• Tanzania Discovery

Immerse yourself in the best of Tanzania on this classic safari itinerary

Days: 7 | From: $6,190/per person

  • Includes accommodations at best in class safari lodges and hotels
  • Travel with an expert private guide in a custom safari vehicle
  • Journey on safari through three of the most quintessential game viewing parks

Discover the iconic parks, scenic wilderness, and friendly locals of Northern Tanzania as you journey through the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley. Experience a truly classic safari from the gateway city of Arusha to the unparalleled Serengeti National Park via the Ngorongoro Crater

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Talk to a Vaya Africa Specialist
+1 (844) 881-1305

We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

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At a glance

  • Arusha
    1 night: Arrive to Africa and discover this charming small city, the gateway to any safari in Tanzania
  • Ngorongoro Crater
    2 nights: An iconic part of any Tanzania journey... descend the steep walls of this ancient caldera and experience its renowned game viewing
  • Serengeti National Park
    3 nights: Enjoy an unparalleled safari in this vast and world-famous park, the crown jewel of Tanzania's safari scene

  • All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

Customize this trip
+1 (844) 881-1305

Sample itinerary

Day 1:

Welcome to Tanzania!

African mother from Maasai tribe carrying her baby , Kenya, Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro on the background. Maasai tribe inhabiting southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, and they are related to the Samburu.

Arrive to Arusha, a bustling city and the gateway to some of the continent’s best safari destinations. Your private guide will be waiting to transfer you to your boutique hotel for the evening, a lush, leafy oasis in the city, and the perfect location for your first night.

Accommodations: Villa Maua

Located near the center of Arusha in a historic residential area, Villa Maua is a comfortable and convenient starting point for travelers starting or finishing a safari in Northern Tanzania. This boutique hotel features nine garden rooms in a home-style Cape Dutch style house with ample indoor and outdoor common areas. The hotel offers a restaurant and bar, and the central courtyard features a swimming pool and shaded tables.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 2:

The Safari Begins: To Ngorongoro via Lake Manyara

Set out for your first adventure. Hit the road with your expert guide toward Lake Manyara National Park, where the race is on for your first wildlife sightings. Take in the sights of local life as you journey along the road: vibrant markets, women with impossibly large loads balanced elegantly on their heads, and traditional Maasai people walking with their livestock.

Accommodations: Acacia Farm Lodge, 2 nights

Acacia Farm Lodge is a rustic and charming country lodge located high on the spectacular Great Rift Valley escarpment area with a commanding panoramic views of the amazing Karatu farmlands and the nearby Ngorongoro forest area. The areas unrivaled natural beauty is brought to life by the exuberance of birdsong, mature trees, lush gardens and a maze of coffee trees

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3:

Descend the Ngorongoro Crater

Descend the steep walls of the Ngorongoro Crater in your private safari vehicle. This spectacular caldera is almost three million years old and was formed as the result of a gigantic explosion that caused the original volcano to collapse in on itself, creating the massive crater we see today. Twelve miles wide and approximately 2,000 feet deep, the journey from the edge of the rim to the bottom of the floor takes roughly 45 minutes by vehicle.

The crater floor has an abundance of wildlife, all taking advantage of the fertile soil and lush grazing. Roughly 25,000 animals call this place home. Flocks of flamingos, hippos in the pools, and a range of herds, solitary predators, and even a few very rare black rhino make this one of the most interesting safari landscapes on earth.

Accommodations: Acacia Farm Lodge, 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4:

Into the Wild Serengeti

Journey into the Serengeti. Arguably the most famous safari location in the world, Serengeti National Park evokes for many the images of what it truly means to travel to Africa. Discover its vast open plains, lonely acacia trees, and rocky kopjes as you make your way into this vast wilderness.

Traveling from the lush rainforests of the Karatu Highlands, make your way over the dusty plains before finding yourself in a sea of gently waving grasses. Along the way you may visit the Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most important paleoanthropological sites and sometimes referred to as the “Cradle of Mankind.”

Accommodations: Naona Moru Tented Camp, 3 nights

Naona Moru Camp is perfectly situated in a quiet corner just south-west of the central Serengeti. It's location is in a natural alcove, both protected by lush vegetation, but also with a small open plain for game viewing just a stone's throw away. Perfect for exploring the Moru Kopjes and Central Serengeti as you game drive with your expert guide. The camp features ten beautifully appointed tents with crisp white sheets, gentle Serengeti breezes, running hot water, attractive neutral décor with a pop of color, comfortable sitting area, and exceptional service. This is truly how wild elegance is experienced.

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5:

The Safari Continues

Enjoy game drives and lodge activities, with your expert private safari guide helping you discover the wonders of the Serengeti and connect with nature. During the heat of the afternoon, spend a few hours relaxing or enjoying the amenities at your lodge. Get set for another exciting game drive as the sun makes its decent below the horizon and the wildlife becomes more active.

Accommodations: Naona Moru Tented Camp, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6:

Exploring the Serengeti

A young cheetah scanning the bush on a hunt in the Kalahari desert

Explore further afield with your guide as you gaze out the open-roofed safari vehicle in search of wildlife. Depending on the season, you may find yourself in the midst of the impossibly large herds of wildebeest that make up the Great Migration.

In the afternoon, indulge in an “armchair safari” from your luxury tent, relax, read and soak up the classic safari atmosphere before heading out for another exiting game drive.

Accommodations: Naona Moru Tented Camp, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7:

Fly back to Arusha to depart for home or your onward journey

African mother from Maasai tribe carrying her baby , Kenya, Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro on the background. Maasai tribe inhabiting southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, and they are related to the Samburu.

Bid farewell to your Vaya safari guide at the airstrip, and enjoy spectacular views of the Rift Valley on your short bush flight back to Arusha. On arrival a private driver will transport you to your hotel, where you can enjoy a day room and lunch before your transfer to the international airport and your flight home.

More Photos From This Trip

Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary

  • Choose from a selection of carefully curated lodges and hotels to ensure this trip fits your travel style and budget. Depending on the time of year, your Vaya specialist can also guide you to the best location for the Great Migration.

  • Treat yourself to a hot air balloon for a truly unique game viewing perspective, as you float peacefully above the savannahs of the Serengeti.

  • Include some downtime for rest and relaxation! Some free time to unwind or have a massage will allow you to feel refreshed and ready for the remainder of your trip. Many of our properties include excellent spas or wellness centers. We can help arrange these services or include properties that offer health & wellness amenities.

  • Engage with locals in a meaningful, authentic, and culturally respectful way with a visit to a community project, village or traditional Maasai boma.

  • Add a few extra days to explore another national park or split up your Serengeti safari to include two distinct locations in this vast park, offering you a real diversity of both wildlife and landscape.

  • Add a beach extension and spend a few days under a palm tree on the tropical island of Zanzibar, an easy connection directly from the Serengeti.

  • Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.

Call us to start planning your journey today:

+1 (844) 881-1305

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Why Travel with Vaya?

We're TRUE specialists

We’ve not only traveled there, we’ve lived there. Our smart and engaging specialists are all current or former expatriates with years of experience in the region.

Uplifting service

From the first phone call to after you get back, we're here for you every step of the way. We listen, create, customize and advocate for you, and design experiences that go beyond the expected.

Thoughtful travel

Our discerning sensibility and good taste go beyond just choices in hotels and top guides; we have a walk the walk commitment to the environment and are genuine leaders in conservation efforts.