7-Day Tanzania Adventure Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arusha National Park
    1 hour (29 km) from Arusha city center

    Start your adventure with a visit to Arusha National Park, which is famous for its diverse landscapes, including the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and Mount Meru. You can take a walking safari with a park ranger or a game drive to see different animals such as giraffes, zebras, elephants and more.

  • Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park
    2 hours (87 km) from Arusha National Park

    Continue your adventure and visit Lake Manyara National Park. It’s a great destination for birdwatching and spotting big game animals such as lions, elephants, and baboons. You can also take a canoe safari to explore the lake and spot hippos and flamingos.

  • Day 3: Serengeti National Park
    3.5 hours (210 km) from Lake Manyara National Park

    Today, you will be visiting Serengeti National Park, one of the most famous national parks in Africa. You can take a hot air balloon ride over the park to see the wildlife from above or a game drive to see the wildebeest migration, lions, cheetahs, and more animals roaming around in the park.

  • Day 4: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
    4 hours (146 km) from Serengeti National Park

    On this day, you’ll explore the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, known for its unique terrain, which includes the Ngorongoro Crater, which is home to wildlife such as elephants, lions, hyenas and wildebeest. You can also visit a Masaai village to learn about their culture and traditions.

  • Day 5: Usambara Mountains
    5 hours (298 km) from Ngorongoro Conservation Area

    After visiting the national park, you can visit the Usambara Mountains, which are ideal for hiking, bike riding or walking. The mountain range also includes different towns such as Lushoto, where you can witness traditional colonial buildings and meet the local people known for their farming and handcrafts.

  • Day 6: Zanzibar
    4 hours (240 km) from Usambara Mountains

    On this day, you’ll travel to Zanzibar, an archipelago of islands off the coast of Tanzania known for its turquoise blue waters, white sandy beaches, and spice markets. You can visit Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site or take a tour of Jozani Forest to see red colobus monkeys and different bird species.

  • Day 7: Kendwa Beach
    1 hour (55 km) from Zanzibar town

    Your final day of adventure will take place at Kendwa Beach, Known for its white sandy beaches and clear blue waters. Relax, take a dip in the ocean, and enjoy the Sunset Dhow Cruise, a romantic tour of the Indian Ocean, where you can enjoy dinner and drinks while admiring the sunset.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Arusha National Park (4 hours, $42)
  • Lake Manyara National Park (3 hours, $30)
  • Serengeti National Park (5 hours, $60)
  • Ngorongoro Conservation Area (4 hours, $45)
  • Usambara Mountains (7 hours, $90)
  • Zanzibar (8 hours, $70)
  • Kendwa Beach (1 day, $30)

  • Total Estimated Costs: $367

Transportation

To get around Tanzania, you can hire a private car with a driver, which is the most common and efficient mode of transportation. Alternatively, you can take a daladala, a small minibus mostly used for short trips between towns. Expect to spend around $110 for a private car and $5 for a daladala. Note that travel times can vary depending on weather and road conditions.

Useful Tips

For those with more time, consider adding Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, to your itinerary. Alternatively, for those with less time, consider removing Usambara Mountains from the itinerary. Make sure to bring light and comfortable clothing, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Airports

The main airport in Tanzania is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), which is located approximately 12km southwest of Dar es Salaam city center. There is also the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), located in the city of Arusha, and it takes about an hour to get to Moshi, where many Kilimanjaro trekking tours start.

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