7 Days Tanzania Midrange Safari in December

Your safari adventure begins with a departure from Arusha as we head toward the baobab-studded landscapes of Tarangire National Park. December is a wonderful time to visit, as the park remains a major sanctuary for massive elephant families that congregate near the permanent water sources. You will spend the afternoon navigating the ancient scrubland, tracking lions, giraffes, and zebras as they move through the scenic river valley. As the sun sets behind the giant trees, you will head to a comfortable midrange lodge to enjoy a warm Tanzanian meal and your first night in the wild.

Destination: Tarangire

Accommodation: Tarangire Safari Lodge

  semi luxury 4 star lodge

❮

❯

Meals & Drinks: Lunch, Dinner

After a relaxed breakfast, we leave the giant trees of Tarangire behind and ascend the steep slopes of the Great Rift Valley. You will drive through the vibrant farming communities of the Karatu highlands before reaching the entrance to the legendary Serengeti National Park. By the golden hour of the afternoon, you will be enjoying your first game drive across these famous short-grass plains. This is a great time to see predators starting their evening hunt and large groups of herbivores grazing in the soft light before you reach your central tented camp for the night.

Destination: Central Serengeti

Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

  semi luxury 4 star lodge

❮

❯

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a total immersion into the heartbeat of the Serengeti, where the horizon seems to stretch forever. December often brings clear blue skies, making it easy to spot cheetahs scanning the plains from the top of termite mounds. You will spend the entire day following the tracks of the big cats and witnessing the vast herds of wildlife as they spread across the savannah. A picnic lunch under the shade of a lone acacia tree provides a moment of peace in the middle of one of the world’s most active wildlife theaters, with every turn of the road offering a new discovery.

Destination: Central Serengeti

Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

  semi luxury 4 star lodge

❮

❯

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The focus of today is the Seronera region, a high-activity zone where lions, leopards, and cheetahs are resident year-round. Your expert guide will lead you through the river loops and the iconic rocky outcrops known as "Kopjes," which serve as perfect lookout points for hunting prides. Because December provides excellent visibility, you have a high chance of seeing leopards lounging in the branches of the yellow fever trees. This is a day for high-quality sightings and photography, capturing the raw power of the African wilderness in its most concentrated form.

Destination: Central Serengeti

Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

  semi luxury 4 star lodge

❮

❯

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

For your third day in the Serengeti, we venture away from the main tracks to explore the quieter valleys and hidden waterholes. This allows you to experience the park in a more private and intimate setting, observing animal behavior without any rush. You might visit the various hippo pools to watch the massive residents wallowing in the water or track rarer species like the golden jackal or the serval cat. This immersive day ensures you experience the Serengeti's incredible biodiversity, from its smallest colorful birds to its most famous large mammals.

Destination: West Serengeti

Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

  semi luxury 4 star lodge

❮

❯

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We start with a final early morning game drive in the Serengeti to catch the lions while they are still active in the cool dawn air. Afterward, we begin our transition from the open plains back toward the forested highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The air becomes crisp and the vegetation turns lush as we reach the high-altitude rim of the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. You will arrive at your lodge in time to witness the fog rolling over the crater floor, offering a cool and atmospheric end to the day as you relax by the fireplace.

Destination: Ngorongoro Crater

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp

  semi luxury 4 star lodge

❮

❯

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The final highlight of your journey is a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater for a breathtaking full-day tour. This self-contained "Garden of Eden" provides an unparalleled opportunity to see the endangered Black Rhino alongside massive bull elephants and prides of lions. You will spend the day on the crater floor, which is teeming with life, from pink flamingos in the soda lake to buffaloes grazing in the swamps. After a memorable lakeside lunch, we ascend the crater walls and drive back to Arusha, marking the conclusion of your spectacular 7-day December safari.

Destination: Ngorongoro Crater

Accommodation: Mount Meru Hotel

  semi luxury 4 star lodge

❮

❯

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner