7 Days Best of Tanzania Safari
from $4,500 per person
This 7-day Tanzania safari is designed for travelers seeking an unforgettable wildlife adventure through some of Tanzania’s most remarkable national parks and landscapes. The journey combines exciting game drives, spectacular wildlife viewing, the vast plains of the Serengeti, and the incredible scenery of the Ngorongoro Crater. Along the way, you’ll have opportunities to encounter the Big Five, discover diverse ecosystems, and experience the beauty of Tanzania’s legendary safari destinations. With comfortable accommodation, expert safari guidance, and carefully planned routes, this 7 Days Best of Tanzania Safari offers an immersive and memorable East African adventure.
Safari Details: 7 Days Best of Tanzania Safari
Overview
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Destination: Northern Tanzania
Safari Type: Wildlife Safari & Big Five Adventure
Start Point: Arusha, Tanzania
End Point: Arusha, Tanzania
Main Activities: Game drives, Big Five wildlife viewing, Serengeti safari, Ngorongoro Crater safari, Tarangire wildlife viewing, birdwatching, scenic drives
Accommodation: Luxury, Mid-range, or Budget Lodge/Camp
Best Time to Visit: June to October for generally dry conditions and strong wildlife viewing; other periods can offer different experiences depending on your interests
The 7 Days Best of Tanzania Safari takes travelers on an immersive wildlife journey through some of northern Tanzania's most celebrated safari destinations. From the elephant-rich landscapes of Tarangire National Park to the wildlife-filled plains of the Serengeti and the remarkable ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, this seven-day Tanzania safari combines diverse landscapes with opportunities for memorable game-viewing experiences.
Northern Tanzania is renowned for its exceptional concentration of wildlife, varied ecosystems, and spectacular scenery. Depending on the itinerary and season, travelers may encounter elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, numerous antelope species, and a wide range of birds. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the region provides some of East Africa's most rewarding settings for safari.
This 7-day Tanzania safari itinerary provides enough time to explore several major destinations without making the journey solely about long transfers. The safari can include Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, depending on the final routing and accommodation arrangements.
The Serengeti is one of the highlights of the journey, offering expansive grasslands, woodland habitats, seasonal rivers, and diverse wildlife. Game drives allow travelers to explore different areas of the park and search for predators, herbivores, and other wildlife in their natural surroundings. If your travel dates coincide with the seasonal movements of wildebeest and other grazing animals, the itinerary can also be planned around relevant areas of the Great Migration, subject to wildlife movements and park conditions.
The Ngorongoro Crater provides another major highlight. The crater's enclosed ecosystem supports a remarkable concentration of wildlife and offers opportunities to see large mammals against a dramatic volcanic landscape. A crater game drive adds a different dimension to the Serengeti experience and makes the safari particularly varied.
Tarangire National Park introduces another distinctive landscape, known for its large elephant populations, ancient baobab trees, seasonal wetlands, and diverse wildlife habitats. Depending on the season, the park can provide excellent opportunities for observing elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, birds, and other wildlife.
Where included in the itinerary, Lake Manyara National Park adds further ecological diversity. Its combination of woodland, open areas, wetlands, and lake habitats supports a variety of wildlife and bird species. The park can complement the larger Serengeti and Ngorongoro experiences by providing a different landscape and wildlife environment.
Beyond wildlife viewing, this 7 Days Best of Tanzania Safari offers opportunities to appreciate the landscapes and cultures of northern Tanzania. Depending on the selected itinerary, travelers may visit local communities, experience cultural activities, enjoy scenic drives, or combine the safari with additional experiences before or after the main wildlife circuit.
The safari can be arranged in different accommodation categories to suit individual preferences and budgets. Luxury lodges and tented camps provide enhanced comfort and carefully selected locations, while mid-range and budget options offer practical accommodation while keeping the safari more accessible.
Whether you are looking for a 7 day Tanzania safari, a Serengeti and Ngorongoro adventure, a Big Five wildlife experience, or a comprehensive northern Tanzania safari itinerary, this journey provides a flexible foundation for exploring the country's iconic wildlife destinations.
With game drives, diverse landscapes, renowned national parks, and opportunities to experience Tanzania's wildlife in its natural environment, the 7 Days Best of Tanzania Safari is designed for travelers who want to experience the highlights of northern Tanzania within one carefully planned safari.
Detailed Itinerary: 7 Days Best of Tanzania Safari
Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
After breakfast at your hotel in Arusha, meet your professional safari guide and begin your 7 Days Best of Tanzania Safari with a scenic drive toward Tarangire National Park.
The journey takes you through the landscapes of northern Tanzania, with views of local villages, cultivated farmland, open plains, and traditional Maasai communities along the way. As you approach Tarangire National Park, the scenery changes to woodland, grassland and seasonal wetlands.
Enter the park and begin your first game drive in search of Tanzania's wildlife. Tarangire is particularly known for its large elephant populations, ancient baobab trees and diverse wildlife habitats.
During the game drive, you may encounter elephants, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs and a variety of bird species. Lions and other predators may also be encountered, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Your guide will explain the park's ecosystems, wildlife and conservation importance while helping you identify animals and birds along the way.
Continue with your game drive before proceeding to your lodge or tented camp for check-in and relaxation.
Spend the evening enjoying the surroundings and preparing for the wildlife adventures ahead.
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in or near Tarangire
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Tarangire National Park – Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, depart Tarangire and continue toward Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania's scenic wildlife destinations.
Upon arrival, enter the park and begin a game drive through its diverse habitats. Lake Manyara is known for its combination of groundwater forests, open woodland, grassland and the seasonal lake environment.
As you explore the park, you may see elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, baboons, monkeys, antelopes and a variety of birdlife. Depending on conditions and wildlife movements, you may also have opportunities to observe predators.
The park is particularly interesting for travelers who enjoy bird watching, as its habitats support numerous bird species. The lake environment can also attract large concentrations of waterbirds during suitable seasons.
Your guide will provide information about the park's wildlife, vegetation and relationship with the surrounding ecosystem.
After the game drive, continue to your accommodation for check-in and relaxation.
Spend the remainder of the afternoon enjoying the lodge or camp and the surrounding scenery.
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp near Lake Manyara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, leave the Lake Manyara area and travel toward the world-renowned Serengeti National Park.
The journey takes you through the scenic landscapes of northern Tanzania and toward the wider Serengeti ecosystem. Depending on the route and itinerary, you may travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before continuing toward the Serengeti.
As you approach the Serengeti, the landscape opens into vast grasslands and rolling plains that provide habitat for some of Africa's most recognizable wildlife.
Enter Serengeti National Park and begin an en-route game drive as you make your way toward your accommodation.
Keep watch for zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes and other wildlife. Predators such as lions, cheetahs and leopards may also be encountered depending on the area, season and animal movements.
Your guide will explain the Serengeti ecosystem and help you understand the seasonal movements of wildlife across the plains.
Continue to your lodge or tented camp, check in and enjoy the evening surrounded by the sounds and landscapes of the Serengeti.
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Full-Day Serengeti National Park Safari
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before setting out for a full day of wildlife exploration in Serengeti National Park.
The Serengeti is one of Tanzania's most celebrated wildlife destinations, with vast plains supporting large populations of herbivores and predators.
Your morning game drive provides an opportunity to explore areas where wildlife is active during the cooler hours of the day. You may encounter lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, gazelles and numerous bird species.
With your experienced safari guide, you will follow suitable game-viewing routes based on current wildlife movements and park conditions.
Depending on the season and location of migrating herds, you may also have opportunities to witness aspects of the Great Migration. Wildlife movements are seasonal and unpredictable, so specific sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated location or return to the lodge depending on your itinerary.
Continue exploring the Serengeti in the afternoon before returning to your accommodation.
As the sun begins to set over the plains, drive back to your lodge or camp for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, enjoy another game drive in the Serengeti as you begin your journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Depending on your route and wildlife movements, you may have an opportunity for additional wildlife viewing as you leave the Serengeti.
The journey takes you through spectacular landscapes, with expansive grasslands gradually giving way to the highlands surrounding the Ngorongoro region.
Along the way, you may see wildlife and experience changing landscapes that demonstrate the ecological diversity of northern Tanzania.
Continue toward your lodge near the Ngorongoro Crater and check in.
The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing at the lodge, enjoying the views and preparing for the following day's crater safari.
Your guide can also provide information about the Ngorongoro ecosystem, wildlife and the importance of the conservation area.
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp near Ngorongoro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Karatu
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before descending into the Ngorongoro Crater for a memorable wildlife safari.
The crater is one of Tanzania's most remarkable wildlife areas, with a diverse range of habitats supporting numerous species within its enclosed volcanic landscape.
As you explore the crater floor, you may encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, antelopes and many bird species. Rhinoceros may also be encountered, although sightings are never guaranteed.
Your safari guide will help you understand the relationship between the crater's different habitats and the wildlife that depends on them.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated location before continuing your game drive.
After the crater experience, ascend from the crater and continue toward your accommodation in the Karatu area.
Spend the evening relaxing after a full day of wildlife viewing.
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in Karatu/Ngorongoro area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Karatu – Arusha – Departure
After breakfast, check out from your accommodation and begin your journey back toward Arusha, marking the final day of your 7 Days Best of Tanzania Safari.
Travel through the scenic landscapes of northern Tanzania while reflecting on the wildlife and landscapes experienced throughout the safari.
Depending on your departure schedule, you may have time to stop for photographs, visit a local community or enjoy a final lunch in Arusha.
If your international or onward flight departs later in the day, your guide can transfer you to the airport or another agreed location.
For travelers continuing to another destination, additional arrangements such as airport transfers, domestic flights or a Zanzibar extension can be incorporated into the itinerary.
This marks the end of your 7 Days Best of Tanzania Safari, featuring Tarangire's wildlife and baobabs, Lake Manyara's diverse habitats, the vast plains of Serengeti and the extraordinary wildlife environment of the Ngorongoro area.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Trip Includes
- Airport pickup and drop-off as specified in the itinerary
- Accommodation for 6 nights in selected safari lodges or tented camps
- Daily meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- All national park entrance fees included in the itinerary
- Serengeti National Park game drives
- Tarangire National Park game drive
- Lake Manyara National Park game drive
- Ngorongoro Crater safari
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area fees
- All scheduled game drives and safari activities
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Government taxes and applicable service charges
- Accommodation and meals for the safari crew where applicable
- All transfers between safari destinations included in the itinerary
- Wildlife viewing and photography opportunities
- Emergency assistance and safari support throughout the trip
Trip Excludes
- International flights to and from Tanzania
- Domestic or regional flights not specifically included in the itinerary
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and other premium beverages
- Laundry services
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and lodge staff
- Souvenirs and other personal purchases
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Additional nights before or after the safari
- Accommodation outside the specified itinerary
- Private expenses arising from itinerary changes requested by the traveler
- Any other services not specifically mentioned under What's Included
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What our travelers say
Robert KVerified
Bucket list seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Just an awesome trip . Everything went smoothly from booking to the end . All was as promised never missed anything , always on time , friendly etc. resort that was recommended was perfect , great food , comfortable . Saw the gorillas easily all was perfect . Jonathan the owner even took me in Kampala to buy the right clothes , took me him self . Noel and driver were excellent , never an issue they really cared. I trust this company , will use them again and highly recommend .
Maltes TravellerHighly recommended We had a wonderful experience with Jonathan. He welcomed us at the airport and took great care of us from the moment we arrived until the end of our trip. The selection of hotels was impeccable, and the route he designed was perfectly planned. Jonathan is extremely knowledgeable about wildlife and went the extra mile to make sure we saw lions and all of the Big Five during our visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. He was always attentive, patient, and eager to make our experience unforgettable. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide — highly recommended!
bharti nExceptional experience, enriching and truly unforgettable. From the moment we landed we received a warm welcome. Jonathan was friendly and readily available to answer any queries throughout our trip. He was incredibly accommodating with our requests to visit schools, residences ensuring that we achieved everything we wanted from the trip. We had a great time with Jonathan and driver Isaac. Jonathan was very funny and very knowledgeable he became part of the family and the time just flew whilst we were there, we felt safe at all times. The food at each venue catered for all our needs. Definitely leant a lot on this trip. Just need to be aware that food ordered in restaurants do take a long time as they make it from scratch so if pushed for time might be advisable to pre order. We had unforgettable holiday and this company went above and beyond to make every moment special. I would recommend them to anyone.
vjparGreat service from this local company We done a road trip across East Africa from Uganda to Tanzania. Jonathan and his team facilitated our trip across Uganda and Kenya which proved to be a very enjoyable experience. Guided knowledge provided by Jonathan was excellent as was his humor and wit. We always felt safe and informed, he managed the journey very well indeed. We would definitely use Jonathan's services again.
Adam John SmithMagical Uganda Safari Journey – February 2025! I had an unforgettable experience with Ababa Uganda Safaris! From the moment I arrived, everything was well-organized, and the team was incredibly friendly and professional. The tour guides were knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights about the wildlife and culture. Seeing gorillas up close in Bwindi and exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park was a dream come true. The accommodations were comfortable, and every detail was taken care of. I truly felt immersed in Uganda’s beauty without any stress. If you're planning a trip to Uganda, I highly recommend Ababa Uganda Safaris for a seamless and memorable adventure!
MadhviVerified
.gorilla trek Our KQ flight was horribly delayed. From 2.30 pm to arriving @ almost 3 am the following day. Jonathan kindly arranged for airport pick at this early hour of day and even rescheduled our departure for bwindi so we could get some rest. That was very accommodating.the drive to bwindi was a long drive -11 hrs- n he informed hotel of our late arrival. The lodge he chose for us was good and comfortable. However the vehicle for transporti g us could be better as it was quite hot without air conditioning. Gorilla trek was good but tough. Overall Ababa safaris were very accommodating. I wouldrecommend them. The hotel in Kampala- Speke hotel leaves a lot to be desired
mo-marvinSuch a wonderful experience!! My family and I contacted Jonathan to help us plan our first Murchison Falls safari. Jonathan arranged our transport from Kampala, with a stop at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and guided game drives through Murchison falls. Ronnie, our professional driver and guide, was very knowledgeable and paid close attention to details to make us comfortable. He met with us a day before takeoff to answer any outstanding questions and recommended a time for us to set off to avoid any traffic. His experience made our trip even more enjoyable because we knew what to expect for entry fees into the park, where to stop to use clean washrooms, eat good food, and also what side of the boat cruise to sit on for the best views! We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, job, rhinos, buffaloes and many other animals. We would definitely go with them for our next safari in Uganda! They had great communication, value for money, professionalism, knowledge of the industry and were very reliable.
Katelyn OA must-hire company! Punctual, professional, great communication. We used Ababa Safaris for a trip from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park. I would HIGHLY recommend! Our driver picked us up in a large safari vehicle with a pop up roof. The driver was very punctual and had excellent communication while preparing for the trip and during the trip. Ronnie took us to a nice restaurant for a rest stop that had clean bathrooms and good food. He was friendly with many people we met along the way at the Rhino Sanctuary, on the safari trails, and at our chosen lodging. It felt as though he had good connections with people, which we took as a good sign. Ronnie was very knowledgeable about the best places to see the animals and gave us a great safari experience. As the person in the family who does much of the planning, it was a very enjoyable experience to hand all of that over to Ababa and really get to enjoy myself.
HoehlenhonkAnimals and beautiful nature in Uganda and Rwanda From being picked-up from Entebbe airport in the middle of the night until the drop-off eleven days later in Kigali it was a perfect tour. Jonathan, our guide, and the driver Moses was a perfect team - very friendly, knowledgable and always in time. We visited Entebbe for a tour through the botanical gardens and the zoo, did safaris and boat trips in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth NP and did trekkings to the chimpazees in Kibale and to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The primates are a must visit when you travel to this region. It's expensive but worth every dollar. The safari parks are of course not as rich in animals as for example the Masai Mara. But they are much cheaper, there are much lesser tourists and nevertheless it doesn't become boring regarding animal sightings. We saw a lot of different antelopes, beautiful giraffes, lions, many elephants, buffalos, a lot of hippos and crocodiles and much more. The choice of hotels was very good, simple and cheap where there was only a short overnight stay and a bit more expensive where it was worth to spend the money for staying close to the places of interest, e.g. close to the starting point for primate trekkings or in the middle of QENP and Murchison NP for not loosing game-drive-time.
Dilip PUGANDA SAFARI WITH ABABA We had a nice holiday with ABABA SAFARI in Uganda it was a nice experience in Uganda and the travel agent as well especially Jonathan was our tour guide very nice person he was always very helpful and kind. we traveled about 1200km but had no problem I am a vegetarian and wherever we go he always arranges something for me i recommend them at and competitive price I give them a 5-star