5-Day Northern Circuit Camping Safari through Tarangire and Serengeti

5 Days Round trip from Arusha Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Game drives in Tarangire National Park, known for elephant families, the Tarangire River, and ancient baobab trees
  • 02 Explore the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, one of the best places to look for the endangered black rhino
  • 03 Experience the iconic Serengeti landscapes with excellent chances to spot big cats and Great Migration herds (season-dependent)
  • 04 Discover Lake Manyara National Park with flamingos and other birdlife, forest wildlife, and the park's famous tree-climbing lions

Set out on a classic 5-day Northern Circuit camping safari through Tanzania's most celebrated wildlife destinations, with airport pick-up in Arusha and an experienced guide leading your game drives. From Tarangire's baobab-studded landscapes and elephant herds to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater and the endless plains of the Serengeti, each day brings a new ecosystem and unforgettable sightings. You'll enjoy picnic lunches inside the parks and spend your nights at a mix of lodge and campsite stays, waking up close to nature before continuing to Lake Manyara, famous for rich birdlife, lush forests, and the chance of spotting tree-climbing lions.

At a glance

What this trip includes

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

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Arusha and Safari Preparation

You will be picked up from the airport by a Fargin Safaris representative and driven to your accommodation in Arusha.

Depending on your arrival time, you will hopefully have time to relax and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.

Busy Arusha is an essential part of safari life here in northern Tanzania, and most travellers pass through at some stage.

  • Main Destination: Arusha (City)

  • Accommodation: The Charity Hotel

  • Accommodation type: Budget to mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City)

2
Day 02

Tarangire's Elephant Herds and Ancient Baobabs

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

You will then drive to Tarangire National Park. This transit drive is 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.

The park is well known for its elephant families, which can often be seen congregating by the river. You may also see giraffe, bushbuck, and hartebeest. These animals are closely followed by a range of predators, including lions and leopards.

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. Some of them 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 be driven to your campsite for dinner and an overnight stay.

  • Main Destination: Tarangire National Park

  • Accommodation: Fanaka Lodge and Campsite

  • Accommodation type: Budget, located 1-2 hours' drive from Tarangire NP

  • Meal & Drinks: All meals included

  • Meal & Drinks: Drinks not included

3
Day 03

Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Onward to Serengeti

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

When you first see Ngorongoro Crater, it looks like a forgotten world. Concealed by the steep volcanic walls is a pristine wilderness, including 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 delights and for being a natural reserve that is home to some of the densest large mammal populations on the whole 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 provides you with the best chance of seeing the endangered black rhino.

  • Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater

  • Accommodation: Simba Public Campsite

  • Accommodation type: Budget campsite located inside Central Serengeti NP

  • Meal & Drinks: All meals included

  • Meal & Drinks: Drinks not included

4
Day 04

Serengeti Wildlife Viewing and Return to Karatu

The Serengeti is truly spectacular. It is famous for its vast open grasslands, which allow for excellent sightings of wildlife.

The Serengeti's climate and vegetation have remained largely untouched for millions of years.

Whilst 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 question should really be about the 'best places' to see the animals during 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 start your journey back to Mto wa Mbu, hopefully enjoying more wonder on the way.

  • Main Destination: Serengeti National Park

  • Accommodation: Fanaka Lodge and Campsite

  • Accommodation type: Budget campsite located a few minutes from Lake Manyara National Park

  • Meals & Drinks: All meals included

  • Meals & Drinks: Drinks not included

5
Day 05

Lake Manyara Game Drive and Departure

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 - this is one of the narrowest parks in Africa - and epic, as the Great Rift Escarpment towers 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 and over 500 other bird species.

You may see baboon and elephant in the park's thick evergreen forest, and watch for the tree-climbing lions that have become famous throughout Africa.

Picnic lunch in the park.

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

We hope you have enjoyed your adventure with Lion King!

  • 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

  • Shared transportation in a 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof.

  • Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide.

  • All national park and conservation area entry fees.

  • Ngorongoro Crater service fee.

  • Accommodation as per the itinerary (public campsites).

  • Camping equipment (tent, sleeping mattress, table, and chairs).

  • Services of a professional safari cook.

  • All meals during the safari (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

  • Picnic lunches during game drives.

  • Drinking water throughout the safari.

  • Government taxes and VAT.

What's Not Included

  • International and domestic flights.

  • Tanzania visa fees.

  • Travel and medical insurance.

  • Airport transfers (unless specified).

  • Accommodation before and after the safari.

  • Sleeping bag (available for rent if required).

  • Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.

  • Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, telephone calls, etc.).

  • Tips and gratuities for the safari guide and cook.

  • Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary.

  • Liquors, beers, and bottled beverages.

What to bring

  • Valid passport and Tanzania visa (if required).

  • Lightweight clothing in neutral colors (khaki, beige, olive, or brown).

  • Warm jacket or fleece for chilly mornings and evenings.

  • Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots.

  • Hat or cap and sunglasses.

  • Sunscreen and insect repellent.

  • Personal toiletries and medications.

  • Camera with extra batteries and memory cards.

  • Binoculars for wildlife viewing.

  • Flashlight or headlamp for use at the campsites.

  • Reusable water bottle.

  • Power bank and charging cables.

  • Sleeping bag (or arrange one for rent before departure).

  • Small backpack or daypack for daily essentials.

  • Cash for tips, beverages, souvenirs, and other personal expenses.

Know before you go

  • This is a shared group camping safari, meaning you will travel with other guests in the same safari vehicle.

  • Departure is guaranteed once the minimum number of participants is met.

  • Campsites have shared bathroom and shower facilities.

  • Temperatures can be cold during the early mornings and evenings, especially in the Ngorongoro Highlands.

  • Daily game drives may involve long distances on rough roads.

  • Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, but Tanzania's Northern Circuit offers some of the best safari experiences in Africa.

  • Mobile network coverage is limited in some areas of Serengeti National Park.

  • Plastic bags are prohibited in Tanzania. Please use reusable or biodegradable bags.

  • Carry some cash (USD or Tanzanian shillings) for tips, drinks, and personal purchases, as card payments are not always available.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Your Arusha accommodation
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.

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.

Starting from

USD 1,010 /person
Book This Tour

When

Travellers

Total