Most 7-day Tanzania itineraries online are vague. Here's a real day-by-day sample with timings, distances, and what each day actually feels like — pulled from a typical mid-range Northern Circuit trip we run from Arusha.
Quick answer
A typical 7-day Tanzania safari covers Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and 3 nights in Serengeti. Total drive distance: roughly 1,200 km. Cost mid-range: $3,200 per person (2-pax sharing, peak season July-October). All park fees, vehicle, driver-guide, lodging, and meals included. Below is a real itinerary we run weekly during peak.
Day 1: Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport — Arusha
Drive time: 1 hour
Land at Kilimanjaro International (JRO). Our driver meets you at arrivals. 1-hour transfer to your Arusha hotel. Pre-safari briefing the next morning. Welcome dinner. Most guests sleep early — it's been a long flight.
Lodging: Mid-range Arusha hotel ($120-$180 per room).
Day 2: Arusha → Tarangire National Park
Drive time: 2.5 hours each way; arrive in time for an afternoon game drive
Pack into the Land Cruiser by 8:30 AM. Drive through Maasai country to Tarangire. Lunch at the park entrance. Afternoon game drive — Tarangire is the elephant capital of Tanzania, with herds of 100+ in dry season. Baobab trees, the Tarangire River, and the highest tsetse-fly density of the trip (we'll spray your vehicle).
Lodging: Tarangire-area mid-range tented camp ($350-$500 per person).
Park fees: $59 per adult per 24 hours.
Day 3: Tarangire → Lake Manyara → Karatu
Drive time: 3.5 hours total with game-drive stops
Morning game drive in Tarangire. After breakfast, transfer to Lake Manyara National Park for an afternoon game drive. Manyara is small (330 km²) but biodiverse — soda lake flamingos, tree-climbing lions (sometimes), elephants in the groundwater forest, baboons. Drive to Karatu (the gateway to Ngorongoro) by sunset.
Lodging: Karatu lodge ($300-$450 per person).
Park fees: Manyara $59 per adult per 24 hours.
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater
Drive time: 30 min descent, 30 min ascent; 5-6 hours inside the crater
Early start (6:30 AM breakfast). Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. The crater floor is 19 km across, ringed by a 600m wall, and packed with wildlife. You're nearly guaranteed lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos. Black rhino sightings are likely (about 26 rhinos live in the crater). Picnic lunch by the hippo pool. Ascend back up the rim road by 4 PM.
Late afternoon: drive on toward Serengeti, overnight at a lodge inside or near the park.
Lodging: Serengeti Sopa or Mara River area mid-range tented camp ($400-$600 per person).
Park fees: Ngorongoro $83 + crater service fee $295/vehicle = $74 per person if 4-pax. TANAPA rates.
Day 5: Central Serengeti
Drive time: Full day game drives
Morning and afternoon game drives in Central Serengeti (Seronera). Best leopard density in Tanzania — your guide will check the fig trees along the Seronera River first. Lion prides on kopjes. Cheetahs on the southern plains. Optional balloon safari this morning ($599 per person, sunrise lift-off).
Lodging: Same as previous night.
Day 6: Serengeti to Northern (peak season) or full day Central (off-peak)
Drive time: 4-5 hours to Northern, or full day game drives
July-October: Drive or fly to Northern Serengeti for the next 2 nights at the Mara River. Crossings season.
November-June: Stay in Central or split with Southern Serengeti / Ndutu (calving season Dec-Mar).
Lodging: Northern Serengeti tented camp ($600-$900 per person, peak).
Day 7: Final game drive — fly back to Arusha
Drive time: 30 min to airstrip + 1.5 hour flight
Morning game drive. Late morning, transfer to Kogatende or Seronera airstrip. Coastal Aviation or Auric Air flight back to Arusha (1.5 hours). Lunch in Arusha. Evening transfer to JRO for international departure.
Domestic flight cost: $250-$300 per person.
What this itinerary costs all-in
- Mid-range, 2-pax sharing, July-October: $3,200 per person
- Mid-range, 2-pax sharing, April-May: $2,400 per person
- Luxury (Singita, andBeyond): $7,500-$11,000 per person
- Budget camping: $1,800-$2,400 per person
All-in includes vehicle, driver-guide, lodging, all meals, all park fees, water, transfers, domestic flight. Excludes international flights, visa, tips, alcohol. See the full cost breakdown.
What we'd swap for different priorities
- For honeymoons: Skip Manyara, add 2 nights Zanzibar at the end. See honeymoon itineraries.
- For families: Add a Maasai village visit on day 4 morning. Use 4-bed family rooms.
- For photographers: Trade Manyara for an extra Serengeti night. Add a balloon safari.
- For walkers: Skip Manyara, add 2 nights in Selous (Southern Circuit) for walking safaris. Browse walking-friendly options.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do this 7-day itinerary in 5 days?
Yes by skipping Tarangire and Manyara. You'd lose elephants and tree-climbing lions but keep crater + Serengeti.
Should I drive or fly between parks?
Drive ground sections (Arusha → Tarangire → Manyara → crater) — they're scenic and short. Fly the Serengeti-to-Arusha return — saves 8 hours and one wild-roads day.
What if I don't want crowds?
April-May green season trips have 30-40% fewer vehicles. Same itinerary, much quieter.
Is 7 days enough for first-timers?
Yes. It's the most-booked length in our system. 5 days is rushed; 10+ days is great if budget allows.
Can you customize this for my dates?
Yes. Every itinerary we run is custom-built. Send us your dates and we'll quote within 24 hours.
