7 Days Midrange Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara Safari
This comprehensive 7-day midrange safari offers an exceptional opportunity to explore Tanzania's most celebrated northern circuit parks, combining the elephant-rich landscapes of Tarangire, the endless plains of Serengeti, the wildlife spectacle of Ngorongoro Crater, and the diverse ecosystems of Lake Manyara National Park. Your journey begins with an overnight at Summit Safari Lodge in Arusha, followed by comfortable stays at carefully selected midrange lodges and tented camps that provide authentic safari experiences without compromising on essential comforts.
The itinerary has been meticulously designed to maximize wildlife viewing opportunities while allowing sufficient time to appreciate each destination's unique characteristics, featuring two full days in Serengeti National Park to track the Big Five and witness the Great Migration (seasonal), a complete day exploring the Ngorongoro Crater's concentrated wildlife populations, and a rewarding half day in Lake Manyara's groundwater forest. Road transfers between parks allow for continuous game viewing and appreciation of Tanzania's breathtaking landscapes, with an optional hot air balloon safari available for those seeking an unforgettable aerial perspective of Serengeti's vast ecosystems.
Cultural immersion forms an integral part of this safari experience, with a visit to a traditional Maasai boma offering insights into the indigenous pastoralist communities that have coexisted with wildlife for centuries. The selected accommodations, including Serengeti Tortilis Camp or Serengeti Signature Luxury Tented Camp and Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp or Ngorongoro Ang'ata Camp, have been chosen for their excellent locations, comfortable amenities, and commitment to sustainable tourism practices that benefit local communities.
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania - Summit Safari Lodge
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by our representative who will assist with luggage and facilitate the smooth transfer to Summit Safari Lodge in Arusha. This comfortable lodge, set amidst lush gardens with views of Mount Meru, provides the perfect introduction to your Tanzanian adventure, offering well-appointed rooms with modern amenities, a swimming pool, and excellent dining facilities.
The remainder of your day is at leisure to recover from your international flight, with opportunities to explore the lodge's tranquil surroundings or relax by the pool. In the evening, your safari guide will conduct a comprehensive briefing about the upcoming itinerary, providing valuable insights about the parks you'll visit, wildlife viewing expectations, and practical information to enhance your safari experience. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the lodge's restaurant before retiring to your comfortable room in preparation for tomorrow's early start.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park Game Drive - Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge
Following an early breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, renowned for its massive elephant herds and ancient baobab trees that dot the landscape. The two-hour drive to the park gate offers your first glimpses of rural Tanzanian life, passing through Maasai grazing lands and agricultural communities. Upon entering the park, immediately begin game viewing in this ecosystem characterized by the Tarangire River that attracts incredible concentrations of wildlife during the dry season.
Spend the full day exploring the park's diverse habitats, from seasonal swamps and savannah to riverine forests, with excellent opportunities to observe lions, leopards, cheetahs, and numerous antelope species alongside the park's famous elephant populations. Enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the scenic viewpoints before continuing your exploration in the afternoon. As the sun begins to lower, exit the park and drive to Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge, a charming property set on a working coffee plantation where you can learn about Tanzania's coffee production while enjoying the comfortable accommodations and warm hospitality.
Day 3: Drive to Serengeti National Park - Serengeti Tortilis Camp
After an early breakfast, embark on the scenic drive to Serengeti National Park, descending from the Ngorongoro highlands through changing landscapes that transition from cultivated farms to open plains. Stop at the famous Olduvai Gorge, often called the 'Cradle of Mankind,' where anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey made groundbreaking discoveries about early human evolution (visit subject to time availability). Continue through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, keeping watch for wildlife as you approach the Serengeti plains.
Enter Serengeti National Park at Naabi Hill Gate, where you'll complete park formalities while enjoying your first panoramic views of the endless grasslands. Begin game viewing immediately as you drive toward your accommodation, with the possibility of spotting lions, cheetahs, or even leopards in the Seronera Valley area. Arrive at Serengeti Tortilis Camp or Serengeti Signature Luxury Tented Camp in time for lunch, followed by some leisure time to settle into your comfortable tented accommodation. The afternoon game drive explores the surrounding areas, returning to camp as the sun sets for dinner and overnight amidst the sounds of the African bush.
Day 4: Optional Balloon Safari & Serengeti Game Drives
Today offers the option of an unforgettable hot air balloon safari over Serengeti's plains (additional cost of $599 per person), where you'll float silently above the awakening wilderness at dawn, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. For those not participating in the balloon safari, an early morning game drive provides excellent predator-spotting opportunities when animals are most active. Return to camp for a full breakfast and some relaxation time, perhaps observing wildlife from your tent's private veranda.
The afternoon presents further opportunities to explore Serengeti's diverse ecosystems, with your guide selecting routes based on current wildlife movements and seasonal patterns. You might visit the Seronera River to observe hippos and crocodiles, search for leopards in the kopjes (rock outcroppings), or follow cheetahs on the open plains. As the day concludes, return to camp for sundowners around the fire, sharing stories of the day's sightings before enjoying another delicious dinner under the vast African sky.
Day 5: Serengeti Game Drive & Transfer to Ngorongoro - Maasai Boma Visit
After breakfast, embark on a final morning game drive in Serengeti, perhaps visiting areas not yet explored or returning to locations where particularly interesting wildlife behavior was observed previously. The Serengeti ecosystem constantly changes, ensuring each game drive offers unique sightings and photographic opportunities. Return to camp for lunch before beginning your journey toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
En route, stop at an authentic Maasai boma (village) for a cultural experience that provides insight into the traditional pastoralist lifestyle of these iconic cattle-herders. Learn about Maasai customs, visit a traditional homestead, and witness traditional dances before continuing to Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp or Ngorongoro Ang'ata Camp, where you'll enjoy dinner and overnight in preparation for tomorrow's crater exploration. The camps' elevated locations offer spectacular views over the crater highlands, with comfortable accommodations designed to blend harmoniously with the surrounding environment.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Full Day - Lake Manyara Tortilis Camp
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater at dawn, entering this UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural wonder that hosts the highest density of mammalian predators in Africa. The crater's 600-meter walls create a unique self-contained ecosystem supporting approximately 25,000 large animals, including the endangered black rhino, large elephant bulls with impressive tusks, and abundant lion prides. Spend the full day exploring the crater floor, with a picnic lunch served near the hippo pool, allowing uninterrupted wildlife viewing throughout the day.
In the afternoon, ascend the crater walls and drive to Lake Manyara National Park, checking into Lake Manyara Tortilis Camp located within the park boundaries. The camp's strategic position allows for excellent wildlife viewing right from your tent's veranda, with the possibility of observing elephants, buffalo, and various antelope species moving through the surrounding forest. Dinner and overnight at the camp, listening to the nocturnal sounds of the Manyara ecosystem.
Day 7: Lake Manyara Half Day Game Drive - Departure
After an early breakfast, embark on a morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, renowned for its unique groundwater forest, alkaline lake, and famous tree-climbing lions. The park's compact size belies its incredible biodiversity, offering excellent opportunities to observe elephants, troops of baboons, flamingos (seasonal), and over 400 bird species in diverse habitats ranging from acacia woodlands to grassy floodplains.
Return to camp for lunch before beginning your journey back to Arusha, with a stop at the park's hippo pool for final wildlife viewing. The drive passes through agricultural lands and local villages, providing glimpses of daily Tanzanian life outside the national parks. Depending on your international flight schedule, you may have time for last-minute shopping in Arusha before being transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport, marking the conclusion of your remarkable 7-day Tanzanian safari adventure.
