Northern Circuit Safari 5-Day: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro

Track the Great Migration across open plains, then descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for Big Five sightings.

This 5-day group safari from Arusha covers Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area with expert guides, all meals, transportation and park entry included. You'll spend two full days in the Serengeti tracking wildebeest herds and predators, then descend into the Ngorongoro Crater on the final morning to spot lions, elephants, rhinos and leopards in one of Africa's densest wildlife zones. Hotel pickup and drop-off at Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport are part of the booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

• Pickup from Arusha hotel
• Drive to Tarangire National Park
• Mid-morning game drive
• Picnic lunch in park
• Afternoon game drive
• Drive to lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 2: Karatu to Serengeti National Park

• Breakfast at Karatu lodge
• Drive through Ngorongoro highlands
• Optional Maasai village or Olduvai Gorge visit
• Packed lunch en route
• Enter Serengeti via Naabi Hill Gate
• Afternoon game drive
• Arrive at Serengeti lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 3: Full Day in Serengeti

• Breakfast at Serengeti camp
• Full-day game drive tracking Great Migration
• Bush picnic lunch
• Afternoon wildlife tracking
• Return to camp for dinner and evening relaxation

Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

• Breakfast at Serengeti camp
• Morning game drive
• Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Picnic lunch en route
• Arrive at lodge near crater rim
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha or Airport

• Breakfast at crater rim lodge
• Descent and half-day crater game drive
• Packed bush lunch in crater
• Ascent from crater
• Drive to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport

The experience

The itinerary builds around three parks that sit within a few hours of each other across northern Tanzania. Day one takes you from Arusha through baobab-studded Tarangire, where elephants gather at the river and leopards rest in acacia trees. Day two crosses the Ngorongoro highlands toward the Serengeti, with stops at Maasai villages or Olduvai Gorge depending on the route. You arrive in time for an afternoon game drive across the vast plains.

Days three and four belong to the Serengeti. The third day is a full-day drive dedicated to tracking the Great Migration: hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles moving across the grasslands, with lions, cheetahs and hyenas following the herds. Your guide positions you for the drama of river crossings and predator-prey encounters. You eat a bush picnic lunch under an acacia tree and return to camp as the sun sets. Day four begins with a final morning game drive before the drive southeast to the Ngorongoro rim, where you'll lodge at a camp overlooking the crater.

Day five starts before dawn. You descend into the crater floor for a half-day game drive inside what's often called the Eighth Wonder of the World. The crater floor holds an extraordinary density of animals: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard, hippo, hyena, flamingo and dozens of bird species around Lake Magadi. A packed lunch is served at a designated site, often near a hippo pool. By mid-morning you begin the drive back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport, arriving by late afternoon.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation throughout the five days.
• entrance fees to Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
• government fees and airport taxes.
• all meals from breakfast on day one through lunch on day five.
• hotel or airport pickup in Arusha and drop-off at Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport.
• professional guide throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (37 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (16 to 35 years) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Herbivore African Expeditions

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and one more language. Confirm your preferred language at checkout so the operator can match you with a fluent guide. Children from age one are welcome, though the long days in a vehicle and early starts suit families with kids old enough to sit comfortably for hours at a time.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 35 years); Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see on a 5-day Serengeti safari?

The Serengeti and Ngorongoro hold lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, hyenas, hippos and hundreds of bird species. The Ngorongoro Crater is known for the highest concentration of the Big Five in Tanzania. What you see depends on the season and the herds' movement patterns, which your guide tracks daily.

How much time do I spend actually driving and watching wildlife each day?

Days one, two and four include morning and afternoon game drives with a midday break for lunch. Day three is a full-day drive with a bush picnic lunch, dedicated to tracking the Great Migration. Day five is a half-day crater drive before the return journey to Arusha or the airport. Most days you're in the vehicle or at a viewing site from sunrise to sunset, with breaks for meals.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

The tour includes all park entrance fees, government fees, meals, air-conditioned vehicle transport, airport or hotel pickup, and the guide. You don't pay separately for entry to Tarangire, Serengeti or Ngorongoro. Gratuities for the guide and driver are customary but not required.

Will I be on a tour with other travelers, or is this private?

This is a group joining safari, so you'll travel with other guests, typically a small group sharing one vehicle with a professional guide. This keeps the cost lower than a private tour and gives you the chance to meet fellow travelers.

Do I need any special fitness level or health clearance to book?

The tour involves early mornings, long hours in a vehicle and rough roads in remote areas. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness to enjoy the full experience comfortably.