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 Comparison: All Seven Routes
| Route | Parks | Best for | Package price (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Day Arusha NP | Arusha NP | Layovers, taster | $220–380 |
| 3 Days Serengeti and Ngorongoro | Serengeti, Ngorongoro | Very short breaks | $980–1,850 (3-day Serengeti) |
| 4 Days Ngorongoro and Tarangire | Ngorongoro, Tarangire | Short on time, families | $1,400–2,600 |
| 5 Days Big Five Loop | Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti | First-timers | $1,650–3,100 |
| 7 Days Northern Circuit | Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti | Couples, photographers | $2,100–3,400 |
| 7–10 Days Safari and Zanzibar | Serengeti plus Zanzibar | Honeymoons, beach lovers | $2,600–4,800 (7-day combo) |
| 14 Days Grand Tour | North, another region, coast | Long-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
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 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
| Day | Plan | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha → Ngorongoro rim, with Rift Valley views | ~180 km, 3–4 h |
| 2 | Full-day crater game drive | On crater floor |
| 3 | Ngorongoro → Tarangire, with an afternoon game drive | ~150 km, 3–4 h |
| 4 | Morning 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
| Day | Plan | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha → Tarangire, with an afternoon game drive | ~120 km, 2–3 h |
| 2 | Tarangire morning drive → Ngorongoro rim | ~200 km, 4–5 h |
| 3 | Full-day Ngorongoro Crater game drive | On crater floor |
| 4 | Ngorongoro → central Serengeti, with an evening game drive | ~150 km, 3–4 h |
| 5 | Morning 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
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha → Tarangire. Afternoon game drive |
| 2 | Tarangire → Lake Manyara or Karatu. Rest or light activity |
| 3 | Ngorongoro Crater game drive |
| 4 | Ngorongoro → Serengeti. Evening drive |
| 5 | Full day in the Serengeti |
| 6 | Serengeti morning drive (optional balloon ride at dawn). Start back |
| 7 | Return 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
| Phase | Plan |
|---|---|
| Days 1–4 | Serengeti-focused safari with game drives |
| Day 5 | Fly 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
| Days | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1–7 | Northern circuit: Tarangire, Manyara or Karatu, Ngorongoro, Serengeti |
| 8–9 | Culture: Lake Eyasi, Maasai visit or a coffee tour near Moshi |
| 10–11 | A second region: southern or western park by flight, or a Meru climb |
| 12–14 | Zanzibar 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?
| Season | Best routes | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Jun–Oct | All routes, including Serengeti-focused ones | Peak prices, book early |
| Nov | Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Zanzibar | Short showers |
| Dec–Feb | Southern Serengeti calving, Zanzibar | Christmas peak |
| Mar–May | 4–5 day northern loops, culture | Mud, 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
| Length | Parks |
|---|---|
| 1–2 days | Arusha NP, Tarangire, Manyara |
| 3–4 days | Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Serengeti (fly) |
| 5–7 days | Full northern circuit |
| 8–14 days | Add 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.
Tour Location & Route Map
Activities Included
Best Time to Visit
| Month | Season | Highlights | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
- Best for 4–5 day loops
- Shared vehicle
- Camping or budget lodges
- Private or small-group vehicle
- En-suite rooms
- Easy to add Zanzibar or culture
- Fly between parks to save time
- Small, exclusive camps
- Multi-region grand tours
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Tanzania Trip
Next Step: Request Your Quotation