Gip Adventure · Tanzania · Wildlife-Themed Safaris
7-Day Lion Safari Experience
Track lions and the rest of the Big Five through Tarangire, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara.
- Tarangire
- Serengeti & Ngorongoro
- 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Private Safari
Tour overview
A mega-fauna safari through the lion country of northern Tanzania.
This seven-day safari is all about Tanzania's big game, and above all its lions. It begins with a warm welcome at Kilimanjaro International Airport and a relaxing first night at a lodge in Arusha, where our coordinators brief you on the adventure ahead.
From there you explore Tarangire, renowned for its abundant wildlife and iconic baobabs, before crossing the Ngorongoro highlands, with a stop at a Maasai boma, to the vast Serengeti. Two nights in the heart of the park give you the best chance to find lions, along with the rest of the Big Five and the great herds of plains game.
You then descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for unrivalled game viewing and finish in Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions and vibrant birdlife. At the end you can head home or extend your adventure with time on the beaches of Zanzibar.
- Start date
- Can start any day
- Duration
- 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Tour plan
- Customizable itinerary
- Transport
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Language
- English
Your route
A classic loop through lion country
From Arusha the route runs to Tarangire, then across the Ngorongoro highlands via a Maasai boma to the central Serengeti. On the way back you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, overnight in Karatu and finish at Lake Manyara before your departure or onward trip to Zanzibar.
- ArushaDay 1 · 1 night
- TarangireDay 2 · 1 night
- Central SerengetiDays 3–4 · 2 nights
- KaratuDay 5 · 1 night
- Lake ManyaraDay 6 · 1 night
Day by day
Your journey, day by day
Open each day to see the route, the safari experience and where you will sleep in each accommodation level.
Day01Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, a member of the Gip Adventure team meets you and drives you to your lodge in Arusha. Shortly afterwards our experienced safari coordinators give you a pre-safari briefing and an exciting preview of the wonders ahead.
Relax and unwind at the lodge, with its swimming pool, bar, garden and restaurant, or take an evening stroll into town before dinner and a restful night.
Where you will be staying in Arusha
Day02Tarangire National Park
After breakfast your guide collects you at 08:00 and drives you to Tarangire National Park, famous for its superb game viewing, especially in the dry season, when hundreds of animals gather along the Tarangire River to drink and cool off.
The river acts like a magnet as it winds through grassy savannah dotted with hills, swamps and the park's iconic African baobab trees. Roam the park with a picnic lunch along the way and a final afternoon game drive before settling in at your lodge in Tarangire for dinner and the night.
Where you will be staying in Tarangire
Day03Maasai boma and drive to Serengeti National Park (Central)
After breakfast at around 08:00 your guide drives you to the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As you enter the conservation area you are welcomed by a variety of habitats, wildlife and sweeping scenery, and you stop at a Maasai boma for a superb taste of Maasai culture.
You then continue into the Serengeti, an iconic park known for the greatest mass of plains game on earth, moving freely across the savannah in search of fresh grazing. It is home to large predators and herbivores alike, including the Big Five. After a picnic lunch you game-drive on to your camp for dinner and the night.
Where you will be staying in Central Serengeti
Day04Full day in Serengeti National Park
After breakfast at around 08:00 you set out on a full day of game drives through the Serengeti, crossing its plains and its major and minor rivers and diving deep into everything it has to offer.
Keep watch for prides of lions on the kopjes and in the long grass, alongside the park's vibrant birdlife and the never-ending drama of predator and prey. After a picnic lunch and a short afternoon drive you return to your camp for dinner and the night.
Where you will be staying in Central Serengeti
Day05Ngorongoro Crater, on to Karatu
After breakfast at your camp you drive to the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world's most remarkable wildlife havens. Descend into the crater with magnificent views from the rim, and discover a rich diversity of plants and animals set against incredible scenery.
A wide range of species roams the crater floor, from lions and black rhino to great herds of grazers, and a wealth of birdlife makes every hour memorable. After a picnic lunch and a short game drive you continue to your lodge in Karatu for dinner and the night.
Where you will be staying in Karatu
Day06Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast at around 08:00 you drive to Lake Manyara National Park, renowned for its varied ecosystem, the lake often called the loveliest in Africa, the dramatic Rift Valley wall, rich birdlife and its rare tree-climbing lions.
The park is known for hosting larger troops of olive baboons than almost any other protected area, and its hot springs, marshes and forests shelter a wide variety of wildlife. After a picnic lunch you continue to your hotel for dinner and the final night of your safari.
Where you will be staying in Lake Manyara
Day07Departure or extension to Zanzibar
After breakfast at around 08:00, and depending on your flight schedule, your driver guide transfers you to the airport for your international flight home.
Alternatively, you can extend your adventure to the beautiful island of Zanzibar for another unforgettable experience. The Gip Adventure team wishes you a safe journey and a lifetime of memories.
Accommodation
Choose your accommodation level
Every night is matched to lodges in that exact area. Switch levels to see where you would stay.
Safari details
What is included in your safari
IncludedWhat is included
- Meet-and-greet service
- All transfers as stated in the itinerary
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- All soft drinks (unlimited bottled water, juice, bites and snacks)
- All national park gate fees, conservation fees and concession fees
- Service fees
- Unlimited game drives in a pop-up Toyota Land Cruiser
- A professional English-speaking safari guide
- Wi-Fi on board
- All government taxes and levies
- Cultural tour
Not includedWhat is not included
- Personal items (travel insurance, medical evacuation insurance, visa, souvenirs and other travel documents)
- Tips and other gratuities (highly recommended)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Optional activities not included in this package
- Laundry (available on request at extra cost)
Safari pricing
Price on request
Prices depend on your dates, group size and accommodation level. Tell us your plans and we will send an exact quote, usually within the hour.
Comfortable, well-run lodges and tented camps with great locations and real value.
Quote for SilverPremium lodges and camps with more space, better views and a touch of style.
Quote for GoldThe finest luxury lodges and camps, exceptional service and the best locations.
Quote for PlatinumStart planning
Ready to make this safari yours?
Send us your dates, group size and preferred accommodation level and we will tailor 7-Day Lion Safari Experience to your plans. No booking fees, and a real person replies, usually within the hour.
Guest experiences
What our travellers say
5.0 · Reviews on Tripadvisor, all rated 5 out of 5
- ★★★★★
Credits Gipson’s calm pacing and constant check-ins on summit night for getting the group to the top of Kilimanjaro.
- ★★★★★
Four friends took the 7-day Machame Route, were checked on regularly for their health, and all four reached the summit.
- ★★★★★
Climbed Kilimanjaro in 2017 and Mount Meru in 2019 with Gipson, then kept coming back to Tanzania with friends and family. Felt safe as a solo hiker.
- ★★★★★
A family of six climbed Kilimanjaro, trusted Gipson’s calls on health and weather, and now want to tackle Mount Meru with him.
- ★★★★★
Gipson led a group of friends to the top of Kilimanjaro. The trip was well organised and his passion for it showed.
- ★★★★★
Rain turned to snow on the climb, but the team kept everyone fed, monitored oxygen levels, and got them to the summit.
- ★★★★★
Felt safe on every day of the Kilimanjaro hike and was confident of summiting in Gipson’s care. Found him funny and knowledgeable.
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