7-Day Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, 3 Nights in Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater

The best of the Northern Circuit with three relaxed nights inside the Serengeti.

Duration

7 Days

From

$2,190 pp

Style

Private journey

Overview

Experience the best of Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit on this 7-day safari with 3 nights in Serengeti National Park. This itinerary combines the elephant-rich landscapes of Tarangire, three immersive nights in the Serengeti, and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. Staying three consecutive nights at Lala Salama Serengeti Camp lets you explore the Serengeti at a relaxed pace without packing and changing accommodation every day.

Highlights

  • 3 nights in Serengeti National Park at Lala Salama Serengeti Camp
  • Tarangire National Park and its famous elephant herds
  • Excellent opportunities to see Tanzania's big cats
  • Ngorongoro Crater game drive, with a chance of black rhino
  • Two nights at Moonbow Lodge in Karatu
  • Private safari with an experienced Serengeti Wakanda guide

Day-by-day itinerary

Sample programme. Every journey is private and can be paced or extended to suit you.

1

Arrival in Arusha: Airport Pickup & Transfer to Your Hotel

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Serengeti Wakanda representative and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha. After check-in, you can relax and recover from your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore a little of Arusha or simply enjoy a quiet evening before your safari begins. Overnight at Forest Hill Hotel, Arusha • Bed & Breakfast.

Your safari begins the moment you walk out of Kilimanjaro International Airport. A Serengeti Wakanda guide is waiting with your name on a board and the words every traveller wants to hear: karibu Tanzania, welcome to Tanzania.

We transfer you to your lodge in the Arusha foothills, where you can shower, change into safari clothes and settle in. Your driver-guide joins you for a relaxed welcome dinner, walks through tomorrow's plan in detail and answers every last question. An early night sets you up for the days ahead.

Dinner~50 km, 1 hr from JRO to Arusha

Today's plan

  • Meet & greet at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
  • Private transfer to your Arusha lodge (about 1 hour)
  • Trip briefing with your driver-guide over dinner
  • Time to rest, swap currency and adjust to the time zone

Where you sleep tonight

Forest Hill Hotel

Forest Hill Hotel

Boutique hotel in Arusha

Karatu Highlands

Day 2 · Karatu Highlands

Arusha to Tarangire National Park, overnight in Karatu

After breakfast, depart Arusha and drive towards Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania's most scenic wildlife destinations. Tarangire is famous for its enormous elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and seasonal Tarangire River, which attracts large numbers of wildlife, particularly during the dry season. Enjoy a full day of game drives searching for elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo and numerous species of birds. In the afternoon, continue towards Karatu for a relaxing evening at your lodge. Overnight at Moonbow Lodge • Full Board.

Karatu is the green coffee town between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, cool, fertile and a perfect base. Many travellers prefer to overnight here instead of on the cold crater rim and descend fresh the next morning.

Use a half-day for a coffee farm tour, a walk to the Elephant Caves in Ngorongoro Forest or a Iraqw village visit. Otherwise simply rest by the lodge fire before tomorrow's crater dawn.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's plan

  • Coffee tour and tasting on a working farm
  • Walk to the Elephant Caves in the forest reserve
  • Iraqw cultural visit (optional)

Where you sleep tonight

Moonbow Lodge

Moonbow Lodge

Boutique lodge in Karatu

Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Day 3 · Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Karatu to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, depart for the world-famous Serengeti National Park. The drive takes you through the changing landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before entering the Serengeti. Begin your first Serengeti game drive en route to your camp, with opportunities to see lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and other wildlife. Arrive at Lala Salama Serengeti Camp, your exclusive Serengeti Wakanda camp, where you will spend the next three nights. Overnight at Lala Salama Serengeti Camp • Full Board.

The Seronera valley is the heart of the Serengeti and a year-round game-viewing area. Permanent water, rocky kopjes and short-grass plains create the highest density of big cats in Africa: roughly 1 lion per 10 km², and the best leopard sightings on the circuit.

Mornings start before sunrise to catch the cats while they are still active; midday is a slow picnic in the shade of an acacia. In the afternoon we work the riverine fig trees for leopards and the kopjes for resting prides. Distances are long but every stop is worth it.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner~145 km from Ngorongoro gate, ~3.5 hrs in-park

Today's plan

  • Dawn departure for prime cat activity
  • Picnic lunch on a Seronera kopje
  • Search the fig trees for leopards
  • Optional hot-air balloon safari at sunrise (extra)

Where you sleep tonight

Lala Salama Serengeti Camp

Lala Salama Serengeti Camp

Tented camp, Serengeti

Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Day 4 · Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Full-Day Serengeti National Park: Wildlife & Big Cats

Wake up in the heart of the Serengeti and enjoy a full day of game viewing. With no need to change accommodation, you can spend more time exploring the areas where wildlife activity is strongest. The Serengeti is home to some of Africa's greatest concentrations of predators, offering excellent opportunities to encounter lions, cheetahs and leopards, as well as large herds of wildebeest and zebra. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive, then return to Lala Salama in the evening for dinner and relaxation. Overnight at Lala Salama Serengeti Camp • Full Board.

The Seronera valley is the heart of the Serengeti and a year-round game-viewing area. Permanent water, rocky kopjes and short-grass plains create the highest density of big cats in Africa: roughly 1 lion per 10 km², and the best leopard sightings on the circuit.

Mornings start before sunrise to catch the cats while they are still active; midday is a slow picnic in the shade of an acacia. In the afternoon we work the riverine fig trees for leopards and the kopjes for resting prides. Distances are long but every stop is worth it.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner~145 km from Ngorongoro gate, ~3.5 hrs in-park

Today's plan

  • Dawn departure for prime cat activity
  • Picnic lunch on a Seronera kopje
  • Search the fig trees for leopards
  • Optional hot-air balloon safari at sunrise (extra)

Where you sleep tonight

Lala Salama Serengeti Camp

Lala Salama Serengeti Camp

Tented camp, Serengeti

Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Day 5 · Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Serengeti National Park: Full-Day Safari

Today is another opportunity to explore the extraordinary wilderness of the Serengeti. Depending on the season, your safari may focus on different parts of the ecosystem and the movements of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Look out for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, antelopes and large concentrations of plains game, while keeping an eye out for the Serengeti's famous big cats. After another memorable day in the bush, return to Lala Salama Serengeti Camp for your final night in the Serengeti. Overnight at Lala Salama Serengeti Camp • Full Board.

The Seronera valley is the heart of the Serengeti and a year-round game-viewing area. Permanent water, rocky kopjes and short-grass plains create the highest density of big cats in Africa: roughly 1 lion per 10 km², and the best leopard sightings on the circuit.

Mornings start before sunrise to catch the cats while they are still active; midday is a slow picnic in the shade of an acacia. In the afternoon we work the riverine fig trees for leopards and the kopjes for resting prides. Distances are long but every stop is worth it.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner~145 km from Ngorongoro gate, ~3.5 hrs in-park

Today's plan

  • Dawn departure for prime cat activity
  • Picnic lunch on a Seronera kopje
  • Search the fig trees for leopards
  • Optional hot-air balloon safari at sunrise (extra)

Where you sleep tonight

Lala Salama Serengeti Camp

Lala Salama Serengeti Camp

Tented camp, Serengeti

Karatu Highlands

Day 6 · Karatu Highlands

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater, overnight in Karatu

Enjoy an early breakfast before departing the Serengeti and heading towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater for an extended game drive. Often described as one of Africa's greatest wildlife destinations, the crater provides an incredible setting for seeing a wide variety of animals within a relatively compact area: lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, and with some luck, the endangered black rhinoceros. After exploring the crater, ascend and continue to Karatu for your final night of the safari. Overnight at Moonbow Lodge • Full Board.

Karatu is the green coffee town between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, cool, fertile and a perfect base. Many travellers prefer to overnight here instead of on the cold crater rim and descend fresh the next morning.

Use a half-day for a coffee farm tour, a walk to the Elephant Caves in Ngorongoro Forest or a Iraqw village visit. Otherwise simply rest by the lodge fire before tomorrow's crater dawn.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's plan

  • Coffee tour and tasting on a working farm
  • Walk to the Elephant Caves in the forest reserve
  • Iraqw cultural visit (optional)

Where you sleep tonight

Moonbow Lodge

Moonbow Lodge

Boutique lodge in Karatu

Karatu Highlands

Day 7 · Karatu Highlands

Karatu to Arusha & Airport Drop-Off

After breakfast, begin your journey back towards Arusha. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time in Arusha before being transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight. Your unforgettable 7-day Tanzania safari with 3 nights in the Serengeti comes to an end. Breakfast included.

Karatu is the green coffee town between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, cool, fertile and a perfect base. Many travellers prefer to overnight here instead of on the cold crater rim and descend fresh the next morning.

Use a half-day for a coffee farm tour, a walk to the Elephant Caves in Ngorongoro Forest or a Iraqw village visit. Otherwise simply rest by the lodge fire before tomorrow's crater dawn.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's plan

  • Coffee tour and tasting on a working farm
  • Walk to the Elephant Caves in the forest reserve
  • Iraqw cultural visit (optional)

Route map

7-Day Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, 3 Nights in Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater, route

  1. 1Arusha
  2. 2Serengeti
  3. 3Kilimanjaro
  4. 4Tarangire
  5. 5Ngorongoro

What makes this trip special

Private journey

Your own vehicle, guide and pace, no shared safari.

Local expertise

Designed and led by Tanzanians who grew up beside these parks.

Photo-friendly

Pop-top vehicles, beanbags on request and unrushed stops at every sighting.

Good to know

Everything you need to plan, pack and travel with confidence.

Best time to travel

Year-round. Peak game viewing runs June to October, when the bush is dry and animals concentrate around water. January to March is the dramatic green season, with wildebeest calving in southern Serengeti and excellent predator action. November is a brief shoulder month with low prices and lush landscapes.

Group size

Designed for 2 to 6 guests in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser with a guaranteed window seat for everyone. Families, honeymooners and small friend groups are our sweet spot. Larger parties travel in additional vehicles, never with strangers.

Physical rating

Easy. Days are spent in the vehicle with comfortable lodge or tented camp accommodation. Optional walking safaris are graded separately and require basic fitness.

Getting there

Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is served by KLM, Qatar, Turkish, Ethiopian, Kenya Airways and Precision Air. We meet you at the gate and handle every transfer for the rest of the trip.

Visa & entry

USD 50 single-entry e-visa for most nationalities, applied for online at eservices.immigration.go.tz at least two weeks before travel. US passport holders need the USD 100 multiple-entry visa.

Currency & payments

US dollars (post-2009 bills only) are widely accepted; Tanzanian shillings for small purchases. Major lodges accept Visa and Mastercard but a small surcharge may apply.

Electricity

230 V, UK-style three-pin plugs (Type G). Most camps have charging in the main area; bring a universal adapter.

Connectivity

4G coverage across Arusha and Zanzibar, intermittent in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Most lodges have Wi-Fi in the main lounge. A local Vodacom or Airtel SIM is cheap and easy to buy at the airport.

Tipping guidance

A guideline, not an obligation. Around USD 25 per guest per day for your driver-guide and USD 10 per day for lodge staff (collective tip box). On Kilimanjaro, USD 20 to 25 per climber per day for the crew is standard.

Responsible travel

We are a Tanzanian-owned company and 100% of our guides, cooks and office staff are Tanzanian. Park fees flow directly to TANAPA and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Our camps follow leave-no-trace principles and we offset every vehicle kilometre through a verified East African reforestation program.

Booking & cancellation

To confirm your booking, a 30% deposit is required. You can make the payment via Revolut, Wise, standard bank transfer (fees vary by bank), or card (which incurs a 4% transaction fee). In case of any cancellations, receive a credit note for the full amount paid. We understand plans can change, so if you need to cancel, we’ve got you covered. You’ll receive a credit note for the amount paid, allowing you to rebook your safari within a generous 2-year timeframe. Explore at your convenience and enjoy the adventure when the time is right for you. The above policy would entirely depend on the accommodations opted for as they may differ.

What to pack

  • Neutral, layered safari clothes (long sleeves help with sun and mosquitoes)
  • A warm fleece for cold mornings on the Ngorongoro rim
  • Closed walking shoes and a wide-brimmed hat
  • Binoculars (8×42 is the safari standard) and a lightweight camera
  • Reef-safe sunscreen and a refillable water bottle
  • Soft duffel bag if flying between camps (15 kg limit)

Health & safety

  • Yellow fever certificate required only if arriving from a yellow fever country
  • Anti-malarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended, consult your travel clinic
  • Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is mandatory
  • Tap water is not potable, we provide unlimited bottled water in the vehicle

Photography

  • Pop-up roof and beanbags supplied on every vehicle
  • Bring at least a 100-400 mm zoom; a wide angle for landscapes
  • Extra memory cards and a charger that fits the 220 V UK-style plug
  • Drones are prohibited inside national parks without a written permit

Pricing, per person

Rates in USD, sharing twin/double accommodation. Final quote depends on chosen lodges and exact dates.

2 Pax3 Pax4 Pax5 Pax6 Pax
$3,070$2,625$2,410$2,275$2,190

Single supplement applies for solo travellers. "-" means group size not offered for this itinerary.

What's included

  • Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • All park & conservation fees
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • All meals on safari (B/L/D)
  • Bottled water in the vehicle
  • Airport transfers

Not included

  • International flights
  • Tanzania entry visa (USD 50, USD 100 for US citizens)
  • Travel & medical insurance
  • Personal expenses & tips
  • Optional activities (balloon, walking safari)

Frequently asked

When is the best time to go?+

June–October for classic game viewing; January–March for the calving season in southern Serengeti; July–October for the Mara River crossings.

Is it safe?+

Yes, our vehicles are radio-equipped, our guides are licensed, and we operate only in well-managed parks. We've been doing this for over a decade with zero incidents.

Can the itinerary be customised?+

Absolutely. Every tour is private and tailor-made, extend a day, add a balloon flight, or combine with Zanzibar.

Suggested reading

Plan with our journal

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