Tanzania · Wildlife Safari

5-Day Northern Circuit Wildlife Camping Safari with Serengeti and Ngorongoro

5 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Tarangire National Park's majestic baobab trees and large elephant herds
02 Serengeti National Park's endless plains and rich wildlife in the Seronera area
03 Ngorongoro Crater's dense concentration of wildlife in the world's largest collapsed volcanic crater
04 Lake Manyara National Park's tree-climbing lions and pink flamingos
05 Game drives across Tanzania's iconic Northern Circuit with a professional driver-guide

Join us on a 5-day journey through Tanzania's Northern Circuit, exploring Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park. Travel from Arusha with a professional driver-guide and experience majestic baobab trees, endless plains, dense wildlife populations, and scenic Rift Valley landscapes. Along the way, look out for large elephant herds, predators on the Serengeti, the remarkable wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions and flamingos. This safari combines spectacular game drives, camping, and some of Tanzania's most iconic natural settings.

Leaving the highlands behind, you will descend into the heart of wild Africa - Serengeti National Park - with its endless plains rolling into the distance as far as the eye can see.

From the itinerary

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, German, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Tarangire National Park Safari

Your amazing safari adventure begins with a pick-up from your accommodation in Arusha.
Today's destination is Tarangire National Park, where you will enjoy a spectacular game drive. Tanzania's third-largest national park is known for its majestic baobab trees that dot the landscape, dwarfing the animals that feed beneath them.
The Tarangire River is the centrepiece of this park, which is famous for some of the largest herds of elephants in Africa.
Here, you may see lions, leopards, cheetahs, lesser kudu, buffalos, oryx, elands, giraffes, and zebras. Your overnight stay will be at Jambo Lodge and camping.

Day 02

Through Karatu to the Endless Plains of Serengeti

After breakfast, you will head towards Serengeti National Park via the beautiful high-lying farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area viewpoint.
Leaving the highlands behind, you will descend into the heart of wild Africa - Serengeti National Park - with its endless plains rolling into the distance as far as the eye can see.
Don't forget to bring your camera. You will continue to the central park area, known as the Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park. It features the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source and therefore attracts wildlife representative of most of the Serengeti's species.
You will arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park, followed by a beautiful sunset view.

Day 03

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After breakfast, you will depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a picnic lunch.
Ngorongoro Crater is the largest collapsed volcanic crater in the world and has fourteen kilometres of isolated natural beauty. It is surrounded by a ring of extinct volcanoes, and the floor, dotted with watering holes, shelters some 30,000 animals.
The eventful day comes to an end with a hearty dinner and a good night's rest at the Ngorongoro Simba Campsite.

Day 04

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive and Camp

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will descend to the crater floor for a game drive.
You can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, and many birds. The birds seen here include eagles, vultures, and flamingos in the Crater Lake, as well as storks, bats, giant vultures, sacred ibis, kori bustard, blacksmith plover, long-necked herons, and cattle eagles.
Later, you will have your picnic lunch at the beautiful Hippo Pool, then continue with your game drive.
Afterwards, you will begin a steep ascent to the top exit of the crater.
The day will come to a close, and a freshly made delicious dinner will be ready for you at your chosen campsite.
After several days on safari, you will likely be quite tired, and a good rest is essential.
The next day, you will begin the last leg of your safari.

Day 05

Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha

After an early breakfast, you will depart for Lake Manyara National Park with a picnic lunch for a full-day game drive. As you enter the national park, lush forests of acacia and mahogany trees begin to set the mood for what is waiting ahead.
The game drive will continue until evening, with a short break for a picnic lunch. During the drive, watch out for buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, baboons, and blue monkeys.
Another spectacle of Lake Manyara National Park is its tree-climbing lions.
However, spotting them is a game of luck. In the right season, you can see the shoreline turning pink with millions of flamingos flocking there.
After the game drive, you will head back towards Arusha, where you will be dropped off at your preferred location in the evening.
With an incredible experience and loads of memories to cherish, this is the time to bid goodbye to your team.

Where this trip takes you

Tarangire River, Tarangire National Park baobabs, Seronera area of Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater Hippo Pool

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 fees (for non-residents)
All activities (unless labelled as optional)
All accommodation (unless listed as an upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (unless labelled as optional)
All taxes/VAT
Round-trip airport transfer
Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinking water (on all days)

What's Not Included

International flights (from/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees

What to bring

Clothing: lightweight, neutral-colored clothing, and a warm jacket for cool mornings and evenings.
Footwear: comfortable walking shoes and sandals.
Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm.
Essentials: binoculars, camera, extra batteries, and a power bank.
Health: insect repellent and personal medications.
Documents: passport, visa (if required), travel insurance, and any required permits.
Other: a daypack and a guidebook (optional).

Know before you go

After clients confirm their booking, they receive an invoice with all details. To confirm the reservation, we require a 50% deposit payment of the itinerary cost and 100% upfront payment. The remaining balance is due on arrival, before the start of the tour.

Tarangire National Park: Known for its majestic baobab trees and vast herds of elephants, Tarangire is a haven for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The park offers incredible opportunities to spot lions, leopards, and a diverse range of antelope species.
Serengeti National Park: One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, the Serengeti is famed for its endless plains and the awe-inspiring Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras traverse the ecosystem in search of greener pastures. Expect to witness thrilling predator-prey interactions and spectacular wildlife sightings.
Ngorongoro Crater: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," the Ngorongoro Crater boasts one of the densest concentrations of wildlife on the planet. From the elusive black rhino to the massive herds of wildebeest and the ever-watchful lions, this natural amphitheatre offers a safari experience like no other.
Lake Manyara National Park: Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley, this park is renowned for its lush groundwater forests, tree-climbing lions, and the strikingly pink flocks of flamingos that inhabit the soda lake.

This tour promises an extraordinary blend of breathtaking landscapes, thrilling wildlife encounters, and rich cultural experiences. Whether it's the iconic sight of a cheetah sprinting across the Serengeti or the serene beauty of Lake Manyara at sunset, every moment is designed to leave you in awe.

Let Aglow Safaris take you on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, where every detail is meticulously planned to ensure an experience that is as seamless as it is unforgettable.

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