Overview
With ten days, you can explore the Northern Circuit in depth. Two nights in Tarangire allow a full-day excursion to the southern swamps, and four nights in the Serengeti give time to visit both the central Seronera area and the region where the migration is at that time of year.
The pace is relaxed, with time at your camps to enjoy the views, and every park is visited at its best time of day.
Route
Highlights
- Two nights in Tarangire
- Four nights in the Serengeti across two areas
- Great Migration and big cats
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Relaxed pace for photographers
Activities
- Coffee tour
- Canoeing
- Walking safari
- Game drives
- Walking safaris (outside the park)
- Night drives in adjoining conservancies
- Treetop walkway
- Canoeing (seasonal)
- Hot-air balloon safari
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day 1:
Karibu Tanzania
ArushaArrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your lodge on the outskirts of Arusha, set among coffee gardens beneath Mount Meru. Relax after your journey and meet your guide for a safari briefing.
-
Day 2:
Tarangire National Park
TarangireAfter breakfast, continue by road from Arusha to Tarangire (about 2 hours). Game drive along the Tarangire River, where elephant families gather beneath giant baobab trees, and look for lions resting in the shade and colourful lovebirds in the acacias.
-
Day 3:
Tarangire Full Day
TarangireExplore the southern swamps of Tarangire with a picnic lunch, watching for buffalo, lesser kudu and the park's abundant birdlife. Return to camp for a sundowner as elephants come to drink at the river.
-
Day 4:
Lake Manyara
Lake ManyaraAfter breakfast, continue by road from Tarangire to Lake Manyara (about 1.5 hours). Game drive through Lake Manyara's groundwater forest, where baboons and blue monkeys move through the fig trees, and out onto the floodplain to see hippos, elephants and waterbirds along the lake shore.
-
Day 5:
Into the Serengeti
SerengetiAfter breakfast, continue by road from Lake Manyara to Serengeti (4–5 hours via the Ngorongoro highlands). Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and descend onto the Serengeti plains, passing Maasai herders and gazelle as the grassland opens out to the horizon. Game drive through the park to your camp, arriving for a sundowner and dinner beneath the stars.
-
Day 6:
Serengeti Big Cat Country
SerengetiSpend the day exploring the Seronera valley, where the river attracts resident wildlife all year. Your guide will search the sausage trees for leopards and the granite kopjes for lion prides, and you may see cheetah hunting on the open plains.
-
Day 7:
Following the Migration
SerengetiHead out with a picnic lunch to wherever the herds are grazing — on the southern plains during calving season, or towards the Grumeti and Mara rivers in the dry months. Watching thousands of wildebeest and zebra moving across the landscape is unforgettable.
-
Day 8:
Balloon Option & Kopjes
SerengetiAn optional dawn balloon flight drifts over the plains, followed by a champagne breakfast. Later, explore the Moru or Gol kopjes, where rock paintings, lions and klipspringer can be found.
-
Day 9:
Ngorongoro Crater Descent
Ngorongoro CraterAfter breakfast, continue by road from Serengeti to Ngorongoro (3–4 hours). Descend 600 m into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive on the caldera floor. Look for black rhino in the open grassland, lions resting near the Lerai forest and flamingos on Lake Magadi, with a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool before climbing back to the rim.
-
Day 10:
Ngorongoro to Arusha
Ngorongoro CraterAfter an early game drive or a relaxed breakfast, travel back to Arusha (about 3.5 hours), with a lunch stop on the way. On arrival you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport or your hotel.
Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
Accommodation
This itinerary is priced with mid-range accommodation. Every property is chosen for its location, guiding and service; final properties are confirmed at booking and we can upgrade or adjust any night.
- ArushaGarden lodge on the outskirts of Arusha1 night
- TarangireTented lodge on the park boundary2 nights
- Lake ManyaraLodge with escarpment views above Lake Manyara1 night
- SerengetiPermanent tented camp in the central Serengeti4 nights
- Ngorongoro CraterFarm lodge set among coffee gardens in Karatu1 night
Meals: Full board on safari; breakfast and dinner in cities and at the beach
What's included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as listed (or similar, subject to availability)
- Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- All national park, reserve and conservation fees
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- All government taxes and levies
- 24-hour in-country support from our Nairobi office
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks other than drinking water, unless stated
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Optional hot-air balloon flight (currently from around USD 450–600 per person)
Travel information
Best time to travel
Year-round, with location chosen by season: December–March in the south for calving; June–July in the west; July–October in the north for river crossings; Seronera is good at any time.
What to pack
- Neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
- A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards
- Insect repellent and personal medication
- A soft-sided bag rather than a hard suitcase
Experiences on this safari
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private safari?
Yes. This itinerary runs privately for your own group, with your own vehicle and guide. It can start on any date, and we can adjust the route, pace and accommodation to suit you.
What does the price include?
The guide price from USD 3,900 per person is based on two people sharing mid-range accommodation in the low season. It includes accommodation, the meals and activities listed, park fees and transfers. Prices vary by season and group size; we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
How many nights do I need in the Serengeti?
At least two, ideally three or more. The park is vast, and more time lets you explore different areas and follow the herds.
Gallery
Open image: Mount Meru rising above Arusha
Open image: Masai giraffes in Arusha National Park
Open image: Hikers approaching the summit ridge of Mount Meru
Open image: Baobab trees in Tarangire National Park
Open image: African elephants in the Maasai Mara
Open image: Lake Manyara seen from the Rift Valley escarpment
Open image: Endless plains of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Open image: Zebra and wildebeest during the Serengeti migrationEnquire about this safari
Every date is available on request. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will send a tailored quote — adjustments welcome.
