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Manyara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti Safari: 7-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
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The 7-day version for August: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 7-day plan · best time to go.
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7
days
420 km
distance
11.0 h
in transit
7
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- The drier season usually gives firmer road conditions and cooler mornings. Wildlife locations still vary, and the operator must check the current tracks, gates, permits and overnight inventory.
- Light day: day 1 has one stop and time left over. Local tours and day trips are the way to fill it — each day links to what is bookable in its own town.
Day 1 Arusha
- Transit
- none
- Finish
- ~12:00
- Temperature
- 13.4°C–26.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 11.9h
09:00
Arusha safari readiness and heritage orientation en.wikivoyage.org map ↗
Start with Arusha context and a practical briefing with the operator who will run the staffed safari.
180 min · Arusha · Current museum admission and operator charges may apply; confirm the named sources
needs booking ahead: permit, timed entry or a guide details
Time to spare on this day
One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.
Day 2 Lake Manyara
- Transit
- 2h45
- Finish
- ~16:45
- Temperature
- 12.1°C–25.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 11.9h
11:45
Lake Manyara staffed game-drive block tanzaniaparks.go.tz map ↗
Give Lake Manyara a real daylight game drive through groundwater forest, wetland and Rift Valley scenery.
300 min · Lake Manyara · TANAPA park, vehicle, guide and activity charges apply; confirm current tariffs and entry
Overnight here
Day 3 Ngorongoro Crater
- Transit
- 2h12
- Finish
- ~14:15
- Temperature
- 9.7°C–22.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 11.9h
11:15
Ngorongoro highlands and crater-rim orientation ncaa.go.tz map ↗
Arrive through the highlands, read the caldera landscape and confirm the next day’s controlled crater descent.
180 min · Ngorongoro Crater · NCAA entry, vehicle and guide charges apply; confirm the current permit
Overnight here
Day 4 Around Ngorongoro Crater
- Transit
- none
- Finish
- ~15:00
- Temperature
- 9.7°C–22.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 11.9h
09:00
Ngorongoro Crater staffed game-drive block ncaa.go.tz map ↗
Protect a full staffed crater-floor block for the caldera landscape and responsible wildlife viewing.
360 min · Ngorongoro Crater · NCAA crater, entry, vehicle and guide charges apply; confirm the current permit and slot
Overnight here
Day 5 Olduvai Gorge
- Transit
- 2h45
- Finish
- ~14:15
- Temperature
- 9.7°C–22.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 11.9h
11:45
Olduvai Gorge Museum and guided heritage visit geopark.ncaa.go.tz map ↗
Read the human-history record at Olduvai before the protected-area transfer continues toward Serengeti.
150 min · Olduvai Gorge · NCAA, museum and official-guide charges may apply; confirm the current visit
Overnight here
Day 6 Serengeti
- Transit
- 3h18
- Finish
- ~15:20
- Temperature
- 13.1°C–27.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~3
- Daylight
- 11.9h
12:20
Seronera and Moru Kopjes game-drive block en.wikivoyage.org map ↗
Explore central Serengeti’s riverine habitat and kopje landscape with time to observe without chasing a promised sighting.
180 min · Serengeti · TANAPA park, vehicle, guide and accommodation charges apply; confirm current entry
Overnight here
Day 7 Around Serengeti
- Transit
- none
- Finish
- ~14:00
- Temperature
- 13.1°C–27.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~3
- Daylight
- 11.9h
09:00
Central Serengeti plains game-drive block tanzaniaparks.go.tz map ↗
Keep a second Serengeti day for a different open habitat circuit and a calm handoff to the confirmed onward plan.
300 min · Serengeti · TANAPA park, vehicle, guide and accommodation charges apply; confirm current entry
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.