7 Day Best Tanzania Trips to Saadani and Serengeti Safari
This 7-day Tanzania trip combines coastal wildlife in Saadani with classic savannah experiences in the Serengeti. You'll enjoy game drives, river safaris, and crater exploration. The itinerary balances relaxation, big game viewing, and efficient travel across diverse landscapes.
Experience Tanzania trips that blend coastal charm with classic savannah adventure on this 7-day itinerary through Saadani National Park and the Serengeti. Saadani offers a rare combination of wildlife and beach, where elephants roam near the ocean and boat safaris glide past hippos and crocodiles on the Wami River. Game drives, walking safaris, and a visit to the Mafui Sandbank provide a relaxed yet engaging start to your Tanzania trips. With its unique location along the Indian Ocean, Saadani sets the tone for a diverse safari experience that goes beyond the usual inland parks.
After soaking in Saadani’s coastal wilderness, your Tanzania trips continue with a flight to the Serengeti home to vast plains, the Big Five, and the seasonal Great Migration. Game drives reveal lions, cheetahs, and herds of wildebeest, while a visit to Ngorongoro Crater adds geological wonder and dense wildlife viewing. Tracking rhinos in the crater rounds out the experience with one of Africa’s rarest sightings. This itinerary is designed for travelers who want variety, efficient travel, and meaningful wildlife encounters. From beach to bush, your Tanzania trips offer a well-paced mix of relaxation and exploration across two of the country’s most rewarding safari destinations
Tour highlights
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania, Transfer to Saadani National Park
Day 2: Experience Game Drives and Walking Safari
Day 3: Boat Safari on the Wami River and Relax on the Pristine Beach
Day 4: Visit the Mafui Sandbank and Transfer to Serengeti
Day 5: Proceed to Game Drive for Big Five and Great Migration if It's Season
Day 6: Continue to Ngorongoro for Crater Exploration
Day 7: Track Rhinos and Departure
Price Includes:
- all airport pick up and transfers in private car
- Transport and wildlife drives in modified 4 x 4 Land Cruiser with photographic roof hatch (Change of car at the border)
- Services of a professional English speaking safari guides on Kenyan & Tanzanian side
- All wildlife reserve entry fees
- All game drives as mentioned in the itinerary
- mineral water
- A visit to a Masai Village at Masai Mara or Ngorongoro Crater
- Traditional canoe fishing or bird watching at Speke’s Bay at Lake Victoria as per your wishes
- Value Added Tax by Tanzania Revenue Authority
Price Excludes:
- International Flights
- Any domestic connection flights on arrival or departure
- All items of a personal nature
- Gratuities for safari guide and lodge staff ( please tip separately)
- Travel insurance if needed
- Visa fee for Tanzania ( 50 US$ /100 US$ for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival)
- Drinks and beverages in lodges and tented camps
- Hot Air Balloon Safari at Masai Mara Game Reserve (485 USD per person)
- Hot Air Balloon Safari at Serengeti (549 USD per person), including concession fees
Itinary in details
- Day1Arrival in Tanzania, Transfer to Saadani National Park
Begin your Tanzania trips with arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, followed by a scenic transfer to Saadani National Park. This unique park borders the Indian Ocean, offering a rare blend of wildlife and beach. Settle into your lodge and enjoy the coastal breeze while preparing for the days ahead. Saadani is the only park in Tanzania where you can spot elephants and giraffes with the ocean as a backdrop. Starting your Tanzania trips here offers a relaxed introduction before heading inland for your Serengeti safari. Spend the evening unwinding and enjoying local cuisine as you get ready for the wildlife experiences to come
- Day2Experience Game Drives and Walking Safari
Your Tanzania trips continue with a morning game drive through Saadani’s savannah and coastal forest, where you may see lions, buffalo, and antelope. The park’s diverse habitats make wildlife sightings unpredictable and exciting. Later, join a guided walking safari to explore the bush on foot, learning about tracks, plants, and smaller creatures often missed from a vehicle. This hands-on experience adds depth to your Tanzania trips and complements the more vehicle-based Serengeti safari ahead. Walking through Saadani’s wild terrain offers a close-up look at nature and a chance to appreciate the park’s quiet beauty
- Day3Boat Safari on the Wami River and Relax on the Pristine Beach
Start the day with a boat safari along the Wami River, one of the highlights of Tanzania trips to Saadani. Glide past hippos, crocodiles, and vibrant birdlife while soaking in the peaceful surroundings. After the river experience, spend the afternoon relaxing on Saadani’s pristine beach, where the Indian Ocean meets the wilderness. This coastal break adds a refreshing contrast to the inland Serengeti safari that follows. Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or simply unwinding with views of the sea. Combining river and beach in one day makes this part of your Tanzania trips both relaxing and memorable
- Day4Visit the Mafui Sandbank and Transfer to Serengeti
Begin with a visit to the Mafui Sandbank, a stunning offshore spot accessible by boat. It’s a quiet place to enjoy the ocean, take photos, and reflect on the coastal leg of your Tanzania trips. Afterward, return to Dar es Salaam for a scheduled flight to the Serengeti. Upon arrival, transfer to your lodge in the central or northern region depending on the season. This marks the transition from Saadani’s coastal charm to the vast plains of your Serengeti safari. The evening is spent settling in and preparing for the next phase of wildlife exploration
- Day5Proceed to Game Drive for Big Five and Great Migration if It's Season
Your Tanzania trips shift into high gear with a full-day game drive in the Serengeti. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Migration massive herds of wildebeest and zebra crossing the plains or rivers. Even outside migration months, the Serengeti safari offers excellent chances to spot the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Guides track wildlife based on recent sightings, ensuring productive drives. The vast landscapes and rich biodiversity make this one of the most rewarding days of your Tanzania trips. Return to camp for dinner under the stars and stories around the fire
- Day6Continue to Ngorongoro for Crater Exploration
Depart the Serengeti and head toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a key stop on many Tanzania trips. Descend into the crater for a game drive in one of the most wildlife-dense areas in Africa. The crater floor is home to elephants, lions, flamingos, and more, all within a compact space. This part of your Serengeti safari offers a different perspective lush, enclosed, and teeming with life. The views from the crater rim are spectacular, and the drive itself is scenic. Your Tanzania trips gain depth here through geological wonder and concentrated wildlife viewing
- Day7Track Rhinos and Departure
On the final day of your Tanzania trips, focus on tracking black rhinos in Ngorongoro, one of the few places in Tanzania where they’re reliably seen. Early morning hours offer the best chance to spot them grazing or moving through the crater. This rare sighting adds a powerful close to your Serengeti safari experience. After the game drive, transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport for departure. Reflect on the variety of landscapes and wildlife you’ve encountered from Saadani’s beaches to Serengeti’s plains and Ngorongoro’s crater. Your Tanzania trips wrap up with lasting memories and a well-rounded safari experience