7-Day Best Budget Safari in Tanzania  - Serengeti Wildlife Safaris

Serengeti Wildlife Safaris

7-Day Best Budget Safari in Tanzania 

7 Days 4 Nights

Overview

Experience the ultimate 7-day budget safari in Tanzania, exploring Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater. Spot the Big Five, enjoy a thrilling night game drive, and immerse yourself in local culture with village tours, waterfall hikes, and a visit to Kilimanjaro’s hot springs. This adventure-packed itinerary blends wildlife, nature, and culture perfect for couples, families, and solo travellers. Enjoy authentic camping, scenic drives, and unforgettable memories on one of the best affordable safaris in Tanzania.

Itinerary

Your unforgettable Tanzania safari adventure begins with a warm welcome at the airport in Arusha the gateway to Northern Tanzania’s national parks. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll enjoy a short scenic hike canoe at lake Duluti to admire a breathtaking view of mount Meru over Arusha or embark on a city sightseeing tour. This introduction to Tanzania’s culture and landscape is the perfect way to ease into your journey. We recommend arriving in the early afternoon to make the most of this day.

Main Destination: Arusha
Accommodation: Karibu Heritage House Budget hotel in Arusha

After breakfast, your African wildlife safari officially kicks off with a 2-hour drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park. Famous for its towering baobab trees and huge elephant herds, Tarangire offers a truly authentic safari experience. Enjoy a full-day game drive spotting elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeest, zebras, and more. In the late afternoon, when most tourists leave the park, you'll continue to explore in peace before camping inside the park at a remote wilderness campsite.

Main Destination: Tarangire National Park
Accommodation: Budget camping outside Tarangire NP
Meals & Drinks: All meals included | Drinking water, beer, and wine included

Start your day early at 6:00 AM for a sunrise game drive in Tarangire while animals are still active and the scenery is magical. After a mid-morning departure, drive to Mto wa Mbu, a vibrant local village near Lake Manyara. Enjoy lunch and relax at Fig Tree Lodge before a cultural tour – visit banana farms, local markets, waterfalls, and enjoy a guided biking experience through the village. After dinner, prepare for a special night game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, where you may spot bush babies, genets, hyenas, and more nocturnal creatures under the African stars.

Main Destination: Lake Manyara National Park
Accommodation: Fig Tree Lodge – Budget hotel with pool and restaurant
Meals & Drinks: All meals included | Drinking water, beer, and wine included

After breakfast, the journey continues toward the world-famous Serengeti National Park, with a scenic stop at the Ngorongoro Crater viewpoint for panoramic photos of the volcanic landscape. Upon entering Serengeti, enjoy a packed lunch and embark on an exciting evening game drive through the vast plains of the Central Serengeti. Expect to see lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, and the Great Wildebeest Migration depending on the season. As night falls, you’ll camp under the stars at the iconic Seronera Campsite, located in the heart of Serengeti.

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Budget camping inside Serengeti NP
Meals & Drinks: All meals included | All drinks (except spirits)

Wake up to the sounds of nature and enjoy a final early morning game drive in the Serengeti before heading back to camp for brunch. You’ll then begin your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, one of the most dramatic landscapes in Africa. Arrive at Simba Campsite, perched on the crater rim, where you'll overnight in preparation for tomorrow’s crater descent.

Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation: Budget camping inside Ngorongoro
Meals & Drinks: All meals included | Drinking water, beer, and wine included

Today you descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater for a thrilling safari in what is often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to an incredible concentration of wildlife including black rhinos, lions, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, and flocks of flamingos around Lake Magadi. After lunch, ascend the crater walls and return to Arusha for your final night of relaxation.

Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation: Karibu Heritage House – Budget hotel in Arusha
Meals & Drinks: All meals included | Drinking water and alcoholic drinks included

Conclude your Tanzania adventure with a refreshing full-day excursion near Mount Kilimanjaro. Begin with a scenic hike to the stunning Materuni Waterfalls, followed by a cultural coffee tour with local farmers where you'll learn the full bean-to-cup process. Afterward, take a relaxing swim in the Kikuletwa Hot Springs, a hidden geothermal paradise surrounded by fig trees. Later, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your departure, ending a safari filled with unforgettable wildlife, landscapes, and culture.

Main Destination: Materuni Waterfalls & Kikuletwa Hot Springs
Accommodation: End of Tour No stay
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch included | Drinking water, beer, and wine included

Included & Excluded

  • All park entry fees
  • Accommodation (budget hotels & campsites)
  • All meals as specified (including drinks such as water, beer, and wine)
  • Transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional guide
  • Game drives and park activities
  • Cultural village tours, bike tours, and guided hikes
  • Night game drive in Lake Manyara
  • Kilimanjaro day trip (Materuni Waterfalls, coffee tour, and hot springs)
  • Airport transfers
  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal items (e.g., laundry, souvenirs, tips)
  • Visa fees for entry into Tanzania
  • Spirits (hard liquor)
  • Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary

Map

Frequent Asked Question

What type of accommodation is provided?

Budget camping (with shared facilities) in Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro

Budget lodges/hotels in Arusha and Lake Manyara (e.g., Karibu Heritage House, Fig Tree Lodge)

All accommodations are clean, safe, and ideal for budget-conscious travelers.

Is this safari suitable for children and families?

Yes. This safari is designed for families, couples, and solo travelers. Activities are safe and enjoyable for children aged 6 and above.

What is the best time of year to take this safari?

The safari runs year-round, but the best wildlife viewing is during the dry season (June to October) when animals are easier to spot. The Great Wildebeest Migration is best viewed in the Serengeti from June to September.

How many people are in a safari group?

Group sizes typically range from 4 to 7 people per vehicle, offering a personalized and social experience. Private tours can be arranged upon request.

19% Off
From $2500 $2020
/ Adult
7-Day Best Budget Safari in Tanzania