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7-Day Tanzania Mid-range Family Safari & Balloon Experience
Tanzania Safari

7-Day Tanzania Mid-range Family Safari & Balloon Experience

Safari price
From $4,250
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Safari Escort journey

Trip Overview

The 7-Day Tanzania Mid-range Family Safari & Balloon Experience starts and finishes in Arusha. Its route includes Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara, following the destination order and transfers set out in the day-by-day itinerary.

The journey is shaped around guided game drives in the listed parks, paced for families travelling together.

Every safari day brings a different perspective on Tanzania’s landscapes and wildlife. Explore the route below to see how activities, journeys between destinations and overnight stays fit together. Our local team can help you consider seasonal wildlife movements, the time available and accommodation preferences before you make a decision.

Where every day follows the rhythm of the journey
Elephant habitat and baobab landscape in Tarangire National ParkTarangire
Wildebeest moving across the plains of Serengeti National ParkSerengeti
Zebra and wildlife habitat inside Ngorongoro CraterNgorongoro Crater
Flamingos and lakeshore scenery in Lake Manyara National ParkLake Manyara
Moments along the route
Safari Highlights

Your Journey Highlights

  • Into Elephant Country – Arusha to Tarangire National ParkExplore Tarangire’s river valley, baobab country and wildlife habitat on a guided game drive.
  • Into the Wild – Journey to the Great SerengetiTravel across the Serengeti with time for game viewing, adapting the day’s route to current wildlife activity and seasonal conditions.
  • The Heart of the Wild – Full-Day Safari in SerengetiTravel across the Serengeti with time for game viewing, adapting the day’s route to current wildlife activity and seasonal conditions.
  • Sky Safari – Sunrise Balloon Ride & More Game ViewingSee the landscape from above on the scheduled balloon experience, then continue the day with the route and activities described in the itinerary.
  • Through Changing Lands – Serengeti to Ngorongoro HighlandsDescend into the Ngorongoro Crater for guided wildlife viewing across grassland, woodland and wetland habitats.
  • Into Nature’s Bowl – Full-Day Safari in Ngorongoro CraterDescend into the Ngorongoro Crater for guided wildlife viewing across grassland, woodland and wetland habitats.

Your Itinerary

Day 01

Into Elephant Country – Arusha to Tarangire National Park

  • Activity: Game Drive & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner

After a short briefing by your guide, you’ll drive through the scenic landscapes of northern Tanzania, passing Maasai villages and wide savannahs, heading toward Tarangire National Park. As you enter the park, the striking presence of giant baobab trees and wide river valleys sets the tone for adventure. Later in the afternoon, you’ll continue your journey toward the highlands and reach the peaceful town of Karatu.

Accommodation

High View Hotel Karatu

High View Hotel is positioned above Karatu with views across the surrounding hills and cultivated highland countryside. Its en-suite rooms, indoor and outdoor dining areas and gardens provide a conventional hotel base between northern-circuit safari days. The restaurant serves local and continental dishes, and packed meals can be arranged for early departures or crater excursions. The location is convenient for Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the road linking Karatu with the Serengeti.

LocationKaratuStay styleSafari hotel
Day 02

Into the Wild – Journey to the Great Serengeti

  • Activity: Game Drive & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

After a relaxed breakfast, your journey continues as you ascend into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You’ll pass through breathtaking highlands and Maasai territory, stopping at a viewpoint overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater rim. As you descend toward the Serengeti, the landscape transforms into open savannahs — golden plains that seem to stretch endlessly. As you drive deeper into the Serengeti, you may spot cheetahs surveying the plains, elephants grazing quietly, and large herds of wildebeest and zebra on the move. As the sun begins to dip, your guide will take you on a sunset game drive — one of the best times to see wildlife come alive.

Accommodation

Serengeti Safari Lodge

Serengeti Safari Lodge is a permanent lodge-style base inside the Serengeti ecosystem. Guest rooms and shared dining areas provide more solid structure than a mobile camp while keeping the stay close to daily wildlife routes. The surrounding plains and acacia country remain the focus, with game drives arranged through the itinerary rather than confined to the property grounds. Its central role is to support consecutive Serengeti days before the route continues toward Ngorongoro or another park region.

LocationSerengetiStay styleSafari lodge
Day 03

The Heart of the Wild – Full-Day Safari in Serengeti

  • Activity: Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Start your day early to catch the fresh morning light and the stirring of wildlife across the plains. The Serengeti is home to the “Big Five” — lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo — as well as countless other species including giraffes, jackals, hyenas, hippos, and over 500 types of birds. Your guide will lead you to different habitats — riverine forests, rocky outcrops (kopjes), and open grasslands — in search of thrilling sightings. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in a shaded area, surrounded by nature. In the afternoon, continue your search, perhaps following a pride of lions or witnessing a dramatic chase.

Accommodation

Serengeti Safari Lodge

Serengeti Safari Lodge is a permanent lodge-style base inside the Serengeti ecosystem. Guest rooms and shared dining areas provide more solid structure than a mobile camp while keeping the stay close to daily wildlife routes. The surrounding plains and acacia country remain the focus, with game drives arranged through the itinerary rather than confined to the property grounds. Its central role is to support consecutive Serengeti days before the route continues toward Ngorongoro or another park region.

LocationSerengetiStay styleSafari lodge
Day 04

Sky Safari – Sunrise Balloon Ride & More Game Viewing

  • Activity: Hot Air Balloon Safari & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today offers one of the most unforgettable experiences of your journey. Before dawn, you’ll transfer to the balloon launch site for a sunrise flight over the Serengeti. As the sky glows with soft colors, you’ll float silently above the plains, spotting animals from above — elephants, giraffes, hippos, and even big cats — as the morning light spreads across the land. After landing, enjoy a bush breakfast with champagne in the heart of the wild — a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In the afternoon, head out for more game viewing, focusing on areas you’ve yet to explore. Your guide will tailor the drive based on sightings and wildlife movements.

Accommodation

Serengeti Safari Lodge

Serengeti Safari Lodge is a permanent lodge-style base inside the Serengeti ecosystem. Guest rooms and shared dining areas provide more solid structure than a mobile camp while keeping the stay close to daily wildlife routes. The surrounding plains and acacia country remain the focus, with game drives arranged through the itinerary rather than confined to the property grounds. Its central role is to support consecutive Serengeti days before the route continues toward Ngorongoro or another park region.

LocationSerengetiStay styleSafari lodge
Day 05

Through Changing Lands – Serengeti to Ngorongoro Highlands

  • Activity: Game Drive & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a relaxed breakfast, you’ll set out on your final game drive through the Serengeti. This is your chance to find animals missed earlier — perhaps a leopard resting in a tree, or a group of hyenas patrolling the bush. As you exit the park, the road climbs into the Ngorongoro highlands. Along the way, enjoy views of distant hills, farmlands, and glimpses of local Maasai life.

Accommodation

Ngorongoro Wild Camp

Ngorongoro Wild Camp is a tented safari property in the Ngorongoro highlands. Its setting offers cooler air and a natural base between the Serengeti plains, Karatu and the crater access roads. Guest tents and central dining spaces provide a straightforward wilderness stay after a long transfer or crater drive. The camp’s value to the itinerary is its position: it keeps the following day focused on Ngorongoro rather than adding a distant road connection.

LocationNgorongoroStay styleTented safari camp
Day 06

Into Nature’s Bowl – Full-Day Safari in Ngorongoro Crater

  • Activity: Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Today is dedicated to exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most extraordinary wildlife havens on Earth. After an early breakfast, descend into the 600-meter-deep caldera where fertile grasslands, swamps, and forests create a perfect home for animals. You’ll spend the day inside the crater spotting lions, elephants, flamingos, hippos, jackals, and — with some luck — the endangered black rhino. Enjoy a packed lunch at a scenic picnic site near a hippo pool before continuing your safari through different zones of the crater.

Accommodation

High View Hotel Karatu

High View Hotel is positioned above Karatu with views across the surrounding hills and cultivated highland countryside. Its en-suite rooms, indoor and outdoor dining areas and gardens provide a conventional hotel base between northern-circuit safari days. The restaurant serves local and continental dishes, and packed meals can be arranged for early departures or crater excursions. The location is convenient for Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the road linking Karatu with the Serengeti.

LocationKaratuStay styleSafari hotel
Day 07

Green Oasis – Lake Manyara Safari & Return to Arusha

  • Activity: Game Drive & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Your final safari day begins with a short drive to Lake Manyara National Park — a small yet biodiverse park known for its dense forest, soda lake, and surprising wildlife. Here you may see elephants walking through the forest, baboons in large troops, hippos wallowing in the water, and if you’re lucky, lions resting in the trees. After a calm and refreshing game drive, begin the drive back to Arusha. Arrive in the afternoon with your safari adventure behind you and lifelong memories ahead.

  • End of tour in Arusha
Plan your safari
Your Safari Package

Included & Excluded

Included

Included in the published itinerary

  • All national park and conservation area entry fees
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide
  • All scheduled game drives and crater descent
  • 6 nights’ accommodation in specified camps/lodges
  • All meals during the safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Bottled drinking water and soft drinks during game drives
  • Transfers to/from Arusha (or airport if arranged)
  • Hot Air Balloon Safari
Not included

Additional costs

  • International and domestic flights
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities for guide and lodge staff
  • Alcoholic beverages unless specified
  • Personal expenses (e.g., laundry, souvenirs)
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Before you go

Safari Questions,
Simply Answered

Ask our safari team

7 days / 6 nights. The day-by-day itinerary shows where each overnight falls. Check arrival and departure flight times before arranging onward travel, and ask us if you would prefer a slower pace or an extra night.

From $4,250 per person. Ask for a quote for your dates and group size. The final quote depends on travel dates, group size, room choice and any flights or extras. Request a written breakdown of park fees, accommodation, meals, transfers and exclusions before you book.

Tarangire National Park – Towering baobabs and elephant families, Serengeti National Park – Rolling plains and abundant wildlife, Ngorongoro Crater – A spectacular wildlife-filled volcanic basin, Lake Manyara National Park – Lush woodlands and tree-dwelling lions, Back to Arusha – Scenic return through Tanzanian highlands

High View Hotel, Karatu, Serengeti Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Wild Camp. Exact properties and room types depend on availability. Ask us to confirm each stay, its location, meal plan and any proposed alternative in writing before paying a deposit.