Tour overview

This 8-day small-group safari takes in northern Tanzania’s great parks in comfort, with almost all meals included. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than twelve, in purpose-built 4WD safari vehicles. You stay seven nights in lodges, cottages and permanent tented camps, including two nights at a luxury tented camp in the unfenced Serengeti.

From Arusha you head to Tarangire National Park, famous for its baobab trees and large herds of elephants, for game drives and a night at a tented camp. After a sunrise drive you continue to the highlands of Karatu, then cross the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the endless plains of the Serengeti.

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Two days in the Serengeti bring game drives in search of lions, cheetahs, leopards and, depending on the season, the great migration, with the option of a hot-air balloon flight at dawn. You then descend into the Ngorongoro Crater in an open-top 4WD to look for black rhinos, lions and flamingos, and tour a coffee plantation before returning to Arusha.

The physical rating is medium. This safari suits travellers who want to see Tanzania’s highlights in comfort in a small group.

Trip highlights

  • Elephants and baobabs in Tarangire (Day 2)
  • A sunrise game drive (Day 3)
  • A luxury tented camp in the Serengeti (Days 4–5)
  • An optional balloon safari (Day 5)
  • The Ngorongoro Crater (Day 6)
  • A coffee plantation tour (Day 7)

Your route

9 stops from Arusha to Arusha

8-day route: Arusha – Tarangire – Karatu – Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu – Arusha
  1. Arusha Day 1
  2. Tarangire National Park Day 2
  3. Mto wa Mbu Day 3
  4. Karatu Day 3
  5. Ngorongoro Crater Day 4
  6. Serengeti National Park Days 4–5
  7. Ngorongoro Crater Day 6
  8. Karatu Days 6–7
  9. Arusha Day 8

Why choose this tour

Tanzania’s three great parks in a week, with most meals. Two nights in a luxury tented camp in the Serengeti.

Best suited to

  • First-time safari travellers
  • Travellers who value comfort
  • Wildlife photographers
  • Couples and solo travellers
The interior of a luxury safari tent

Day-by-day itinerary

8 days from Arusha, Tanzania to Arusha, Tanzania

  1. Day 1 · Arusha Arusha

    Welcome to Tanzania.

    Hotel
    Arusha Serena Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Tarangire National Park Tarangire

    Elephants and baobabs.

    Hotel
    Ang’ata Tarangire tented camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Tarangire, Karatu Karatu

    A sunrise game drive.

    Hotel
    Kudu Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park Serengeti

    Onto the plains.

    Hotel
    Kimarisha Luxury Tented Camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Serengeti National Park Serengeti

    A full day of game drives.

    Hotel
    Kimarisha Luxury Tented Camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Ngorongoro Crater Ngorongoro Crater

    Into the crater.

    Hotel
    Kudu Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Karatu Karatu

    A coffee plantation.

    Hotel
    Kudu Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Arusha Arusha

    The safari ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Elephants and a hot-air balloon on the savanna

Where you stay

  • Arusha (1 night) Arusha Serena Hotel
  • Tarangire (1 night) Ang’ata Tarangire tented camp
  • Karatu (1 night) Kudu Lodge
  • Serengeti (2 nights) Kimarisha Luxury Tented Camp
  • Karatu (2 nights) Kudu Lodge

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 7 nights in lodges and tented camps
  • Meals 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
  • 4WD safari vehicles and open-top 4WD in the crater
  • Arrival transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport
  • Game drives in Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro
  • Coffee plantation tour
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Optional balloon flight
  • Drinks and tips
  • Visa, travel insurance and personal spending
A safari track into the Ngorongoro Crater

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a budget safari
  • You want beach time
  • You dislike early starts
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–8 · Lunch: Days 2–7 · Dinner: Days 1–7
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Tanzania
A wildebeest on the Serengeti plains

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £4,167 per person, twin share, tour only. 41 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Is the balloon flight included?

No, it’s an optional extra in the Serengeti.

When can I see the migration?

The herds move around the Serengeti all year; your leader will head for the best areas.

Do I need a visa?

Yes, UK citizens need a visa for Tanzania, best applied for online before travel.

Is the airport transfer included?

Yes, from Kilimanjaro Airport on Day 1.

What are the tented camps like?

Permanent tents with proper beds and en-suite bathrooms.

How many people travel together?

No more than twelve travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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