monastery, with lunch, dinner, and breakfast included, or a similar property.

6

Day 06

Tarangire National Park Game Viewing

• Drive to Tarangire National Park in the morning. Tarangire is traversed by the Tarangire River, which never dries up completely. As the only source of water during the dry season, it draws hundreds of animals to the park, making wildlife and bird viewing spectacular. The landscape is varied, with grassy savanna plains, swamps, hills, and spectacular baobabs. Enjoy a full day in the park with game viewing. Overnight at Kizumba House, with lunch, dinner, and breakfast included, or a similar property.

7

Day 07

Departure from Kilimanjaro

• Enjoy a leisurely morning before your transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Full-board accommodation while on safari, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Bed and breakfast accommodation in Arusha
• Bush lunch in the Serengeti
• 2 nights in Arusha
• 2 nights in Karatu
• 2 nights in Serengeti National Park
• Transfers to and from the airport
• All game drives in a custom-built 4x4 safari Land Cruiser
• All park and entrance fees
• Transportation in 4x4 vehicles with viewing roofs
• A professional English-speaking Tanzanian driver-guide during the safari
• 24-hour support during the safari from our office in Arusha
• Bottled water in safari vehicles
• Ngorongoro Crater car supplement fee
• Current government taxes and levies

What's Not Included

• Balloon excursion in Tanzania
• Entry visa to Tanzania
• Travel and health insurance
• Gratuities for your guide, hotel staff, and porters
• Meals, drinks, and excursions not described in the itinerary
• Any other personal expenses, including laundry, telephone, and postage
• Maasai village tour and Olduvai Gorge tour

What to bring

• Camera for photography
• Binoculars
• Things of a personal nature
• Extra batteries for the camera, because you can spend the whole day in the bush

Know before you go

• Don't cut your trip too short.
• Wildebeest have their own clocks.
• Tailor your travels.
• Set aside money for tips.
• Carry a credit card for parks and ATMs, and cash for everywhere else.
• Tanzanian time.
• A safari is about so much more than just spotting the 'Big 5'.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Kilimanjaro International Airport, Kilimanjaro Airport Road, Tanzania

Tour start

Kilimanjaro Airport Rd, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.