7-Day Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara Safari
7 daysA balanced Northern Circuit safari with strong Serengeti wildlife time, a full crater day, and Manyara’s forest-and-lake scenery.
Explore Journey →7 Days Tanzania Budget Safari
This 7-day Tanzania budget safari is built for travelers who want the full Northern Circuit experience—without paying for high-end luxury lodges. The focus is simple: maximize wildlife time, use reliable comfortable camps/lodges, and keep the routing practical so you spend your days in the parks (not stuck in unnecessary transfers). You’ll start in Tarangire for elephants and baobabs, then head to Serengeti for two wildlife-heavy days around prime game-viewing areas, before finishing with a full Ngorongoro Crater descent and a final Lake Manyara safari for forest wildlife and lakeshore birdlife.
The itinerary is flexible where it matters: your guide adjusts game-drive routes based on sightings, seasonality, and your interests (big cats, elephants, birds, photography, etc.). Expect early starts for the best wildlife windows, well-timed picnic lunches inside the parks, and comfortable evenings at camp to rest and recharge.
Want to keep it budget but add one “wow” moment? We can add a Serengeti balloon safari (optional), or simply upgrade one or two nights to a higher category—without changing the overall itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Transfer to Arusha
When you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our team meets you for a private transfer to Arusha. This is your “settle-in” day—ideal for resting after your flight and getting comfortable before the safari begins. Depending on arrival time, you can relax at the lodge, take a short walk around the property, or simply enjoy the first evening atmosphere of northern Tanzania.
Later, we brief you on the safari flow: what to expect on game drives, how to plan your mornings, simple tips for photography, and how we handle picnic lunches and bathroom stops in the parks. If you have special requests (dietary needs, celebration plans, or a preference for focusing on particular wildlife), we confirm everything now so the week runs smoothly.
Overnight: Summit Safari Lodge – Arusha (or similar budget lodge)
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Full Day Game Drive – Karatu
After an early breakfast, you drive to Tarangire National Park—famous for elephants, baobab-dotted landscapes, and excellent birdlife. Tarangire’s river system draws wildlife, especially in drier months, so the game-viewing can be outstanding: elephants in large family groups, zebra and wildebeest herds, giraffes browsing acacias, and predators following the movement of prey.
Your guide plans the day around the strongest wildlife zones—river corridors, open plains, and seasonal swamps. You’ll stop for a picnic lunch at a designated site and continue the drive into the late afternoon when animals become more active again. Expect a day that feels “big safari” from the start: lots of action, plenty of photo stops, and a clear introduction to Tanzania’s ecosystems.
In the late afternoon, you exit the park and continue to the cooler highlands around Karatu—perfect for a restful night before the Serengeti journey tomorrow.
Overnight: Marera Valley Lodge (or similar in Karatu)
Day 3: Karatu to Serengeti National Park – Scenic Drive & Afternoon Game Viewing
Today you head toward the Serengeti—one of Africa’s most iconic wilderness areas. The drive itself is part of the adventure as landscapes shift from farmlands and highlands into vast open plains. You pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with chances for wildlife sightings on the way, then descend toward the Serengeti ecosystem.
Upon entering the park, game viewing begins immediately. Even “transfer days” in Serengeti can be excellent because you’re moving through habitats where wildlife is constantly present. Your guide watches for lion activity near kopjes, cheetah scanning the plains, and large herds that can stretch to the horizon in the right season.
After arriving and settling at camp, you head out again (time permitting) for an afternoon drive, using the cooler hours to look for predators as they begin moving before dusk. Return for dinner and an authentic overnight in the bush.
Overnight: Serengeti Heritage Camp / Kontiki Serengeti Camp (or similar budget tented camp)
Day 4: Full Day Serengeti Game Drive – Big Cats & Endless Plains
This is a dedicated Serengeti wildlife day—early start, full game drive, and the freedom to follow sightings. Morning hours are prime: lions may still be active from nighttime hunts, hyenas patrol, and herbivores move toward water. Your guide will use a mix of tracking skill, current sightings, and smart routing to maximize your chances of the Serengeti “headline” species.
Depending on season and location, you may focus on river lines for leopard and hippo pools, open plains for cheetah, or kopjes where lions use elevated rocks as lookout points. The day includes a picnic lunch in the park so you stay out during the best viewing window rather than returning to camp too early.
In the late afternoon, you continue game viewing as temperatures cool, then return to camp with time to freshen up, enjoy dinner, and listen to the Serengeti night sounds—one of the most unforgettable parts of staying in the wild.
Overnight: Serengeti Heritage Camp / Kontiki Serengeti Camp (or similar)
Day 5: Morning Serengeti Safari – Maasai Cultural Visit – Ngorongoro Highlands
After an early breakfast, you head out for a final Serengeti morning drive—ideal for “finishing targets” (maybe leopard, cheetah, or a strong lion sighting) and enjoying the soft morning light for photography. The Serengeti often surprises on the last morning, and your guide keeps the route flexible to react to fresh tracks and calls from other guides.
Later, you begin the journey toward Ngorongoro. Along the way, you stop for a Maasai boma visit. This is a cultural moment that adds depth to your safari—learning about traditional pastoral life, homestead structure, cattle culture, and how communities live alongside wildlife landscapes. (If you prefer to skip cultural visits, we can keep the day purely wildlife-focused.)
Arrive in the Ngorongoro highlands in time to relax and prepare for the crater descent tomorrow. Nights here are cooler—perfect for sleeping well before the early start.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Wild Camp / Ngorongoro Safari Lodge (or similar budget option)
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Full Day Game Drive – Return to Karatu
Today is the Ngorongoro Crater—often described as one of the most wildlife-dense places in Africa. You depart early, descend the crater walls, and spend the day exploring a natural amphitheater of grasslands, wetlands, forests, and the soda lake. Because everything is concentrated in one area, sightings can come fast: lion prides, large buffalo herds, zebra and wildebeest, hyenas, hippos, and an excellent chance to search for black rhino.
Your guide balances the day between “headline animals” and the crater’s smaller details—jackals, dense birdlife, and dramatic scenery. You’ll stop for a picnic lunch at a designated site (often near the hippo pool), then continue game viewing until afternoon before ascending back to the rim.
After the crater, you drive back toward Karatu for dinner and rest. This sets you up nicely for a relaxed Lake Manyara morning tomorrow.
Overnight: Marera Valley Lodge (or similar in Karatu)
Day 7: Lake Manyara National Park – Game Drive – Return to Arusha / JRO Departure
After breakfast, you drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a final safari experience that feels completely different from the Serengeti plains. Manyara is known for its lush groundwater forest, troops of baboons and blue monkeys, and beautiful lakeshore scenery with seasonal flamingos and other waterbirds. The forest light is excellent for photography, and elephant encounters can be especially memorable here.
Your guide explores a mix of habitats—forest, open clearings, and lakeshore areas—watching for hippos, buffalo, giraffes, and (with some luck) the park’s famous tree-climbing lions. After the game drive, you return to Arusha with lunch en route, then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your outbound flight.
End of Safari.
Rate Per Person (USD)
| Group Size | Price (pp) |
|---|---|
| Solo (1 pax) | $3,990 |
| 2 pax | $2,885 |
| 3 pax | $2,530 |
| 4 pax | $2,350 |
| 5 pax | $2,230 |
| 6 pax | $2,100 |
| 7+ pax | $ON-REQUEST |
Best-value Northern Circuit • Comfortable budget stays • Strong Serengeti focus + Ngorongoro Crater day
Language Guides Available
- ✓English-speaking guide (included)
- ✓Arabic-speaking guide (on request)
- ✓Spanish-speaking guide (on request)
- ✓Other languages (on request)
English is included. Other languages are available on request (typically $50–$100/day per guide depending on language and season).
Included
- ✓All park fees & crater service fees (as per itinerary)
- ✓Professional English-speaking safari guide
- ✓Safari vehicle (shared or private depending on booking)
- ✓Accommodation as listed (budget lodges/camps)
- ✓Meals during safari (from dinner Day 1 to lunch Day 7)
- ✓Picnic lunches on game drive days
- ✓Maasai cultural visit (as scheduled)
- ✓Airport transfers (JRO) and logistics support
Excluded
- ✗International flights & visas
- ✗Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- ✗Tips for guide and lodge staff
- ✗Optional activities (balloon safari, Olduvai Gorge, etc.)
- ✗Personal items, alcohol, and anything not listed as included
