Tanzania Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara 7-Day Tour

Serengeti lions at dawn, Ngorongoro’s silent crater, flamingos on Lake Manyara

You’ll wake up surrounded by wild sounds in Serengeti, eat lunch beside hippos in Ngorongoro Crater, and watch flamingos sweep across Lake Manyara: all with a local guide who knows every turn. Expect laughter around campfires, early mornings with strong coffee, and real moments that stick long after you’re home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and lodge transfer in Arusha

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport
• Meet Gosheni Safaris representative
• Transfer to lodge near Mount Meru
• Relax and prepare for safari

Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park game drive

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Lake Manyara National Park
• Full-day game drive in park
• Enjoy hot picnic lunch
• Return to lodge above lake
• Dinner and overnight stay

Day 3: Travel to Serengeti via Ngorongoro

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive through Ngorongoro highlands
• En route game drive spotting wildlife
• Arrive in Seronera region
• Check in at eco-luxury lodge

Day 4: Full-day Serengeti wildlife exploration

• Sunrise game drive in Serengeti
• Observe lions, elephants, and more
• Enjoy bush lunch in the wild
• Afternoon game drive continues
• Relax by fire under stars

Day 5: Serengeti wildlife tracking and lodge stay

• Morning game drive exploring new areas
• Track seasonal wildlife movements
• Visit hippo pools and kopjes
• Return to lodge for sundowner
• Dinner and campfire stories

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater wildlife tour

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Descend into Ngorongoro Crater
• Game drive spotting Big Five
• Hot picnic lunch near hippo pool
• Ascend to luxury camp at crater edge

Day 7: Tarangire game drive and departure

• Breakfast at camp
• Drive to Tarangire National Park
• Morning game drive among elephants
• Lunch near park
• Drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport
• Optional overnight stay in Arusha

The experience

There’s this moment when the jeep slows and our guide, Joseph, leans out with a grin. He’s spotted something before any of us. I’m still rubbing sleep from my eyes (those early starts are no joke), but suddenly there’s a lioness just melting into the gold of the Serengeti. The air smells like dry grass and dust, sun barely up. We’re all quiet for a second: except for Joseph, who whispers facts about her pride as if he knows them personally. I try to snap a photo but mostly I just stare. It hits different in real life, you know?

The day before that we’d driven out from Arusha after a night listening to frogs and distant music at the lodge near Mount Meru. Lake Manyara was full of pink flamingos (like someone spilled paint across the water), and we ate lunch under acacia trees while vervet monkeys eyed our sandwiches. The road to Serengeti is bumpy (my back still remembers), but every hour brings something new: giraffes blending into thorn trees, kids waving by the roadside, that sudden drop down into Ngorongoro Crater where everything feels hushed except for hippos snorting by the water.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much around the campfire with strangers-turned-friends or to feel so small watching elephants cross Tarangire at dawn on our last morning. There’s always coffee ready before sunrise (thank god), and Joseph somehow remembers everyone’s favorite snack. The private safari vehicle makes it easy to stop whenever someone yells “wait!”, which happens more than you’d think when zebras wander right past your window. By the end I was sunburned and dusty and honestly kind of sad to leave. That sky over Serengeti stays with me.

What’s included

• Your week includes airport pickup and drop-off from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
• all park entry fees for Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire.
• private 4x4 safari vehicle with an English-speaking guide.
• bottled water during game drives.
• six nights’ accommodation.
• plus all meals as described, including picnic lunches out on the plains before heading back each evening.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Child (8 to 17 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Gosheni Safaris (T) Limited

Traveler reviews

4.98★★★★★★★★★★

144 verified traveler reviews

5 ★142

4 ★1

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 17 years). Under 8: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many days is this Tanzania safari?

This safari lasts 7 days and covers key areas like Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire.

Is pickup from Kilimanjaro International Airport included?

Yes, airport transfers are included at both arrival and departure.

Are meals provided during the safari?

All meals are included as specified in the itinerary: breakfasts, lunches (often picnics), and dinners.

What wildlife can I expect to see?

You may see lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, flamingos, cheetahs, leopards, rhinos and more.

Is this tour private or group-based?

This is a private safari tour with your own vehicle and professional English-speaking guide.

Are park entry fees included in the price?

Yes, all national park entry fees and Ngorongoro Crater fees are covered.

What type of accommodation is provided?

The tour includes six nights in lodges or camps as listed in the itinerary. Upgrades may be available.