The northern circuit in Tanzania stands out as one of the most popular and suitable options for both first-timers and seasoned safari enthusiasts alike. Embarking on this 6-day safari itinerary, you’ll kick off your adventure in Tarangire National Park, where vast herds of elephants and iconic baobab trees await.

Next on the journey is the Ngorongoro Crater, boasting the title of the largest intact volcanic caldera globally. Here, breathtaking views and a plethora of wildlife, including Africa’s big five, promise an unforgettable experience.

Concluding the expedition is Serengeti National Park, just a short drive from the Mara River. This location is ideal for encountering large predators and, during the appropriate season, witnessing the awe-inspiring Great Migration.

Included:

• Professional Guide
• Comfortable 7-seater Safari vehicle
• 5 Nights’ Accommodation as per Itinerary
• All Transfers and Activities as per Itinerary
• Park and Concession Fees
• Meals as per Itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D- Dinner)
• Daily Drinking Water

Excluded:

• Restaurant Meals as indicated
• Visa’s, Airport Transfers, Curios and Tips
• Optional Excursions as indicated
• Maasai Boma
• Balloon Safaris
• Pre and/or Post Accommodation

Highlights:

• Tarangire National Park
• The Ngorongoro Crater
• The Serengeti National Park

Kindly take note: A pre-night in Arusha is advisable, Sandy Tracks is available to assist with any necessary pre/post-safari arrangements if required.

Day 1: Arusha –  Tarangire National Park (Baobab Tented Camp)(D) (127km)

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be warmly greeted by our guide, who will provide a brief overview of the safari. Subsequently, you will be transferred to Arusha town for a private transfer (lunch at your own cost, preferred café – The Raptor Coffee Bar (Own account) Following lunch, the journey continues with a transfer to Tarangire National Park for a relaxing evening and overnight stay.

Arriving around 3:45 pm (depending on your time spent in Arusha), you will check in to your accommodation. Take some time to unwind, and later, your trip leader will provide a briefing about the park and outline the plan for the following day. The day concludes with a delightful dinner and a comfortable overnight stay.

Renowned as a splendid birding destination, the Tarangire National Park is distinguished by its abundant wildlife, especially during the dry season when the Tarangire River serves as the sole water source in the region. The landscape is captivating, highlighted by a multitude of picturesque baobab trees. The park is particularly known for the impressive migration of elephants, offering excellent opportunities for close encounters with these majestic creatures.

Day 2: Tarangire – Ngorongoro (Ngorongoro Serena Lodge) (B, L, D) (150km)

Begin your day by rising early, enjoying breakfast in your lodge around 7:30 am. During this morning meal, our knowledgeable safari expert will provide a briefing, offering insights into what you can expect during the day’s safari adventure.

After breakfast, depart from the lodge for Tarangire National Park, a short 20-minute drive away. At the park gate, your permit will undergo inspection by the gate rangers before granting you entry. The ensuing game drive spans seven hours, guided by our expert who will share information about the park and its ecosystem. A break for lunch will be followed by another brief game drive before exiting the park.

From there, the journey continues to the Ngorongoro Crater for an overnight stay at the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. The sheer magnitude of the crater is awe-inspiring, with depths exceeding 600 meters (2000 feet) and towering walls surrounding its edge, encompassing an expansive area of 259 km2.

Day 3: Ngorongoro – Serengeti  (Zawadi Tented Camp) (B, L, D) (151km)

Embark on today’s adventure with an early wake-up call at 6:30 am. Following breakfast at your lodge, our drivers and guides are prepared for a brief transfer to the world’s largest caldera, the Ngorongoro Crater. Today’s itinerary includes a 7-hour game-viewing and driving experience within the crater.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ngorongoro Crater was shaped millions of years ago by a volcanic explosion and collapse. Encompassing approximately 100 square miles, we’ll arrive at the crater around 8 am to commence our descent into the centre.

Throughout history, the land has been inhabited by various tribes of hunters and gatherers, with the Maasai taking over in the 19th century. Today, the crater is a popular destination for global travellers. Home to around 25,000 larger animals, including Cape buffalo, rhinoceros, wildebeest, zebra, and a notably dense population of lions.

Around 1 pm, enjoy a pack lunch at a designated picnic site. In the later afternoon, we’ll ascend through the cloud forest, departing the crater floor, and proceed to Serengeti National Park. Leaving behind the Ngorongoro highlands, the landscape transforms dramatically, revealing short grass and open savanna. As we traverse flat savanna dotted with acacia trees and whistling thorns, the endless panorama is adorned with wild animals such as impala, gazelle, wildebeest, and giraffe.

Our journey leads us to a centrally positioned camp in the Kemarishe Hills, 20 km north of Seronera. Zawadi Camp provides a stunning view of the Serengeti and is just a short 4×4 drive from the renowned animal migration paths. Moreover, it’s a convenient 3-hour drive to North Mara for wildebeest river crossing action and only two kilometres from the Orangi River.

Day 4: Serengeti (Zawadi Tented Camp) (B, L, D)

Indulge in a delightful breakfast served at our lodge starting at 7 am, offering a diverse array of options from both Western and African cuisines. Our day of captivating game-viewing commences around 8:15 am, embarking on a 4.5-hour morning safari drive in specialized safari vehicles. Accompanied by our knowledgeable driver guides, be prepared to witness the incredible diversity of Serengeti wildlife.

Scan the landscape for buffalo, hippopotamus, elephant, lion, giraffe, antelope, and Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelle. The scenery is a blend of nutrient-rich grasslands and scattered woodlands, featuring grassy expanses adorned with iconic Acacia trees—a quintessential image of the Serengeti. This expansive ecosystem spans 30,000 km² from northern Tanzania to southwestern Kenya.

During certain seasons, you may be fortunate enough to witness the remarkable migration of wildebeest herds—over a million wildebeest, zebra, and antelope journey from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara and back annually. Following lunch at approximately 1:45 pm, enjoy a picnic in the bush, featuring a satisfying array of a sandwich, fruit, dessert, and juice.

Conclude the day with a brief game drive as we make our way back to the lodge, returning around 3:30 pm. You’ll have free time before dinner, providing an opportunity to relish watching the sunrise and sunset, either from the terrace of your room or the inviting atmosphere of our mess tent.

Day 5: Serengeti (Zawadi Tented Camp) (B, L, D)

After enjoying breakfast at your lodge, our exploration of the Serengeti ecosystem continues at 8:15 am aboard our safari vehicles. Our game-viewing approach is crafted to enhance our understanding of this remarkable region and its inhabitants. We traverse at a deliberate pace, allowing for focused observation of animal behaviour and interactions. On some occasions, we may pack both breakfast and lunch, embarking on a sunrise adventure followed by an extensive 8-hour game drive before returning to our lodge.

This extended drive provides an excellent opportunity to spot any elusive animals and address any lingering questions with our Trip Experience Leader or driver-guides. By approximately 6 pm, we will return to the lodge.

Around 7 pm at our camp, we’ll raise a toast to the memories created during our adventure. The Farewell Dinner, featuring local cuisine, includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert, accompanied by bottled water, soft drinks, beer, or wine.

Take this time to reflect on the knowledge gained and sights witnessed during your safari, allowing for contemplation on your final night in the Serengeti. Cherish the memories that will last a lifetime or join your fellow travellers in revelling beneath the vast expanse of the African skies one last time.

Day 6: Serengeti – Arusha  (Departure) (B) (400km)

Option 01: (Flight at Own Cost – USD 250  to USD 350 pp dependant on season)

Following a breakfast featuring a combination of Western and local cuisine at the lodge, we bid farewell to the Serengeti at approximately 7:45 am. A short 45-minute drive takes us to a small airstrip in Seronera. Upon arrival, we check in for our flight departing around 9:30 am, heading to Arusha.

The flight duration is just over an hour, and upon landing, our driver will be ready for a transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, a journey of about 1.5 hours. Complete the check-in process, bid farewell to your local guides, and board your flight back home.

Option 2:

Commence the day with breakfast at our camp before embarking on a more than 400km journey from Serengeti National Park to Arusha. The road, though bumpy, offers picturesque views. Enjoy a picnic lunch box at Nabi gate, serving as a stop for entering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and leaving behind the Serengeti. This day entails a long drive of over 7 hours without a game drive.

Following lunch, continue the journey to Arusha, with an opportunity to visit shops along the way if you wish to purchase gifts for friends or family back home. Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure, with a strong recommendation for your international flight to be scheduled from 8 pm onwards.

*Sandy Tracks reserves the right to amend the published accommodation in the itinerary at any time due to availability at the time of booking