Welcome to northern Tanzania, where Africa’s tallest freestanding mountain rises from coffee-laced foothills and ancient volcanic calderas shelter rhinos and lions. Over seven days you’ll taste Chagga coffee at its source, walk the rainforest flank of Kilimanjaro, and descend onto the wildlife-packed floor of Ngorongoro Crater before rolling into the Serengeti’s endless plains.

These lands hold stories: Maasai cattle routes, centuries-old trade paths from the coast, and the seasonal pulse of the Great Migration. Expect close-up sightings of the Big Five, flamingo-dusted lakes, and plains lit by acacia-filtered sunsets. Food ranges from nyama choma (grilled meats) and pilau to farm-to-table feasts in Karatu’s verdant highlands.

Practical notes: US dollars are widely accepted (bring small bills, post-2013), while TZS is standard for everyday purchases. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended; yellow fever proof may be required if transiting endemic countries. Dry season (June–October) is ideal for safaris; January–March brings lush landscapes and, in the south/central Serengeti, calving season.

Moshi (Kilimanjaro Gateway)

Moshi sits on Kilimanjaro’s southern flank, a lively town where coffee roasters perfume the streets and trekkers trade summit tales. It’s your springboard for a rainforest hike on Kili’s Marangu Route and for the Materuni waterfalls and Chemka (Kikuletwa) hot springs—two local favorites.

Top sights and bites:

• Kilimanjaro National Park (Marangu Gate): trail to Mandara Hut through towering fig and camphor trees with colobus monkeys leaping overhead.
• Materuni Village: a waterfall hike plus a hands-on Chagga coffee ceremony—wash, roast, grind, brew.
• Chemka Hot Springs: crystalline, spring-fed oasis for swimming and rope swings.

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Moshi | Hotels.com Moshi

Coffee and dining picks:

• Union Café & Roastery: house-roasted Kilimanjaro beans, hearty breakfasts, and fresh pastries—perfect pre-hike fuel.
• IndoItaliano: Indian curries, wood-fired pizzas, and fresh juices; great for groups and vegetarians.
• El Rancho: tandoori and barbecue favorites; try the chicken tikka and garlic naan after a long day out.
• Maembe Garden: relaxed garden setting with nyama choma (grilled goat/beef), chipsi mayai (omelet and fries), and live music some nights.

Getting there: Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Compare long-haul and regional options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Private transfers JRO–Moshi take 60–90 minutes (budget ~$40–$70 per car).

Day 1: Arrive JRO → Moshi

Afternoon: Land at JRO and meet your driver for the ride to Moshi (1–1.5 hours). If you prefer a prebooked service, consider Arusha Private Transport Service in Tanzania.

Evening: Stroll Moshi’s main street as Kilimanjaro glows at dusk. Dinner at IndoItaliano (butter chicken or a margherita pizza) or El Rancho for smoky tandoori. Early night before your big hike.

Day 2: Kilimanjaro Day Hike (Marangu Route)

Full-day guided hike to Mandara Hut (2,700 m) via the lush Marangu rainforest. Expect 3–4 hours up, 2–3 down, with blue monkeys, colobus, and changing cloud forest. Pack layers and a rain shell—weather shifts quickly on Kili.

Book a well-reviewed day experience like Kilimanjaro one day hike experience (guide, transport, park fees typically included; budget ~$180–$250 per person).

Evening: Reward yourself with burgers at Chrisburger or nyama choma at Maembe Garden. Toast the mountain with a locally brewed Serengeti lager.

Day 3: Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee & Chemka Hot Springs

Spend the day between rainforest and desert oasis: hike to Materuni’s 80m cascade, learn the Chagga coffee process (and grind beans by hand), then soak at the turquoise Chemka Hot Springs under fig trees with little fish nibbling your toes.

Reserve a comprehensive day like 1 Full Day to Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour & Chemka Hotspring (usually includes transfers, lunch, and village fees).

Evening: Easy dinner at Union Café (pesto pasta, fresh salads) or try chipsi mayai and grilled mishkaki from a reputable local stall. Pack for tomorrow’s road trip to Ngorongoro via Karatu.

Karatu (Ngorongoro Crater Gateway)

Between the Rift Valley escarpment and the Ngorongoro highlands, Karatu is a green patchwork of coffee farms and market gardens. It’s the practical, comfortable base for your crater descent day—close enough for an early start, yet relaxed for evenings.

Highlights:

• Ngorongoro Conservation Area: UNESCO-listed volcanic caldera with an astonishing density of wildlife, including black rhino.
• Local life: Karatu market for spices and produce; coffee estate walks and village visits.

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Karatu | Hotels.com Karatu

食 and drink:

• La Pizzeria Karatu: wood-fired pies and cold beers; lively traveler-meets-local vibe.
• Mambo Café: Tanzanian staples (pilau, coconut beans) and great coffee.
• Lodge restaurants: Many properties do seasonal set menus—look for roast chicken with farm vegetables or tilapia with tamarind.

Day 4: Moshi → Karatu (via Arusha)

Morning: Depart Moshi around 8:00 a.m. The scenic drive to Karatu via Arusha takes 4.5–5.5 hours. Prefer a dedicated vehicle? Consider Arusha Private Transport Service in Tanzania for private, point-to-point service.

Afternoon: Check in and unwind. Consider a guided coffee walk at a nearby farm to learn about heirloom Arabica, or browse Karatu market for spices and woven baskets.

Evening: Dinner at La Pizzeria (diavola or veggie supreme) or your lodge’s kitchen—farm-fresh soups and grilled mains are the norm. Early to bed for a dawn crater start.

Day 5: Full-Day Ngorongoro Crater Safari

Descend 600 meters onto a natural stage where lions patrol, elephants stride between fever trees, and hippos crowd reedy pools. Your guide will track black rhino near Lerai Forest and cheetah on the open floor. Bring binoculars and a light jacket—the rim is cool and breezy.

Notes: Park and crater fees apply (your operator usually includes these). Aim to enter at first light for fewer vehicles and crisp photography. Packed picnic at a designated site by the hippo pool is classic.

Evening: If energy allows, enjoy a short sundowner walk on your lodge grounds; then a hearty dinner—try Tanzanian pilau or a grilled tilapia with lime.

Serengeti National Park (Seronera/Central)

The Serengeti needs little introduction—2 million hectares of golden grassland, predator-rich kopjes, and the seasonal river crossings of the Great Migration. Central Serengeti (Seronera) is the year-round hub, with resident big cats and plentiful plains game.

Best of Serengeti:

• Sunrise in a hot-air balloon over acacias and herds, followed by a bush breakfast.
• Game drives to the Moru Kopjes for lions and black rhino sightings; Seronera Valley for leopard in sausage trees.
• Migration timing: Dec–Mar (south/central calving), June–July (western corridor/grumeti), Aug–Oct (north/Mara River).

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Serengeti | Hotels.com Serengeti

Dining is lodge-based: expect sunrise coffee brought to your tent, picnic brunches under acacias, and candlelit dinners with soups, curries, and grilled meats.

Day 6: Karatu → Serengeti + Optional Balloon Safari

Morning: Two good options:

• By road: Depart Karatu early (6:30–7:00 a.m.). Drive 3.5–5 hours to Naabi Hill Gate through the NCA, then game drive to your central Serengeti camp. It’s a transfer and a safari rolled into one.
• By air: Transfer to Lake Manyara Airstrip and fly to Seronera (45–60 minutes; from ~$180–$300 pp). Browse options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Settle in, then head out for a golden-hour game drive—lion cubs atop kopjes and elephants backlit in the waving grass.

Evening: Fireside drinks, star-salted skies, and a chef’s menu at camp. Confirm your wake-up for tomorrow’s balloon flight if booked.

Optional experience (book in advance): Balloon Safari & Bush Breakfast in Serengeti - Miracle Experience (typically ~$550–$650 pp). A bucket-list sunrise glide over the plains, ending with a white-linen breakfast in the bush.

Day 7: Serengeti Game Drive → Fly Out

Morning: Dawn game drive to catch leopards descending from trees and hippos returning to pools. If you skipped the balloon, linger around Seronera River loops for classic predator action.

Afternoon: Fly Seronera (SEU) to Arusha (ARK) or Kilimanjaro (JRO) in ~50–75 minutes; connect to your international flight. Compare air options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If driving back, allow 6–8 hours to Arusha/JRO.

Evening: Departure day—save your last TZS for airport snacks, or pick up roasted coffee beans in Arusha for the flight home.

Need-to-Know Tips

• Seasonality: For the Great Migration’s Mara River crossings, target Aug–Oct (northern Serengeti). Calving is Feb–early Mar (southern/central).
• Permits and fees: TANAPA/NCA fees change periodically; your safari operator typically includes them. Expect adult conservation fees from ~$70 per day, plus crater descent/vehicle charges.
• What to pack: Neutral clothing, warm layer for cool mornings, sunhat, binoculars, soft duffel (fly-in baggage limits ~15 kg), universal adapter, and a dry bag for dust.
• Tipping guide: Commonly $15–$25 per traveler per day for safari guides; $5–$10 for camp staff pooled gratuities (confirm locally).

Optional arrival transfer if you’re starting in Arusha or need a city-run instead of Moshi: Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer.

Accommodations quick links for this trip: Hotels.com Moshi | Hotels.com Karatu | Hotels.com Serengeti

In one week, you’ll hike Kilimanjaro’s emerald flank, sip farm-grown coffee, and immerse yourself in two of Africa’s greatest wildlife arenas. With smart transfers and early starts, this itinerary delivers classic Tanzania—mountain, crater, and savanna—in one unforgettable arc.