Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro & More

Summary

Luxury Wildlife Safari Through Tanzania’s Iconic Parks

You’ll travel deep into Tanzania’s legendary parks—Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara—with expert guides who know every hidden corner. Expect close-up wildlife moments, luxury lodges with real character, and small surprises you won’t find in any brochure.

What’s the experience like?

Jetlagged but buzzing with excitement, I landed at Kilimanjaro Airport just as the sun was dipping behind Mount Meru. The air had that earthy scent you only get after a short rain. Our driver met us right outside arrivals—big smile, quick handshake—and we were off to Arusha. The Gran Melia felt like a calm oasis after the long flight. Dinner was lively; I remember the fresh tilapia and the faint hum of crickets outside my window.

The next morning, we hit the road early for Tarangire National Park. The drive took about two hours—enough time to spot local vendors selling mangoes by the roadside. As soon as we entered Tarangire, elephants were everywhere. Not just one or two—a whole parade of them lumbering past ancient baobab trees. Our guide, Joseph, pointed out a group of giraffes nibbling on acacia leaves and explained how the park changes completely in dry season when animals crowd around the river. By late afternoon, we reached Tarangire Kuro Treetops Lodge—slept like a log under mosquito nets with distant hyena calls in the background.

On day three, we made our way toward Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge. The landscape shifted from rolling hills to wide open plains. At Olduvai Gorge, our guide shared stories about early human fossils found here—it’s wild to think this place is called the “Cradle of Mankind.” We continued into Serengeti as golden light stretched across endless grasslands. Ole Serai Luxury Lodge was our base; dinner came with stories from other travelers swapping leopard sightings over cold Kilimanjaro beer.

Full day in Serengeti meant early start—coffee before sunrise and then straight into game drives. Wildebeest herds moved like a living river across the savannah; lions lounged in patches of shade while zebras kicked up dust nearby. Lunch was a picnic under an acacia tree (watch out for sneaky vervet monkeys). There’s nothing quite like hearing nothing but wind and distant animal calls for miles around.

After breakfast, we drove up to Ngorongoro Crater—the road climbs fast and you feel it in your ears. Inside the crater it’s another world: black rhinos grazing near flamingos on the lake shore, prides of lions sprawled out on cool grass, even a cheetah darting through tall reeds if you’re lucky. Our guide knew every shortcut and somehow always got us front row views without crowds pressing in.

The last full day took us to Lake Manyara National Park. You notice the change right away—the Rift Valley escarpment rises sharply behind the lake and there’s thick forest where monkeys leap overhead. We stopped for lunch at a quiet picnic site; later saw hippos wallowing near shore and elephants cooling off under fig trees. By evening we were back at Gran Melia in Arusha—tired but already missing those wild mornings.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Arusha

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to Gran Melia Hotel
• Overnight at Gran Melia Hotel

Day 2 — Tarangire National Park Safari

• Drive to Tarangire National Park and game viewing
• Overnight at Tarangire Kuro Treetops Lodge

Day 3 — Olduvai Gorge and Serengeti

• Drive via Olduvai Gorge to Serengeti National Park
• Overnight at Ole Serai Luxury Lodge

Day 4 — Serengeti Game Drive

• Full day game viewing in Serengeti National Park
• Overnight at Ole Serai Luxury Lodge

Day 5 — Ngorongoro Crater Safari

• Game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater
• Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge

Day 6 — Lake Manyara and Return to Arusha

• Game drive at Lake Manyara National Park
• Drive back to Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha
• Overnight at Gran Melia Hotel

Day 7 — Departure from Kilimanjaro

• Morning leisure and transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport

Top questions

Is this safari suitable for families or older travelers?

This tour works well for families or adults with moderate fitness; there are some long drives but plenty of breaks and comfortable lodges each night.

What kind of vehicles do you use for game drives?

You’ll ride in 4x4 vehicles with pop-up roofs for great views and photos—plus an experienced driver-guide who knows each park inside out.

Are meals included during the safari?

Yes—all meals are included while on safari: breakfast, lunch (often picnic style), and dinner at your lodge or camp.

Can dietary needs be accommodated?

Most dietary requests can be handled if mentioned ahead of time; let us know your preferences when booking so lodges can prepare accordingly.

What’s included

Your trip covers all transport in comfortable 4x4s with expert guides, airport transfers both ways, full board accommodation (breakfasts, lunches—including bush picnics—and dinners), all park fees and taxes, plus 24-hour support from our local team based in Moshi.