Tanzania in One Week – Itinerary Ideas
Travelling to Tanzania only for a week and not sure what to include on Tanzania itinerary? Prepare for a busy week in Tanzania. Choosing Tanzania itinerary can be challenging, especially if you are first time visiting and limited by time.
None of proposed circuits is a complete itinerary in itself, nor is it set in stone. Rather, they are regional suggestions for those wishing to explore a certain part of Tanzania, or for return visitors to travel somewhere new.
7 Day Safari to Nortehern Circuit – Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP
If arriving to Tanzania for the first time with only a week of travel time, its better than nothing, and short seven days will give you a taste of Tanzania. Before planning a week in Tanzania ask your self what is your top priority to see in Tanzania in only a week.
If your appetite for wilderness is huge, then splurge on a decent safari and fly directly to Kilimanjaro airport to save on travel time. To save even more on travel time and maximise the time on safari in Tanzanian national parks, book a fly in safari.
Check comfortable Tanzania Fly In Safaris online
Fly in safaris are safaris that incorporate flights instead of drives from one park to another. Since each national park has small airstrip, this is the most convenient time saver.
If visiting in the time of great migration between November and June, your final safari destination should be Serengeti. In this case book at least two nights in Serengeti and dont skip safari to Ngorongoro Crater.
If you want to visit all parks in Northern circuit and maybe even remote Lake Eyasi with Hadza tribe, whole week will be just enough to enjoy safari on a reasonably decent pace. Anything less in this case is waste of money and time, as you will be rushing from park to park as distances between Tanzanian parks are huge.
Safari in Southern Circuit – Safari to Mikumi National Park via Iringa to Ruaha National Park
Less visited parks Mikumi and Ruaha in southern Tanzanian safari circuit but not less attractive. Definitely more on the Tanzania off the beaten track side. To do it right, make sure you land in Dar es Salaam airport and not Kilimanjaro APT.
Safaris to southern circuit start usually from Dar es Salaam. Visit Mikumi, Iringa town and Ruaha national park that is famous for wild dogs that cant be seen so easily in Northern circuit.
For decent, no rush safari four to five days is more than enough. Extra two / three days can be spent on Zanzibar or other islands in Zanzibar Archipelago (Pemba, Mafia) or you can take the route further all the way to the shores of Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and get your dose of beach life in Matema village.
6 or 7 Day Kilimanjaro Climb
If you are nature junkie or hiking enthusiast Kilimanjaro probably sounds more appealing than safari in Northern Circuit, then 7 days is enough time to climb the roof of Africa.
Although there are short 4, 5, days climbing itineraries, it is advisable to take at least 6 or 7 days Kilimanjaro climbing itinerary because of additional acclimatisation day. It’ll give you plenty of rest and time to acclimate before the summit day.
Why risk a chance at bad altitude sickness because you want to rush? So which route to choose for 6 days of Kilimanjaro? In Six days you can climb Kilimanjaro through Lemosho, Machame, Rongai and Marangu route. Each one is different in success rate and steepness difficulty.
Ready to summit Kilimanjaro soon? Check Kilimanjaro Trekking online!
Short Safari With Zanzibar
For many a visit to Tanzania is not complete without Zanzibar. In this case, if you want to do safari too, combination with Zanzibar is the most popular combination. A short safari in Northern circuit and few days on beaches of Zanzibar, even in a week is great – short but sweet vacation in Tanzania.
If the time on beach is not so much of travel priority, you can add a day or two and explore the Kilimanjaro region – Materuni, Chagga villages, Maasai Villages and Kikuletwa hot springs. Those seeking more private and exclusive beach holidays, look into Pemba or Mafia Island that are part of Zanzibar Archipelago too!
Safari in Northern Circuit, Kilimanjaro Region, Usambara Mountains Tanga, Pangani, Dar es Salaam
Not the usual itinerary for a week in Tanzania, but definitely very appealing for those looking alternatives to popular destinations in Tanzania. The easiest way to do this itinerary is independently using public transport – buses.
Perfect to start this trip from Kilimanjaro airport, then take a day safari to Tarangire or Lake Manyara. Next day travel to Moshi and do a day trip in Kilimanjaro region, either visiting local villages, waterfalls of hot springs.
From Moshi travel to Lushoto, the heart of Usambara Mountains, spend a full day hiking to one of awesome view points and continue with travel to Tanga. Tanga is sea side city, not exactly Zanzibar but still great for a day or two on the beach.
If looking for better beaches go to Pangani, which is only 45 km out of Tanga and finish your trip with flight from Tanga airport back to Dar es Salaam. Pangani is a town with rich history and it is estimated it was established in 6th century BC with slave market history!
Along with beaches perfect for quiet vacation there are several attractions in Pangani – Maziwe Island, a marine park that provides areas for snorkelling and a dolphin tours and is one of most important nesting sites for three species of turtles in East Africa.
Lake Victoria, Mwanza, Ukerewe Island in One Week
This version of one week in Tanzania is for more independent travellers that are not afraid to travel entirely on their own. If you have been to Tanzania before and looking to go beyond the standard safari and Zanzibar then Victoria Lake region is one good place to go!
Entire Victoria Lake is probably the least visited area of Tanzania but this means almost no tourists and more authentic travel! You can fly from Dar to Mwanza or Kilimanjaro Airport. Bus will take more travel time up to 12 hours.
Once in Mwanza, give it a try for two days and explore the shores of Lake Victoria, go for a hike to rock formations, visit fish market and then catch a ferry to Ukerewe Island. Spend two to three days on Ukerewe Island. Hire a bike and explore the island, it has many little villages and due to small size its easy to navigate by bike.
Mwanza, Safari in Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conversation Area, Arusha
Probably you didn’t know, but safaris in Northern Circuit of Tanzania can also start in Mwanza! Why not flying from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, spend a day on shores of Victoria Lake and embark on safari to Serengeti which ends in Arusha.
On the way to Arusha, you can stop in Mto Wa Mbu in Monduli district, which is very lovely colourful town full of character. The region is also growing 32 different types of bananas! Opposite route with start in Arusha and ending safari in Mwanza is also possible.
Most of the ideas above will require you tight schedule without any delays on the road to make them happen in a week.
amazing!!! I am going to Tanzania next June 🙂
I am sure you will have great time:)
Great post. I love that even after 4 trips to Tanzania there is still so much I haven’t seen. I’ll be saving this post for my next trip!
Tanzania is so big, you always find more regions to explore.
This all looks great – you have offered some great suggestions and choices! I would love to do the southern Tanzanian safari circuit. Have always wanted to climb Kilimanjaro as well although I don’t think I’m fit enough. Thanks for sharing.
I am a big fan of the Photo Safari, so the airplane tour would be awesome! Sounds like you could easily stretch this one week itinerary into a month with all of the same stops (longer in each place).
Totally agree with you. More time is just a plus.
What an amazing place to visit wit so many sights, seem one could spend months here not days. For me my kids would love to do a safari and the wild animals of Africa roam free. Kilimanjaro looks breathtaking in photos so i can only imagine how great it would look up close
Of course, if the time is not the problem, you can easily spend months in Tanzania. I would personally never go just for a week, as I am used to long term travel and I like to travel slow. But not all are blessed with so much time and for those I put together some ideas how to see as much as possible in one week in Tanzania.
My biggest travel regret so far is that I haven’t traveled more in Africa. I’ve only been to Cape Town. I would love to travel in the south and see the wild dogs. Kilimanjaro would be a dream too!
Cape Town is totally different than anything in East Africa, personally i dont consider it real Africa anything in South Africa, its way too modern than Eastern part:)
This makes me long to visit Tanzania again. I’ve been to Tarangire National Park and the Serengeti but have yet to visit those other parts of Tanzania. The wildlife is incredible. I just hope the poaching doesn’t get too bad. Also, what about hunting? Does that still happen in some places?
Poaching probably happens like anywhere in Africa, but in comparison with other countries Tanzania seems to be (at least publicly) on the quiet side. Not sure if they hide it so well or literally have less problems with poachers. I am not sure about hunting, i thing at the moment it is still allowed, unfortunately hunting is huge business:( for idea how profitable this business is: 10 days of hunting starts around 15 000 USD and up of course.
Wow, had no idea about an airplane tour! We have the travel itch to get ourselves to Africa, we haven’t been yet! This is great information and we would love to experience any of these!
Okay – so reading this I am realizing that I am going to need more than a week if I visit Tanzania. Darrell and I want to do a safarai (of course) and he really, really, really wants to climb Kilimanjaro. Is it embarrassing to admit that I had no idea that it can take up to 7 days to climb it? Great post.
Three weeks would be optimal.
Nigeria would be a fascinating place to visit for me. I would LOVE to be able to spend a while there and do everything you’ve suggested, plus more! Great post, thanks for sharing!
Nigeria is on my list too:)
The 7 day itinerary holds the promise of a spectacular week. Safaris, wildlife and trekking up the Kilimajaro. What more can one ask for.
We have only been to Zanzibar but planning on going back to climb Kilimanjaro and see the Serengeti. Such a unique place to visit, the people are awesome and there is so much to do!
Again like I’ve said before, love your blog. So useful tips! One week in Tanzania sounds like an amazing idea.
I am going in November for two weeks and I have never been to Africa. I was wondering about cost, how much would you average lodging, food and activities for a trip that long? Thanks for any imput.
Hi Heather, depends on your travel style and activities you plan to do.. also depends on the country. Many factors. Tell me more and i can give you an eatimate.
Hi! Great article, thanks for sharing! I’m planning to go to Africa in July-August, I was wondering if you could recommend me a safari in Tanzania that is a little more affordable and maybe 3-4 days? I’ve been looking online and I can only see 7-10 days safaris and at least $3500. Do you think I can find something for around $1000-1200? Thanks in advance and I really like your posts, keep it up 🙂
Hi Jeannette, thanks for reading! For your budget, private safari definitely not in this range. I suggest you look to join a group, maybe that will be within your budget. Even those 10 days safaris you mention are cheap. I know companies that charge that much for three days. Whatever you choose, if its really cheap make sure company is good, their vehicles are ok, and what is most important drivers have proper wildlife education – they will be your source of information on safari.
Always love to read your informative posts!
I’ll be traveling with friends through Tanzania for 3 weeks this September and was thinking of heading to Mwanza first. Great to read a little about this rather unknown area. Is it easy to organize a safari while in Mwanza or would you rather plan this ahead from europe?
hi Sarah, its possible to organize safari from Mwanza but probably less companies operate there since Arusha is safari capital. Definitely ask around the prices and you will see what works best for you.
Looking to do a safari with a group of 8 friends to celebrate a big birthday. Want to do it mid to end of January. What do you think about this time of the year?
January is great month, so is February when calving season begins! Weather-wise also great, nothing to worry about.
Hi @Safari Junckie. Would the 1st week in March be a good time. would I catch the calving season?
have 1 week, what would you recomend?
Thanks for reading. First week is still good, the calving season is over though , but there will be lots of baby animals to see 🙂 Go for it!