7 Days Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha/Moshi – Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, your driver will pick you up from your hotel for a 2-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. The park is famous for its giant baobab trees, savannah landscapes, and seasonal marshes. Tarangire is one of the best places in Tanzania to see elephants up close, along with buffaloes, zebras, and wildebeests. Predators such as lions are commonly seen, while leopards and cheetahs are more elusive. Enjoy the stunning views and wildlife from the open roof of your safari vehicle.

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Day 2: Tarangire Area – Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, you'll leave Tarangire and head to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its rich birdlife with over 400 species and diverse landscapes of forests and plains. The alkaline lake attracts large numbers of flamingos and waterfowls. During the game drive, you’ll also encounter giraffes, elephants, hippos, zebras, and playful monkeys. After a full day in the park, you'll head to your lodge or campsite for the night.

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Day 3: Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park
Following breakfast, you'll travel through the cooler highlands towards the southern Serengeti, arriving around midday. Serengeti is the largest national park in Tanzania, known for its diverse habitats, including short grass plains, savannahs, swamps, and lakes. Kopjes, unique rock formations, are often home to predators. The Serengeti is particularly famous for the Great Migration, where massive herds of wildebeests and zebras move across the plains.

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Day 4: Serengeti National Park
Spend the entire day exploring Serengeti National Park. Your guide will tailor the game drives based on the movement of the migratory herds and predators. Depending on the time of year, you may witness lions, cheetahs, and leopards following the herds. The migration typically moves south from November to December and returns north between April and June, but your guide will know the best spots for viewing wildlife.

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Day 5: Serengeti National Park – Karatu
On your journey out of the Serengeti, you'll continue with game drives in the morning before heading towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As you approach the Ngorongoro Crater, you'll witness the breathtaking view of the giant caldera. Afterward, you'll proceed to Karatu in the Ngorongoro Highlands for a relaxing stay and a coffee plantation tour to learn about local coffee production.

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Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu
After breakfast, a short drive will take you to the Ngorongoro Crater. Descend 600 meters into the caldera, where you’ll explore the diverse wildlife within the crater, home to over 25,000 animals. The Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard) can all be found here, along with hyenas, warthogs, and a variety of bird species. After a day of game drives and a picnic at the hippo pool, you’ll ascend the crater and return to your lodge or campsite in Karatu.

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Day 7: Ngorongoro Highlands – Arusha/Moshi
After a leisurely breakfast, you'll enjoy a local walking or bicycle tour around the Karatu Highlands, either along the Great Rift Valley or the Ngorongoro forest. In the afternoon, you'll drive back to Arusha or Moshi, arriving in the late afternoon, marking the end of your safari adventure.