Route: Arusha – Tarangire – Lake Manyara – Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha
Style: Classic Big Five Safari
Best For: First-time safari-goers, photographers, wildlife enthusiasts
This 7-day safari is ideal for travellers wanting a complete northern Tanzania experience. From walking with giraffes in Arusha National Park to flamingos at Lake Manyara, lion hunts on the Serengeti plains, the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, and elephant herds in Tarangire, this journey delivers unforgettable landscapes and close encounters with Africa’s most iconic wildlife.
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be met and transferred to Arusha, the gateway to the Northern Circuit.
Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed city tour or visit the Cultural Heritage Centre for Tanzanian art, crafts, and history.
Safari briefing with your guide.
Drive Time: ~2 hours from Arusha
Begin your safari adventure in Tarangire National Park, famed for its ancient baobab trees and massive elephant herds.
Game drive along the Tarangire River, a lifeline for wildlife during the dry season.
Look out for lions, zebras, giraffes, buffalo, and over 500 bird species.
Lesser-known and less crowded, Tarangire offers a serene start to your safari.
Drive Time: ~1.5 hours from Tarangire
Morning game drive in Lake Manyara, a compact park known for its diverse ecosystems and dramatic escarpment views.
Spot flamingos along the soda lake, blue monkeys in the forest canopy, and if you’re lucky, the rare tree-climbing lions.
Drive Time: ~4–5 hours (via Ngorongoro Conservation Area)
Scenic drive into the world-renowned Serengeti, entering through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Game drive en route as you move through changing landscapes—forest, highlands, and finally, vast golden savannah.
Afternoon game drive in the central Serengeti, a year-round wildlife hotspot.
Sunset views over the plains, with possible sightings of lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and large herds of wildebeest and zebras.
Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti ecosystem.
Depending on the season, witness part of the Great Migration – herds of wildebeest and zebra crossing the plains or rivers (generally in the western corridor between May–July, northern Serengeti July–October, and southern Serengeti December–March).
Excellent chances to see lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and more.
Optional: Hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti at dawn (additional cost).
Drive Time: ~3–4 hours
Early departure for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive in one of the most unique wildlife habitats on Earth.
Home to the Big Five, including one of the best chances to spot endangered black rhinos.
Picnic lunch on the crater floor, surrounded by stunning scenery and wildlife.
Drive Time: ~4–5 hours from Ngorongoro
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Arusha.
Stop at Mto wa Mbu village for a cultural encounter including local market tours, banana beer tasting, and traditional craft demonstrations. This vibrant town is home to over 120 tribes, offering one of the richest cultural experiences in Tanzania.
Continue to Arusha with time to browse local artisan markets or cultural sites if time permits.
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight.
