7 Day The Great Savannah Luxury Safari All Inclusive

Seven days, four parks, one big wildlife sweep. This private Tanzania safari gives you elephant country at Tarangire and two full days around the Serengeti, where early starts improve your chances of seeing active big cats. I also like the route’s variety: baobabs, forest, crater, open plains, flamingos, and the chance to search for tree-climbing lions at Lake Manyara. The main drawback is the pace. You cover a lot of ground, and the long drives may feel tiring if you prefer slow mornings and fewer hotel changes.

The private format is a real advantage because only your group participates, so you can discuss interests with the driver-guide and adjust the feel of a game drive. The company has also earned praise for smooth planning, quick replies, and thoughtful guiding, with Dismas named as a guide who made one safari especially memorable. At $4,570 per person, this is a serious investment, so you should confirm exactly which lodges, transfers, drinks, and park-related costs are included before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Tarangire opens the safari with elephants and baobabs, plus a good chance of seeing lions, leopards, and birds.
• Lake Manyara adds a very different setting, with a groundwater forest, baboons, blue monkeys, giraffes, flamingos, and possible tree-climbing lions.
• Two nights in the Serengeti give you a better wildlife window than a single rushed visit, including a sunrise drive and sunset viewing.
• Ngorongoro Crater packs wildlife into a small area, with lions, hyenas, buffalo, zebras, birds, and a possible rhino sighting.
• The tour is private, and dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals can be requested when booking.
• The price is $4,570 per person, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner listed for six days, while tips, visas, and international flights are extra.

Arriving in Arusha on day one

Your safari begins with arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. A Tales of Tanzania Safaris representative meets you there and transfers you to your hotel in Arusha.

Day one is deliberately light. You have the rest of the day free to rest, swim, or explore Arusha and nearby areas on an optional day tour. That breathing room matters after an international flight. I would use it to sleep, check your camera batteries, and get ready for early departures rather than squeeze in too much sightseeing.

The information provided does not name the hotel or explain its exact location, so ask before booking. You should also confirm the airport transfer time, the room arrangement, and what happens if your flight arrives late. Pickup is offered, and confirmation is received at booking, which keeps the arrival day simple.

Tarangire’s elephants and baobab country

After breakfast on day two, you drive about 110 kilometers from Arusha to Tarangire National Park. The trip is described as roughly two hours, followed by a game drive with a packed lunch.

Tarangire is a strong first park because it gives you large wildlife quickly without requiring a long transfer from Arusha. It is best known for big elephant groups and old baobab trees, but the park also offers lions, leopards, birds, and changing scenery. The Tarangire River is an important water source, especially in the dry season, when animals gather near dependable water.

The Silale Swamp in the southern part of the park is another important area. It can attract a wide range of wildlife, making it useful for more than elephant sightings. Your guide’s skill will matter here. Finding animals in a large park is not just about driving around. It depends on reading tracks, knowing water sources, and choosing how long to wait.

The listed visit lasts about seven hours. That gives you a worthwhile park visit, though it is not a full second day in Tarangire. You should expect a packed lunch rather than a leisurely meal, and you may spend a fair amount of time on the road inside the park. That is normal for safari, but it is worth knowing if comfort and slow pacing are your top priorities.

Lake Manyara’s forest, flamingos, and possible tree-climbing lions

Day three takes you to Lake Manyara National Park, positioned between Tarangire and the Ngorongoro area. The drive and park time together last about eight hours.

Manyara changes the mood of the trip. Instead of Tarangire’s dry, open feel, you enter a lush groundwater forest fed by underground springs. Blue monkeys move through the trees, and large baboon groups may lounge beside the road. Giraffes and elephants are also possible, while lions and leopards remain part of the park’s wildlife appeal.

The lake lies below the 600-meter Rift Valley escarpment and stretches for about 50 kilometers. Flamingos can tint the water pink, although the exact view depends on conditions and where the birds are gathered. The park is also known for tree-climbing lions, one of the experience’s most distinctive wildlife possibilities. A sighting is never guaranteed, so treat it as a bonus rather than the main reason to choose the park.

Manyara works well in this route because it adds forest, water, and birdlife between the larger parks. The limitation is time. An eight-hour visit may feel full, especially after the previous day’s drive and before the longer journey toward the Serengeti. Still, this is an important contrast to the open plains ahead.

The road to the Serengeti and the endless plains

On day four, you leave after breakfast and drive toward Serengeti National Park. The day is listed at about eight hours, so this is one of the more demanding travel days.

An optional Maasai village visit in the Ngorongoro Highlands can add cultural context to the wildlife program. You may meet elders, warriors, women, and children while learning about customs, beliefs, and daily life among Tanzania’s Maasai communities. Because it is optional, confirm the extra cost and timing before you go. A cultural visit is best approached with respect and attention, not treated as a quick photo stop.

Central Serengeti is the visual heart of the trip. Wide grass plains run toward the horizon, with acacia trees and rocky kopjes breaking up the open view. The scale is the point. You are not simply looking for one animal in a small reserve. You are watching the land stretch away while scanning for herds, predators, and movement along river valleys.

Central Serengeti can offer lions and other large animals, with a chance of seeing leopards near riverine woodland. The park is also closely linked with the great annual animal movements, although the exact location of wildlife changes with season, rainfall, and food. Ask the operator where the route usually works best during your travel dates.

The long drive is both a drawback and part of the safari experience. You see the countryside change as you move toward the park, but much of the day is spent in a vehicle. If you are sensitive to long road journeys, ask about the vehicle, seating, and whether the schedule can be adjusted within the private arrangement.

A 6 a.m. Serengeti game drive

Day five is the safari’s best-designed wildlife day. You leave the lodge at about 6 a.m. for an early game drive, then return for breakfast and a rest before heading out again later.

The early start is worth the lost sleep. The temperature is cooler, and animals are often active after the night. Big cats may still be returning from a hunt, so this is a strong time to search for lions, leopards, and other predators. Morning light also gives the plains a softer look than the harsh middle of the day.

Returning to the lodge for breakfast and a break prevents the day from becoming one long, exhausting drive. You then go out again for another game drive and sunset viewing. That split schedule gives you two different wildlife periods, plus a chance to rest in the heat.

Your exact sightings will depend on nature, not the printed plan. The itinerary promises opportunities, not guaranteed animals. A good guide can help with positioning and timing, but no safari can promise a leopard, a hunt, or a perfect sunset. The private format should make it easier to talk through your priorities, such as spending longer with elephants, following predators, or pausing for photographs.

Ngorongoro Crater’s compact wildlife search

Day six takes you from the Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater, with the drive described as about two hours. The crater is an intact collapsed volcanic caldera and a self-contained wildlife area, which makes it one of the most efficient places on this route for seeing several major species in one day.

Inside the crater, you may search for lions, hyenas, Cape buffalo, zebras, servals, and many birds. Rhinos are possible but elusive, so you should not book this trip on the assumption that you will see one. The crater’s enclosed setting often makes wildlife viewing feel concentrated, but it can also mean more vehicles in popular areas. Your guide’s timing and judgment will affect how peaceful the experience feels.

The crater rim is high, and morning mist can hang over the area. Views from lodge verandas are described as especially striking at that time. The tour includes lunch in the crater, followed by more game driving, so you do not need to leave the wildlife area for a separate midday meal.

This day combines scenery and animal watching well, but it is another full day after several early starts. If you want extra time on the crater rim or a slower lodge morning, ask if the schedule can be modified. The supplied plan prioritizes a full wildlife day.

Returning to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport

Day seven begins with breakfast at the lodge, followed by a drive to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight.

This final transfer needs careful planning. The exact drive time is not stated, and safari roads can make schedules less predictable than city transfers. I would avoid booking a tight same-day international connection unless the operator confirms the timing for your route. If your flight leaves late, ask if returning to Arusha or adding a final hotel night is possible.

The tour ends with breakfast, so the listed six breakfasts, six lunches, and six dinners match a seven-day trip that begins with arrival and ends after the final morning meal. Tips, visa costs, and international flights are not included. Drinks and some accommodation details are not specified, so get a written breakdown before treating the $4,570 price as fully all-inclusive.

What $4,570 per person buys you

The price places this safari in the luxury category, but the value depends heavily on the accommodation and vehicle standards. You are paying for a private seven-day route through four major northern Tanzania areas, airport pickup, park visits, guiding, and six days of listed meals.

The route itself is efficient in variety. Tarangire gives you elephants and baobabs. Manyara supplies forest and lake scenery. Serengeti gives you two nights and a sunrise drive. Ngorongoro offers a concentrated wildlife search. Building all of that into one week would be difficult to arrange independently.

Still, do not assume that every possible cost is covered simply because the title says all inclusive. Ask these questions before booking:

• Which lodges or tented camps are included?
• Are park fees included on every day?
• Are drinks, laundry, and lodge extras included?
• What vehicle is used, and how many people can it carry?
• Is the Maasai village visit free or extra?
• Are airport transfers included both ways?

The private format can be especially valuable for couples, families, or small groups with shared interests. A solo traveler may find the per-person cost harder to justify unless privacy and flexible attention are the main priorities.

Food, special diets, and practical comfort

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included for six days. Lunch may be a packed box during park days, while other meals are taken at the lodge, though the exact arrangements are not stated.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets can be accommodated if you provide the details in the booking requirements. I would list allergies clearly and repeat them to the guide on arrival. Safari days can be long, so food preferences are not a minor detail.

The experience is private, and most people can participate. No special accessibility information is provided, so anyone with mobility, medical, or transport concerns should ask direct questions before booking. The daily schedule includes long drives, early departures, and time in a safari vehicle.

The operator is available for bookings every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the stated 2025 operating period. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Planning help from the company

The booking process has been praised for prompt answers and for building a safari around specific needs. Pendo is named for handling arrangements from Australia and responding quickly to questions. That is useful when you are organizing a complex trip from overseas.

Dismas is also named as a guide who made a safari memorable through extra effort and strong hospitality. You cannot assume he will lead your departure, so ask who your guide will be and whether you can request a particular guide.

A good pre-trip conversation should cover the season, expected driving times, accommodation names, park fees, vehicle setup, meal arrangements, and airport timing. The more clearly those details are settled, the easier it is to judge the value of the price.

Who should book this safari?

I would recommend this trip if you want a private, wildlife-heavy introduction to northern Tanzania and you are willing to accept long driving days. It suits couples, families, and small groups that want elephants, big cats, crater wildlife, and several distinct habitats without arranging each piece themselves.

It is also a good match if you value a planned route and direct support before departure. The company’s praised communication and dietary flexibility add comfort to a complicated trip.

I would hesitate if you want a slow luxury holiday with lots of free time, or if your main goal is one particular animal at a particular season. The schedule is active, sightings are never guaranteed, and the price requires careful checking of what the luxury label covers.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if the four-park mix appeals to you and your group wants the privacy of its own vehicle and guide. The strongest features are the large elephant groups at Tarangire, the two Serengeti nights, the 6 a.m. game drive, and the concentrated wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater.

Before committing $4,570 per person, request the full accommodation and cost breakdown. If the lodges, vehicle, park fees, and transfers match your expectations, this is a well-packed northern Tanzania route with a good balance of famous parks and varied scenery. If you prefer fewer transfers, consider asking for a slower private version rather than rejecting the safari outright.

FAQ

How long is the safari?

The safari lasts approximately seven days, beginning with arrival in Arusha and ending with breakfast and transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport.

What is the price?

The listed price is $4,570 per person.

Is airport pickup available?

Yes. A Tales of Tanzania Safaris representative meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Arusha.

Which national parks are included?

The route includes Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater.

Are meals included?

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included for six days. The final day includes breakfast before the airport or Arusha transfer.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs can be requested in the special requirements section when booking.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What costs are not included?

Tips, visas, and international flights are not included. The supplied details do not specify every accommodation, drink, or optional activity cost, so confirm those items before booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.