7-Day Complete Northern Circuit Safari
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Tour Overview
Experience the remarkable variety of Northern Tanzania on this private seven-day safari through Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Begin among Tarangire’s ancient baobab trees, acacia woodland and celebrated elephant country before exploring the forests, floodplains and lakeshore habitats of Lake Manyara beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
Continue through the Ngorongoro Highlands towards the expansive landscapes of Serengeti National Park. Spend three nights exploring open plains, river valleys, woodland and rocky kopjes while searching for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and grazing herds.
Complete your journey with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater. Its volcanic walls surround a remarkable concentration of grassland, woodland, wetland and lakeshore habitats supporting an impressive variety of wildlife.
Your safari includes a private 4×4 vehicle and professional local guide. The daily route can be adjusted according to wildlife activity, seasonal conditions, recent sightings and your interests.
This itinerary is a customizable starting point. Accommodation, activities, arrival arrangements and travel pace can be adjusted around your dates, group size, comfort preference and budget.
Day - by - Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Depart from Arusha in the morning with your private safari guide and travel towards Tarangire National Park. Enter the park and begin your first game drive through landscapes shaped by ancient baobab trees, acacia woodland, open grassland and the Tarangire River.
Tarangire is particularly known for its elephant population. Depending on wildlife movement, you may also encounter giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, impalas, warthogs and different predators.
Stop for a picnic lunch before continuing your afternoon game drive. Later, leave the park and travel to your lodge or tented camp near Tarangire or in the Karatu area.
- Private departure from Arusha
- Scenic drive to Tarangire
- Morning and afternoon game drives
- Elephant and wildlife viewing
- Baobab landscape photography
- Picnic lunch inside the park
Breakfast can be arranged separately
Near Tarangire National Park or in Karatu
Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, travel towards Lake Manyara National Park beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Enter the park and begin exploring its groundwater forest, acacia woodland, floodplains and lakeshore habitats.
Depending on wildlife movement, you may encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, baboons, monkeys, hippos and numerous bird species. The park’s compact and varied landscape offers a different safari experience from Tarangire.
Enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing your afternoon game drive. Later, leave the park and travel to your lodge or tented camp in the Lake Manyara or Karatu area.
- Scenic Great Rift Valley drive
- Lake Manyara game drive
- Forest and lakeshore exploration
- Elephant and primate viewing
- Birdwatching and photography
- Picnic lunch inside the park
Full-board safari meals
Near Lake Manyara or in Karatu
Day 3: Journey to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, travel through the fertile Ngorongoro Highlands towards Serengeti National Park. The journey offers changing scenery as cultivated highlands gradually give way to open savannah.
Enter Serengeti and continue with an en-route game drive towards your accommodation. Begin searching for lions, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, zebras, wildebeest and other plains wildlife.
Enjoy a picnic lunch during the journey and continue exploring in the afternoon. Arrive at your lodge or tented camp in the evening for dinner and your first night in Serengeti.
- Scenic Ngorongoro Highlands drive
- Entry into Serengeti National Park
- En-route Serengeti game drive
- Plains wildlife viewing
- Landscape and wildlife photography
- Picnic lunch during the journey
Full-board safari meals
Inside or near Serengeti National Park
Day 4: Full-Day Serengeti Wildlife Safari
Spend a full day exploring Serengeti’s open plains, woodland, river valleys and rocky kopjes. Your guide will select the day’s route according to recent sightings, wildlife movement and seasonal conditions.
Search for lions resting around kopjes, cheetahs scanning the plains, leopards near riverine woodland and large herds of zebras, wildebeest, gazelles and other grazing animals.
Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park or return to your accommodation, depending on the planned route. Continue your afternoon game drive before returning to camp.
- Early-morning game drive
- Full-day Serengeti exploration
- Big-cat tracking
- Grazing-herd observation
- Birdwatching and photography
- Picnic or lodge lunch
Full-board safari meals
Inside or near Serengeti National Park
Day 5: Flexible Serengeti Safari Experience
Enjoy another full day in Serengeti with flexibility to explore different wildlife areas. Your guide may focus on predator territories, grazing herds, river valleys, rocky kopjes or rewarding photography locations.
An optional sunrise balloon safari can be arranged in advance at an additional cost. After the balloon experience, rejoin your guide and continue exploring Serengeti.
Wildlife movement is natural and influenced by rainfall, water and grazing conditions. Specific sightings and Great Migration locations therefore cannot be guaranteed.
- Early-morning game drive
- Flexible wildlife-viewing route
- Predator and herd tracking
- Birdwatching
- Wildlife and landscape photography
- Optional balloon safari
Full-board safari meals
Inside or near Serengeti National Park
Day 6: Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Highlands
Begin the day with breakfast and a final game drive through Serengeti. This provides another opportunity to search for wildlife and enjoy the open plains before continuing towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Travel through changing landscapes as the route rises from the savannah towards the cooler highlands. Wildlife may still be encountered during the journey.
Depending on timing and conditions, stop at a viewpoint overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater. Continue to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and preparation for the following day’s crater safari.
- Final Serengeti game drive
- En-route wildlife viewing
- Scenic Ngorongoro transfer
- Crater viewpoint when accessible
- Landscape photography
- Evening at leisure
Full-board safari meals
Near Ngorongoro or in Karatu
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Return to Arusha
After an early breakfast, travel to the crater entrance and descend onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor for your final game drive.
Explore grassland, woodland, wetland and lakeshore habitats while searching for lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles and other wildlife. Black rhinoceroses may also be encountered, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated site before ascending from the crater and beginning your return journey to Arusha. You will be transferred to your Arusha hotel, Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport according to your confirmed arrangements.
Your departure flight time must be confirmed before finalizing the itinerary. An additional night in Arusha may be recommended when same-day flight timing is unsuitable.
- Ngorongoro Crater descent
- Crater-floor game drive
- Wildlife and birdwatching
- Picnic lunch
- Scenic crater ascent
- Transfer to Arusha or the airport
Dinner is not included
An additional Arusha night can be arranged
Tour Highlights:
- Explore four remarkable Northern Tanzania wildlife destinations.
- Discover Tarangire’s ancient baobabs and celebrated elephant country.
- Experience the forests and lakeshore habitats of Lake Manyara.
- Travel beneath the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment.
- Spend three nights inside or near Serengeti National Park.
- Enjoy flexible morning, afternoon and full-day game drives.
- Search for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes and giraffes.
- Explore Serengeti’s plains, river valleys, woodland and rocky kopjes.
- Look for seasonal Great Migration activity when conditions allow.
- Descend into the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater.
- Travel in a private 4×4 safari vehicle with a viewing roof.
- Explore with a knowledgeable local safari guide.
- Enjoy wildlife, birdlife and landscape photography opportunities.
- Add an optional Serengeti balloon safari, subject to availability.
- Choose accommodation suited to your preferred comfort level.
- Personalize the journey for couples, families or private groups.
Still have questions?
Our travel specialists are happy to assist you!
Top Destinations You’ll Visit
Experience elephant country, Great Rift Valley forests, expansive Serengeti plains and the volcanic landscapes of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Day 1
Tarangire National Park
Discover ancient baobab trees, acacia woodland, open grassland and the life-giving Tarangire River.
Destination Highlights- Large elephant herds
- Ancient baobab trees
- Tarangire River
- Excellent birdlife
Day 2
Lake Manyara National Park
Explore groundwater forest, acacia woodland, floodplains and lakeshore habitats beneath the Rift Valley escarpment.
Destination Highlights- Rift Valley scenery
- Elephants and primates
- Lakeshore habitats
- Excellent birdlife
Days 3–6
Serengeti National Park
Explore expansive plains, river valleys, woodland and rocky kopjes while searching for big cats and grazing herds.
Destination Highlights- Big-cat encounters
- Expansive open plains
- Flexible game drives
- Optional balloon safari
Days 6–7
Ngorongoro Crater
Descend into a remarkable volcanic landscape supporting grassland, woodland, wetlands and a rich variety of wildlife.
Destination Highlights- Crater-floor safari
- Dense wildlife population
- Black rhino possibility
- Volcanic scenery
What Your Safari Includes
Your final proposal and quotation will confirm the exact services included in your personalized itinerary.
Generally Included
- Private transfers shown in the confirmed itinerary
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a viewing roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Six nights of confirmed accommodation
- Meals listed in the daily itinerary
- Park entry and conservation fees shown in the quotation
- Ngorongoro Crater service included in the itinerary
- Game drives and activities described in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during safari game drives
- Government taxes applicable to confirmed services
Generally Not Included
- International and domestic flights unless specifically stated
- Tanzania visa and passport-related expenses
- Travel, medical and evacuation insurance
- Optional Serengeti balloon safari
- Tips for guides, drivers and accommodation staff
- Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and personal purchases
- Vaccinations, medication and personal medical expenses
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari
- Activities not included in the confirmed itinerary
Start Planning Your Adventure
Share your travel details and preferences. We will use the information to prepare a personalized itinerary and quotation.
Safari Questions Answered
Helpful information about planning your seven-day complete Northern Tanzania safari.
Can this safari itinerary be customized?
Yes. Accommodation, travel dates, activities, arrival arrangements and the daily pace can be adjusted around your preferences. Additional safari days or a Zanzibar extension can also be arranged.
Is this a private or group safari?
This itinerary is designed as a private safari with your own professional guide and private 4×4 vehicle. Group options can be discussed when suitable departures are available.
Which destinations are included?
The itinerary includes Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater.
When is the best time to take this safari?
This safari can operate throughout the year. Drier months are popular for general wildlife viewing, while greener months offer lush scenery, active birdlife and different seasonal experiences.
Will we see the Great Migration?
Great Migration sightings cannot be guaranteed. The herds move naturally according to rainfall, water and grazing conditions. Your guide will use recent information to select rewarding areas.
Does the itinerary involve long driving distances?
Some travel days include several hours of driving between parks. The changing landscapes and en-route wildlife viewing form an important part of the complete Northern Circuit experience.
What type of accommodation is available?
The safari can use budget-conscious, mid-range, upper-range, luxury or mixed accommodation according to your comfort preference, travel dates and budget.
Is this safari suitable for families?
Yes. The itinerary can be arranged with family-friendly lodges, suitable room configurations, flexible stops and game-drive schedules appropriate for the children’s ages.
Can I add a Serengeti balloon safari?
Yes. A balloon safari can be requested at an additional cost and is subject to advance availability, operating location and weather.
How is the final safari price calculated?
Pricing depends on travel dates, group size, accommodation, availability, park fees and optional activities. A personalized quotation will be prepared after receiving your enquiry.
How do I confirm my booking?
After approving the itinerary and quotation, you will receive the applicable booking terms, deposit requirements, payment schedule and confirmation instructions.
Seven Days. The Complete Northern Circuit.
From elephants beneath Tarangire’s baobabs and forests beside Lake Manyara to big cats on the Serengeti plains and wildlife inside the Ngorongoro Crater, your private Tanzania safari is ready to be shaped around you.