7-Day Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara Safari
7 daysA classic Northern Circuit journey blending Serengeti predator time, Ngorongoro Crater’s wildlife density, and Lake Manyara’s forest and lakeshore scenery.
Explore Journey →7 Days Premium Serengeti Safari (Lahia Tented Lodge)
This premium 7-day itinerary is built for travelers who want the Serengeti experience at a higher standard—without sacrificing time in the wilderness. By using scheduled flights, you skip long road transfers and turn your first safari day into real game viewing. Your Serengeti stay is based at Lahia Tented Lodge, a refined tented property positioned for excellent access to Central Serengeti’s year-round wildlife and seasonal migration movement.
The pacing is intentionally “premium”: early starts when it matters, flexible private-style routing (we follow sightings, not fixed loops), and restful mid-days when the sun is highest. You’ll also enjoy an included hot-air balloon safari—one of the most unforgettable ways to see the Serengeti at sunrise—followed by a champagne-style bush breakfast.
The journey finishes with a full-day descent into Ngorongoro Crater, where a compact ecosystem supports dense wildlife including lions, large buffalo herds, hippos, and strong chances for black rhino. Everything is organized with smooth logistics, comfort-forward timing, and clear inclusions—ideal for couples, families, and honeymoon-style travel.
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Private Transfer to Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be met by our team for a private transfer to Arusha. The drive is comfortable and scenic, with views across the foothills of Mount Meru on clear days. This first evening is designed to feel calm and easy—check-in, freshen up, and settle into Tanzania at your own pace before the Serengeti adventure begins.
If your arrival time allows, we can arrange a light Arusha touchpoint (a coffee stop, a short craft visit, or a relaxed sundowner at the lodge). Otherwise, simply enjoy the facilities, a quality dinner, and an early night. We’ll confirm your flight timing for the next morning and walk you through the flow of the safari—how the flight works, luggage guidance for light aircraft, and how we plan game drives for the best wildlife windows.
Overnight: Premium Arusha hotel/lodge (as per your confirmed booking)
Day 2: Fly to Central Serengeti – Game Drive to Lahia Tented Lodge
After an early breakfast, transfer to Arusha Airport for your scheduled flight into Serengeti (typically Seronera). The flight itself is a highlight—watch the patchwork of farms give way to wide savannah and river lines as you approach the park. On landing, your safari guide will welcome you and you begin game viewing immediately, using the transfer as a purposeful drive rather than a simple road journey.
Central Serengeti is known for dependable wildlife density throughout the year. Your guide will track what’s happening right now—lion pride locations, leopard sightings along riverine trees, cheetah presence on open plains, and any special movement of wildebeest and zebra herds. Expect classic Serengeti scenes: kopjes (rock outcrops) that attract big cats, elephant families crossing the tracks, and giraffes and antelope spread across the grasslands.
Arrive at Lahia Tented Lodge for check-in and time to enjoy the atmosphere of the camp—canvas luxury, elegant service, and the feeling of being in the middle of the wild. If time permits, you can head out again for a late-afternoon drive or enjoy a relaxed sundowner moment as the light turns golden.
Overnight: Lahia Tented Lodge – Central Serengeti
Day 3: Full Day Serengeti – Private-Style Game Drives & Flexible Pacing
Today is a full Serengeti immersion, planned around the strongest wildlife hours. You’ll start early when predators are most active—lions finishing a night hunt, hyenas returning to den sites, and leopards moving between river trees. Your guide will use fresh sightings and tracks to build the day in real time, focusing on quality encounters rather than “checking off” locations.
The beauty of a premium itinerary is flexibility: if you find a cheetah coalition stalking on the plains, you can stay with the scene and watch the story unfold; if leopard is the priority, your guide will work river lines and kopje edges where sightings are strongest. Midday can be slower and comfortable—return to camp for lunch and rest, or continue with a picnic depending on where wildlife is concentrated.
In the late afternoon, the Serengeti often comes alive again as temperatures drop. This is an excellent time for dramatic light, silhouettes, and active animal behavior. Back at camp, enjoy a warm shower, sundowners, and a refined dinner under the stars—Serengeti nights are something you feel, not just see.
Overnight: Lahia Tented Lodge – Central Serengeti
Day 4: Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Safari (Included) – Champagne Bush Breakfast – Serengeti Drive
Before dawn, you’ll depart camp for your included hot-air balloon safari. As the balloon rises, the Serengeti reveals itself as an endless living landscape—river lines, herds moving like patterns across the plains, and predators appearing as small silhouettes below. The experience is quiet, cinematic, and unforgettable, especially as the sun lifts above the horizon.
After landing, enjoy a special bush breakfast with celebratory touches—fresh coffee, a generous spread, and the rare feeling of dining in the open wilderness. From there, the day continues at a comfortable pace. Some guests choose a restful midday at camp after such an early start; others prefer to continue deeper into wildlife zones, especially if there’s strong action nearby.
Your guide will tailor the afternoon to what you love most: big cats and hunting behavior, large herds and classic “Serengeti scale,” or a quieter photography-focused drive where composition and light take priority. As evening falls, return to Lahia for a final Serengeti dinner and a relaxed night in your tented suite.
Overnight: Lahia Tented Lodge – Central Serengeti
Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands – Scenic Transition & Crater Rim Views
After breakfast, you’ll begin your transition from the open Serengeti plains to the cooler, dramatic Ngorongoro Highlands. Depending on flight and timing, this can be done with a scheduled flight and/or a comfortable road transfer (your final confirmed logistics may vary by season and availability). Either way, we plan it to remain meaningful—often including game viewing along the way or a gentle stop at viewpoints as the landscape changes.
As you climb toward the crater rim, the air becomes cooler and the scenery turns lush—forest patches, farmland edges, and wide highland views. Arrive at your Ngorongoro lodge in time to settle in and enjoy the rim atmosphere. Many guests love the simple pleasure of high tea overlooking the crater, watching mist move through the caldera as the day softens.
Tonight is about comfort and preparation: an early dinner option if you prefer, a warm room, and a good rest so you’re ready for the early crater descent tomorrow—the most wildlife-dense day of the itinerary.
Overnight: Premium lodge at/near Ngorongoro Crater rim (as per your confirmed booking)
Day 6: Full Day Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive – Return to Arusha
Today is one of the most iconic safari days in Africa. You’ll start early to descend into Ngorongoro Crater, an ancient caldera with a remarkable concentration of wildlife. The crater floor is a mosaic of grassland, swamps, woodland pockets, and a soda lake—each habitat supporting different species at close range.
Expect excellent chances for lion, hyena, buffalo, zebra, hippo, and large elephant bulls. Ngorongoro is also one of Tanzania’s best places to search for black rhino; your guide will focus on the most promising zones and communicate with other guides when sightings are active. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch inside the crater at a designated site, with time to watch hippos and birdlife while you reset.
After continuing the drive, you ascend back to the rim and continue to Arusha for your final overnight. This keeps tomorrow simple and stress-free, especially for international departures. Arrive with time to freshen up, enjoy dinner, and reflect on the journey—from Serengeti scale to the crater’s intensity.
Overnight: Arusha hotel/lodge (as per your confirmed booking)
Day 7: Departure – Private Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)
After breakfast, you’ll depart Arusha and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight. Timing is planned to keep your day comfortable, with optional stops if you have extra time (coffee, lunch, or last-minute shopping). If you’re extending to Zanzibar or another destination, we’ll coordinate connections and luggage handling in advance.
End of Safari.
Rate Per Person (USD)
| Group Size | Price (pp) |
|---|---|
| Solo (1 pax) | $6,950 |
| 2 pax | $5,544 |
| 3 pax | $5,200 |
| 4 pax | $5,000 |
| 5 pax | $4,880 |
| 6 pax | $4,510 |
| 7+ pax | On Request |
Premium fly-in logistics • Included balloon safari • Lahia Tented Lodge • Ngorongoro Crater
Language Guides Available
- ✓English-speaking guide (included)
- ✓Arabic-speaking guide (on request)
- ✓Spanish-speaking guide (on request)
- ✓Other languages (on request)
Included
- ✓All park & conservation fees (as per itinerary)
- ✓Professional safari guide & private-style 4x4 game drives
- ✓Scheduled flights (as per confirmed logistics)
- ✓Accommodation as listed/confirmed
- ✓Meals during safari (as provided by camps/lodges)
- ✓Picnic lunches on game drive days
- ✓Hot-air balloon safari (included, Day 4)
- ✓Airport transfers (JRO) and logistics support
Excluded
- ✗International flights & visas
- ✗Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- ✗Tips for guide and lodge/camp staff
- ✗Premium alcoholic beverages & personal items
- ✗Anything not listed as included
