Tarangire | Serengeti | Ngorongoro Crater
Duration: 4 nights / 5 days
Destinations: Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
Start/End: Arusha
Perfect for: First-time safari-goers, couples, families, and photographers
This 5-day classic Northern Circuit safari combines three of Tanzania’s most iconic national parks in one seamless journey — ideal for travellers seeking a high-impact, time-efficient safari without compromising on wildlife encounters or scenery. From the ancient baobabs and elephant herds of Tarangire to the legendary Serengeti plains and the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater, this itinerary delivers unforgettable game viewing, luxury wilderness stays, and diverse landscapes every step of the way.
You’ll begin in Tarangire, a park known for its large elephant populations and striking scenery. From there, journey to the world-famous Serengeti, where you’ll have a full day to explore the endless plains and possibly witness the Great Migration, depending on the season. Your adventure concludes with a safari in the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater before returning to Arusha.
Whether you’re short on time or pairing this itinerary with a Zanzibar beach holiday, this 5-day safari offers some of the best wildlife experiences in East Africa.
Drive time: Approx. 2.5 hours
Accommodation: Tarangire (lodge or tented camp)
Depart Arusha in the morning and head south to Tarangire National Park. Known for its large herds of elephants and ancient baobab trees, Tarangire is a wonderful introduction to Tanzania’s rich biodiversity. Enjoy a leisurely game drive and picnic lunch before continuing your wildlife viewing on the way to your lodge or tented camp.
Highlights:
– Elephant herds and predator sightings
– Stunning baobab-dotted landscapes
– Lesser-known park with excellent game density
Drive time: Approx. 6–7 hours (via Ngorongoro Conservation Area)
Accommodation: Serengeti (central or seasonal camp)
After breakfast, travel through the highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoying scenic views of crater landscapes before entering the Serengeti. Stop for a picnic lunch along the way. By afternoon, you’ll be game driving through the Serengeti’s wildlife-rich plains en route to your lodge or camp. Expect incredible wildlife encounters from the very start.
Highlights:
– Scenic drive through Ngorongoro Highlands
– First game sightings in Serengeti
– Opportunity to visit Olduvai Gorge (optional stop)
Accommodation: Serengeti
Today is yours to explore the legendary Serengeti on a full-day game drive. With its vast open plains and abundance of wildlife, the Serengeti is the ideal setting for unforgettable safari moments. Depending on the season, your guide will track the movements of the Great Migration or focus on big cats and other resident species.
Highlights:
– Full-day game viewing across diverse habitats
– Big cats, elephants, giraffes, and more
– Seasonal chance to see the Great Migration
Drive time: Approx. 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Near Ngorongoro Crater (Karatu or crater rim)
Enjoy a final sunrise game drive in the Serengeti before heading back east toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive at your lodge in the highlands in the afternoon. Time permitting, you may visit a local Maasai village or enjoy a guided walk around the lodge grounds. Rest up for an early start to descend into the crater the next day.
Highlights:
– Morning safari in Serengeti
– Scenic transfer through the highlands
– Cultural and relaxation options in the afternoon
Crater descent time: Early morning
Drive back to Arusha: Approx. 4.5 hours
Optional: Drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Set off early for one of Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences — a game drive inside the Ngorongoro Crater. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to nearly every species of African wildlife, including the endangered black rhino, lions, hyenas, and abundant herbivores in the crater floor’s lush ecosystem. After a picnic lunch, begin your return journey to Arusha in the afternoon.
Highlights:
– Game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater
– Spot rare black rhino and large predators
– Scenic return to Arusha via Great Rift escarpments
Add a beach escape in Zanzibar, a Mount Kilimanjaro trek, or a cultural visit to Lake Eyasi. We offer fully tailor-made itineraries to suit your travel dreams.
This 5-day classic Northern Circuit safari combines three of Tanzania’s most iconic national parks in one seamless journey — ideal for travellers seeking a high-impact, time-efficient safari without compromising on wildlife encounters or scenery. From the ancient baobabs and elephant herds of Tarangire to the legendary Serengeti plains and the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater, this itinerary delivers unforgettable game viewing, luxury wilderness stays, and diverse landscapes every step of the way.
You’ll begin in Tarangire, a park known for its large elephant populations and striking scenery. From there, journey to the world-famous Serengeti, where you’ll have a full day to explore the endless plains and possibly witness the Great Migration, depending on the season. Your adventure concludes with a safari in the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater before returning to Arusha.
Whether you’re short on time or pairing this itinerary with a Zanzibar beach holiday, this 5-day safari offers some of the best wildlife experiences in East Africa.
Highlights: Giant baobabs, elephant herds, river wildlife
Driving Time: Approx. 2.5 hours (120 km)
Morning departure from Arusha to Tarangire, known for baobabs and elephant populations. Enjoy a game drive along the Tarangire River. Lunch included. Overnight near the park.
Accommodation Options:
– Budget: Basic camps or guesthouses
– Silver: Mid-range lodges or tented camps with comfort and convenience
– Gold: Boutique lodges with enhanced service and location
– Ultimate Luxury Collection: Premier lodges with exceptional design, privacy, and service
Meals Included: Full board (unless otherwise noted)
Highlights: The great plains, endless horizons, big cats, seasonal migration
Driving Time: Approx. 6 hours (via Ngorongoro highlands)
Drive to Serengeti via Ngorongoro. Game drive en route with chances to spot the migration or big cats. Arrive for sunset in the central Serengeti. Full board included.
Accommodation Options:
– Budget: Basic camps or guesthouses
– Silver: Mid-range lodges or tented camps with comfort and convenience
– Gold: Boutique lodges with enhanced service and location
– Ultimate Luxury Collection: Premier lodges with exceptional design, privacy, and service
Meals Included: Full board (unless otherwise noted)
Highlights: Sunrise game drive, Big Five sightings, crater rim views
Driving Time: Approx. 3–4 hours (game drive en route)
Optional sunrise game drive in Serengeti, then travel to Ngorongoro. Reach crater rim in time for dinner with scenic views. Full board included.
Accommodation Options:
– Budget: Basic camps or guesthouses
– Silver: Mid-range lodges or tented camps with comfort and convenience
– Gold: Boutique lodges with enhanced service and location
– Ultimate Luxury Collection: Premier lodges with exceptional design, privacy, and service
Meals Included: Full board (unless otherwise noted)
Highlights: Full-day crater descent, dense wildlife, Rift Valley scenery
Driving Time: Approx. 2 hours to Lake Manyara
Early descent into Ngorongoro Crater for game drive and picnic lunch. Afternoon transfer to Lake Manyara for overnight. Full board included.
Accommodation Options:
– Budget: Basic camps or guesthouses
– Silver: Mid-range lodges or tented camps with comfort and convenience
– Gold: Boutique lodges with enhanced service and location
– Ultimate Luxury Collection: Premier lodges with exceptional design, privacy, and service
Meals Included: Full board (unless otherwise noted)
Highlights: Tree-climbing lions, flamingos, groundwater forest
Driving Time: Approx. 2.5 hours (120 km)
Morning game drive in Lake Manyara. Scenic return to Arusha after lunch. End of safari or drop-off at your next destination. Breakfast and lunch included.
Accommodation Options:
– Budget: Basic camps or guesthouses
– Silver: Mid-range lodges or tented camps with comfort and convenience
– Gold: Boutique lodges with enhanced service and location
– Ultimate Luxury Collection: Premier lodges with exceptional design, privacy, and service
Meals Included: Full board (unless otherwise noted)
– Witness elephant herds and baobab-dotted plains in Tarangire
– Explore the vast, iconic savannah of the Serengeti
– Descend into the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera at Ngorongoro
– Discover the lush groundwater forest and tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara
– Seamless private transfers and handpicked accommodations from Budget to Ultimate Luxury
