This 5-day safari takes you through Tanzania’s most iconic Northern Circuit destinations. Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Arusha — the safari capital of Tanzania. The journey begins in Tarangire National Park, famous for its massive elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, then continues to Lake Manyara National Park with its tree-climbing lions and flamingos. You’ll descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the densest concentrations of wildlife on Earth. The safari culminates in the endless golden savannas of the Serengeti National Park, home to the Great Wildebeest Migration and year-round predator action.
Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
Starts In
Arusha (Kilimanjaro International Airport)
Ends In
Group Size
Min / Max
Tour Type
Both
Meals
Accommodation
Difficulty
Overview
Tour Highlights
- Tarangire National Park – massive elephant herds, baobab trees, and 550+ bird species
- Lake Manyara National Park – tree-climbing lions and flamingo
- Ngorongoro Crater – “8th Wonder of the World,” Big Five viewing, black rhino
- Serengeti National Park – Great Migration, lion prides, cheetahs
- Optional hot air balloon safari over Serengeti plains
Tours Include & Exclude
What's Included
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- All meals specified in itineraries
- Bottled drinking water and soft drinks
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle Full-day game drives
Not Included
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Drive: ~2 hours from Arusha | Afternoon game drive
Arrive in Arusha → Tarangire National Park
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Arusha — the safari capital of Tanzania. After a quick briefing with your guide, head southwest to Tarangire National Park for an afternoon game drive. Tarangire is famous for its massive elephant herds (some of the largest in Africa), ancient baobab trees, and the Tarangire River that draws animals during the dry season. Look out for lions, leopards, zebras, wildebeest, and over 550 bird species.
Day 2
Early morning game drive | Full day with afternoon drive | Drive up escarpment to crater rim
Tarangire → Lake Manyara → Ngorongoro
Start with an early morning game drive in Tarangire, then head toward Lake Manyara National Park for a midday stop. This compact park punches above its weight — famous for tree-climbing lions and vast flocks of flamingos along the soda lake. In the afternoon, drive up the escarpment to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and check in at your lodge with a breathtaking view.
Day 3
Descend 600 meters into crater | Full-day game drive | Picnic lunch on crater floor | Return to rim
Ngorongoro Crater Full Day – The 8th Wonder of the World
Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater — a collapsed volcanic caldera and one of the densest concentrations of wildlife on Earth. With roughly 25,000 animals living within its walls, this is your best chance to spot the Big Five in a single day: Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Black Rhino (one of very few places to see them in Tanzania), and Cape Buffalo. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor surrounded by wildlife, then ascend back to the rim in the late afternoon.
Day 4
Drive: ~4 hours or short charter flight | Afternoon game drive
Ngorongoro → Central Serengeti – The Crown Jewel
This is the crown jewel — the Serengeti National Park, an endless golden savanna stretching to the horizon. Check in to your camp, then head straight out for an afternoon game drive. The central Serengeti (Seronera Valley) is a year-round wildlife hub. You’re likely to spot large lion prides, cheetahs on the hunt, hippos in the river pools, and huge herds of plains game. If visiting between June–October, you may catch the Great Wildebeest Migration — one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the planet.
Day 5
Dawn game drive | Optional hot air balloon safari | Afternoon game drive | Charter flight to Kilimanjaro/Arusha
Serengeti Full Day → Fly Out
Wake before sunrise for a dawn game drive — predators are most active at first light. If your budget allows, add an optional hot air balloon safari over the plains at sunrise for a truly unforgettable perspective (book in advance). After a final afternoon game drive, transfer to Seronera Airstrip for a charter flight back to Kilimanjaro or Arusha, connecting onward.