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From $4,250 per person (based on 2 people sharing)
Experience the ultimate Tanzanian wildlife safari covering all major highlights of the northern circuit. From majestic crater views to flamingo-lined lakes and lion-filled plains, this journey is packed with unforgettable safari moments.
Tanzania Safari Packages | 11-Day Northern Circuit Tour | Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safaris | Wildlife & Culture in Tanzania
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK). You’ll be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your lodge in Arusha, a peaceful town nestled below Mount Meru.
Check in and unwind after your flight. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a short tour of Arusha town or relax at the lodge. Receive your detailed safari briefing during dinner.
Overnight: Ilboru Safari Lodge / Arusha Planet Lodge / Four Points by Sheraton
Meals: Dinner
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park (approx. 2.5 hours). Known for its massive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and rich game viewing around the Tarangire River, this park is a spectacular introduction to Tanzania’s wildlife.
Game drive across the park searching for lions, giraffes, impalas, and hundreds of bird species. Tarangire is especially active in the dry season when wildlife crowds around its only permanent water source.
Overnight: Tarangire Safari Lodge / Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park, a small yet diverse ecosystem located at the base of the Rift Valley wall (1.5 hrs drive).
Enjoy a mid-morning game drive looking for the elusive tree-climbing lions, elephants, and hippos. The lake hosts thousands of flamingos, and the forest shelters troops of baboons and blue monkeys.
After your picnic lunch, proceed to the Karatu highlands, with optional stops at local markets or coffee farms.
Overnight: Marera Valley Lodge / Country Lodge Karatu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning is dedicated to a guided cultural experience in Mto wa Mbu, a melting pot of over 120 ethnic groups. Walk through banana plantations, local markets, and meet artisans and farmers.
Participate in banana beer tasting, sample Tanzanian home-cooked meals, and witness traditional crafts. This is one of the best places to connect with everyday life in Tanzania.
Return to your Karatu lodge in the afternoon and enjoy a relaxed evening.
Overnight: Marera Valley Lodge / Similar in Karatu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart early for the remote and otherworldly Lake Natron (approx. 4–5 hrs drive). En route, pass through rugged landscapes and Maasai homelands with striking views of Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano considered sacred by the Maasai.
Lake Natron is known for its eerie beauty and as a breeding site for lesser flamingos. In the afternoon, take a guided walk to nearby waterfalls and enjoy a sunset walk along the lake’s salty shore.
Overnight: Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge / Natron Tented Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast and optional flamingo walk, begin your journey to Serengeti National Park via the Klein’s Gate entrance (approx. 5–6 hrs). Enjoy a game drive en route, entering the eastern or northern sectors of the Serengeti depending on migration location.
This remote side of the park is quieter, offering excellent chances of spotting cheetahs, hyenas, and herds of wildebeest.
Overnight: Serengeti Lobo Lodge / Northern Serengeti Tented Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the day exploring the vast savannahs of the Serengeti on morning and afternoon game drives. Depending on the season, follow the path of the Great Wildebeest Migration, or enjoy incredible resident wildlife including lions, leopards, giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles.
Optional: Add a sunrise hot air balloon safari over the plains, followed by champagne breakfast (advance booking required).
Overnight: Serengeti Tortilis Camp / Serengeti Serena Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a final morning game drive in Serengeti Central (Seronera) before slowly exiting the park and entering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. En route, pass wildlife-rich areas and scenic highlands.
Optional stop at Olduvai Gorge, a famous archaeological site where early human fossils were discovered (entry extra). Reach your lodge on the crater rim in time for dinner.
Overnight: Rhino Lodge / Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Descend early into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a haven for wildlife. The rich grasslands support an incredible density of animals, including black rhinos, lions, zebras, wildebeests, and elephants.
Enjoy a half-day game drive, stopping at Ngoitoktok Springs for lunch beside hippos. Later, ascend to the rim and return to Karatu for your overnight stay.
Overnight: Marera Valley Lodge / Country Lodge Karatu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a leisurely breakfast, drive back to Arusha (approx. 3–4 hrs). Optionally visit a coffee plantation, local markets, or artisan shops for souvenirs.
Relax at your lodge in Arusha and reflect on the safari experiences of a lifetime. Depending on your schedule, prepare for your onward flight or spend an extra night in town.
Overnight: Ilboru Safari Lodge / Four Points by Sheraton
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy a final Tanzanian breakfast before your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight. Your guide will ensure a smooth drop-off and assist with any last-minute needs.
End of Safari
Meals: Breakfast