Northern Circuit Safari
Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
Destinations: Tarangire – Lake Manyara – Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater
Style: Classic big-game safari, ideal for first-time and seasoned travelers
Overview
This 7-day Northern Circuit Safari is the ultimate journey through Tanzania’s premier wildlife destinations.
Designed for those seeking the perfect balance of scenic landscapes, thrilling wildlife encounters, and cultural depth, this itinerary covers the towering baobabs of Tarangire, the serene lakeside forests of Manyara, the endless Serengeti plains, and the incomparable Ngorongoro Crater. Each day offers a new and unforgettable adventure in the African wild.
Day by day
Full Itinerary
Day 1:
Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Welcome to the Wild
Depart Arusha in the morning and head into Tarangire National Park, a true gem of the northern circuit. The park is known for its colossal baobab trees and one of Tanzania’s largest elephant populations.
Enjoy your first game drive through acacia woodlands and along the Tarangire River, which draws lions, buffaloes, zebras, and more during the dry season. After an exciting afternoon, check in to your lodge or camp for a peaceful evening in the bush.
Accommodation:
Lodge or luxury tented camp near Tarangire
Meals:
Lunch, Dinner
Day 2:
Tarangire – Lake Manyara
From Savannah to Forest
After breakfast, enjoy a short morning game drive in Tarangire, capturing final sightings of its iconic landscapes and wildlife. You’ll then travel to Lake Manyara National Park, a compact but diverse ecosystem known for its lush forests, hot springs, and alkaline lake.
Keep your eyes peeled for tree-climbing lions, large troops of baboons, and flamingos along the lake shore. Arrive at your accommodation in the Karatu highlands for a cozy overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Lodge or camp near Lake Manyara or Karatu
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3:
Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park
Journey to the Great Plains
Begin the day with a morning game drive in Lake Manyara, then set out on a scenic journey through the Ngorongoro highlands en route to Serengeti National Park. Along the way, admire expansive vistas and pass traditional Maasai villages.
Once inside Serengeti, enjoy your first thrilling game drive across the open plains, where predators and prey roam freely. Arrive at your safari camp in time for sunset, followed by dinner under the stars.
Accommodation:
Tented camp or lodge in Serengeti
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4:
Serengeti National Park
Full-Day Game Drive
Spend a full day exploring Serengeti, one of the world’s most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeests and zebras traverse the plains in search of greener pastures.
Your expert guide will tailor the day’s route based on recent sightings, ensuring you the best chances of encountering lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and more.
Accommodation:
Same camp in Serengeti
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5:
Serengeti – Ngorongoro Highlands
From the Plains to the Crater Rim
Enjoy a final morning game drive in Serengeti before departing for Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You’ll pass through wooded hills and open countryside, stopping for wildlife sightings along the way.
Arrive at your lodge on the crater rim or in the nearby highlands. Relax with sweeping views and cool mountain air, preparing for the next day’s incredible experience inside the crater.
Accommodation:
Lodge on the rim or highlands of Ngorongoro
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6:
Ngorongoro Crater
Cradle of Life
Today, descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcanic caldera teeming with wildlife. This natural amphitheater offers one of the best opportunities to spot the Big Five, including the elusive black rhino.
Marvel at the diverse habitats packed within the crater: acacia forests, grasslands, freshwater springs, and a salt lake. After a full day of game viewing and a scenic picnic, return to your lodge for a final night in the safari highlands.
Accommodation:
Lodge in Karatu or Arusha (optional)
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7:
Return to Arusha
End of Safari
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive back to Arusha, passing farmlands, crater walls, and bustling towns. Depending on your schedule, you may choose to stop at local markets or curio shops before drop-off at your hotel or airport.
Your 7-day Northern Circuit adventure ends with a heart full of memories and a camera full of amazing photos.
Meals:
Breakfast
Price per Person
on request
This trip can be tailored to your preferences.
Traveling with a large group? We've got you covered.
We can tailor the trip to suit your specific needs.
We can adjust the trip to match your budget.
What to know before Tanzania Safari
Best Time for Tanzania Safari
Accommodation in Tanzania
Is Tanzania safe for safari?
When to go for Migration Safari
Where to Go in Tanzania
Packing List for Tanzania Safari
Excellent rating
Based on 122 reviews
- Tripadvisor
omar75
Solo
After a lot of research and contacting multiple operators for a Kilimanjaro trek, I settled on African Zoom. I found them via the Forbes Kilimanjaro glamping article. I found other operators by internet search and others by youtube fame. Maggie was my main point of contact throughout. She was always responsive and very helpful.
omar75
Solo
The price was reasonable compared to some of the outrageous prices with some of the “luxury” operators. But I would say we had enough comfort to make the adventure as comfortable as being in the harsh environment of a mountain as can be.
Our guides Godluck and Gabriel were great, our cook papa john!
omar75
Solo
After a lot of research and contacting multiple operators for a Kilimanjaro trek, I settled on African Zoom. I found them via the Forbes Kilimanjaro glamping article. I found other operators by internet search and others by youtube fame. Maggie was my main point of contact throughout. She was always responsive and very helpful. My friend and I ended up deciding on a private adventure each with a private tent. The price was reasonable compared to some of the outrageous prices with some of the “luxury” operators. But I would say we had enough comfort to make the adventure as comfortable as being in the harsh environment of a mountain as can be.
Our guides Godluck and Gabriel were great, our cook papa john! Cooked amazing meals and I absolutely can’t say enough about the porters. If you ever decide to go to Kilimanjaro you will see that the porters are a special kind of people.
We had an airport to airport trip. We were picked up by our main guide from the airport and taken to a nice 4 star hotel in Arusha. Godluck checked us in and came next day to take us in a tour in the city. We realized we have a day that we can go for a safari in. Maggie made that happen with one day notice. We spent a day in Terngeri saying all kinds of animals. It is not the Serengeti but we had a one day so we can’t complain.
We did an 8 day Lemosho climb. On the mountain we had 3 meals and a snack. The meals were excellent, the nightly briefing for next day was accurate and what we needed. We summitted successfully on day 7 and were out of the gate back to the hotel day 8. It was the most out of ordinary thing I’ve done in my life and African Zoom made it happen. I won’t hesitate to recommend them to any of my friends.
It is difficult to find reviewes for Kilimanjaro Climb operators on trip advisor, google reviews and others, I am not sure why.
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