7 Days Tanzania Safari Holiday

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport

Welcome to Tanzania! As you step off your international flight at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you’ll be warmly welcomed by your personal Terenga Safaris guide. With a friendly Swahili greeting – Karibu Tanzania! – you are introduced to the land of breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary wildlife.

After luggage collection and a short introduction, you’ll be escorted to your hotel in Arusha for a restful overnight stay. Arusha, often known as the safari capital of Tanzania, lies beneath the shadows of Mount Meru and offers an inviting first impression of Tanzania’s natural beauty and vibrant culture. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the city, relax by the pool, or enjoy a delicious meal made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Your 7 Days Tanzania Safari Holiday officially begins the next day, and the anticipation builds as you rest in comfort, knowing that a week of unforgettable wildlife encounters and dramatic landscapes awaits you.

Accommodation Options:

• Silver: Ahadi Lodge
• Gold: Arusha Villa
• Platinum: Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge

Lake Manyara National Park

After a hearty breakfast in Arusha, you begin your safari adventure with a scenic drive to Lake Manyara National Park, located just under two hours away. This relatively small park is a hidden gem, offering an astonishing diversity of wildlife within a compact area. Framed by the dramatic cliffs of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara is a scenic marvel that combines dense groundwater forest, acacia woodlands, open grasslands, and the namesake alkaline lake.

Lake Manyara National Park is especially famous for its tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior seen in only a few parts of Africa. Herds of elephants wander through the forests, while troops of olive baboons, blue monkeys, and a vibrant variety of birdlife create an ever-active background. The park is also home to giraffes, zebras, buffalos, hippos, and a substantial number of flamingos wading along the lake’s edge.

You’ll enjoy an extensive game drive with your expert guide who will share fascinating insights about the animals, flora, and unique geological features. A picnic lunch in a designated area offers a chance to relax and take in the views. Later in the afternoon, continue your game drive before heading to your lodge or tented camp located on the edge of the escarpment or nearby town of Mto wa Mbu.

Accommodation Options:

• Silver: Manyara Best View Lodge & Spa
• Gold: Manyara’s Secret
• Platinum: Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge by Wellworth

Serengeti National Park (Central West/East)

The journey to Serengeti National Park begins early as you traverse the vast plains of northern Tanzania. Along the way, pass through traditional Maasai villages and the highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive into the Serengeti is an adventure in itself, showcasing ever-changing landscapes and the gradual transition into the golden grasslands that define this iconic park.

Serengeti, derived from the Maasai word Siringet, meaning “endless plains,” is the crown jewel of African safaris. These vast open plains are the stage for the Great Wildebeest Migration, an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon involving over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles on a constant cycle of survival and renewal. This region is teeming with predators – including over 4,000 lions, 225 cheetahs, 1,000 leopards, 3,500 hyenas, and other elusive carnivores – making every game drive a heart-pounding experience.

During your two-night stay, enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, or opt for a full-day safari with picnic lunch in the bush. For those seeking a truly memorable experience, a hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti at sunrise is available (optional at extra cost). This unforgettable journey gives you a bird’s-eye view of the wildlife and terrain below.

Accommodation Options:

• Silver: Sueños de África Luxury Camp
• Gold: Asanja Moru
• Platinum: Serengeti Sametu Camp by Karibu Camps & Lodges

Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Crater Safari

Today, leave the plains of the Serengeti behind as you journey southeast to the legendary Ngorongoro Conservation Area. En route, enjoy more game-viewing opportunities before arriving at the Ngorongoro highlands, where cool air, lush forests, and rich volcanic soil support diverse ecosystems.

The highlight of the day is a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s most famous wildlife destinations. Formed by the collapse of a massive volcano nearly two million years ago, this enormous caldera – spanning 260 square kilometers – is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife. With its permanent water sources and nutrient-rich soils, the crater acts as a natural enclosure supporting elephants, lions, black rhinos, hippos, zebras, warthogs, and abundant birdlife.

Your game drive inside the crater will be a surreal experience. Every direction you turn presents an opportunity to witness thrilling animal interactions against a stunning backdrop of steep crater walls and open plains. A picnic lunch at the Ngoitoktok Springs offers a tranquil stop in the heart of the crater.

Later in the afternoon, ascend the crater rim and head to your overnight lodge nestled in the surrounding highlands.

Accommodation Options:

• Silver: Manyara Best View Lodge & Spa
• Gold: Manyara Best View Lodge & Spa
• Platinum: Ngorongoro O’ldeani Mountain Lodge by Wellworth

Final Day & Departure from Kilimanjaro

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on your final morning as you reflect on the incredible journey you’ve just completed. Depending on your international flight time, you may have the chance to stop at a local artisan market in Arusha or visit a nearby cultural center for a last dose of Tanzanian hospitality.

Your 7 Days Tanzania Safari Holiday driver will ensure you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) with plenty of time for check-in and goodbyes. As your plane ascends over the plains and peaks of northern Tanzania, you’ll leave with unforgettable memories, thousands of photos, and perhaps the desire to return for more African adventures – whether on the Swahili coast of Zanzibar or into the deeper heartlands of East Africa.

Optional Add-Ons: Extend your 7 Days Tanzania Safari Holiday holiday with a Zanzibar beach extension, diving in Mafia Island, or chimpanzee tracking in Mahale Mountains.