11 Days Tanzania Safari
11 Days Tanzania Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire
An 11 days Tanzania safari is the best way to see the country’s northern wildlife circuit. First, you walk among baobabs in Tarangire. Then you spend three full days in the Serengeti. Finally, you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s great wildlife arenas.
This 11-day Tanzania safari starts and ends in Arusha. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families and photographers. Because the pace is relaxed, you have time to enjoy every stop.
11 Days Tanzania Safari at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 11 days, 10 nights |
| Parks visited | Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area |
| Also includes | Lake Eyasi cultural visit |
| Start and end | Arusha, with transfers from Kilimanjaro Airport |
| Transport | 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof |
| Accommodation | Mid-range or luxury lodges and camps |
| Meals | Full board on safari days |
| Price | From about $5,400 per person, depending on lodge level and season |
| Best for | First-time visitors, couples, families and photographers |
Why Choose an 11-Day Tanzania Safari?
Tanzania’s northern parks are large and far apart. As a result, a short trip often feels rushed. An 11 days Tanzania safari fixes that problem.
Here, you get time to see each park properly. In addition, you spend three full days in the Serengeti. That is enough to follow the herds and find the big cats.
The route also covers a wide range of landscapes.
- Tarangire: elephants, baobab trees and dry river beds.
- Lake Manyara: a soda lake, a groundwater forest and big flocks of birds.
- Lake Eyasi: a chance to meet the Hadzabe and Datoga people.
- Serengeti: endless plains, lions, cheetahs and the great migration.
- Ngorongoro Crater: a huge volcanic bowl full of wildlife.
Moreover, this Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari builds toward a big finish. Best of all, you end with the crater, which many travelers call the highlight of their trip.
11 Days Tanzania Safari Route, Drive Times and Meals
This table shows your trip at a glance. Please note that drive times are approximate, because stops add time.
| Day | Route | Drive time | Meals | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival and transfer to Arusha | 1 hour from Kilimanjaro Airport | Dinner | Arusha |
| 2 | Arusha to Tarangire | 2 to 2.5 hours | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Tarangire |
| 3 | Tarangire to Lake Manyara and Karatu | 2.5 to 3 hours | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Karatu |
| 4 | Lake Eyasi cultural day | 1.5 hours each way | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Karatu |
| 5 | Karatu to Serengeti via Ngorongoro | 6 to 7 hours | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Serengeti |
| 6 | Serengeti game drives | Local game drives | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Serengeti |
| 7 | Serengeti game drives | Local game drives | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Serengeti |
| 8 | Serengeti game drives | Local game drives | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Serengeti |
| 9 | Serengeti to Ngorongoro | 6 to 7 hours | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Ngorongoro area |
| 10 | Ngorongoro Crater and return to Arusha | 3.5 to 4 hours | Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner | Arusha |
| 11 | Departure | Airport transfer, about 1 hour | Breakfast | Departure |
11 Days Tanzania Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Arusha
Drive time: About 1 hour. Meals: Dinner at the hotel.
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Then your driver-guide meets you and takes you to Arusha. After your flight, rest and unwind.
Next, your guide briefs you on your 11 days Tanzania safari. You also confirm your plans and any dietary needs.
Mid-range stay: The Arusha Hotel
Luxury stay: Arusha Coffee Lodge
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Drive time: 2 to 2.5 hours. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
After breakfast, your northern Tanzania safari begins with a drive south to Tarangire National Park. The park is famous for its elephants. In the dry months, herds gather along the river.
Once you arrive, go on a full-day game drive. Giant baobab trees line the plains. Look for lions, zebras, giraffes and many birds.
Mid-range stay: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Luxury stay: Oliver’s Camp
Day 3: Tarangire to Lake Manyara and Karatu
Drive time: 2.5 to 3 hours. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Today you head to Lake Manyara National Park. It is small, but it packs in different habitats. For example, a groundwater forest gives way to a wide soda lake.
During the game drive, you may see monkeys, hippos, giraffes and flamingos on the lake shore. In the afternoon, continue to Karatu, on the edge of the Ngorongoro highlands.
Mid-range stay: Tloma Lodge
Luxury stay: Gibb’s Farm
Day 4: Lake Eyasi and the Hadzabe
Drive time: About 1.5 hours each way. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Today is a change of pace. First, drive to Lake Eyasi, a shallow lake in a dry rift valley. Here live the Hadzabe, one of Tanzania’s last hunter-gatherer groups.
Then join a guided visit to learn about their hunting skills and daily life. You may also meet the Datoga, who are skilled metalworkers. Because this is a cultural exchange, your guide explains the rules of respect first.
Stay: Same lodge as Day 3.
Day 5: Karatu to the Serengeti via Ngorongoro
Drive time: 6 to 7 hours. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Today your 11 days Tanzania safari takes you into the Serengeti. On the way, the road passes the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Stop for a view across the vast bowl. You may also pass Olduvai Gorge, a famous site in human history.
Then the road drops onto the Serengeti plains. Meanwhile, your game drive begins on the way to camp. The land seems to stretch forever.
Mid-range stay: Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Luxury stay: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Days 6 to 8: Three Days in the Serengeti
Drive time: Local game drives. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Serengeti is the heart of your 11-day Tanzania safari. Because you spend three full days here, you have time to follow the action.
The park holds huge numbers of animals. For example, lions rest on rocky outcrops called kopjes. Meanwhile, cheetahs scan the plains. Leopards sleep in trees near the rivers. Herds of zebras and wildebeest also move across the grass.
The great migration moves through the Serengeti all year. However, where the herds are depends on the season. Therefore, we plan your Serengeti nights to match where the animals are.
A typical day looks like this.
- Early morning game drive, when cats are active.
- Breakfast at camp or a bush breakfast.
- Rest during the midday heat.
- Afternoon game drive in the golden light.
- Dinner and a quiet night under the stars.
Optional: Take a hot air balloon flight at sunrise.
Stay: Same camp or lodge as Day 5, or two camps to follow the herds.
Day 9: Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Area
Drive time: 6 to 7 hours. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
After a last early game drive, your 11 days Tanzania safari turns back toward Ngorongoro. The long road gives you time to look back on your days in the Serengeti. By evening, you reach your lodge on the crater highlands.
Then rest and prepare for the next day, because the crater descent starts early.
Mid-range stay: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Luxury stay: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater and Return to Arusha
Drive time: 3.5 to 4 hours to Arusha. Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner.
At dawn, drive down the steep road into the Ngorongoro Crater. The crater floor is a huge bowl about 600 meters deep. Its walls trap a rich mix of wildlife.
Look for lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos and flamingos. Also, the crater is one of the best places in Tanzania to see black rhinos. Later, enjoy a picnic lunch by a hippo pool.
In the afternoon, climb out of the crater. Then drive to Arusha for your final night.
Mid-range stay: The Arusha Hotel
Luxury stay: Arusha Coffee Lodge
Day 11: Departure
Drive time: About 1 hour to the airport. Meals: Breakfast.
Have a relaxed breakfast to end your 11 days Tanzania safari. Then your driver-guide takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport or to Arusha for your onward journey. Please confirm your flight time with us when you book.
Where You Will Stay on an 11-Day Tanzania Safari
Your lodge is more than a bed. After a long day, it is where you rest, eat and share stories. Here is how the two levels compare.
| Area | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| Arusha | The Arusha Hotel | Arusha Coffee Lodge |
| Tarangire | Tarangire Sopa Lodge | Oliver’s Camp |
| Karatu | Tloma Lodge | Gibb’s Farm |
| Serengeti | Serengeti Sopa Lodge | Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti |
| Ngorongoro area | Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge | Ngorongoro Crater Lodge |
Mid-range lodges and camps offer comfortable rooms or tents with private bathrooms. They also serve good food and have friendly service.
Luxury lodges and camps offer spacious suites, fine dining and excellent views. Therefore, they suit honeymooners and special occasions.
The best Serengeti camps sell out early. For this reason, book your 11 days Tanzania safari well ahead for the dry months.
Meals on Your Safari
Good food keeps you strong on an 11 days Tanzania safari. For this reason, your lodge serves three meals a day on safari days.
- Breakfast: Hot or continental, often before the morning drive.
- Lunch: A lodge lunch or a picnic in the bush.
- Dinner: A multi-course meal, often with local dishes.
Please tell us about any dietary needs when you book. Most lodges can then adapt meals with notice. Drinking water is also provided in the vehicle.
Travel Time on an 11-Day Tanzania Safari
Tanzania’s roads vary. Main roads are paved, but park tracks are rough. For this reason, we plan early starts on long driving days.
- Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha: about 1 hour.
- Arusha to Tarangire: 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Tarangire to Lake Manyara and Karatu: 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Karatu to the Serengeti: 6 to 7 hours.
- Serengeti to the Ngorongoro area: 6 to 7 hours.
- Ngorongoro to Arusha: 3.5 to 4 hours.
Your driver-guide stops often for photos, meals and breaks. As a result, the drives feel like part of the safari.
How Much Does an 11 Days Tanzania Safari Cost?
An 11 days Tanzania safari costs from about $5,400 to $16,500 per person. The table shows typical prices for two travelers sharing a room. In short, your final cost is set by the choices that follow.
| Lodge level | Low season (March to May, November) | High season (June to October, Christmas) |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range | $5,400 to $6,600 per person | $6,900 to $8,400 per person |
| Luxury | $9,500 to $11,500 per person | $12,500 to $16,500 per person |
These prices usually cover lodges, meals, park fees, a 4×4 vehicle and a driver-guide. Solo travelers pay a single supplement. However, larger groups often pay less per person, because they share vehicle costs.
- Lodge level: mid-range or luxury.
- Group size: larger groups share vehicle costs.
- Season: July to October and the Christmas period are the busiest and costliest.
- Add-ons: balloon flights, cultural visits and extra nights.
Park and conservation fees are a large part of the cost. However, these fees change from time to time. Therefore, ask us for the current rates when you request a quote. We then send a clear price breakdown within a day.
What Is Included and Not Included
Usually included
- Airport pickup and drop-off.
- A 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide.
- Accommodation and meals as listed.
- Park, conservation and crater fees as listed.
- Drinking water in the vehicle.
Usually not included
- International flights.
- Visa fees and travel insurance.
- Tips and personal items.
- Optional activities such as balloon flights.
Inclusions on your 11 days Tanzania safari depend on the package you choose. However, we confirm every detail in writing before you pay.
Best Time for an 11-Day Tanzania Safari
You can visit all year. However, some months suit this route better.
| Month | Conditions | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| January to February | Short dry spell | Calving season in the southern Serengeti, good game viewing |
| March to May | Long rains | Green scenery, fewer visitors, lower rates |
| June to October | Dry season | Peak season, best game viewing, river crossings in the north |
| November to December | Short rains | Fresh landscapes, good birding, busy at year end |
The dry months are the easiest for game viewing. Because animals gather near water, and the grass is short, sightings are easier. On the other hand, the green season has its own charm, with fewer vehicles and lower prices.
Wildlife You Can See on an 11-Day Tanzania Safari
This 11 days Tanzania safari covers five different habitats. As a result, you see a wide range of animals.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire is famous for its elephants. It also has lions, zebras, giraffes and buffaloes. In addition, birdlife is rich, especially in the dry months.
Lake Manyara National Park
Manyara is a small park with big variety. Expect monkeys, hippos, giraffes and many birds. Also, flamingos often gather on the lake.
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is the star. It holds lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and huge herds of wildebeest and zebras. Birdlife is rich, too.
Ngorongoro Crater
The crater holds dense wildlife in a small space. Expect lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos and flamingos. In fact, it is also one of the best places to see the black rhino.
Who Is This Safari For?
This 11-day Tanzania safari works well for many travelers. For example, couples enjoy the lodges and sunset game drives. Families with older children also enjoy the variety. Photographers love the changing light and landscapes.
It is also a strong choice for first-time visitors. Because the pace is easy, you see Tanzania’s highlights without stress. If you want more time, we can add days at the coast or on Zanzibar.
What to Pack for Tanzania
Good packing makes every day of your 11 days Tanzania safari easier. First, choose light clothing in neutral colors. Next, bring a warm layer for cool mornings and crater evenings. Also pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. A camera with a zoom lens and binoculars are useful, too. Finally, use a soft bag, because space in the vehicle is limited.
Visas, Health and Safety
Most visitors need a visa to enter Tanzania. Fortunately, you can usually apply online before you travel. Please check the latest rules for your passport on the official immigration website. Also, make sure your passport has enough validity and blank pages.
- Check yellow fever requirements for your route.
- Ask your doctor about malaria tablets.
- Take out travel insurance that covers medical care.
- Follow your guide’s advice around wildlife.
Tanzania is a welcoming country, and an 11 days Tanzania safari is generally safe. Moreover, your driver-guide knows the roads and the rules of each park.
Tips for Your 11 Days Tanzania Safari
- Book early for July to October.
- Pack layers. Mornings are cool, and afternoons are warm.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Carry cash for tips and small purchases.
- Keep your camera ready on every game drive.
- Tell us about dietary needs and mobility concerns.
Ways to Extend Your 11-Day Tanzania Safari
Eleven days is a great trip. However, some travelers want more. Here are popular add-ons.
- Zanzibar: relax on the Indian Ocean coast.
- Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru: add a climb before your safari.
- Kenya: add the Maasai Mara for a two-country trip.
- Uganda or Rwanda: add a gorilla trek.
Ask us about a custom plan. We can then add days at either end of your trip.
Why Book With Steady Safaris?
Steady Safaris Limited plans trips across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. Our team knows the region well and plans every 11 days Tanzania safari with care.
We keep groups small and plans flexible. In addition, we answer messages quickly. As a result, you get one clear price and a clear itinerary.
Want a different route? Explore our other Tanzania safari packages. Alternatively, ask us to build a custom plan.
11 Days Tanzania Safari FAQs
How much is an 11 days Tanzania safari?
Prices start from about $5,400 per person for mid-range and about $9,500 for luxury, with two travelers sharing. Prices rise in the peak months. Therefore, please contact us for a clear quote.
Which parks does the 11-day Tanzania safari visit?
It visits Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. It also includes a cultural visit at Lake Eyasi.
How many days do I spend in the Serengeti?
You spend three full days in the Serengeti. As a result, you have time to find the big cats and follow the herds.
How long are the drives on this safari?
The longest drives are Karatu to the Serengeti and back, each 6 to 7 hours. However, your driver-guide makes regular stops.
Are meals included?
Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on safari days. Please tell us about any dietary needs when you book.
When is the best time to go?
June to October is the dry season and the busiest. January and February are also good for calving. Meanwhile, the green season has fewer visitors.
Will I see the great migration?
The herds move all year. However, where they are depends on the season. Therefore, we plan your Serengeti stay to match the herds.
Is this safari suitable for children?
Yes, for older children who enjoy long game drives. Please tell us your children’s ages, and we will then adjust the plan.
Plan Your 11-Day Tanzania Safari
Ready to see the Serengeti, the crater and the baobabs in eleven days? Contact Steady Safaris today. Then tell us your dates and group size. We will send a clear quote within a day.
