6 Days, 5 Nights Classic Northern Circuit Safari

Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be warmly welcomed by our professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel. Nested at the foot of Mount Meru, Arusha serves as the gateways to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. This day is set aside for rest, relaxation, and a brief orientation, allowing you to prepare for the extraordinary wildlife adventure ahead.

Overnight: Hotel or lodge in Arusha.

After breakfast, you will travel southwest to Tarangire National Park, a landscape of dramatic scenery and one of the Tanzania’s most wildlife-rich ecosystems. Your safari begins with an extended game drive through rolling savannahs, seasonal swamps, and riverine forests framed by ancient baobab trees. Tarangire is especially renowned for its vast elephant herds, often seen moving between the Tarangire river and the surrounding plains. During the game drive, you may also encounter giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, Cape buffalo, lions, and a remarkable diversity of birdlife. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed at a scenic site inside the park, allowing you to relax amid the sights and sounds of the wilderness. In the late afternoon, you will exit the park and continue to the cool highlands of Karatu, where you can unwind after your first full day on safari.

Overnight: Lodge or hotel in Karatu town.

An early start takes you to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After reaching the crater rim, breathtaking views unfold before you as you descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro crater one of the most extraordinary wildlife sanctuaries on Earth. The crater floor supports a dense concentration of wildlife, including antelopes, Cape buffalo, lions, and an exceptional variety of bird species. With luck, you may also spot the rare and endangered black rhinoceros, one of the crater’s most iconic inhabitants. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed at a designated site inside the crater, surrounded by this dramatic natural setting. After lunch, you will ascend from the crater and continue your journey toward the endless plains of the Serengeti, passing through ever-changing landscapes and wildlife corridors. You will arrive in the Serengeti in the evening, just in time to witness the golden light of sunset over the plains.

Overnight: Tented lodge or hotel in central Serengeti.

This day is dedicated entirely to exploring Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most celebrated and iconic wildlife destinations. Morning and afternoon game drives allow you to cover different regions of the park, greatly increasing your chances of exceptional wildlife sightings. The Serengeti is famed for its healthy populations of predators such as lions, cheetahs, and elusive leopards, as well as massive herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles that roam the open plains. Your expert guide will tailor the day’s activities based on wildlife movements and seasonal conditions to ensure the most rewarding experience. Meals will be served at your camp or enjoyed as a picnic in the park, depending on the day’s plan. As the sun sets, you will return to your camp, surrounded by the sounds of the African night.

Overnight: Tented lodge or hotel in central Serengeti.

After breakfast, you will enjoy a final game drive in the Serengeti, making the most of your last wildlife encounters on the vast plains. As the morning unfolds, predators retreat from the night’s hunt and herbivores begin their daily movements, offering excellent photographic opportunities. Later in the day, you will begin your return journey through the Ngorongoro region, traveling from open savannahs into lush highland landscapes. By late afternoon, you will arrive in Karatu, where you can relax and reflect on the unforgettable experiences of the past days.

After breakfast, you will drive back to Arusha, enjoying the scenic countryside along the way. You will arrive around midday. Depending on your onward travel plans, you will be transferred to the airport or dropped off at your hotel, bringing your classic Northern Tanzania safari to a memorable and satisfying conclusion.