This meticulously crafted 7-day Tanzania safari offers participants a comprehensive journey through Tanzania’s most renowned wildlife areas, providing ample opportunities for wildlife viewing and cultural interactions.
Duration: 7 Days
Places to Visit: Moshi, Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park
Itinerary:
Day 1: Moshi – Arusha
Distance: 80km/1.5-2hrs drive
Begin the journey in Moshi, a town of approximately 200,000 people situated at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Moshi serves as the gateway for climbers attempting Africa’s highest peak, which stands at 5,895 meters.
En route to Arusha, stop at local coffee plantations. This region produces some of Tanzania’s finest Arabica coffee, a significant export crop. Learn about the coffee production process, from bean to cup, and sample locally grown varieties.
Upon arrival in Arusha, visit the Arusha Declaration Museum, which documents Tanzania’s transition to socialism under Julius Nyerere, the country’s first president. The museum provides insights into Tanzania’s post-independence history and political development.
In the evening, enjoy a cultural dinner featuring traditional Tanzanian dishes such as ugali (maize porridge), nyama choma (grilled meat), and mishkaki (meat skewers).
Accommodation: Arusha Serena Hotel
Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Distance: 120km/2-3hrs drive
Depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park, Tanzania’s sixth-largest national park covering 2,850 square kilometers. The park is named after the Tarangire River that flows through it, providing a vital water source for wildlife during the dry season.
En route, pass through Maasai villages, observing traditional bomas (homesteads) and herding practices. The Maasai in this region have maintained many of their customs while adapting to modern influences.
Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon game drive in Tarangire. The park is renowned for its large elephant population, with herds of up to 300 individuals sometimes observed. Tarangire is also famous for its ancient baobab trees, some of which are believed to be over 1,000 years old.
In the evening, learn about the Datoga people, a pastoralist tribe inhabiting areas near Tarangire. The Datoga are known for their skilled blacksmithing and distinctive facial tattoos.
Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Day 3-4: Tarangire – Serengeti National Park
Distance: 325km/6-7hrs drive
Depart early for Serengeti National Park, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area en route. Stop at Olduvai Gorge, often called the “Cradle of Mankind.” This archaeological site has yielded some of the oldest hominid fossils ever found, dating back 1.9 million years.
Spend two full days exploring the vast Serengeti ecosystem, which covers 30,000 square kilometers and hosts the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world, involving about 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras.
During your stay, visit different areas of the park, including:
- The Central Serengeti (Seronera): Known for its year-round wildlife concentration and big cat populations.
- The Western Corridor: Famous for river crossings during the migration (typically May-July).
Learn about the Maasai people’s traditional relationship with the Serengeti ecosystem. The name “Serengeti” comes from the Maasai word “siringet,” meaning “endless plains.”
Visit a local school supported by tourism to understand educational initiatives in rural Tanzania. These visits offer insights into the positive impact of responsible tourism on local communities.
Accommodation: Serengeti Sopa Lodge (2 nights)
Day 5: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater
Distance: 180km/3-4hrs drive
Start the day with an early morning game drive in the Serengeti before departing for Ngorongoro Crater.
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crater is 610 meters deep and its floor covers 260 square kilometers. It’s home to over 25,000 large animals, including the highest density of mammalian predators in Africa.
During the crater tour, learn about the Maasai communities living within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The NCA is unique in Tanzania as the only conservation area providing protection for wildlife while allowing human habitation. Approximately 80,000 Maasai pastoralists live within the NCA, practicing traditional livestock herding.
After the crater tour, visit a Maasai boma to learn about their traditional lifestyle, including their famous jumping dance, the “adumu.”
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Day 6: Ngorongoro – Lake Manyara National Park
Distance: 65km/1.5hrs drive
After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park. This compact park covers 330 square kilometers, of which 200 square kilometers is the lake when water levels are high.
En route, stop at Mto wa Mbu village, known for its cultural diversity with over 120 tribes represented. Participants can observe traditional banana beer brewing, visit a local market, and learn about the irrigation systems that have allowed this area to flourish agriculturally.
Arrive at Lake Manyara for an afternoon game drive. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, large troops of baboons, and diverse birdlife, with over 400 species recorded. The alkaline lake attracts thousands of flamingos during certain times of the year.
Visit the Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway, a 370-meter airwalk that provides a unique perspective of the forest canopy ecosystem.
Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Day 7: Lake Manyara – Arusha – Moshi
Distance: 130km/2.5hrs drive (Lake Manyara to Arusha), then 80km/1.5-2hrs drive (Arusha to Moshi)
After a final morning game drive in Lake Manyara, depart for Arusha. Upon arrival in Arusha, visit the Tanzanite Experience museum to learn about this rare gemstone found only in Tanzania. Tanzanite was discovered in 1967 and has become a significant export for the country.
Next, explore the Arusha Central Market, a vibrant hub of local commerce where you can find everything from fresh produce to traditional crafts. This market offers insights into daily life in urban Tanzania.
Before departing for Moshi, stop at the Natural History Museum, which houses exhibits on human evolution, indigenous plants, and local wildlife. The museum provides a comprehensive overview of Tanzania’s natural heritage.
Return to Moshi, concluding the safari with a visit to the Uhuru Monument, which commemorates Tanzania’s independence in 1961. This monument serves as a reminder of Tanzania’s journey from colonialism to nationhood.
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Moshi accommodations.