Choose Your Tanzania Safari Itinerary: 3, 4, 5, 7...

Safari Guides  ·  Tanzania

Choose Your Tanzania Safari Itinerary: 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 and 14 Day Routes, Day by Day

By Generous African Tours 16 October 2026 10 min read
Safari Guides
Plan & Book: 1. Who you travel with → 2. Choose your itinerary → 3. Request your quotation

An itinerary is just a story told in days. This page gives you seven ready-made stories, from a quick taste to a grand tour. Pick the one closest to your time and taste, then change anything you like. Every route here can be made private or shared.

Quick Answer: Choose 4 days if you are short on time, 5 days for the classic Big Five loop, 7 days for the best balance, and 10–14 days if you want to add Zanzibar, culture or a second region. All drives start and end in Arusha.

Quick Comparison: All Seven Routes

RouteParksBest forPackage price (per person)
1 Day Arusha NPArusha NPLayovers, taster$220–380
3 Days Serengeti and NgorongoroSerengeti, NgorongoroVery short breaks$980–1,850 (3-day Serengeti)
4 Days Ngorongoro and TarangireNgorongoro, TarangireShort on time, families$1,400–2,600
5 Days Big Five LoopTarangire, Ngorongoro, SerengetiFirst-timers$1,650–3,100
7 Days Northern CircuitTarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro, SerengetiCouples, photographers$2,100–3,400
7–10 Days Safari and ZanzibarSerengeti plus ZanzibarHoneymoons, beach lovers$2,600–4,800 (7-day combo)
14 Days Grand TourNorth, another region, coastLong-stay visitors$4,800–10,000+

The Route Map

All routes start and end in Arusha, near the northern parks. The Serengeti is the farthest point, about 320 km and 6–8 hours by road.

Itinerary 1: One Day at Arusha National Park

Day 1: Hotel pickup, morning game drive and a short walk, with giraffe, colobus monkeys and birds. Picnic lunch with a view. Back in Arusha by late afternoon.

Good for: a layover, a rest day or a taste. See Arusha National Park Day Trip ($220–380).

Itinerary 2: Three Days, Serengeti and Ngorongoro

Day 1: Arusha → Serengeti (fly-in or long drive). Afternoon game drive.
Day 2: Full Serengeti game drives.
Day 3: Morning drive, then Ngorongoro Crater or return to Arusha.

Note: the long road to the Serengeti uses most of a day, so many guests choose a fly-in for 3-day trips. Flights are an extra cost.

Itinerary 3: Four Days, Ngorongoro and Tarangire

DayPlanDrive
1Arusha → Ngorongoro rim, with Rift Valley views~180 km, 3–4 h
2Full-day crater game driveOn crater floor
3Ngorongoro → Tarangire, with an afternoon game drive~150 km, 3–4 h
4Morning game drive, return to Arusha~130 km

Good for: busy travelers and families. See Ngorongoro & Tarangire 4-Day Safari ($1,400–2,600).

Itinerary 4: Five Days, the Big Five Loop

DayPlanDrive
1Arusha → Tarangire, with an afternoon game drive~120 km, 2–3 h
2Tarangire morning drive → Ngorongoro rim~200 km, 4–5 h
3Full-day Ngorongoro Crater game driveOn crater floor
4Ngorongoro → central Serengeti, with an evening game drive~150 km, 3–4 h
5Morning drive, then return to Arusha or fly out~320 km

Good for: first-timers chasing the Big Five. Sightings are never guaranteed. See Big Five Safari Tanzania, 5 Days ($1,650–3,100).

Itinerary 5: Seven Days, the Northern Circuit

DayPlan
1Arusha → Tarangire. Afternoon game drive
2Tarangire → Lake Manyara or Karatu. Rest or light activity
3Ngorongoro Crater game drive
4Ngorongoro → Serengeti. Evening drive
5Full day in the Serengeti
6Serengeti morning drive (optional balloon ride at dawn). Start back
7Return to Arusha

Good for: couples, photographers and anyone who wants time. See 7 Days Tanzania Safari Tour ($2,100–3,400).

Itinerary 6: Seven to Ten Days, Safari and Zanzibar

PhasePlan
Days 1–4Serengeti-focused safari with game drives
Day 5Fly Serengeti or Arusha → Zanzibar
Days 6–7 (or to 10)Beach, Stone Town, spice tour, dhow cruise, snorkeling

Good for: honeymooners and anyone who wants rest after safari. See Serengeti & Zanzibar Combo, 7 Days ($2,600–4,800) and the 4-day Zanzibar Safari Combo ($1,450–2,100).

Itinerary 7: Fourteen Days, the Grand Tour

DaysFocus
1–7Northern circuit: Tarangire, Manyara or Karatu, Ngorongoro, Serengeti
8–9Culture: Lake Eyasi, Maasai visit or a coffee tour near Moshi
10–11A second region: southern or western park by flight, or a Meru climb
12–14Zanzibar and the coast

See Tanzania Grand Tour, 14 Days ($4,800–10,000+).

Customize Any Route

➕ Add days

Extra Serengeti nights give you more big-cat time.

🎈 Add a balloon

About $550–700 per person, in the Serengeti.

🛖 Add culture

Lake Eyasi, a Maasai village or coffee tour.

✈️ Swap drive for flight

Saves a travel day. Extra cost applies.

🏔️ Add a climb

Mount Meru or Kilimanjaro, before the safari.

🛏️ Change comfort

Camping, lodge or luxury camp. Same route, different price.

Climate: Which Route in Which Season?

SeasonBest routesWatch for
Jun–OctAll routes, including Serengeti-focused onesPeak prices, book early
NovNgorongoro, Tarangire, ZanzibarShort showers
Dec–FebSouthern Serengeti calving, ZanzibarChristmas peak
Mar–May4–5 day northern loops, cultureMud, some closed camps

Wildlife: What Each Route Gives You

  • Ngorongoro and Tarangire: dense wildlife, elephants, lions and a chance of black rhino.
  • Big Five loop: adds the Serengeti for leopard and big cats.
  • 7-day circuit: more time for patient sightings and the migration, depending on season.

No sighting is guaranteed.

Best Destinations Within Tanzania, by Route Length

LengthParks
1–2 daysArusha NP, Tarangire, Manyara
3–4 daysNgorongoro, Tarangire, Serengeti (fly)
5–7 daysFull northern circuit
8–14 daysAdd Zanzibar, a southern or western park, or Kilimanjaro

Activities You Can Slot In

  • A Serengeti balloon ride.
  • A Hadzabe visit at Lake Eyasi.
  • A Maasai village visit near Ngorongoro.
  • A coffee tour or Materuni Falls near Moshi.
  • A walking safari in Arusha National Park.
  • Zanzibar snorkeling, a dhow cruise or a spice farm.

Safety and Logistics

  • Travel days are long. Build in breaks and avoid overnight arrivals right before an early drive.
  • Keep luggage soft and light if you fly. See our transport guide.
  • Complete entry steps early. See entry requirements.

Cuisine on the Route

Expect lodge buffets, packed lunches on drive days and local flavor at cultural stops. Tell us about allergies and diets in your quote request.

Next: Request Your Quotation

Found a route you like? Read Page 3: Request Your Personalized Quotation to see what to tell us and what you get back.

:7 ready-made routes, from 1 to 14 days
:All start and end in Arusha
:Best first route: 5 days (Big Five loop)
:Best balance: 7 days
:Add Zanzibar at 7–10 days

Tour Location & Route Map

Activities Included

🦁
4-Day Compact Safari
Ngorongoro and Tarangire
🐘
5-Day Big Five Loop
Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti
🎈
7-Day Circuit
Optional balloon ride
🏝️
Safari and Zanzibar
7 to 10 days
🌍
14-Day Grand Tour
North, culture and coast

Best Time to Visit

MonthSeasonHighlightsStatus
Jun-Oct Dry Best for all routes Peak Season
Nov Short rains Good for 4–5 day loops Quiet Season
Dec-Feb Dry and hot Calving in the south, Zanzibar Best
Mar-May Long Rains Value season, 4–5 day loops and culture Quiet Season

Pricing & Packages

Entry
$350 – $420 per person, per day
Shared or camping versions of any route Features:
  • Best for 4–5 day loops
  • Shared vehicle
  • Camping or budget lodges
Book Entry
Midrange
$420 - $600 per person, per day
Shared or camping versions of any route Features:
  • Private or small-group vehicle
  • En-suite rooms
  • Easy to add Zanzibar or culture
Book Midrange
Luxury / VIP
$600 – $1,200+ per person, per day
Premium camps and fly-in versions Features:
  • Fly between parks to save time
  • Small, exclusive camps
  • Multi-region grand tours
Book Luxury / VIP

Pros

  • Seven clear routes, from a day trip to two weeks
  • Every route can be customized
  • Day-by-day outlines make planning easy

Cons

  • Long drives use time on short trips
  • Flights add cost and baggage limits
  • Peak months need early booking
👥

Who Is This For?

Travelers who know their party and want to pick a route before asking for a quote

📅

When to Go

June–October and December–February suit most routes. March–May suits 4–5 day loops and culture, with some mud.

💰

How Much?

4 days $1,400–2,600; 5 days $1,650–3,100; 7 days $2,100–3,400; 7-day safari and Zanzibar $2,600–4,800; 14-day Grand Tour $4,800–10,000+, per person.

How to Book Your Safari

Pick a route, then request your personalized quotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best itinerary for a first Tanzania safari?
The 5-day Big Five loop (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti) or the 7-day northern circuit for more time.
Can I change an itinerary?
Yes. Every route can be adjusted for days, comfort level, activities and private or shared travel.
How long is the drive from Arusha to the Serengeti?
About 6–8 hours by road, or 1–1.5 hours by plane.
What is the shortest worthwhile safari?
Four days. Ngorongoro and Tarangire give two very different landscapes with short drives.
Can I add Zanzibar?
Yes. Add 3–4 days at the end of any safari of 4 days or more.
Are meals and park fees included?
Our packages typically include park fees, meals, water and a guide. Your quote lists exactly what is covered.
Can I do a private version of a group route?
Yes. We can quote any route as private or shared.
What if my dates are fixed?
Send them with your request. We check availability and suggest a route that fits.

Plan Your Tanzania Trip

Next Step: Request Your Quotation

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