5-Day Northern Circuit Safari in Tanzania with Serengeti and Ngorongoro

5 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Enjoy a game drive in Tarangire National Park, renowned for elephant families, baobab trees, and rich birdlife
  • 02 Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for dense wildlife viewing and the chance to spot the endangered black rhino
  • 03 Experience Serengeti game viewing across vast grasslands, with opportunities to see lions, cheetahs, and leopards
  • 04 Explore Lake Manyara on safari, featuring Rift Valley scenery, abundant birdlife, and the park's famous tree-climbing lions

Discover Tanzania's classic Northern Circuit on a 5-day safari that combines iconic landscapes with outstanding wildlife viewing. Starting in Arusha, you'll travel with your guide to Tarangire's baobab-dotted plains, descend into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, and continue into the vast Serengeti for unforgettable game drives. Along the way, enjoy picnic lunches in the parks and comfortable stays in Karatu and the Serengeti. From elephant herds and big cats to flamingo-filled lakeshores, this itinerary is designed to maximize time in the wild while keeping travel smooth and well paced.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park
Languages English, French

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Arusha and Transfer to Your Lodge

You will be welcomed at the airport by a Fargin Safaris representative and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to relax and prepare for your upcoming safari. Arusha is a major gateway for safari travel in northern Tanzania, and most travelers pass through the city during their journey.

Main Destination: Arusha (City)
Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge
Accommodation type: Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City)

2
Day 02

Tarangire Safari Among Elephants and Baobabs

  • Your Fargin Safaris guide will collect you from your accommodation after breakfast.

  • You will then drive to Tarangire National Park. This transit drive takes approximately two and a half hours on good tarmac roads.

  • The park is named after the Tarangire River, which runs through it. This "river of warthogs" is the only source of water for wildlife in the region during the dry season. Tarangire is well known for its elephant families, which can often be seen congregating by the river. You may also see giraffe, bushbuck, and hartebeest, closely followed by a range of predators, including lions.

  • There are more breeding species of birds found in Tarangire than anywhere else on the planet.

  • The huge and ancient baobab trees can be seen here, and some are said to have lived for more than a thousand years.

  • Lunch will be at a picnic site inside the park.

  • After your game drive, you will continue to your accommodation in Karatu.

Main Destination: Tarangire National Park

Accommodation: Eileen's Trees Inn

Accommodation type: Mid-range lodge located 1-2 hours' drive from Tarangire NP

Meal & Drinks: All meals included

Drinks: Alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic drinks are not included with meals

3
Day 03

Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Journey to Serengeti

  • After breakfast, you will drive up into the cooler regions of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

  • When you first see Ngorongoro Crater, it looks like a forgotten world. Concealed by steep volcanic walls is a pristine wilderness of sweeping savannah, pockets of acacia woodland, and glistening lakes and swamps.

  • The crater was created when a large volcano exploded and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago, and it covers an area of 260 km².

  • The crater is famous both for its geological wonders and for being a natural reserve that is home to some of the densest large mammal populations on the African continent. After you descend into the crater, you quickly find yourself among large numbers of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and more than 500 bird species.

  • The crater also provides you with the best chance of seeing the endangered black rhino.

  • You will then continue through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Serengeti, entering from the south of the park.

Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater

Accommodation: Embalakai Serengeti Camp

Accommodation type: Luxury tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP

Meal & Drinks: All meals included

Meal & Drinks: Drinks not included

4
Day 04

Serengeti Game Viewing and Return to Karatu

  • The Serengeti is truly spectacular. It is famous for its vast open grasslands, which allow for excellent wildlife sightings. The Serengeti's climate and vegetation have remained largely untouched for millions of years.

  • While it boasts abundant wildlife, it is perhaps best known for the annual Great Migration. Vast numbers of wildebeest, accompanied by large numbers of zebra and antelope, move in an annual pattern, constantly seeking fresh grazing. The migration can be found during any given month - you just need to know where to look. The real question is about the best places to see the animals at a certain time of year.

  • In addition to the iconic landscapes, you have a good chance of encountering predators, and you may see lion, cheetah, and leopard. It is a truly life-changing experience.

  • In the afternoon, you will begin your journey back to Karatu, hopefully enjoying more wonder along the way.

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Eileen's Trees Inn

Accommodation type: Mid-range lodge located in Karatu (Town)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Meals & Drinks: Drinks not included

5
Day 05

Lake Manyara Safari and Drop-off in Arusha

  • After breakfast, you will drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a small but diverse park 120 km west of Arusha.

  • Everything you'll see here is on a different scale. It is both compact - one of the narrowest parks in Africa - and epic, with the Great Rift Escarpment towering over Lake Manyara's western boundary.

  • The park's namesake is a shallow salt lake. It covers a large area of the park, flooding and drying with the seasons, and is home to thousands of wading birds, including flamingos, as well as more than 500 other bird species.

  • You may see baboons and elephants in the park's thick evergreen forest, and you should also watch for the tree-climbing lions that have become famous throughout Africa.

  • Picnic lunch will be served in the park.

  • After your game drive, you will say farewell to your guide and be dropped off at a place of your choosing, such as Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport, or Arusha Airport.

Main Destination: Lake Manyara National Park

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)

Meals & Drinks: Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Arusha 6 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Park entry fees

  • Transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for better wildlife viewing

  • Accommodation (lodges or camps)

  • Meals on a full-board basis: breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day

  • Bottled water throughout the safari

  • English-speaking guide

What's Not Included

  • Tanzania visa

  • International and domestic flights

  • Tips and gratuities

  • Travel insurance

  • Personal expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)

  • Meals not listed in the itinerary

  • Liquors, beers, and bottled beverages

What to bring

  • Clothing: Light, breathable clothing for daytime, with warmer layers for cooler evenings and mornings.

  • Neutral colors, such as khaki, brown, or green.

  • Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, plus sandals.

  • Sun protection.

  • Camera.

  • Binoculars.

  • Personal items.

  • Insect repellent.

Know before you go

  • Health Precautions: Check with your doctor about vaccinations and health precautions for traveling to Tanzania, including malaria prophylaxis.

  • Visa Requirements: Ensure you have a valid passport and obtain a visa for Tanzania before travel.

  • Currency: The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). It is advisable to carry some cash, but credit cards are widely accepted in major lodges and cities.

  • Safety: Follow the advice of your safari guide and adhere to park regulations. Always stay inside the vehicle during game drives unless instructed otherwise.

  • Weather: Prepare for varying weather conditions. It can be hot during the day and cooler in the mornings and evenings.

  • Tipping: Tipping is customary for safari guides, drivers, and lodge staff. It's good practice to bring some small bills for this purpose.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Airport
Tour start
Arusha
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 5 days finish where they began, in Arusha.

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