7 Day Safari in Tanzania
Seven days is the best length for a Tanzania safari. It gives you time to see the northern circuit without rushing, spend three nights in the Serengeti and follow the Great Migration to where the herds are that month.
Seven days is the best length for a Tanzania safari. It gives you time to see the northern circuit without rushing, spend three nights in the Serengeti and follow the Great Migration to where the herds are that month.
Our 7 day safaris start from USD 2,800 per person and include midrange, luxury and migration options. See also our long guide to the best 7 day Tanzania safari itinerary.
A 7 day itinerary that works
Day 1 is a transfer from Arusha to Tarangire. Day 2 goes to Lake Manyara and the Karatu highlands. Day 3 enters the Serengeti, and days 4 and 5 are spent in two different parts of the park. Day 6 crosses to the crater rim and day 7 is the Ngorongoro Crater and the drive to Arusha.
In the Serengeti you can base yourself in the central area for year-round game viewing, or move north for the Mara River crossings from July to October, or south for the calving season from January to March.
Following the Great Migration
The herds move in a clockwise circle through the Serengeti ecosystem over the year. With seven days you can book the right camps for the month and spend two or three nights in the area where the herds are. The seasonal calendar on our Great Migration page explains each month.
Add a beach or a mountain
Seven days is also a good base for combining a safari with a short beach stay in Zanzibar or a hike on Mount Meru. Our 10 day itinerary combines a safari with Zanzibar, and we can add Kilimanjaro before or after your trip.
Why seven days is the best length
Seven days gives you three things shorter trips cannot. You can spend three nights in the Serengeti, which is the minimum for seeing the park properly. You can include Lake Manyara or a cultural visit without rushing. And you can plan a day of rest, so you finish the safari relaxed, not exhausted.
Choosing your Serengeti area
Central Serengeti
The best year-round area, with a high density of big cats and a reliable chance of leopards.
Northern Serengeti
The Mara River crossings from July to October, with fewer vehicles and a wilder feel.
Southern Serengeti and Ndutu
The calving season from January to March, with great predator sightings and quiet lodges.
Add Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro
A seven day safari combines well with a few days on Zanzibar or a Kilimanjaro climb. Most travellers do the mountain first, then the safari, then the beach. We plan the whole itinerary in one booking.
Day by day: the classic 7 day northern circuit
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire
Pick-up in Arusha, a two hour drive and an afternoon game drive among elephants, with a night at a lodge near the park.
Day 2: Tarangire to Lake Manyara or Karatu
A morning game drive, then Lake Manyara National Park or a cultural visit, and a night in the Karatu highlands.
Day 3: Into the Serengeti
A drive via the Ngorongoro rim to the Serengeti, with game viewing on the way and a night in the park.
Days 4 and 5: Exploring the Serengeti
Two full days in the park, with morning and afternoon game drives, and a move to a second camp if you are following the herds.
Day 6: Serengeti to the crater rim
A last game drive and a transfer to the Ngorongoro crater rim for the night.
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater and return
A morning in the crater and a return to Arusha in the late afternoon.
Shoulder season savings on a 7 day trip
The best value for a seven day safari is in late May and early June, and in November, when the parks are quiet and lodge rates drop. The weather is mixed, with showers in the afternoon, but the wildlife is excellent and the light is beautiful. If you want the migration crossings and the dry season, book as early as you can.
7 day Tanzania safari packages
Prices are per person for two travellers sharing a private vehicle unless the package says joining safari.
- 7 Day Northern Tanzania Midrange Safari (7 Days / 6 Nights, from USD 2,800 per person) The classic Northern Circuit in 7 days: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, two nights in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, staying in mid range lodges and tented c
- 7 Day Northern Circuit Luxury Tanzania Safari: Drive to Serengeti & Fly Out (7 Days / 6 Nights, from USD 5,300 per person) A private 7 day luxury Northern Circuit safari: drive through Tarangire, Manyara and Ngorongoro to the Serengeti, then fly out from Seronera Airstrip.
- 7 Day Luxury Big Five & Wildebeest Migration Safari (From Arusha) (7 Days / 6 Nights, from USD 5,900 per person) A 7 Day luxury safari from Arusha: Tarangire, three Serengeti nights, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara, USD 5,900 per person.
- 7 Day Mara River Crossing Safari, The Great Wildebeest Migration (7 Days / 6 Nights, from USD 3,300 per person) Experience the Great Migration in Tanzania on a thrilling 7 Day private safari through Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro with prime Mara River crossing viewin
- 7 Day Ndutu Calving Season, Serengeti & Lake Eyasi Cultural Safari (7 Days / 6 Nights, from USD 3,480 per person) A 7 Day journey combining the Ndutu calving season and Central Serengeti with Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Hadzabe & Datoga cultural immersion at Lake Eyas
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for a Tanzania safari?
Yes. Seven days gives you a full northern circuit with three nights in the Serengeti.
How much does a 7 day safari cost?
Midrange 7 day safaris start from USD 2,800 per person for two sharing. Luxury trips cost more.
What is the best month for a 7 day safari?
July to October for the Mara River crossings, January to March for the calving season, and June or November for fewer visitors.
What is the best 7 day itinerary?
Tarangire, Lake Manyara, three nights in the Serengeti in two areas, a night on the crater rim and the crater. Our 7 day itinerary guide has the full day by day plan.
Should I choose a 7 day safari or a 5 day safari plus Zanzibar?
If wildlife is your priority, take the seven days. If you want rest as well, take five days of safari and add the beach.