Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Arrive in Arusha and meet your safari guide. Enjoy a relaxed drive to your lodge. Settle in, refresh, and go through your safari briefing. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation:
- Budget: Arusha Tourist Inn / Venus Premier Hotel
- Mid-range: Arusha Planet Lodge / African Tulip
- Luxury: Gran Melia Arusha / Mount Meru Hotel
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Leave Arusha after breakfast and drive to Tarangire. The park welcomes you with sweeping savannahs dotted with baobabs and large herds of elephants. Enjoy game drives along the Tarangire River, which attracts buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and lions.
Accommodation:
- Budget: Roika Tented Lodge / Tarangire Campsite
- Mid-range: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge / Tarangire Safari Lodge
- Luxury: Tarangire Sopa Lodge / Tarangire Treetops
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park
Start the morning with a short drive to Lake Manyara. Explore its dense groundwater forests filled with baboons, monkeys, and elephants. Visit the open plains where tree-climbing lions and hippos thrive. Continue toward Karatu for overnight.
Accommodation:
- Budget: Flamingo Campsite / Panorama Campsite
- Mid-range: Country Lodge Karatu / Manyara Tortilis Camp
- Luxury: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge / Escarpment Luxury Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Lake Manyara – Serengeti (Central)
Enjoy a scenic drive toward the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro highlands. Enter the endless plains and begin spotting lions, cheetahs, elephants, and large herds grazing. Reach your camp in central Serengeti for sunset views and relaxation.
Accommodation:
- Budget: Nyani Public Campsite
- Mid-range: Serengeti Tortilis Camp / Serengeti Heritage Camp
- Luxury: Serengeti Serena Lodge / Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Spend a whole day exploring Serengeti’s rich wildlife zones. Track big cats in the Seronera Valley, watch herds moving across the plains, and enjoy sightings of giraffes, buffalo, hyenas, and stunning birdlife. Your guide will choose the best routes based on wildlife activity.
Accommodation:
- Budget: Nyani Public Campsite
- Mid-range: Serengeti Tortilis Camp / Serengeti Heritage Camp
- Luxury: Serengeti Serena Lodge / Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, enjoy another wildlife-filled drive across Serengeti as you proceed toward Ngorongoro. Reach the crater rim for incredible sweeping views before checking in at your lodge in the highlands.
Accommodation:
- Budget: Simba Public Campsite
- Mid-range: Marera Valley Lodge / Country Lodge Karatu
- Luxury: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive – Karatu
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater early morning for a full day of unmatched wildlife viewing. Spot rhinos, lions, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, and flamingos. The crater floor offers some of the best wildlife densities in Africa. Later, return to your lodge in Karatu.
Accommodation:
- Budget: Simba Public Campsite
- Mid-range: Marera Valley Lodge / Country Lodge Karatu
- Luxury: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Karatu – Arusha – Departure
After breakfast, take a calm drive back to Arusha. Enjoy scenic highland views and local farms along the way. Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport for departure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
ESTIMATED COST PER PERSON (Based on 6 People Sharing)
Budget Package
USD 2,250 – 2,750 per person
Simple tented camps or public campsites, basic comforts, shared facilities in some areas.
Mid-range Package
USD 3,400 – 4,000 per person
Comfort-focused lodges or mid-range tented camps with private amenities.
Luxury Package
USD 5,200 – 6,200 per person
High-end lodges or luxury tented camps offering premium comfort and excellent service.
Best Time to Travel
- June to October: Peak wildlife visibility, dry and clear conditions
- December to July: Great time to witness the Serengeti Migration in different regions
- Best Avoided: Late March to May due to rains