7-Day Mid-Range Epic Adventure (3 Nights Serengeti)
This itinerary targets the heart of Tanzania’s wilderness, the Serengeti, with an unparalleled three-night stay, maximizing migration and predator-spotting opportunities. Supplemented by visits to Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Lake Manyara, this safari is tailored for those seeking in-depth animal encounters without sacrificing comfort
Key Tour Highlights & Unique Selling Points
Extended Serengeti Stay: Perfect for migration chasers and those eager to linger.
Diverse habitats: Transition from baobab savannahs to volcanoes to endless plains.
Mid-range comfort: Attractive for families, solo, or small-group travelers.
Major Attractions and Accessibility
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Road network and transfer logistics are managed to minimize fatigue, with scenic stops.
Day-to-Day Activities
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Gateway to the Wild
Arrival: Land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport, where a Nile Abenteuer Safaris representative greets you with a warm welcome and assists with immigration and luggage.
Transfer: Private vehicle transfer to your lodge in Arusha, set in tranquil gardens or coffee estates with views of Mount Meru.
Check-in & Refresh: Enjoy a welcome drink, freshen up, and settle into your room.
Orientation Briefing: Late afternoon briefing with your safari guide to review the itinerary, safety protocols, and wildlife expectations.
Dinner: Served at the lodge’s restaurant, featuring local ingredients and continental options.
Overnight: Comfortable lodge in Arusha (Arumeru River Lodge, Rivertrees Country Inn, or similar).
Day 2: Tarangire National Park – Elephants, Baobabs & Big Game
Early Breakfast: Depart by 7:30 AM for Tarangire National Park (approx. 2-hour drive), passing through Maasai country and open farmland.
Morning Game Drive: Enter the park and explore the Tarangire River ecosystem, known for its massive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and seasonal migration.
Picnic Lunch: Served at a scenic viewpoint overlooking the river, where wildlife often congregates.
Afternoon Game Drive: Continue through Silale Swamp and open savannah, tracking lions, giraffes, and possibly cheetahs.
Sunset Exit: Leave the park around 6:00 PM and transfer to your lodge near Lake Manyara or Karatu.
Dinner & Campfire: Enjoy a hot meal and storytelling around the fire.
Overnight: Safari lodge near Lake Manyara (Maramboi Tented Camp or Lake Burunge Lodge).
Day 3: Scenic Transfer to Serengeti – Through the Ngorongoro Highlands
Breakfast & Departure: Leave the lodge by 7:00 AM and ascend into the Ngorongoro Highlands, passing through lush forests and crater rim views.
Optional Stop: Visit Olduvai Gorge en route — one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world — for a brief tour and museum visit.
Lunch: Packed lunch served at Naabi Hill Gate, the entrance to Serengeti.
Afternoon Game Drive: Begin your Serengeti experience with a drive through the Seronera Valley, known for year-round wildlife and predator density. Expect to see lions lounging on kopjes, elephants grazing, and possibly cheetahs on the hunt.
Check-in & Sunset: Arrive at your tented camp before dusk. Enjoy sundowners and a hot shower before dinner.
Dinner & Overnight: Luxury tented camp in Central Serengeti (Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge or Serengeti Tortilis Camp).
Day 4: Full-Day Serengeti Safari – Predator Territory & Migration Trails
Sunrise Game Drive: Depart at 6:00 AM with coffee and snacks for early predator activity — lions returning from a hunt, hyenas scavenging, and leopards descending from trees.
Return for Breakfast: Back to camp by 9:30 AM for a full breakfast.
Mid-Morning Leisure: Optional rest or short nature walk near camp.
Lunch: Served at camp or packed for full-day exploration.
Afternoon Game Drive: Focus on migration herds (seasonal), hippo pools, and birdlife. Your guide provides insights into animal behavior, ecology, and conservation.
Dinner & Overnight: Same tented camp in Central Serengeti.
Day 5: Final Serengeti Explorations – Hidden Valleys & Kopjes
Flexible Morning: Choose between a sunrise drive or a relaxed breakfast followed by a mid-morning exploration.
Wildlife Focus: Track elusive species like serval cats, bat-eared foxes, and monitor lizards. Visit lesser-known areas like the Moru Kopjes or Retima Hippo Pool.
Lunch & Farewell: Enjoy your final Serengeti lunch with sweeping views of the plains.
Afternoon Leisure: Optional visit to a local research station or community project (subject to availability).
Dinner & Overnight: Final night at your Serengeti camp.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – World’s Largest Caldera
Early Departure: After breakfast, begin your journey back toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive takes 3–4 hours with wildlife viewing en route.
Crater Descent: Arrive at the crater rim and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to over 25,000 animals, including black rhinos, lions, elephants, and flamingos.
Picnic Lunch: Served near the hippo pool inside the crater.
Afternoon Exit: Ascend back to the crater rim and transfer to your lodge in Karatu or on the rim itself.
Dinner & Overnight: Lodge with crater views or highland gardens. (Ngorongoro Serena Lodge or Ngorongoro Farm House)
Day 7: Lake Manyara National Park & Return to Arusha – Forest, Rift Valley & Flamingos
Early Breakfast & Departure: Drive to Lake Manyara National Park (approx. 45 minutes), known for its groundwater forest, tree-climbing lions, and flamingo-lined lake.
Morning Game Drive: Explore the forest canopy for baboons, blue monkeys, and elephants. Continue to the lake shore for birdwatching and views of the escarpment.
Lunch: Served at a lodge outside the park or packed for the road.
Return to Arusha: Depart by early afternoon for the 2.5-hour drive back to Arusha. Optional stop at a local craft market or coffee plantation.
Drop-Off: Arrive at your lodge or airport for onward travel. End of safari.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions: Full-board, all park entries, guide, 4x4 vehicle, airport transfers.
Exclusions: Flights, drinks, insurance, tips, laundry.
Accommodation Facilities & Amenities
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What to Carry & Requirements
Standard safari kit as previously described.
Binoculars & wildlife guides: Vital for extended game viewing in Serengeti.
Flexible clothing: For considerable range in daily temps.