9-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari with Serengeti and Ngorongoro

9 Days Round trip from Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport) Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Tanzania's classic northern circuit across Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti
  • 02 Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for wildlife viewing on the 600 m-deep crater floor
  • 03 Travel through the Serengeti from Central Seronera to the Mara River region in the north
  • 04 Stop at Olduvai Gorge, known as the 'Cradle of Mankind'
  • 05 Look for seasonal wildebeest herds and river crossings in Northern Serengeti

This 9-day, 8-night safari follows Tanzania's classic northern circuit through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti, with a stop at Olduvai Gorge. You'll stay in comfortable lodges and tented camps while exploring some of the country's best-known wildlife areas, from baobab-dotted plains to the crater floor and the Mara River region. It is an ideal route for first-time safari travellers who want a broad introduction to Tanzania's landscapes and wildlife. Note: Sightings are never guaranteed, and weather and park rules can change the activities on the day.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 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

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and Transfer to Arusha

  • Arrival: You arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport, where your driver meets you.
  • Transfer: You drive for about 1 hour to your hotel in Arusha.
  • Briefing: Your guide gives you a short tour briefing.
  • Rest: You rest and enjoy a welcome drink.
  • Dinner & overnight: Dinner and overnight in Arusha.
2
Day 02

Tarangire Game Drive Among Baobabs and Elephant Herds

  • Meal: After breakfast, you drive for about 2 hours to Tarangire.
  • Game drive: You spend the day on a game drive, looking for elephant herds, lions, giraffes, and zebras among the baobab trees.
  • Lunch: You have a picnic lunch in the park.
  • Dinner & overnight: Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
3
Day 03

Lake Manyara Wildlife Viewing and Transfer to Karatu

  • Meal: After breakfast, you drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive.
  • Wildlife: You can see hippos, baboons, giraffes, flamingos, and many birds.
  • Lunch: You have a picnic lunch.
  • Transfer: In the afternoon, you drive to Karatu.
  • Dinner & overnight: Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
4
Day 04

Ngorongoro Crater Descent and Wildlife Safari

  • Meal: After an early breakfast, you drive up to the crater rim for views.
  • Game drive: You go down into the crater (about 600 m deep) for a half-day game drive.
  • Wildlife: You can see lions, rhinos, hippos, hyenas, flamingos, and large herds of wildebeest and zebra.
  • Lunch: You have a picnic lunch at the hippo pool.
  • Transfer: In the afternoon, you return to Karatu.
  • Dinner & overnight: Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
5
Day 05

Drive Through Ngorongoro Highlands to Central Serengeti

  • Meal: After breakfast, you drive through the Ngorongoro Highlands to the Serengeti.
  • Stop: On the way, you stop at Olduvai Gorge, the 'Cradle of Mankind'.
  • Game drive: You start a game drive across the Serengeti plains, looking for lions, cheetahs, and large herds.
  • Lunch: You have a picnic lunch on the way.
  • Dinner & overnight: Dinner and overnight in Central Serengeti.
6
Day 06

Full-Day Safari in Seronera's Big Cat Territory

  • Game drive: You spend the full day around Seronera, a good area for big cats.
  • Wildlife: You look for lions, leopards in the trees, cheetahs, and buffalo.
  • Lunch: You have a picnic lunch in the park.
  • Dinner & overnight: Dinner and overnight at your camp.
7
Day 07

Game Drive North Through the Serengeti

  • Meal: After breakfast, you drive north through the Serengeti on a game drive.
  • Wildlife: You look for elephants, giraffes, lions, and large herds along the way.
  • Lunch: You have a picnic lunch on the way.
  • Dinner & overnight: Dinner and overnight in the Northern Serengeti.
8
Day 08

Mara River Exploration and Return to Karatu

  • Exploration: You spend the morning exploring the north, near the Mara River.
  • Seasonal wildlife: In the right months, you may see wildebeest herds and river crossings.
  • Lunch: After a picnic lunch, you drive south out of the Serengeti, with game viewing on the way, to Karatu.
  • Dinner & overnight: Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
9
Day 09

Return to Arusha and Tour End

  • Meal: After breakfast and check-out, you drive back to Arusha (3 to 4 hours).
  • Drop-off: You are dropped off around midday or early afternoon, and the tour ends.
  • Optional: You can add a flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport) 6 cities · 9 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • English-speaking professional driver-guide
  • Park entrance fees (Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti)
  • Crater service fee and vehicle fees
  • Accommodation for 8 nights
  • Meals as listed
  • Drinking water during the safari
  • Government taxes and VAT

What's Not Included

  • International flights
  • Tanzania visa
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Drinks (soft and alcoholic)
  • Tips for driver and staff
  • Hot air balloon safari in the Serengeti
  • Personal items (laundry, phone, souvenirs)
  • Optional activities not listed

What to bring

  • Documents and money: Passport and Tanzania visa, insurance papers, flight tickets, and small US dollar notes for tips.
  • Clothes: Light long-sleeve shirts and trousers in neutral colours (khaki, green, brown), a warm jacket or fleece for cold mornings and the crater rim, a light rain jacket, closed shoes, a sun hat, and sunglasses.
  • Safari gear: Binoculars, a camera with extra batteries, a power bank, sunscreen, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, and a small day bag.
  • Health: Personal medicine, anti-malaria tablets (ask your doctor), motion sickness tablets, hand sanitiser, and wet wipes.

Know before you go

  • Note: Sightings are never guaranteed. Weather and park rules can change the activities on the day.
  • Tips: Use soft bags, not hard suitcases.
  • Tips: Bring a universal plug adaptor.
  • Tips: Plastic bags are not allowed in Tanzania.

Logistics

Meeting & route

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

Your 9 days finish where they began, in Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport).

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Starting from

USD 3,700 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $4,800.00 — $6,200.00
Double Sharing $3,900.00 — $5,100.00
Triple Sharing $3,700.00 — $4,900.00

When

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