7-Day Ngorongoro & Serengeti Safari
Duration
7 Days
Destination
Tanzania
Style
Classic Route
Best For
Wildlife & Adventure
Women-Led · Custom-Made Luxury Safaris · Exclusive African Wilderness Escapes
Overview
Ngorongoro comes first on this seven-day route, followed by a longer stay in the northern Serengeti. The crater gives you a compact area to explore; the Serengeti opens the search across a much wider landscape. Three full days in the north allow time to follow wildlife movements, with migration sightings depending on the season.
Trip Highlights
Full day in the Ngorongoro Crater, the 'Garden of Eden'
Three full days in the Northern Serengeti tracking the migration
Wildebeest Mara River crossings (seasonal)
All Big Five in one of Africa's most concentrated wildlife areas
Olduvai Gorge: the cradle of mankind
Optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti at sunrise ($598/person)
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1Arusha – Ngorongoro Crater (approx. 2 hrs)
Our driver meets you at your Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport. Drive west along the scenic highlands road to Ngorongoro. Descend into the caldera for an introductory game drive and a picnic lunch at one of the famous picnic spots within the crater. The crater floor is home to huge concentrations of wildlife: lion, elephant, black rhino, hippo and countless plains game. In the evening, ascend to the crater rim and check in at the lodge for dinner.
Day 2Ngorongoro Crater – Full Day
Descend into the crater after breakfast for a full day of game drives. The 260 km² crater floor supports approximately 25,000 large mammals including the world's densest lion population and one of Tanzania's last stable populations of black rhino. Spend the morning exploring the crater floor and have a picnic lunch at the designated picnic site. In the afternoon, spend leisure time at the lodge or take an optional coffee farm tour.
Day 3Ngorongoro – Serengeti via Ngorongoro Conservation Area (approx. 3–4 hrs)
After breakfast, check out of the lodge and drive north into the Serengeti through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands: a dramatic journey passing Maasai villages and breathtaking rift scenery. Enter the Serengeti through the Naabi Hill Gate and begin your game drive as you head to the central Seronera area or north toward Kogatende. Evening check-in at camp for dinner.
Day 4Northern Serengeti – Full Day
Spend the day tracking the migration across the northern Serengeti's Kogatende region. Between July and October, enormous herds of wildebeest gather at the Mara River crossings in one of nature's most electrifying spectacles. Outside migration season, the northern Serengeti still offers exceptional resident game including large lion prides. Picnic lunch in the field; optional hot air balloon at dawn.
Day 5Northern Serengeti – Full Day
A second full day in the greater Serengeti ecosystem. Follow the wildebeest migration as it flows north between the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. Morning and afternoon game drives cover the wide grasslands of Kogatende. Enjoy camp facilities and optional bush breakfast during the midday break.
Day 6Northern Serengeti – Full Day
Your final full day in the Serengeti. Venture into the western corridor or the Lobo area for different game-viewing perspectives. The Serengeti is also a world-class birding destination with over 500 recorded species. End the day with a sundowner on the open plains as the sun drops behind the kopjes.
Day 7Serengeti – Arusha (approx. 5–6 hrs) / KIA Departure
Morning game drive as the Serengeti wakes up. Return to camp for breakfast. Drive east back through the NCA, passing through Ngorongoro and on to Arusha. Drop-off at your Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport for onward travel.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- All accommodation on a Full Board basis (as specified)
- All game drives in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Expert English-speaking guide and driver
- All national park and reserve entry fees
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Mineral water during all game drives
- Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover
Not Included
- International flights and any domestic or regional flights not expressly listed as included in your confirmed quote
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Tanzania visa or entry-permission fees, where required for your passport
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Personal items (laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs)
- Optional balloon flight in the Serengeti, booked and priced separately; other activities not listed as included
- Any costs arising from flight delays or itinerary changes
- Meals outside the meal plan stated for each day of this itinerary
- Mainland Tanzania government inbound travel insurance, where required: US$44 per adult, US$22 per child aged 3–17, with ages 0–2 free. Purchase separately before travel; not included in the safari price.
Good to Know
Your route covers Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti. The arrival arrangements on Day 1 and the final-day transfer form part of this itinerary; share your flight times with us before booking so we can check the connections.
Entry documents: check the passport, visa and entry-permission requirements for Tanzania before travel. Requirements depend on your passport and can change. We confirm the planned crossings and arrival points with your itinerary.
Allow time for the road journeys shown in the daily plan. Driving times are estimates, with stops, road conditions affecting the day. Tell us about mobility needs or a preference for shorter travel days while we plan the route.
Ask us to confirm the scope and validity of any operator-arranged emergency evacuation cover for this route. Keep your own comprehensive medical and travel insurance suitable for the countries and activities in your itinerary.
Last checked 9 October 2026: mainland Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance began on 1 October 2026. Eligible travellers must arrange the applicable NIC policy before travel; your usual private travel insurance does not replace this entry requirement.
Your first Tanzanian arrival on this route is in mainland Tanzania. Use the official NIC portal to arrange the applicable policy before travel.
Standard insurance rates are US$44 per adult aged 18 or over, US$22 per child aged 3–17, and free for ages 0–2, subject to the insurer's eligibility rules and checkout. Insurance age bands may differ from lodge child rates. Cover is for up to 92 days, with the actual dates shown on your certificate. Keep the certificate and QR code accessible throughout the trip.
Residents of EAC and SADC member states qualify for the mainland exemption under NIC's published rules. This is residence-based, not simply a passport exemption. Confirm eligibility with NIC before departure.
The government policy is purchased separately and excluded from this safari price. Keep comprehensive personal travel insurance suitable for your activities, medical needs, cancellation risks and other countries visited. Government cover has limits and exclusions; any separately arranged evacuation service does not replace it. Rules and rates can change, so recheck the official portals before travel.
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An excellent trip to parts of Kenya that are not on the main tourist routes, northern Kenya. Everything went smoothly Victor and Abdi, took care of everything. The choice of accommodation provided a great range of experiences. I would recommend Saringi to anyone.
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