7-Day Best Tanzania African Safari (with Balloon Safari)
Overview
Overview
Our 7-Day Best Tanzania African Safari (with Balloon Safari) takes you through Tanzania’s legendary northern circuit, featuring world-renowned national parks that showcase Africa’s most incredible wildlife diversity. From the elephant-rich landscapes of Tarangire to the endless plains of Serengeti, your Tanzania African Safari promises unforgettable encounters with the Big Five and countless other species. The tour includes an optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti, adding a magical aerial perspective to your Tanzania African Safari experience.
Your Tanzania African Safari begins in the safari capital of Arusha and ventures into Tarangire National Park, famous for its ancient baobab trees and massive elephant herds. The adventure continues to Lake Manyara National Park, renowned for its tree-climbing lions and spectacular birdlife including thousands of flamingos that create pink carpets across the alkaline lake. This Tanzania African Safari showcases Tanzania’s incredible biodiversity through carefully planned game drives in diverse ecosystems. Each destination offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities that make this Tanzania African Safari truly exceptional.
The Tanzania African Safari culminates with extended exploration of the world-famous Serengeti National Park and the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, often called Africa’s Eden. Two full days in Serengeti allow you to witness the Great Migration (seasonal) and observe predator-prey interactions in their natural habitat. Your Tanzania African Safari concludes with a descent into Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site harboring the highest concentration of wildlife in Africa. This comprehensive Tanzania African Safari ensures you experience Tanzania’s most iconic destinations while enjoying luxury accommodations and expert guiding throughout your journey.
Tour Highlights
Day 1: Arrival and pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha
Day 2: Transfer to Tarangire National Park for elephant and baobab tree viewing
Day 3: Proceed to Lake Manyara National Park for tree-climbing lions and flamingo viewing Day 4: Continue with transfer to Serengeti National Park for Big Five game viewing
Day 5: Proceed to a full-day Serengeti exploration with an optional balloon safari
Day 6: Continue with the Ngorongoro Crater game drive and wildlife viewing
Day 7: Transfer to Arusha city for departure and final safari shopping
Price Includes
Price Includes
Park fees for Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater
All activities as mentioned in the itinerary
Ground transport per 4WD custom safari vehicle
Bottled water in the safari vehicle throughout the journey
Full board accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
Service of an English-speaking driver-guide
Driver allowances and accommodation
All mentioned activities except for the optional ones
Game drives in all national parks and conservation areas
Crater service fees and permits
Price excludes
Tanzania Visa fees
International and internal flights
Personal needs such as gratuities, beverages, etc.
Visa processing fees
Air ticket costs
Optional activities (balloon safari, cultural tours)
Laundry fees
Tips for guides, drivers, and lodge staff
Life insurance coverage
Other drinks apart from water
Personal travel insurance (recommended)
Airport transfers if not using recommended flights
Itineraries
Day 1Arrival and pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha
Your Tanzania African Safari adventure begins with arrival and pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport, located 55 kilometers from Arusha town center. Upon arrival, our professional English-speaking driver-guide will warmly welcome you and provide a detailed briefing about your upcoming Tanzania African Safari expedition through Tanzania's premier wildlife destinations. The comfortable 1-hour transfer to Arusha covers scenic landscapes of coffee plantations and local villages, offering your first glimpse of Tanzanian culture and hospitality. Your Tanzania African Safari starts with overnight accommodation in Arusha, allowing you to rest and prepare for the incredible wildlife adventures that await in this comprehensive Tanzania African Safari experience
Day 2Transfer to Tarangire National Park for elephant and baobab tree viewing
Transfer to Tarangire National Park begins your authentic Tanzania African Safari wildlife experience, departing Arusha at 8:00 AM for this elephant paradise covering 2,850 square kilometers. The 120-kilometer journey takes approximately 2 hours through the scenic Great Rift Valley landscapes, passing traditional Maasai villages and local markets that showcase rural Tanzanian life. Upon arrival at Tarangire, your Tanzania African Safari immediately showcases the park's famous giant baobab trees and massive elephant herds that gather along the Tarangire River during dry season. This first full day of your Tanzania African Safari includes extensive game drives where you'll encounter lions, leopards, cheetahs, and over 500 bird species, establishing the incredible wildlife diversity that defines your Tanzania African Safari adventure
Day 3 Proceed to Lake Manyara National Park for tree-climbing lions and flamingo viewing
Proceed to Lake Manyara National Park for the third day of your Tanzania African Safari, departing Tarangire after morning game drives to explore this unique alkaline lake ecosystem. The 70-kilometer transfer to Manyara takes 1.5 hours through the town of Mto wa Mbu, famous for its cultural diversity and local craft markets where over 120 tribes coexist peacefully. Lake Manyara National Park covers 330 square kilometers and is renowned for its tree-climbing lions, making it a highlight destination of your Tanzania African Safari experience. Your Tanzania African Safari continues with afternoon game drives through groundwater forests, acacia woodlands, and along the lake shores where thousands of flamingos create spectacular pink formations, showcasing the incredible diversity that makes your Tanzania African Safari truly unforgettable.
Day 4Continue with transfer to Serengeti National Park for Big Five game viewing
Continue with transfer to Serengeti National Park, the crown jewel of your Tanzania African Safari and one of Africa's most famous wildlife destinations covering 14,750 square kilometers. The journey from Lake Manyara to Serengeti covers 145 kilometers and takes approximately 4 hours, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with stunning views of Ngorongoro Crater. Upon entering Serengeti, your Tanzania African Safari reaches its pinnacle as endless golden plains stretch to the horizon, dotted with acacia trees and teeming with wildlife. Your first afternoon game drive in central Serengeti introduces you to the park's incredible predator populations, making this Tanzania African Safari segment truly exceptional with opportunities to witness lions, leopards, cheetahs, and perhaps even the Great Migration depending on seasonal timing.
Day 5Proceed to a full-day Serengeti exploration with an optional balloon safari
Proceed to a full day of intensive Serengeti exploration, maximizing your Tanzania African Safari experience in this world-renowned ecosystem that epitomizes African wilderness. Early morning game drives offer the best opportunities for predator sightings when lions and leopards are most active, while the optional hot air balloon safari provides breathtaking aerial views of your Tanzania African Safari landscape. The balloon safari launches at sunrise and offers a unique perspective of Serengeti's vast plains, wildlife movements, and the dramatic kopjes (rocky outcrops) that punctuate the landscape. Your Tanzania African Safari continues with afternoon game drives focusing on different areas of central Serengeti, where the abundance of wildlife ensures every moment of your Tanzania African Safari delivers incredible photographic opportunities and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Day 6Continue with the Ngorongoro Crater game drive and wildlife viewing
Continue with your Tanzania African Safari by descending into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, often called the "eighth wonder of the world" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 600-meter descent into this massive volcanic caldera takes 30 minutes via the steep crater rim road, leading to one of the most concentrated wildlife areas on Earth. This unique ecosystem spans 260 square kilometers and supports over 25,000 large mammals, making it the highlight destination of your Tanzania African Safari experience. Your Tanzania African Safari crater exploration offers excellent opportunities to spot black rhinos, lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and numerous antelope species, with the rare chance of seeing all Big Five animals in a single day, truly defining the excellence of your Tanzania African Safari adventure.
Day 7Transfer to Arusha city for departure and final safari shopping
Transfer to Arusha city marks the conclusion of your incredible Tanzania African Safari adventure, departing Ngorongoro at 8:00 AM for the safari capital of Tanzania. The 190-kilometer journey takes approximately 3.5 hours through highland forests and coffee-growing regions, offering final scenic views of the landscapes that defined your Tanzania African Safari experience. Upon arrival in Arusha, you'll have opportunities for last-minute souvenir shopping at local markets and cultural heritage centers, perfect for commemorating your Tanzania African Safari memories. Your Tanzania African Safari concludes with transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport for departure flights, carrying unforgettable memories of seven days exploring Tanzania's most spectacular wildlife destinations and completing one of Africa's premier Tanzania African Safari experiences.
