This itinerary explores the top destinations in the northern safari circuit: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater. It’s perfect for first-time safari-goers seeking a rich wildlife experience.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where your driver-guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel or lodge in Arusha.
Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity for a short tour of Arusha city, visiting local markets, cultural heritage sites, or simply resting after your long journey.
You will receive a briefing about the safari itinerary.
Overnight stay at a comfortable hotel or lodge in Arusha.
Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, depart from Arusha and drive about 2-3 hours to Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees.
Enter the park for a game drive where you will encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras, and possibly lions or leopards in the savannah.
Tarangire is famous for the Tarangire River, which acts as a magnet for wildlife, especially during the dry season.
Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park with beautiful views of the landscape.
Continue with an afternoon game drive, spotting birds like ostriches, hornbills, and martial eagles.
Evening game drive before checking into your lodge or tented camp inside or near the park.
Relax at the lodge, enjoying dinner and the sounds of the African bush.
Day 3: Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park, a short drive from Tarangire.
Lake Manyara is known for its tree-climbing lions and diverse habitats, from groundwater forests to alkaline lakes.
Begin with a morning game drive where you might spot hippos, monkeys, and the park’s famous flamingos on the shores of Lake Manyara.
Visit the hot springs (Maji Moto) within the park, where underground geothermal activity creates fascinating water formations.
Enjoy lunch at a picnic site with views of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
Optional cultural visit to Mto wa Mbu village, a melting pot of cultures where you can interact with locals and learn about their daily lives.
Transfer to your lodge or camp for an evening of relaxation. You could enjoy a sundowner while watching wildlife from your accommodation.
Overnight near Lake Manyara or the nearby town of Karatu.
Day 4: Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park
After an early breakfast, drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area en route to Serengeti National Park. The drive is about 4-5 hours, but you will enjoy stunning views of the Great Rift Valley and the Ngorongoro highlands along the way.
Enter the Serengeti and enjoy a game drive as you make your way to your lodge or camp in the central Serengeti.
The Serengeti is Tanzania’s most famous park, renowned for the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras as well as big cat sightings.
Afternoon game drive, focusing on predator-prey interactions. You may spot cheetahs hunting or lions resting in the shade.
Arrive at your lodge or tented camp in the heart of the Serengeti.
Relax under the African night sky, enjoying a bush dinner or stories around the campfire.
Day 5: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Early morning wake-up call for a sunrise game drive, one of the best times to spot wildlife as the predators are most active before the heat of the day sets in.
Return to your lodge/camp for breakfast, or take a packed breakfast and spend the entire morning in the wilderness.
Continue your exploration of the Serengeti’s diverse ecosystems, from the grass plains to the riverine woodlands. The central Serengeti is known for its resident wildlife, so even when the Great Migration isn’t present, you’ll see plenty of action.
Enjoy a packed lunch at a scenic picnic site in the park.
Optional activities (at an additional cost) include a hot air balloon safari at dawn, offering breathtaking views of the Serengeti plains and wildlife from above.
Return to camp in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Overnight in the Serengeti.
Day 6: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After an early breakfast and a short morning game drive, depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
En route, you have the option of stopping at Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites where the early human remains of Homo habilis were discovered by Louis and Mary Leakey.
Proceed to the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera, often called the “Garden of Eden” due to its high density of wildlife.
Check into your lodge on the crater rim, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the crater below.
Optional: Visit a Maasai village near Ngorongoro to learn about Maasai culture, including their traditional dress, music, and lifestyle.
Dinner and overnight at a lodge or camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Day 7: Full Day Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Early breakfast and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of game viewing.
The crater is home to nearly 30,000 animals, including the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino). Spot rhinos grazing in the open plains, elephants with large tusks, and prides of lions lounging in the grass.
Enjoy a packed lunch at a designated picnic area, often visited by hippos and flocks of birds.
Continue your game drive, exploring different sections of the crater, from the Lerai Forest, where elephants and leopards may be hiding, to the lakes that attract flamingos and other waterbirds.
In the afternoon, ascend back up to the crater rim and transfer to your lodge in Karatu or return to Arusha depending on your flight schedule.
Overnight in Arusha or a lodge near the crater.
Day 8: Departure from Arusha
After breakfast, transfer back to Arusha for some shopping or a short city tour.
Depending on your flight time, you may relax at your hotel before being transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.
Tour Includes
Safari according to the itinerary and Accommodation Prices.
Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle – 6/7-Seater
Extended Luxury Vehicle
Professional English Speaking Guide
Meals according to the itinerary in Full Board Basis.
Mineral water
Accommodation before safari
All mentioned activities.
All national park fees and Entry Fees.
Airport Transfers.
Well maintained Camping equipment (For Budget camping safari).
Tour Excludes
Optional activities.
International flights
Travel insurance
Visa and passport fees
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
Tips to Driver/Guide
Accommodation after Safari (available on request)
Book your Itinerary here
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