The trip at a glance
| Day | Stop | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arusha Arrival | Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, transfer to Arusha |
| Day 2 | Arusha → Tarangire | Drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, first game drive in the afternoon |
| Day 3 | Tarangire | Full-day game drive on the Tarangire River and in the baobab savannah |
| Day 4 | Tarangire → Lake Manyara → Karatu | Game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, onward journey to Karatu |
| Day 5 | Karatu → Serengeti | Drive from Karatu to the Serengeti, first game drive in the afternoon |
| Day 6 | Serengeti | Full-day game drive through the open plains of the Serengeti |
| Day 7 | Serengeti | Full-day game drive around Seronera in the centre of the Serengeti |
| Day 8 | Serengeti | Full-day game drive in the river valleys of the Serengeti |
| Day 9 | Serengeti → Karatu | Return drive from the Serengeti to Karatu |
| Day 10 | Ngorongoro | Full-day game drive on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater |
| Day 11 | Karatu → Arusha | Return drive from Karatu to Arusha, evening in the town |
| Day 12 | Arusha Return flight | Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport, journey home |
Itinerary
Day 1
Your guide meets you at Kilimanjaro Airport and drives with you to Arusha. Arusha is the starting point of your safari. At your accommodation you rest from the journey and prepare for the days ahead.
Day 2
After breakfast you drive with your guide from Arusha to Tarangire National Park; the drive takes about two and a half hours. In the afternoon you set off on your first game drive through the savannah with its towering baobabs. Along the Tarangire River you have a good chance of seeing herds of elephants, buffalo, zebras and giraffes.
Day 3
A whole day in Tarangire National Park gives you time to explore the park at your leisure. Your guide heads for the river and the baobab savannah, where particularly large numbers of animals gather in the dry season. With a bit of luck you will see the greater kudu or the fringe-eared oryx; both species are rare in the other parks of the north. The birdlife, with more than 550 species, is also worth a look.
Day 4
You leave Tarangire and drive to Lake Manyara National Park. On the game drive you move between dense groundwater forest, open grassland and the shore of the alkaline lake. Look out for the tree-climbing lions in the acacias and for flamingos on the lake. In the evening you reach Karatu, where you can reflect on the day at your accommodation.
Day 5
Today you travel from Karatu to the Serengeti, Tanzania's best-known national park. The drive itself takes you through varied landscape, and at your destination, wide plains and a high density of wildlife await you. In the afternoon you go on your first game drive with your guide and look out for lions, wildebeest and zebras.
Day 6
The first full day in the Serengeti belongs to the open plains. Cheetahs hunt here, and the great herds of wildebeest and zebras move through the park over the course of the year. Your guide knows the areas and takes you to the places where most animals are at the moment.
Day 7
The second full Serengeti day is also devoted entirely to game drives in the morning and late afternoon. Around Seronera in the centre of the park, river valleys, acacia landscapes and striking rock formations alternate; a particularly large amount of game is found here all year round. Leopards tend to keep to the rivers, and lions are easy to spot in the open landscape.
Day 8
The third Serengeti day takes you into the river valleys of the park. Hippos and Nile crocodiles lie on the banks; more than 500 bird species are also recorded here, including ostriches and crowned cranes. With a lot of luck you may even see a rhino. Sunrise and sunset over the plains are among the most impressive moments of these days.
Day 9
After three days in the Serengeti you begin the return drive to Karatu. Along the way you reflect on the impressions of the past few days and continue to look out for animals from the vehicle. In the evening you reach your accommodation in Karatu; from there you set off for the Ngorongoro Crater the next morning.
Day 10
Early in the morning you drive from Karatu to the Ngorongoro Crater and descend to the crater floor. The roughly 260 km² caldera combines grassland, swamps, patches of woodland and an alkaline lake with one of the highest densities of wildlife in Africa. You observe lions, elephants, buffalo and wildebeest, and here you have a very good chance of seeing the endangered black rhino. Flocks of flamingos gather on the lake depending on the water level.
Day 11
After the day in the Ngorongoro Crater you drive back to Arusha. The route leads through the landscape of northern Tanzania, and you have time to look back on the safari. In Arusha you spend the evening at your accommodation or on a walk through the town before heading home the next day.
Day 12
Your guide takes you to Kilimanjaro Airport, where you begin your journey home. The transfer is part of your safari; you do not have to worry about a thing. You say goodbye to Tanzania and take your memories of four parks and their wildlife home with you.
Accommodation and price
| 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|
| 4,798 USD | 3,715 USD | 3,354 USD |
per person, Classic category
Prices are per person in USD, rounded up, based on the Classic category. Larger groups pay less per person. Every trip is possible in all three categories: Classic, Premium and Exclusive. On request, you will receive a proposal tailored to your wishes and your preferred category. Dates, route and accommodation determine the final price.
Accommodation categories
- Classic: Tented camps and simple lodges
- Premium: Lodges and tented camps with private bathroom
- Exclusive: Luxury lodges and private camps
Regions with overnight stays
- Arusha Lodges
- Tarangire Lodges
- Karatu Lodges
- Central Serengeti Lodges
- Ngorongoro Lodges (alternative to Karatu)
Services
What is included
Included- Private transfers from and to the airport in Tanzania
- Costs for accommodation and overnight stays
- Full board plus meals en route
- Safaris with a private, English-speaking driver/guide
- High-quality vehicles, maintained before every safari, spare tyre on board
- Game drives set out in the itinerary
- All national park entry and concession fees
- Two pairs of binoculars per vehicle (on loan)
- 24/7 service
- Flying Doctor for emergencies
Not included
- International flights
- Visa costs for Tanzania
- Tips
- Meals/drinks not listed
- Mandatory travel insurance for Tanzania / Zanzibar
Before you travel: Read the articles on the visa for Tanzania, vaccinations for Tanzania and safety in Tanzania.
Frequently asked questions
Can I adjust the number of days?
Can I switch accommodation?
Is the trip suitable for children?
Similar trips
7-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
from 2,378 USD per personfor 6 people
14-Day Big 5 Safari & Zanzibar
from 3,322 USD per personfor 6 people
11-Day Great Migration Northern Serengeti
from 4,178 USD per personfor 6 people
Updated on October 11, 2026
