8-Day Tanzania Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari
Endless plains in the Serengeti, dense wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Go beyond the expected.
A comprehensive northern Tanzania circuit through Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, covering baobab-studded plains, endless grassland and one of Africa's densest wildlife concentrations.
- Multiple game drives across the Serengeti
- Full day exploring the Ngorongoro Crater floor
- Tarangire National Park and its baobab landscapes
- Strong odds of the Big Five across the circuit
- Optional sunrise hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti
What's included
Included
- All accommodation as specified
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with driver-guide
- Park and conservation area entrance fees
- Meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary
- Bottled water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Hot air balloon safari (optional add-on)
- Personal expenses
Confirm current park fees, permit availability, accommodation and pricing before booking, since these can change with season and demand.
Day by day
Day 1 Arrival in Arusha
Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania's northern safari circuit.
Day 2 Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park
Drive to Tarangire, known for its ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds, with game drives through the afternoon.
Day 3 Transfer to the Serengeti
Serengeti National Park
A full day's drive across the Ngorongoro Highlands into the Serengeti, with game viewing along the way as the landscape opens into endless plains.
Day 4 Full day in the Serengeti
Serengeti National Park
A full day of game drives across the Serengeti's plains, timed where possible around the migration or resident predator activity depending on season.
Day 5 Further Serengeti game drives
Serengeti National Park
A second full day exploring a different area of the Serengeti, covering more of its varied terrain from open plains to riverine woodland.
Day 6 Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater rim
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Drive back across the highlands to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, with time to settle in ahead of the next day's crater floor visit.
Day 7 Full day on the Ngorongoro Crater floor
Ngorongoro Crater
A full day descending onto the crater floor, one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, with strong odds of the Big Five in a single day.
Day 8 Return to Arusha and departure
Arusha
Drive back to Arusha in time for your onward flight.
Travel Guide
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Questions about 8-Day Tanzania Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari
Can I combine a Tanzania safari with Zanzibar?
Yes, this is one of the most popular East African combinations; a Serengeti or Ngorongoro safari followed by several days on Zanzibar’s beaches, connected by a short flight.
Do I need a visa to visit Tanzania?
Most nationalities need a visa for Tanzania, commonly available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so confirm current guidance for your passport ahead of your safari.
How many national parks does Tanzania have?
Tanzania protects its landscapes across more than twenty national parks, alongside conservation areas and game reserves that together cover roughly a third of the country’s total area; one of the highest proportions of protected land of any country in the world.
Is climbing Kilimanjaro part of a normal safari?
Kilimanjaro is usually planned as its own multi-day trek (typically 6–9 days depending on route) either before or after a separate safari itinerary, rather than combined into the same days, since it requires its own acclimatisation schedule.
Is Tanzania or Kenya better for a first safari?
Both offer excellent safaris across largely the same ecosystem, and the choice often comes down to which side of the Serengeti-Mara border better fits your dates and interests: we’re happy to talk through the trade-offs for your specific safari.
What is the best time to visit the Serengeti?
The Serengeti has strong wildlife viewing year-round, but timing depends on what you want to see: the calving season is roughly January–March in the southern plains, and the dramatic river crossings typically happen around June–September in the north as the migration moves toward Kenya.