Classic Northern Circuit Safari
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OVERVIEW
This five-day safari provides balanced exploration of three premier Northern Circuit parks Tarangire National Park (elephants and baobabs), Serengeti National Park (Great Migration and Big Five), and Ngorongoro Crater (world's largest intact caldera with exceptional wildlife density). The itinerary allows sufficient time in each location for quality game viewing whilst maintaining comfortable pacing. You'll stay in carefully selected budget camps, mid-range lodges, or luxury properties depending on your tier choice, with all meals, park fees, and transport included.
The Northern Circuit represents Tanzania's most developed safari infrastructure with excellent road access, diverse accommodation options, and year-round wildlife viewing. This makes it ideal for visitors seeking reliable experiences with predictable logistics. Expect to see elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos (in Ngorongoro), giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and numerous antelope species, though specific sightings depend on seasonal movements and chance.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Big Five wildlife viewing across three distinct ecosystems
- Great Migration presence in Serengeti (seasonal timing dependent)
- Ngorongoro Crater's 600m caldera walls and exceptional wildlife density
- Tarangire's massive elephant herds and iconic baobab trees
- Bird watching with 500+ species across the parks
- Cultural interaction opportunities with Maasai communities
- Sunrise and sunset game drives in optimal wildlife viewing conditions
DETAILED ITINERARY
Early morning departure from Arusha (6:30 AM), 2.5-hour drive to Tarangire, full-day game drive with packed lunch, wildlife concentrate around Tarangire River during dry season, overnight at partner accommodation near park boundary.
Morning departure through Karatu and Ngorongoro Conservation Area with brief stops at viewpoints, afternoon arrival in Serengeti for evening game drive, overnight in Seronera (Central Serengeti) area.
Early morning and late afternoon game drives with mid-day rest at accommodation, focus on predator-rich Seronera Valley with resident lion prides, leopards in acacia groves, and seasonal migration movements, overnight in Serengeti.
Morning game drive during departure from Serengeti, travel to Ngorongoro rim with afternoon arrival, optional village walk or rest, overnight on crater rim.
Pre-dawn descent into 600m deep crater for 5–6 hour game drive on crater floor with exceptional wildlife density including Black Rhino, mid-afternoon ascent and return to Arusha, arrival approximately 6:00 PM
ACCOMODATION
Budget tier: Public campgrounds within or adjacent to parks using provided tents, sleeping mats, camp furniture, and mobile cooking facilities. Shared ablution blocks with basic showers and toilets. Examples: Simba Campsite (Ngorongoro), Seronera Public Campsite (Serengeti), Fig Tree Campsite (Tarangire area).
Mid-range tier: Comfortable lodges and permanent tented camps with private bathrooms, hot water, restaurant meals, and some amenities. Good locations near parks with wildlife viewing from properties. Examples: Fanaka Safari Lodge (Karatu), Katikati Tented Camp (Serengeti), Sangaiwe Tented Lodge (Tarangire area).
Luxury tier: High-end lodges and exclusive tented camps with spacious en-suite rooms, premium dining, swimming pools, and exceptional service. Prime locations with outstanding views. Examples: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Four Seasons Serengeti, Tarangire Treetops.
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
- All park entry fees
- Accommodation for 4 nights
- All meals
- 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Experienced certified guide/driver
- Airport/hotel transfers in Arusha
- Airport/hotel transfers in Arusha
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses (ltelephone, drinks, etc.)