A Pocket-Friendly 8-Day Serengeti Budget Safari Itinerary For All Travelers

8-Day Serengeti Budget Safari Package

This 8-day adventure offers unbeatable value for travelers eager to experience the raw beauty of Tanzania’s most iconic parks. From the elephant-studded savannahs of Tarangire to the predator-rich plains of the Serengeti and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, this itinerary is designed to give you maximum wildlife exposure without breaking the bank. Accommodations are clean and comfortable mid-range lodges and campsites, with an experienced guide, budget-friendly meals, and unforgettable moments across Tanzania’s northern circuit.

🗓 Day-by-Day Itinerary

🗓 Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Welcome to Tanzania!

  • Activities: Airport pickup and transfer to Arusha.

  • Optional: Explore Arusha town if time allows—local markets, coffee shops, or the Cultural Heritage Centre.

  • Accommodation: Budget lodge in Arusha (e.g., Venice Hotel / Green Mountain Hotel)

  • Meals: Dinner (if arriving early)

🗓 Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Land of Giants

  • Drive Time: ~2 hrs

  • Activities:

    • Full-day game drive in Tarangire National Park—famous for its huge baobab trees and large elephant herds.

    • Spot lions, giraffes, zebras, and possibly leopards near the Tarangire River.

  • Accommodation: Budget campsite or lodge near Mto wa Mbu (e.g., Panorama Campsite / Sangaiwe Tented Lodge)

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

🗓 Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park – Forests, Flamingos & Tree-Climbing Lions

  • Drive Time: ~1 hr

  • Activities:

    • Morning game drive in Lake Manyara—a compact park with lush groundwater forests and alkaline lake.

    • Look for flamingos, tree-climbing lions, hippos, and blue monkeys.

  • Optional: Visit a local Maasai village or take a Mto wa Mbu cultural tour (budget-friendly add-on).

  • Accommodation: Return to same campsite/lodge as Day 2

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

🗓 Day 4: Journey to Serengeti National Park – Into the Wild

  • Drive Time: ~4-5 hrs (with game drive en route via Ngorongoro Conservation Area)

  • Activities:

    • Scenic drive through the highlands into Serengeti National Park.

    • Stop at the Ngorongoro viewpoint for photos.

    • Afternoon game drive in the central Serengeti (Seronera), known for abundant big cats.

  • Accommodation: Public campsite inside Serengeti (e.g., Seronera Campsite) or budget tented camp

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

🗓 Day 5: Full Day in Serengeti – Big Cats & the Great Plains

  • Activities:

    • Full-day game drive in the Serengeti, tracking lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, and migrating herds (depending on season).

    • Picnic lunch in the bush.

    • Sunrise and/or sunset wildlife viewing for keen photographers.

  • Accommodation: Same as Day 4

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

🗓 Day 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro – Wildlife Drive & Crater Rim Stay

  • Drive Time: ~3-4 hrs

  • Activities:

    • Morning game drive as you exit Serengeti.

    • Optional stop at Olduvai Gorge (prehistoric site, small entrance fee).

    • Arrive at Ngorongoro Crater rim for stunning sunset views.

  • Accommodation: Budget lodge or Simba Campsite on crater rim

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

🗓 Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Nature’s Amphitheater

  • Activities:

    • Early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, home to the densest population of wildlife in Africa.

    • Chance to spot the Big Five—including rare black rhino.

    • Picnic lunch by the hippo pool.

  • Return: Drive back to Arusha in the afternoon (~4-5 hrs).

  • Accommodation: Budget lodge in Arusha

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

🗓 Day 8: Departure – Farewell Tanzania

  • Activities:

    • Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK).

    • Optional souvenir shopping in town if time allows.

  • Meals: Breakfast

✅ Inclusions

  • All park entrance and conservation fees

  • Budget accommodations and campsites

  • 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof

  • Professional English-speaking guide

  • Daily meals (as noted)

  • Drinking water during safari

  • Airport transfers

❌ Exclusions

  • International flights

  • Travel insurance

  • Tips for guide and cook

  • Alcoholic beverages and sodas

  • Optional activities (e.g., Maasai village visit, balloon safari)

💡 Budget Tips for Travelers

  • Travel in a group to split costs (especially transport and guides).

  • Book during shoulder seasons (March-May or November) for better rates.

  • Choose public campsites for more savings.

  • Bring refillable water bottles and light snacks from Arusha.