8-Day Tanzania Luxury Safari

Coffee-estate lodge, riverside Tarangire camp, a crater-rim lodge and a migration camp in the Serengeti — with a flight home.

8 days / 7 nightsTanzaniaFly-In · Luxury · Private GuidedFrom $8,900 pp

Photo: Jerry Michalski / CC BY-SA 2.0

Overview

This luxury safari pairs the Northern Circuit’s finest lodges with an expert private guide. Start at a coffee-estate lodge near Arusha, spend two nights at a riverside camp in Tarangire, then stay on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater with sweeping views over the caldera.

Finish with three nights at a luxury tented camp positioned for the Great Migration, including a sunrise balloon flight, before flying back to Arusha to connect with your international flight or a beach extension.

Route

ArushaTarangireNgorongoroSerengetiArusha

Highlights

  • Luxury lodges and camps throughout
  • Crater-rim lodge with caldera views
  • Migration-positioned Serengeti camp
  • Serengeti balloon safari included
  • Flight back to Arusha

Activities

  • Coffee tour
  • Canoeing
  • Walking safari
  • Game drives
  • Walking safaris (outside the park)
  • Night drives in adjoining conservancies
  • Crater floor game drive
  • Crater rim walk
  • Olduvai Gorge museum

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day 1:

    Karibu Tanzania

    Arusha

    Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your lodge on the outskirts of Arusha, set among coffee gardens beneath Mount Meru. Relax after your journey and meet your guide for a safari briefing.

    Overnight: Coffee-estate boutique lodge near Arusha Meals: D
  2. Day 2:

    Tarangire National Park

    Tarangire

    After breakfast, continue by road from Arusha to Tarangire (about 2 hours). Game drive along the Tarangire River, where elephant families gather beneath giant baobab trees, and look for lions resting in the shade and colourful lovebirds in the acacias.

    Overnight: Luxury tented camp overlooking the Tarangire River Meals: B, L, D
  3. Day 3:

    Tarangire Full Day

    Tarangire

    Explore the southern swamps of Tarangire with a picnic lunch, watching for buffalo, lesser kudu and the park's abundant birdlife. Return to camp for a sundowner as elephants come to drink at the river.

    Overnight: Luxury tented camp overlooking the Tarangire River Meals: B, L, D
  4. Day 4:

    Ngorongoro Crater Descent

    Ngorongoro Crater

    After breakfast, continue by road from Tarangire to Ngorongoro (about 2.5 hours). Descend 600 m into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive on the caldera floor. Look for black rhino in the open grassland, lions resting near the Lerai forest and flamingos on Lake Magadi, with a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool before climbing back to the rim.

    Overnight: Luxury lodge on the crater rim Meals: B, L, D
  5. Day 5:

    Into the Serengeti

    Serengeti

    After breakfast, continue by road from Ngorongoro to Serengeti (3–4 hours with game viewing en route). Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and descend onto the Serengeti plains, passing Maasai herders and gazelle as the grassland opens out to the horizon. Game drive through the park to your camp, arriving for a sundowner and dinner beneath the stars.

    Overnight: Luxury tented camp positioned for the migration Meals: B, L, D
  6. Day 6:

    Serengeti Big Cat Country

    Serengeti

    Spend the day exploring the Seronera valley, where the river attracts resident wildlife all year. Your guide will search the sausage trees for leopards and the granite kopjes for lion prides, and you may see cheetah hunting on the open plains.

    Overnight: Luxury tented camp positioned for the migration Meals: B, L, D
  7. Day 7:

    Following the Migration

    Serengeti

    Head out with a picnic lunch to wherever the herds are grazing — on the southern plains during calving season, or towards the Grumeti and Mara rivers in the dry months. Watching thousands of wildebeest and zebra moving across the landscape is unforgettable.

    Overnight: Luxury tented camp positioned for the migration Meals: B, L, D
  8. Day 8:

    Serengeti to Arusha

    Serengeti

    Enjoy a final early-morning activity and breakfast, then transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Arusha. You will be met on arrival and transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey, or to a day room on request.

    Overnight: End of services Meals: B

Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.

Accommodation

This itinerary is priced with luxury accommodation. Every property is chosen for its location, guiding and service; final properties are confirmed at booking and we can upgrade or adjust any night.

  • ArushaCoffee-estate boutique lodge near Arusha1 night
  • TarangireLuxury tented camp overlooking the Tarangire River2 nights
  • Ngorongoro CraterLuxury lodge on the crater rim1 night
  • SerengetiLuxury tented camp positioned for the migration3 nights

Meals: Full board on safari; breakfast and dinner in cities and at the beach

What's included

Included

  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and a professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • Accommodation as listed (or similar, subject to availability)
  • Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
  • All national park, reserve and conservation fees
  • Arrival and departure airport transfers
  • Bottled drinking water during the safari
  • All government taxes and levies
  • 24-hour in-country support from our Nairobi office
  • Domestic and light-aircraft flights as described in the itinerary
  • Serengeti hot-air balloon flight with champagne breakfast

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
  • Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
  • Drinks other than drinking water, unless stated
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs

Travel information

Best time to travel

Year-round, with location chosen by season: December–March in the south for calving; June–July in the west; July–October in the north for river crossings; Seronera is good at any time.

What to pack

  • Neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
  • A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and evenings
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
  • Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards
  • Insect repellent and personal medication
  • Soft-sided duffel bag — light aircraft allow around 15 kg per person

Experiences on this safari

Frequently asked questions

Is this a private safari?

Yes. This itinerary runs privately for your own group, with your own vehicle and guide. It can start on any date, and we can adjust the route, pace and accommodation to suit you.

What does the price include?

The guide price from USD 8,900 per person is based on two people sharing luxury accommodation in the low season. It includes accommodation, the meals and activities listed, park fees and transfers. Prices vary by season and group size; we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.

Is there a luggage limit on the flights?

Yes. Light aircraft and some domestic flights allow around 15 kg per person including hand luggage, packed in soft-sided bags. We can store extra luggage for you.

How many nights do I need in the Serengeti?

At least two, ideally three or more. The park is vast, and more time lets you explore different areas and follow the herds.

Gallery

Mount Meru rising above ArushaOpen image: Mount Meru rising above ArushaMasai giraffes in Arusha National ParkOpen image: Masai giraffes in Arusha National ParkHikers approaching the summit ridge of Mount MeruOpen image: Hikers approaching the summit ridge of Mount MeruBaobab trees in Tarangire National ParkOpen image: Baobab trees in Tarangire National ParkAfrican elephants in the Maasai MaraOpen image: African elephants in the Maasai MaraBlack rhino on the floor of the Ngorongoro CraterOpen image: Black rhino on the floor of the Ngorongoro CraterLion pride resting in the Maasai MaraOpen image: Lion pride resting in the Maasai MaraEndless plains of Serengeti National Park, TanzaniaOpen image: Endless plains of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Enquire about this safari

Every date is available on request. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will send a tailored quote — adjustments welcome.

Countries of interest
Interests

We reply within one working day. Prefer to chat? WhatsApp us or call +254 724 241 818.

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