The Tanzania 7-day self-drive circuit covering Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the Serengeti is the most popular and logistically efficient introduction to Tanzania’s northern circuit for self-drive visitors operating from a hire vehicle base in Arusha. The Tanzania 7-day self-drive circuit Serengeti Ngorongoro Tarangire covers three of Tanzania’s five most celebrated wildlife destinations in 7 days with a total circuit distance of approximately 700km — all achievable from a hire vehicle based in Arusha. This guide provides the complete Tanzania 7-day self-drive circuit plan for 2027/2028 visitors including park fees, daily drive times, and campsite recommendations.
Circuit Distances and Drive Times
- Arusha to Tarangire (via Makuyuni, B144): 120km — approximately 2 hours. Tarmac to Makuyuni junction, then 7km tarmac to the Tarangire gate.
- Tarangire to Ngorongoro (via Manyara): 130km — approximately 2.5 hours. Pass Lake Manyara NP (optional stop) to the Ngorongoro rim at Lodoare gate.
- Ngorongoro to Seronera (Serengeti): 145km — approximately 3.5 to 4.5 hours including crater floor transit or direct via Naabi Hill gate. Track from Ngorongoro rim to the Naabi Hill Serengeti gate is murram.
- Seronera area (Serengeti central): 2 full days of game drives. Total Seronera circuit: approximately 80 to 120km per day.
- Serengeti to Arusha return (via Ngorongoro): 260km — approximately 5 to 6 hours.
Day-by-Day Tanzania 7-Day Self-Drive Plan
- Day 1: Arusha hire vehicle collection, provisions, afternoon arrival Tarangire gate, camp Tarangire (Oliver’s campsite or public campsite)
- Day 2: Full day Tarangire — elephant herds, baobab landscape, Silale swamp
- Day 3: Drive to Ngorongoro. Afternoon crater rim walk and crater overview viewpoints.
- Day 4: Crater descent at dawn (Seneto descent road). Full day on crater floor. Exit via Lerai at 5:30pm.
- Day 5: Drive to Serengeti Seronera. Afternoon Seronera valley game drive.
- Day 6: Full day Serengeti — dawn drive, midday rest, afternoon drive. Seronera river circuit for lion and leopard.
- Day 7: Morning Serengeti drive, depart midday, return to Arusha via Ngorongoro.
Tanzania 7-Day Circuit: Park Fee Budget (2027)
- Tarangire: USD 70/person x 2 days = USD 140
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area: USD 70/person x 2 days + USD 295 crater descent per vehicle = USD 435 (2 people)
- Serengeti: USD 70/person x 2 days = USD 140
- Total park fees (per person): approximately USD 350 + USD 147.50 crater (half of USD 295 for 2 people) = USD 497.50 per person
