Tanzania Wilderness & Balloon Safari
7 daysA 7-day safari designed for classic Serengeti game drives, Ngorongoro highlights, and optional sunrise balloon experiences.
Explore Journey →7 Days Midrange Safari in Tanzania
This 7-day midrange safari is built for travelers who want a strong Serengeti focus with the comfort of quality tented camps and a practical northern circuit flow. You’ll spend multiple nights in the central Serengeti (Seronera region), giving you time to follow big cats instead of rushing between parks. From there, you’ll move to the Ngorongoro highlands for a full Crater day—one of the most wildlife-dense areas in Africa—then finish with the distinct landscapes of Lake Manyara, famous for its groundwater forest, elephant sightings, and excellent birdlife along the lake edge.
The daily pacing is designed around the best wildlife windows: early mornings for predator activity and late afternoons for movement and golden light photography. Your guide adjusts routes based on recent sightings, river conditions, and the season—so you spend more time where the action is rather than following a fixed loop.
Want to make it even more special? We can add a Serengeti hot-air balloon safari, private sundowners, or a Zanzibar extension—while keeping the core itinerary and logistics smooth.
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Transfer to Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you’ll be met by our team and transferred privately to Arusha. The drive is comfortable and gives you a gentle introduction to northern Tanzania—often with Mount Meru visible in the distance. After check-in, you can unwind, enjoy the lodge surroundings, and recover from travel so you start the safari fresh.
If you arrive early, we can help arrange a relaxed add-on such as a coffee stop, a short craft market visit, or simply extra downtime at the lodge. In the evening, we’ll confirm the next day’s departure time, review the safari flow, and share practical tips for game drives (photography, comfort, and how to get the best sightings).
Overnight: Arusha (Midrange lodge) • Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast (or as per lodge)
Day 2: Arusha to Serengeti – Scenic Drive via Ngorongoro – Afternoon Game Drive
After breakfast, you depart Arusha for Serengeti National Park. The route takes you through changing landscapes—from fertile highlands and local villages to the dramatic Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You’ll pause at viewpoints along the way (weather permitting), and your guide will explain how the ecosystem shifts as you move from highland forests to open plains.
Arriving in Serengeti, the scenery opens into classic savannah. Depending on timing, you’ll enjoy game viewing en route toward the central Seronera region—an area known for reliable year-round wildlife thanks to permanent water sources. After checking in at your tented camp, you’ll head out for an afternoon game drive when big cats often become active as temperatures cool.
Expect excellent chances to see lion prides near kopjes (rock outcrops), herds of zebra and wildebeest across the plains, giraffes browsing acacias, and—if luck is on your side—leopard sightings along riverine trees.
Overnight: Central Serengeti (Comfort Tented Camp) • Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Full Day Serengeti – Predator Tracking & Big-Game Plains
Today is dedicated to a full Serengeti safari day—meaning you can follow wildlife activity without rushing back early. You’ll start at dawn, when the light is soft and predators may still be on the move after nighttime hunting. Your guide will track recent sightings and listen for calls and bird behavior that often indicate nearby action.
The Seronera region combines open plains, kopjes, and river lines—ideal for encountering a variety of species in one day. You may spend the morning focusing on lion territories, then transition to cheetah country in open grasslands where speed hunting is common. Midday offers a chance for a picnic lunch in the park, followed by a slower exploration of different habitats where elephants, topi, hartebeest, and hippos are frequently found.
In the afternoon, you’ll position for golden light photography and late-day movement—often a strong window for leopard along the riverine trees and hyenas as they begin to patrol. Return to camp for dinner and a relaxed evening under Serengeti skies.
Overnight: Central Serengeti (Comfort Tented Camp) • Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4: Serengeti Safari Day – Optional Balloon Safari & Deeper Exploration
This day is designed as another full Serengeti experience—giving you the freedom to go where sightings are strongest. If you’d like a bucket-list upgrade, you can add a Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Safari (optional, on request). The early start is rewarded with a unique aerial view of the plains, herds moving below, and a memorable bush-style breakfast afterward.
Whether you do the balloon or not, the rest of the day is tailored for high-quality sightings. Your guide may focus on leopard zones along the Seronera River, track cheetah mothers with cubs in open areas, or follow lion prides near kopjes where they rest during the heat. With a full day available, you can stay out through the best activity windows rather than cutting drives short.
Expect a balance of classic Serengeti scenes and smaller details too—colorful birds, interesting tracks, and the behavior of different species as the day changes. Return to camp for your final Serengeti evening, often the perfect time for storytelling around dinner after several strong wildlife days.
Overnight: Central Serengeti (Comfort Tented Camp) • Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands – Scenic Transfer & Optional Maasai Visit
After breakfast, you begin your journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This is a beautiful transition day—moving from open plains into cooler highlands with wide viewpoints. Along the way, you may enjoy game viewing during the Serengeti exit drive, and your guide will help you spot wildlife even during the transfer.
If you’d like a cultural element, we can arrange a Maasai village (boma) visit (optional, on request). This gives you a respectful introduction to Maasai life—traditional homesteads, storytelling about pastoral culture, and insights into how communities coexist with wildlife in conservation areas.
Arrive at your lodge in the Ngorongoro highlands with time to rest and enjoy the cooler air. This early arrival helps you be well-prepared for the Crater descent the next day—one of the biggest highlights of the safari.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Highlands (Midrange lodge) • Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Full Day – Transfer to Lake Manyara
Today is a signature safari day: an early start and a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a vast volcanic caldera with an exceptional concentration of wildlife. The Crater floor features open grasslands, swamps, woodland pockets, and the soda lake—each supporting different species and behaviors.
You’ll look for lion, buffalo, hyena, zebra, hippo, and large elephant bulls. Ngorongoro is also one of the best places in Tanzania to search for black rhino, and your guide will focus on the most promising zones based on ranger updates and visibility. A picnic lunch inside the Crater keeps you immersed in the experience—often with wildlife nearby.
In the afternoon, you ascend back to the rim and continue toward Lake Manyara. This shift is refreshing after the Crater: a new landscape, different vegetation, and a more intimate park feel. Arrive at your camp/lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Overnight: Lake Manyara area (Comfort Tented Camp / Lodge) • Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 7: Lake Manyara Game Drive – Return to Arusha – Transfer to JRO
After breakfast, you enter Lake Manyara National Park for a morning safari. Manyara is compact but incredibly diverse—beginning in lush groundwater forest where baboons and blue monkeys are common, then opening to grassy clearings and lakeshore areas that attract a wide range of birdlife (including flamingos depending on the season).
The park is well known for elephants in the forest and occasional sightings of tree-climbing lions (sightings vary). Your guide will explore different zones to give you the best chance for memorable encounters, while also enjoying the scenery of the Great Rift Valley escarpment rising above the park.
After the game drive, you return to Arusha and continue to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your onward flight. If your schedule allows, we can include a short stop for lunch or souvenirs to end the trip smoothly.
End of Safari.
Rate Per Person (USD)
| Group Size | Price (pp) |
|---|---|
| Solo (1 pax) | $5,450 |
| 2 pax | $4,360 |
| 3 pax | $4,000 |
| 4 pax | $3,820 |
| 5 pax | $3,690 |
| 6 pax | $3,520 |
| 7+ pax | ON REQUEST |
Comfort tented camps • Private 4×4 & guide • Serengeti + Ngorongoro + Lake Manyara
Language Guides
- ✓English-speaking guide (included)
- ✓French / Spanish / German / Italian / Arabic (on request – typically $50–$100 per guide/day)
- ✓Other languages available on request
Included
- ✓All park & conservation fees (as per itinerary)
- ✓Professional safari guide & private 4x4 safari vehicle
- ✓Accommodation in comfort midrange camps/lodges
- ✓Meals during safari (Full Board on safari days)
- ✓Unlimited game drives as per itinerary
- ✓Drinking water in the vehicle
- ✓Airport transfers & logistics support (JRO/Arusha)
Note: Serengeti balloon safari and Maasai village visit are available on request (optional add-ons).
Excluded
- ✗International flights & visas
- ✗Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- ✗Tips for guide and lodge staff
- ✗Optional activities (balloon safari, cultural visits, etc.)
- ✗Personal items, alcohol, and anything not listed as included
