Safari Overview
Tanzania's Northern Circuit is one of the world's great safari routes, taking you through three of Africa's most spectacular parks in just five days. Beginning in the elephant paradise of Tarangire National Park — home to more elephants per square kilometre than almost anywhere on earth — you'll journey to the endless golden plains of the Serengeti before descending into the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, the Ngorongoro Crater.
Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
Start/End
Arusha / Arusha
Accommodation
Lodge & Tented Camp
Group Size
2 – 7 People
Safari Highlights
Big Five encounters in all three parks
Massive elephant herds in Tarangire
Serengeti plains teeming with predators
Ngorongoro Crater — Africa's Garden of Eden
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
Sunrise & sunset game drives
Detailed Itinerary
Your adventure begins in Arusha, where your guide collects you for the 2-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. After a picnic lunch at the gate, you embark on an afternoon game drive through the iconic baobab-dotted landscape. Tarangire is famous for its dense concentrations of elephants — it's common to see hundreds in a single afternoon — along with lions, giraffes, zebras and an extraordinary diversity of birds. Overnight at your lodge or tented camp.
Early breakfast before departing towards the Serengeti, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands. By midday you'll enter the Serengeti and the landscape transforms into infinite golden savannah. The central Serengeti (Seronera Valley) is renowned year-round for lion prides, leopards in acacia trees, cheetahs hunting on the plains and large hippo pools. Overnight in the Serengeti.
A full day dedicated to exploring the Serengeti's vast ecosystem. Rise before dawn for a sunrise game drive — golden light, cool temperatures and active predators make this the most magical time on the plains. Continue exploring different zones of the park with your guide. As the sun sets over the Serengeti horizon, return to camp for dinner under a canopy of stars.
After an early morning game drive, you'll drive south to Ngorongoro. Stop at the crater rim for panoramic views into this UNESCO World Heritage Site — a collapsed supervolcano 19 km wide, home to some 25,000 large animals. Descend into the crater for your first game drive, searching for black rhinos, lion prides, enormous buffalo herds and flamingo-fringed Lake Magadi. Overnight at a lodge on the crater rim.
Rise early for a final descent into the Ngorongoro Crater. The crater floor comes alive at dawn — lion cubs playing, hyenas finishing overnight kills, elephants moving through fever tree forests. After a full morning's drive with picnic breakfast, ascend from the crater and make the scenic 3-hour drive back to Arusha. Airport drop-off and hotel transfers included.
What's Included
- 4 nights accommodation (lodge or tented camp)
- All meals during safari (full board)
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking Tanzanian guide
- All national park & conservation fees
- Bottled water during game drives
- Airport & hotel transfers in Arusha
- Flying Doctor emergency medical cover
What's Excluded
- International flights to/from Tanzania
- Tanzania visa (approx $50 USD)
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Tips & gratuities for guides & staff
- Alcoholic & soft drinks
- Personal expenses & souvenirs
Pricing
| Category | 2 People | 4–6 People | Solo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget / Camping | $1,350 pp | -10% | +$200 pp |
| Mid-Range Lodges | +$400 pp | -10% | +$350 pp |
| Luxury Lodges | +$1,200 pp | -15% | +$500 pp |
All prices are per person sharing. Contact us for a precise quote tailored to your group and dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Northern Circuit can be enjoyed year-round, but the dry season from June to October offers the best game viewing. The short dry season in January and February is also excellent, especially for newborn wildebeest calves in the Serengeti.
Absolutely. The 5-Day Northern Circuit is the ideal introduction to Tanzania's wildlife. The parks are well-developed, the wildlife is abundant year-round, and our experienced guides ensure you get the most from every moment. Families with children aged 5+ are welcome.
By default this is a private safari — your own vehicle and guide dedicated to your group. We do not mix different travel groups. If you are a solo traveller and would like to join a small group to reduce costs, please ask us about group departure options.