Inspiration Itinerary | Tanzania Safari

Essence of Tanzania

Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Serengeti plains

Wealth of wildlife

This remarkable 7-day Tanzanian safari showcases the country’s most iconic landscapes, teeming wildlife, and authentic tented camps that blend total comfort with the luxury of being surrounded by nature.

The itinerary begins in Arusha with a quick stop over at Arusha Coffee Lodge – a charming retreat set amidst a working coffee plantation. From here you’ll head to Tarangire National Park, where majestic baobabs and vast elephant herds dominate the landscape. During the dry season, the Tarangire River becomes a lifeline for wildlife, attracting buffalo, giraffes, and predators like lions and leopards, and bird enthusiasts will marvel at the park’s 550 recorded species. Accommodation at Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge features spacious safari tents and a beautiful rim-flow pool overlooking the plains – a special kind of wildlife watching!

From Tarangire, travel through Karatu, a small, colourful town with a bustling marketplace and a local brewery, passing the shimmering Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley escarpment to arrive at your this lush Ngorongoro Crater highland retreat. An early start takes you to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site rich in biodiversity. Here, forested slopes, golden grasslands, and shimmering lakes host black rhinos, flamingos, and a thriving predator population.

The safari concludes in the Serengeti, a vast plain alive with millions of animals, and famed for its thundering wildebeest migration. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Migration on the move – a breathtaking spectacle of wildebeest and zebras en masse shadowed by opportunistic predators.

This itinerary really epitomises the essence of Tanzania with its breathtaking landscapes and immense wealth of wildlife.

Please note: this itinerary offers inspiration for travel in the high season (July-October), but the itinerary will be altered to offer the very best wildlife experience during any month of the year. Please contact us for further information, or for further reading on seasons in the Serengeti please see our blog – When to Take a Serengeti Safari.

7 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS

DAY 0 | ARUSHA | 1 NIGHT

Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be met and privately transferred to Arusha Coffee Lodge. Nestled in the lush foothills of Mount Meru, the lodge is a charming retreat set amidst a working coffee plantation.

Overnight at Arusha Coffee Lodge

DAYS 1 & 2 | TARANGIRE

An early morning briefing kick starts your safari, before you head off to Tarangire National Park, a true wildlife gem known primarily for its vast elephant population and impressive baobab trees. (Driving time 90 mins – 2 hours)

Highly underrated, yet bursting with a dense wildlife population, it won’t take you long to appreciate Tarangire, dominated by baobab trees and an enormous elephant population. During the dry season (June to September) thousands of animals including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, kudu, and the rarely seen oryx migrate from the dry Maasai steppe to the Tarangire River in search of water, an lion, leopard and other predators follow.

Spend the next two days enjoying game drives, with picnic lunch included.

Overnight at Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge or similar.

DAY 3 | NGORONGORO VIA KARATU

Heading for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater by road, you will pass through the town of Karatu in the green hills of Tanzania’s northern highlands. Presided over by the towering Ol Deani Volcano, this small, colourful town serves as a popular overnight stop for visitors exploring the area’s many game parks. The town offers a variety of activities including browsing the bustling marketplace, sampling beer at a local brewery, visiting a traditional homestead, or taking a guided walk through the Ngorongoro Forest in search of waterfalls and caves.

Continue to the highlands of Karatu, stopping on the way to view Manyara and the escarpment below.

Overnight at The Retreat at Ngorongoro

DAY 4 | SERONERA

An early start today to enjoy a full morning and picnic lunch in the volcanic caldera of Ngorongoro. We can almost guarantee four of the Big Five will show up, as well as a rich variety of birds, all viewed against the backdrop of the thickly forested crater walls. Varied terrains and dramatic landscapes consisting of forest, grasslands and both freshwater and soda lakes make the Ngorongoro Crater a true marvel.

DAY 4 | SERONERA CONTINUED

From here continue onto the Seronera region in the heart of the Serengeti. Seronera is set directly on the Great Migration route, and offers excellent viewing of this incredible annual phenomenon. The wider Serengeti is home to more than three million large mammals spread over vast endless plains and, depending on the timing of your safari, we may encounter the fascinating spectacle of the annual wildebeest migration, where one and quarter million wildebeest trek in columns of up to forty kilometres long in search of grazing, drawing with them plenty predators and numerous other species of game.

While migratory game populations fluctuate seasonally, Seronera is still a wildlife hotspot at other times of the year, sheltering the Big Five, among many other species. Visitors can enjoy hot air balloon trips and walking safaris as well as guided game drives.

Serengeti Wilderness Camp is a great place to base up all year round. There is exceptional resident game in the area, including big cats, herds of elephant, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and plenty of antelope. At certain times of the year the migration is a stone’s throw from the camp. Enjoy game drives in this area over the next few days.

Overnight Serengeti Wilderness Camp (or similar)

DAYS 5 & 6 | NORTHERN SERENGETI

Next, head to the Northern Serengeti. Located between the Central Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve to the north, the Northern Serengeti is a vast, rolling savannah known as the hub of the great migration. This is the place to be between July and October as masses of migrating wildebeest and zebra hurl themselves across the Mara river in Africa’s greatest leap of faith. Big cats are never far away and lie in wait for an easy hunting opportunity.

Serengeti North Wilderness Camp, an intimate, seasonal camp, is located a short distance from the banks of the Mara River – the perfect base from which to enjoy game drives in the surrounding area.

Overnight at Serengeti North Wilderness Camp (or similar) for 2 nights.

DAY 7 | END OF ITINERARY

A morning transfer to Kogatende airstrip puts you on your flight back to Arusha since the driving distance is is not possible to cover in one day. It is an exceptionally scenic flight across the vast expanse of the Rift Valley escarpments and the highlands of Ngorongoro.

You safari ends when you arrive back in Arusha, where you will then continue with your onward arrangements or begin your journey home.

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

A selection of the finest safari camps

Arusha Coffee Lodge – Arusha

Arusha Coffee Lodge is situated within colourful gardens and on the picturesque Burka Coffee Estate - a working coffee plantation spanning 17 acres located on the edge of Arusha. Offering a true oasis, Arusha Coffee Lodge is a perfect ‘home-base’ for any overnight stay between safaris. Read More

Tarangire Ndovu Camp – Tarangire National Park

Nasikia Tarangire Ndovu Camp is located in an area known for its massive elephant herds and ancient baobabs. The camp is not permanent, but instead built each year between the months of June and October, when huge elephant herds travel through the area.
Read More

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

7 days / 6 nights

2025 scheduled departure dates:
04 Jan/ 15 Feb/ 24 Feb/ 22 Mar/ 17 Apr/ 21 Jun/ 19 Jul/ 09 Aug/ 06 Sep/ 27 Sep/ 25 Oct/ 20 Dec

We aim to get you as close to the migration as possible:

From January-mid March we include nights at Ndutu for the wildebeest calving in the south.
Between April – June the central Serengeti is well located for the herds moving through.
From July -October we include time in the north – for anticipated Mara River crossings.

For more information on seasons in the Serengeti please refer to our blog – When to Take a Serengeti Safari

Your guides are experienced professionals who are committed to ensuring optimal game-viewing throughout your safari.

In your specially customised, extended land cruisers the windows are enlarged and the roof height raised to allow ease of photography and game-viewing through the 360 degree view hatches, with plenty of room to stretch your legs.

Inclusions

Services of a qualified safari guide
Game drives in Tarangire National Park
2 nights accommodation at Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge or similar on a full board basis
1 night accommodation at The Retreat at Ngorongoro or similar on a full board basis
Ngorongoro Crater Visit including picnic lunch
3 nights accommodation at Serengeti Wilderness Camps including all meals, local beer, house wine and soft drinks
Game drives in the Serengeti
Park and camp/ concession fees
Bottled water in safari vehicle
Domestic flight Kogatende to Arusha/ Kilimanjaro if staying in northern Serengeti.
Sustainable Tourism Donation – supporting the Serengeti De-snaring programme and the Kilimanjaro Tree Project.
Full liability insurance cover and 24 hour emergency contact

Exclusions

All International flights
Visas
Travel insurance
Health requirements including Yellow Fever inoculation if applicable
Gratuities
Meals and drinks not listed under includes
All items of a personal nature and any services not specified

FLIGHTS & INSURANCE ON REQUEST

Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.

Elizabeth Mackintosh

We wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!

Mark Taylor

Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.

Milford family

We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.

Kim & Brad Balance

The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.

Rowntree family

Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.

Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones

We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!

Laurence & Remi Cunningham

An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!

Sheryl & Robert Taylor

Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.

Paul Cozzi

Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!

Jane & Robert Happell

Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.

Tim Bradley

You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!

Buckingham Family

The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.

Emma Jeffcoat

Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.

Simon & Jackie Adams

Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!

Ros Wheeler

Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.

Andrew & Pip Stevens

If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.

Miriam & Joseph Harrison

Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.

Ron & Alison Guthrie

Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10

Di & Kingsley Yates

The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.

Annette Whiley

It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing. We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.

Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud

Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!

The McGowan Tribe

An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.

Judith & Roger Williams

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