7-Day Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara Safari
7 daysAdd Lake Manyara to your route for forest-and-lakeshore wildlife and a different landscape finish.
Explore Journey →7 Days Serengeti & Ngorongoro Mid-Range Safari (Comfort Camps)
This 7-day mid-range itinerary is designed for travelers who want a deep Serengeti experience without sacrificing comfort. You’ll sleep in well-run tented camps selected for location, service, and a true “in the bush” atmosphere — while enjoying the flexibility of a private 4x4 and an expert guide who follows real wildlife movement, not a fixed timetable.
You spend meaningful time in central Serengeti (Seronera), a year-round hotspot for predators thanks to permanent water and strong prey density. With multiple game drives across different habitats — kopjes, river lines, and open hunting plains — you maximize your chances for lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the classic Serengeti scenes that define Tanzania safaris.
The safari finishes with a full Ngorongoro Crater descent — an iconic natural amphitheater with exceptional wildlife density and one of the best chances in Tanzania to spot the black rhino. Optional balloon safari, Maasai cultural visit, and Zanzibar extension are available on request.
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Private Transfer to Arusha
Welcome to Tanzania. On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), our team will meet you and assist you with a smooth, private transfer to Arusha. The drive is scenic and relaxed — passing small towns, open farmland, and (on clear days) views toward Mount Meru, the dramatic peak that dominates the Arusha skyline.
After check-in at your lodge, the remainder of the day is intentionally flexible. If you’ve had a long journey, you can rest and recharge. If you arrive earlier, we can arrange light add-ons such as a short Arusha town stop, a coffee experience, or a craft market visit — all without rushing your schedule. In the evening, your guide or our operations team will confirm the next-day departure time, route flow, and practical game-drive tips to help you get the most from your safari.
Overnight: Arusha (Midrange lodge) • Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Arusha to Serengeti – Scenic Transfer via Ngorongoro – Game Drive En Route to Camp
After breakfast, you depart Arusha and begin the journey toward the Serengeti. This is a beautiful travel day because the landscape changes dramatically — climbing into the cooler Ngorongoro highlands, passing cultivated hillsides and viewpoints, then slowly opening into the vast Serengeti plains that stretch to the horizon.
Once you enter Serengeti National Park, the safari begins immediately with game viewing en route toward central Serengeti (Seronera). This region is a year-round wildlife hub thanks to permanent water and strong prey density. Expect classic sightings such as giraffe and elephant moving through acacia woodland pockets, herds of zebra and wildebeest, and — with luck — predators already in position near river lines and kopjes.
Arrive at your comfort tented camp later in the day. If time allows, you can do a short late-afternoon drive — a prime window when temperatures cool and predators become more active. Return for dinner, warm hospitality, and the unforgettable sounds of the Serengeti night.
Overnight: Central Serengeti (Comfort Tented Camp) • Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Full Day Serengeti – Predator Tracking, Kopjes & River Lines
Today is a full Serengeti safari day — which means no rushing and no shortcuts. You’ll head out early when the light is soft and wildlife is active. Your guide uses a combination of fresh tracks, animal behavior, and recent sightings to position you for the best possible encounters. In Serengeti, strategy matters: knowing where the herds are feeding, where lions are likely resting, and where leopards prefer to hide can transform a good day into an unforgettable one.
Central Serengeti is famous for habitat variety. Rocky kopjes provide shade and lookout points for lions; open plains create ideal hunting visibility for cheetahs; and the Seronera River corridor often supports leopard sightings, especially during quieter hours. You’ll explore multiple zones to maximize diversity — not just repeat the same tracks — and stop for a picnic lunch so you remain inside the park during prime viewing time.
In the afternoon, you can slow down at the best sightings rather than “drive and leave.” This flexibility is what a private safari does best: if you want to spend time observing a pride dynamic, wait for a leopard to move, or stay for a cheetah hunt attempt, your guide can adapt the day around you. Return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Central Serengeti (Comfort Tented Camp) • Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4: Serengeti Deep Dive – Optional Balloon Safari & Flexible Game-Drive Plan
A second full Serengeti day gives you depth — the difference between “seeing the Serengeti” and truly experiencing it. If you’d like a bucket-list upgrade, today is ideal for a Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Safari (optional, on request). Floating quietly above the plains as herds move below is unforgettable, and the experience typically ends with a celebratory bush breakfast in a scenic location.
Whether you choose the balloon or not, your guide plans the day around what you’ve already seen and what you want most. If lions were abundant yesterday, you may focus on leopard territory near the river lines — scanning mature trees and shaded bends. If you’re hoping for cheetah behavior, you’ll spend more time in open hunting ground where their speed and tactics are easier to observe.
With a full day available, you can stay out across the best activity windows, enjoy a relaxed picnic, and prioritize quality time at sightings. Return to camp for your final Serengeti dinner — often the perfect evening for stories, photos, and that quiet sense of being far from the busy world.
Overnight: Central Serengeti (Comfort Tented Camp) • Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands – Scenic Transfer & Optional Maasai Cultural Visit
After breakfast, you depart Serengeti and begin your journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Even on transfer days, wildlife sightings can surprise you — your guide remains alert for predators, elephants, and herds along the exit routes. As you climb into the highlands, you’ll feel the air cool and the landscape shift from open plains to greener slopes and crater viewpoints.
If you’d like a cultural element, we can arrange a Maasai village (boma) visit (optional, on request). This provides a guided, respectful introduction to Maasai life — traditional home structures, community roles, and how cattle culture shapes daily routines. It’s a meaningful way to understand the human side of conservation landscapes.
You arrive at your Ngorongoro highlands accommodation with time to rest and prepare for the crater descent the next morning. This positioning is intentional: starting early gives you the best crater experience before the floor becomes busier.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Highlands (Midrange lodge/camp) • Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Full Day – Big-Game Density & Rhino Search
Today is one of Tanzania’s most iconic safari days: an early start and a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is a massive volcanic caldera with grasslands, swamps, woodland pockets, and a soda lake — each habitat supporting different wildlife. Because many animals remain within the crater, the density is exceptional, making sightings consistent and varied.
Expect strong chances for lion, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hyena, hippo, and large elephant bulls. Ngorongoro is also one of the best places in Tanzania to search for the black rhino — rare, protected, and truly special to spot. Your guide focuses on the most promising areas based on visibility, ranger information, and recent movement patterns. A picnic lunch inside the crater keeps you immersed in the environment, often with wildlife surprisingly close.
In the afternoon, you continue the game drive to ensure a complete crater experience — not just a quick loop — before ascending back to the rim. Return to your lodge for dinner and a restful evening in the cool highland air.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Highlands (Midrange lodge/camp) • Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 7: Return to Arusha – Transfer to JRO for Departure
After breakfast, you begin the drive back to Arusha. Depending on your onward flight schedule, the morning can be relaxed or include a light stop for souvenirs, coffee, or a final scenic viewpoint. Your guide will manage the timing carefully so the airport transfer remains comfortable and stress-free.
You will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure flight. If you are extending to Zanzibar or another destination, we can align the drop-off with your domestic connection.
End of Safari.
Rate Per Person (USD)
| Group Size | Price (pp) |
|---|---|
| Solo (1 pax) | $5,950 |
| 2 pax | $4,420 |
| 3 pax | $4,080 |
| 4 pax | $3,900 |
| 5 pax | $3,790 |
| 6 pax | $3,620 |
| 7+ pax | ON REQUEST |
Comfort tented camps • Private 4×4 & guide • Serengeti + Ngorongoro
Language Guides
- ✓English-speaking guide (included)
- ✓French / Spanish / German / Italian / Arabic (on request – typically $50–$100 per guide/day)
- ✓Other languages available on request
Included
- ✓All park & conservation fees (as per itinerary)
- ✓Professional safari guide & private 4x4 safari vehicle
- ✓Accommodation in comfort mid-range camps/lodges
- ✓Meals during safari (Full Board on safari days)
- ✓Unlimited game drives as per itinerary
- ✓Drinking water in the vehicle
- ✓Airport transfers & logistics support (JRO/Arusha)
Note: Balloon safari and Maasai village visit are available on request (optional add-ons).
Excluded
- ✗International flights & visas
- ✗Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- ✗Tips for guide and lodge staff
- ✗Optional activities (balloon safari, cultural visits, etc.)
- ✗Personal items, alcohol, and anything not listed as included
