6-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari with Big Five Game Drives

6 Days Round trip from Arusha Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Tarangire National Park, famous for its massive ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds
02 Track the Big Five across the legendary Serengeti with expert-guided game drives
03 Descend into the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater for wildlife viewing in a pristine volcanic caldera
04 Spot black rhinos, lions, hippos, and flamingos around Lake Magadi
05 Stay in comfortable midrange safari lodges throughout the journey

Embark on the ultimate 6-day Tanzania Northern Circuit wildlife tour through Tarangire National Park, the legendary Serengeti, and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy expert-guided game drives across stunning landscapes with abundant wildlife viewing, including the Big Five. This safari combines iconic parks, unforgettable encounters with elephants, lions, rhinos, hippos, and flamingos, and comfortable accommodations throughout your journey.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park

Languages French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Tarangire National Park Safari

Accommodation: TARANGIRE SOPA LODGE
Departure: Depart from Arusha in the morning with your guide and drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its massive ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds.
Game drive: Enjoy an exciting afternoon game drive along the Tarangire River, where elephants, zebras, giraffes, and various antelopes gather to drink.
Lodge: Head to your midrange lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 02

Journey to the Legendary Serengeti

Accommodation: SERENGETI SERENA SAFARI LODGE
After breakfast: Depart for the legendary Serengeti National Park, driving through the scenic highlands and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area gates.
Arrival: Arrive in the southern or central plains of the Serengeti by afternoon and embark on a thrilling game drive across the vast savannah.
Wildlife viewing: Spot roaming lions, cheetahs, and herds of wildebeests and zebras before heading to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 03

Full-Day Serengeti Wildlife Tracking

Accommodation: SERENGETI SERENA SAFARI LODGE
Game drives: Dedicate the full day to tracking wildlife across the boundless plains of the Serengeti with your expert guide.
Wildlife viewing: Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives designed to locate the Big Five - lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes - alongside cheetahs, hyenas, and thousands of migrating or resident herbivores.
Lunch: Stop for a scenic picnic lunch in the wilderness before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight rest.

Day 04

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim

Accommodation: NGORONGORO SERENA SAFARI LODGE
Game drive: Enjoy an early morning game drive in the Serengeti to catch predators before checking out and journeying toward the majestic Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Scenic drive: Take in the sweeping views of the landscapes along the way and arrive at your lodge perched near or on the crater rim in time for a relaxing evening, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 05

Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Transfer to Lake Manyara

Accommodation: LAKE MANYARA SERENA SAFARI LODGE
Crater descent: Descend early in the morning into the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater floor for an unforgettable game drive inside a pristine volcanic caldera.
Wildlife viewing: Discover a high concentration of wildlife, including black rhinos, elephants, lions, hippos, and flamingos around Lake Magadi.
Lunch: After a picnic lunch by the hippo pool, ascend the crater rim and drive to your lodge in nearby Karatu or Lake Manyara for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 06

Return to Arusha and Departure

Breakfast: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your lodge and check out.
Drive: Take a scenic drive back to Arusha through the Great Rift Valley escarpment, with opportunities to shop for local Tanzanian crafts and souvenirs along the way.
Arrival: Arrive in Arusha by afternoon, where your guide will drop you off at your hotel or transfer you to the airport, successfully concluding your incredible 6-day Northern Circuit wildlife safari.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 7 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Professional English-speaking safari guide
4x4 custom-built safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
All park conservation and entrance fees for Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater
Midrange lodge accommodations for 5 nights
All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) as per itinerary
Bottled drinking water during game drives
Airport transfers and internal ground transportation

What's Not Included

International flights and entry visas
Travel insurance
Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
Items of a personal nature (laundry, telephone, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs)
Optional activities not specified in the itinerary

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Travel plug adapter
Small-denomination cash for tips
Binoculars
Swimwear
Wide-brimmed hat
Power bank
Sunglasses (UV protection)
Sunscreen SPF 50
Camera or phone with extra storage
Insect repellent
Personal first aid kit

Know before you go

Passport & Visa: Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. Most travelers require a Tanzanian entry visa, which can be obtained online (e-Visa) or upon arrival at the airport.
Health & Vaccinations: Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from or transiting through yellow fever endemic countries.
Packing & Attire: Wear neutral earth tones (khaki, tan, olive). Avoid dark blue and black clothes, as they attract tsetse flies. Pack warm layers (fleece or jacket) for chilly mornings and cold evenings on the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
Luggage Rules: Use soft-sided duffel bags rather than hard suitcases for easier storage inside the 4x4 safari Land Cruiser (recommended weight limit: 15-20 kg per person).
Cash & Currency: Bring USD cash for personal spending, souvenirs, and tips. Ensure USD bills are printed in 2009 or later, as older bills are not accepted in Tanzania.
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping driver-guides and lodge staff is customary in Tanzania. The standard guideline for a private guide is $15-$20 USD per group per day.
Dietary Restrictions: Please inform us in advance of any special dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or food allergies) so lodges can accommodate you.