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4 Days – The Best Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari
4 Days / 3 Nights Days
Arusha, Tanzania (hotel pickup) → Arusha, Tanzania
Wildlife
Moderate
From
USD $2,232
per person
Why Choose This Safari?
This four-day northern circuit safari covers the three names that appear on almost every Tanzania wish list, Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, in a compact, well-paced route. You begin among the elephants and baobabs of Tarangire, cross the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on a full day’s drive to the Serengeti plains and then spend a night on the crater rim before a full day on the crater floor. Mornings start early, when the animals are most active, and each day includes a picnic lunch in the field, so you spend more time watching wildlife and less time travelling between meals. Overnights are in a tented camp or lodge, and the safari ends with a drive back to Arusha for your onward arrangements. It’s a good choice if you want the essentials of northern Tanzania in just four days.
Safari Highlights
- We may have to re-route the itinerary or accommodation in similar Lodges/Tented Camps in case of non – availability
- Upgrades are available eg To Luxury Accommodation Safari
- Tour above can be customized based on your needs or requirements
Destinations to Travel
Arusha · Tarangire National Park · Serengeti National Park · Olduvai Gorge (optional) · Ngorongoro Crater
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park
At 08:00, after breakfast, you leave your hotel in Arusha for Tarangire National Park and a game drive. At 13:00 you stop at a picnic site for lunch, and at 14:00 you continue with an evening game drive, returning in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, and the Tarangire River is the main source of fresh water for wildlife in the dry season, when animals gather along its banks.
Day 2 — To Serengeti National Park
After breakfast at 08:00 you leave the Manyara area with your packed lunch and drive towards the great Serengeti plains, via the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with game viewing en route. After lunch on the way, you continue your game drive towards your tented camp or lodge in Serengeti National Park, where you have dinner and spend the night.
Day 3 — Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
You wake early for a morning game drive in the Serengeti and return to camp for breakfast. After breakfast you pack your equipment and, with your packed lunch, drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, viewing game en route. You can choose to stop at Olduvai Gorge, a historical site where early man lived, and, if you’re interested in the traditions and culture of local people, at a Maasai boma, both at extra cost. After lunch on the way you continue to the crater rim for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4 — Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
After breakfast you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater with your lunch box for game viewing. The crater is rich in wildlife, and animals tend to keep to their own parts of it. Your packed lunch is served on the crater floor at the picnic site near the Lerai forest or the hippo pool. In the late afternoon you climb out of the crater and drive back to Arusha town for your onward arrangements, where the safari ends.
What's Included
Rate Includes
- Transport on 4WD vehicle with the pop-up roof, which enable you to spot wildlife easier
- Three meals a day on Safari
- Park entrance fees
- Driver’s allowances
- Service of an English speaking professional guide/Driver
- Camping fees, Mattresses (If Camping)
- Lodge fee
- Crater fees
- Food, cook and all kitchen utensils (If Camping)
- Mineral water 1.5lt per person per day
- Activities as per itinerary above
Rate Excludes
- International flights to/from your home
- Tips & gratitude’s
- The first night on your arrival and last night after safari (book with us)
- Airport transfers (book with us)
- Personal insurance
- Sleeping bag (if Camping)
- Olduvai Gorge fees
- Alcoholic drinks
- Serengeti Balloon (can book with us)
- Flying doctor’s insurance, we can arrange for requests.,
- Tips to the driver/guide and all items of personal nature/use
- Easter, Christmas & New Year’s supplements may apply
Best Time to Go
No travel window was given for this itinerary, so the advice below comes from the route and general seasonality. The dry months, roughly June to October, are usually the easiest for game viewing, and from June to November large herds of zebra, wildebeest and buffalo gather in Tarangire National Park. The wildebeest in the Serengeti follow the rains, so ask our team where the herds are likely to be on your dates. The green months bring lush landscapes, young animals and fewer visitors, though roads can be muddier, and nights on the Ngorongoro Crater rim are cold in every season. For the best overall balance of game viewing and travel comfort, aim for June to October. You can find more on the Tanzania National Parks Authority and Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority sites.
Pricing
From USD $2,232 per person
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this safari start and end, and how long does it take?
It starts with an 08:00 pickup from your hotel in Arusha and ends back in Arusha on the evening of Day 4. It runs for 4 days and 3 nights, so it suits travellers who want the northern circuit’s highlights in a short time.
Which parks do we visit?
You visit Tarangire National Park on Day 1, the Serengeti on Days 2 and 3 and the Ngorongoro Crater on Day 4. Each offers different scenery and wildlife, from baobab-dotted plains to the Serengeti’s open grassland and a volcanic crater.
How long is the drive to the Serengeti on Day 2?
Day 2 is a full day on the road, with game viewing on the way and a picnic lunch, as you cross the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to reach the Serengeti plains. Our team will confirm timing when your booking is confirmed.
Are the Olduvai Gorge and Maasai boma visits included?
No. On Day 3 you can choose to stop at Olduvai Gorge and visit a Maasai boma at extra cost. Tell our team if you’d like either, and we can advise on the cost.
What will we see in the Ngorongoro Crater?
On Day 4 you descend to the crater floor for a full game drive and picnic lunch near the Lerai forest or the hippo pool. The crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cliffs about 600 m high, and its wildlife includes lions, elephants, zebras, wildebeest and hippos. Sightings can’t be guaranteed on any given day.
What kind of accommodation is used on this safari?
You stay in a lodge or tented camp each night, with dinner included, including a night on the Ngorongoro Crater rim on Day 3. Our team will confirm the names when your booking is confirmed.