Discover the best of northern Tanzania: Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire on a budget-friendly adventure. Enjoy nights under the stars, campfire meals, and unforgettable wildlife experiences with expert guides.
From $1,450 per person (based on 2 people, low season).
Contact us for a personalized quote depending on group size and season.
Welcome to the vibrant heart of Tanzania! As you step off your flight at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll immediately feel the warm embrace of East Africa and the excitement of the adventure that lies ahead. Your experienced safari guide will be waiting to greet you with a warm smile and transfer you to your comfortable hotel in Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania's most spectacular wildlife destinations. This charming town, nestled at the base of the majestic Mount Meru, offers the perfect introduction to your African adventure. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax in the lush hotel gardens, take a refreshing shower to wash away the travel fatigue, or explore the vibrant local markets where you'll find colorful Maasai crafts, fresh tropical fruits, and the opportunity to interact with friendly locals. In the evening, your guide will provide a comprehensive briefing about the incredible journey ahead, sharing insights about the four magnificent parks you'll visit, the diverse wildlife you'll encounter, and the authentic camping experience that awaits you. This is your chance to ask questions, discuss any special interests, and get excited about the comprehensive Northern Circuit safari experience that will take you through the very best of Tanzania's wildlife destinations.
Accommodation: Budget hotel in Arusha
Meals: Bed & Breakfast
Awake to the sounds of Africa as the sun rises over Arusha, signaling the beginning of your comprehensive Northern Circuit camping safari adventure! After a hearty breakfast featuring fresh local fruits, eggs, and traditional Tanzanian coffee, you'll board your comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle and begin the scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, the first jewel in your Northern Circuit crown. This magnificent park, often called the "Elephant Playground," is famous for its massive herds of elephants that roam freely among the iconic baobab trees that dot the landscape like ancient sentinels guarding the secrets of the savanna. As you enter the park, you'll immediately notice the dramatic change in scenery - from the lush highlands to the golden savanna where thousands of animals gather around the life-giving Tarangire River. Your full-day game drive will take you through diverse habitats where you'll search for the Big Five, spot graceful giraffes browsing on acacia trees, watch playful baboons, and marvel at the incredible variety of birdlife that calls this park home. Your expert guide will share fascinating insights about animal behavior, conservation efforts, and the delicate balance of this ecosystem. Lunch will be a delightful picnic in the heart of the park, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African wilderness. As the sun begins to set, you'll arrive at your carefully selected public campsite where your experienced safari crew will have already set up your comfortable tent. Tonight, you'll enjoy your first campfire dinner under the vast African sky, sharing stories with fellow travelers while listening to the symphony of the night.
Accommodation: Public campsite in Tarangire
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise with the dawn chorus as the African wilderness comes alive around your tent! After a delicious breakfast prepared by your safari chef, you'll pack up camp and begin the journey to the enchanting Lake Manyara National Park, a hidden gem of the Northern Circuit that offers a completely different safari experience. This compact but incredibly diverse park is famous for its unique tree-climbing lions, a behavior rarely seen elsewhere in Africa, where these magnificent predators lounge in the branches of acacia trees like oversized house cats. The drive to Lake Manyara takes you through the scenic Great Rift Valley, where you'll witness the dramatic geological formations that have shaped this region for millions of years. As you enter the park, you'll be struck by the incredible variety of habitats - from the alkaline lake itself, which attracts thousands of flamingos and other water birds, to the dense groundwater forest where troops of baboons and blue monkeys play in the canopy. Your game drive will take you through these diverse ecosystems, where you might spot elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and the park's famous tree-climbing lions. The lake itself is a spectacle to behold, with its pink flamingos creating a stunning contrast against the blue waters and green vegetation. Your expert guide will share fascinating insights about the unique ecology of Lake Manyara and the adaptations that allow wildlife to thrive in this diverse environment. As evening approaches, you'll arrive at your campsite near the park, where you'll spend the night surrounded by the sounds of the African bush and the knowledge that tomorrow brings the legendary Serengeti.
Accommodation: Public campsite near Manyara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today marks the beginning of the most anticipated part of your Northern Circuit adventure as you journey to the legendary Serengeti National Park, the crown jewel of Tanzania's wildlife destinations! After an early breakfast, you'll depart from Lake Manyara and begin the scenic drive through the breathtaking Ngorongoro Highlands, where you'll stop at the crater rim to take in one of the most spectacular views in Africa - the vast Ngorongoro Crater stretching out below you like a natural amphitheater teeming with life. Your guide will explain the geological history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and point out the diverse wildlife that calls this unique ecosystem home. Continuing your journey, you'll enter the Serengeti through the Naabi Hill Gate, where the endless plains stretch as far as the eye can see, earning the park its name from the Maasai word "Siringet," meaning "endless plains." This is the land of the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles follow ancient migratory routes in search of fresh grazing. Your first game drive in the Serengeti will introduce you to the incredible diversity of wildlife that makes this park world-famous. Keep your eyes peeled for prides of lions, elusive leopards, graceful cheetahs, and the countless other species that thrive in this pristine wilderness. As evening approaches, you'll arrive at your campsite in the heart of the Serengeti, where you'll spend the night surrounded by the authentic sounds of the African bush - the distant roar of lions, the haunting calls of hyenas, and the gentle rustling of the savanna grass.
Accommodation: Public campsite in Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is dedicated to fully immersing yourself in the magic of the Serengeti, one of the most iconic wildlife destinations on Earth and the highlight of your Northern Circuit adventure! After an early breakfast as the sun paints the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks, you'll embark on a full day of exploration across the vast plains that have inspired countless nature documentaries and wildlife photographers. The Serengeti's endless plains seem to stretch to the horizon in every direction, creating a sense of infinite space and possibility. Your expert guide will use their intimate knowledge of the park to track the movements of the Great Migration (seasonal), where you might witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of thousands of wildebeest and zebras moving across the plains in search of fresh grazing, creating one of nature's most dramatic displays. The Serengeti is also home to some of Africa's most impressive predators, and you'll spend time searching for prides of lions, solitary leopards lounging in acacia trees, and the lightning-fast cheetahs that can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. Your guide will share fascinating insights about animal behavior, social structures, and the complex relationships between different species in this delicate ecosystem. Lunch will be a memorable picnic in the bush, where you can relax and absorb the incredible atmosphere of being surrounded by wildlife in their natural habitat. As the afternoon progresses, you'll continue your exploration, perhaps visiting a hippo pool where these massive creatures wallow in the cool water, or stopping to observe a family of elephants as they move majestically across the plains. Return to camp in the evening for a hearty dinner prepared by your safari chef, followed by stories around the campfire as you share the day's incredible wildlife encounters with your fellow travelers.
Accommodation: Public campsite in Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bid farewell to the Serengeti as you enjoy one final morning game drive through this magnificent park, taking in every last moment of the incredible wildlife encounters that have made this journey so special. Your guide will take you to some of their favorite spots, perhaps for one more chance to see that elusive leopard or to witness a pride of lions on the hunt. As you exit the Serengeti, you'll travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a unique landscape where wildlife and traditional Maasai communities coexist in harmony, creating a fascinating blend of natural and cultural heritage. You'll have the option to visit a traditional Maasai village (at an additional cost), where you can learn about the fascinating culture and traditions of these proud pastoralists who have lived in this region for centuries. The village visit offers a rare opportunity to see traditional Maasai homes, learn about their customs, and perhaps even participate in a traditional dance or ceremony. Continuing your journey, you'll arrive at the spectacular Simba Campsite, perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. This is one of the most breathtaking camping locations in Africa, offering panoramic views over the crater floor where thousands of animals roam freely in this natural amphitheater. As you set up camp, you'll be treated to one of the most spectacular sunsets you'll ever witness, with the golden light painting the crater walls in brilliant colors. Tonight's dinner will be particularly special as you dine under the stars with the vast crater stretching out below you, creating memories that will last a lifetime and preparing you for tomorrow's grand finale.
Accommodation: Simba Campsite (Ngorongoro rim)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your final day begins with an early descent into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most unique wildlife viewing experiences in Africa, providing the perfect grand finale to your comprehensive Northern Circuit adventure! This ancient volcanic caldera, formed over two million years ago, creates a natural enclosure that supports an incredible density of wildlife, making it one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five in a single day. As you descend the steep crater walls, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the crater floor stretching out below you, dotted with lakes, forests, and grasslands that provide habitat for an astonishing variety of animals. The crater is home to one of the highest densities of lions in Africa, and you'll have excellent opportunities to observe these magnificent predators in their natural environment. You'll also search for the critically endangered black rhinoceros, which finds sanctuary in the crater's protected environment, as well as large herds of elephants, buffalo, and countless other species. The crater's alkaline lakes attract thousands of flamingos, creating a spectacular pink spectacle against the backdrop of the crater walls. Your expert guide will share fascinating insights about the crater's geology, ecology, and the conservation efforts that protect this unique ecosystem. After a memorable picnic lunch in the heart of the crater, you'll begin the journey back to Arusha, reflecting on the incredible wildlife encounters and authentic camping experiences that have made your Northern Circuit safari so special. Upon arrival in Arusha, your safari officially ends, but the memories of your comprehensive African adventure through four of Tanzania's most spectacular parks will stay with you forever. We can arrange additional accommodation in Arusha or transfers to the airport, ensuring your journey concludes as smoothly as it began.
Accommodation: No accommodation (end of tour)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
