8 Day Northern Circuit

Overview

This itinerary is designed for those wanting to experience everything Tanzania has to offer at a comfortable pace. With extended time in the Serengeti and visits to multiple national parks, you’ll enjoy diverse landscapes, incredible wildlife encounters and a truly immersive safari experience.

Highlights

Explore Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Extended time in Serengeti for deeper exploration
High chance of spotting the Big Five
Diverse landscapes from baobabs to crater views
Optional hot air balloon safari

✔ All itineraries are fully customisable

✔ Handpicked lodges based on availability

✔ Experienced local guides

✨Extend your safari with Materuni Waterfalls & Chemka Hot Springs✨

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Drive time: approx 3-3.5 hours

Your safari begins with a morning departure from Arusha towards Tarangire National Park, famous for its ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds. Enjoy your first game drive with chances to spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, and lions before heading to your lodge in the evening.

🏨 Accommodation: Tarangire Kati Kati Lodge or Karatu Farm of Dreams

✨ Accommodation may be in Tarangire or Karatu depending on availability and itinerary flow ✨

🍽️ Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2 - Tarangire to Serengeti

Drive time: approx 5–6 hours

After breakfast, continue through the Ngorongoro highlands and into the Serengeti. As the landscape opens into endless plains, your safari truly begins. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive.

🏨 Accommodation: Serengeti Wild Camp / Thorn Tree Camp

🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 - Full Day Serengeti

Spend the day exploring the Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives. This is your best chance to see predators, large herds, and incredible wildlife moments across one of Africa’s most iconic parks.

🏨 Accommodation: Serengeti Wild Camp / Thorn Tree Camp

🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 - Full Day Serengeti

Another full day allows for deeper exploration and following wildlife movements.

Optional balloon safari available.

🏨 Accommodation: Serengeti Wild Camp / Thorn Tree Camp

🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 - Full Day Serengeti

Final full day exploring Africa’s most iconic park. Maximise your chances to see more magnificent wildlife.

Optional balloon safari available.

🏨 Accommodation: Serengeti Wild Camp / Thorn Tree Camp

🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 - Serengeti to Ngorongoro Rim

Drive time: approx 3–4 hours

Enjoy a final morning game drive before travelling towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive at the crater rim in the late afternoon and settle into your lodge.

🏨 Accommodation: Ngorongoro Wild Camp / Ngorongoro Safari Lodge

🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 - Ngorongoro Crater

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day safari, one of the best places in Africa to spot the Big Five in a single day.

🏨 Accommodation: Ngorongoro Wild Camp / Ngorongoro Safari Lodge

🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 - Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha

Drive time: approx 4.5–5 hours

After breakfast, return to Arusha in the afternoon.

✨Extend your safari with Materuni Waterfalls & Chemka Hot Springs✨

🍽️ Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

☑️Included:

⬆️Optional Extras:

❌Not Included:

✔ National park entry fees

✔ Professional English-speaking guide

✔ 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof

✔ Accommodation (7 nights)

✔ Meals during the safari

✔ Drinking water during game drives

❌Not Included:

⬆️Optional Extras:

❌Not Included:

✖ International flights

✖ Travel insurance

✖ Tanzania visa

✖ Tips for guide

✖ Personal expenses (drinks, food not mentioned, etc)

✖ Optional extras

⬆️Optional Extras:

⬆️Optional Extras:

⬆️Optional Extras:

Zanzibar beach extension
Fly-in Serengeti option

✨Optional Materuni Waterfalls & Chemka Hot Springs extension✨

🏨Accommodation:

⬆️Optional Extras:

⬆️Optional Extras:

Mid-Range

Tarangire Kati Kati Lodge / Farm of Dreams

Serengeti Wild Camp / Thorn Tree Lodge

Ngorongoro Wild Camp / Ngorongoro Safari Lodge

Luxury Upgrade

Luxury lodges are available on request. We can tailor your safari with premium stays for a more exclusive experience.

All accommodation is subject to availability and may be substituted with a similar property of equal or higher standard.

🦁 Best time to visit:

🏝️Possible from Zanzibar?

🦁 Best time to visit:

Tarangire

Large Elephant herds (June-Oct)

Serengeti

Migration (July-Oct)

Calving season (Jan-Mar)

Ngorongoro

Excellent wildlife viewing all year round

✈️ Travel:

🏝️Possible from Zanzibar?

🦁 Best time to visit:

Fly into:

Kilimanjaro International Airport
Arusha Airport

🏝️Possible from Zanzibar?

🏝️Possible from Zanzibar?

🏝️Possible from Zanzibar?

Yes - very popular as a Zanzibar plus safari combination

✨ Want to combine this safari with Zanzibar?

We can create a seamless bush-to-beach itinerary tailored to you.

⭐️Best For:

🏝️Possible from Zanzibar?

🏝️Possible from Zanzibar?

Serious safari travellers
Couples
Small private groups
Travellers wanting to see Tanzania‘s iconic parks
Travellers with more time

The Parks You Will Explore

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is one of Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations, known for its endless plains and incredible wildlife density.

The park is home to the Great Migration, where over two million wildebeest and zebras travel across the ecosystem each year.

During your game drives you may see lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs and countless other animals roaming the open savannah.

Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five in a single day.

The crater floor is home to lions, buffalo, elephants, flamingos and the rare black rhino.

Surrounded by dramatic crater walls and lush grasslands, it is considered one of the most beautiful safari locations in Tanzania.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is famous for its giant baobab trees and large elephant herds. With fewer crowds and diverse wildlife, it offers a peaceful and authentic safari experience, especially during the dry season when animals gather along the Tarangire River.