Seven days is the sweet spot for a first Tanzania safari: long enough for three genuinely different ecosystems, short enough to avoid transfer fatigue. This is the northern-circuit itinerary we run most often, refined over hundreds of departures.
Expect $2,450–$9,800 per person on the ground depending on your accommodation tier.
Day 1 — Arrive Kilimanjaro, transfer to Arusha
Met at Kilimanjaro International, then a 60-minute transfer to a garden lodge in Arusha. Trip briefing, kit check and an early night to reset after the flight.
Day 2 — Tarangire National Park
A three-hour drive to Tarangire, famous for enormous elephant herds and ancient baobabs. Afternoon game drive, overnight at a camp overlooking the Tarangire River — one of the best sundowner views in Tanzania.
Day 3 — Ngorongoro Crater
Descend into the crater at dawn, when the caldera floor is still misty and the lions are still moving. Ngorongoro holds one of Africa's densest predator populations and a small population of black rhino, making a Big Five day genuinely realistic.
Days 4–6 — Serengeti National Park
Three nights in the Serengeti, positioned according to where the migration is that month — Ndutu in the south from January to March, the north from July to October. Full days of game driving, an optional sunrise balloon flight, and mobile-camp nights under exceptional night skies.
- Optional: hot-air balloon safari with bush breakfast ($599 per person)
- Optional: Maasai village visit and guided walking safari
- Private-vehicle upgrade recommended for photographers
Day 7 — Fly out or connect to Zanzibar
A final morning game drive, then a light aircraft from an airstrip inside the park back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro. Many guests connect straight through to Zanzibar for three or four beach nights — the flight is under two hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for a Tanzania safari?
Yes. Seven days comfortably covers Tarangire, Ngorongoro and three Serengeti nights without excessive driving. Fewer than five days means one park effectively becomes a transit day.
How much does this 7-day itinerary cost?
$2,450–$9,800 per person on the ground depending on accommodation tier, including all park fees, guiding and full board. International flights are separate.
Should I drive or fly between parks?
Driving shows you the landscape and is more affordable; flying saves 5–7 hours on the Serengeti legs. Most guests drive out and fly back.
Can this itinerary be extended to Zanzibar?
Yes — adding three or four Zanzibar nights is our most requested extension and takes the trip to 10 or 11 days.
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