Introduction
This 6-day mid-range safari through Tanzania’s Northern Circuit takes you to Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Tarangire National Park. You will have chances to witness the great migration, spot the Big Five, and marvel at the stunning landscapes. Accommodation is in mid-range lodges & tented camps. An unforgettable safari experience awaits you!
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival – Arusha National Park
07:00hrs Pick up from your hotel in Arusha City Centre and drive to Arusha National Park for a full day game drive with picnic lunch.
This park (137km2), has terrain ranging from open savannah through acacia scrublands to Afro-montane cloud and rain forest and Afro-alpine vegetation similar to Mount Kilimanjaro. There are several alkaline lakes and the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater. Mammal species include elephant, buffalo, various primates, giraffe and leopard. Hiking is allowed if accompanied by an armed guard and the climb up Mount Meru is superb. At 4,556m, Mount Meru is the fifth highest mountain in Africa and is located in the Arusha National Park.
Late afternoon drive back to Arusha for dinner and overnight at Arusha Planet Lodge.
Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge
Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
Day 2 : Arusha – Lake Manyara
After breakfast depart from Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
Game drive in the park with picnic lunch
This is one of the most diverse of Tanzania’s national parks, a tiny (325km2) combination of Rift valley lake, dense woodlands and steep mountainside. Manyara is a birding paradise (more than 380 species), especially for waterfowl and migrants and the forests are one of the best places around to see leopards. Lions hunt on the grassy shores of the lake.
Most visitors tailor a visit to Manyara to fit in with a trip to one of the Big Three parks (Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro).
Accommodation: Eileen’s Trees Inn
Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
Day 3: Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast collect picnic lunch and drive to Serengeti National Park
Afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park
This park is renowned for being the location of the Great Wildlife Migration, which involves over two million wildebeests, zebras and antelopes. It is also an extremely large and wild game park, and home to the Big Five of Africa.
Dinner and overnight at Tanzania Bush Camp central Serengeti.
Accommodation: Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp
Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
Day 4: Serengeti – Ngorongoro
After breakfast collect packed lunch and depart for an early morning game drive in the endless plains of the Serengeti for a chance to see the great herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles or a pride of lions lounging in the shade.
After lunch drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Accommodation: Rhino Lodge
Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater – Tarangire
After breakfast embark on a morning crater tour with picnic lunch.
Descend 2000 feet (over 600 meters) to the floor of the crater for a half day crater tour.
Explore the forest areas which are inhabited by monkeys and elephant, the lake area, where you may see the flamingos and the open savannah where the lions hunt for food.
Afternoon drive to Tarangire
Accommodation: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
Day 6: Tarangire National Park – Arusha
After breakfast embark on a morning game drive in the park with picnic lunch
Tarangire National Park (2,600km2) has unrivalled landscape of open plains, dotted with thousands of baobabs. It is located about 120kms south of Arusha. Tarangire is known for its lions and very big herds of buffalo. This is one of Africa’s little-known gems and should be on the itinerary of all lovers of wilderness and solitude. The animals include zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, elephant, Maasai giraffe and fringe-eared oryx (gemsbok). Predators include lion, cheetah and leopard. Birders will want to look out for the endemic ashy starling, rufous-tailed weaver and black-collared lovebird.
After lunch drive back to Arusha and drop-off at your hotel at around 17:00hrs.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
