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Wildlife Safaris
5-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari
Experience Tanzania’s famous Northern Circuit on a private five-day safari through Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy exceptional wildlife viewing, beautiful landscapes and comfortable hand-picked accommodation.
Duration5 Days / 4 Nights
RouteArusha → Tarangire National Park → Serengeti National Park → Ngorongoro Conservation Area → Arusha FormatPrivate Wildlife Safari
Stay levelMid-range Lodges and Tented Camps
PricingFrom USD 1,850 per person
Planning concept. Dates, accommodation, availability and exact operation require an approved proposal.
Journey overview
5-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari
Discover the best of Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit on this carefully planned five-day adventure. Your journey begins in Arusha before continuing to Tarangire National Park, a beautiful wilderness known for its ancient baobab trees, large elephant herds and wildlife rich Tarangire River. From there, travel across the scenic highlands into the legendary Serengeti National Park. Spend two memorable days exploring the Serengeti plains, searching for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and large herds of grazing animals. Depending on the season, you may also witness part of the Great Wildebeest Migration. The journey continues to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full game-viewing experience. The crater supports an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including lions, hippos, zebras, wildebeest and the rare black rhinoceros. This private safari is suitable for couples, families, friends and small groups. It includes professional guiding, private transportation, park fees, accommodation and daily meals as described in the itinerary. Nature Quest Safaris can also customize the accommodation level, travel dates, airport transfers and optional activities according to your preferences.
- Route
- Arusha → Tarangire National Park → Serengeti National Park → Ngorongoro Conservation Area → Arusha
- Duration
- 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Accommodation
- Mid-range Lodges and Tented Camps
- Tour Type
- Private Wildlife Safari
- Group Size
- 1 to 5
- Best Season
- Year-round, with excellent conditions from June to October and January to February
- Start Point
- Arusha
- End Point
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Difficulty
- Easy
Why this journey
Explore the route through its defining themes.
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Game drives in Tarangire National Park
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Two days of wildlife viewing in Serengeti National Park
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Opportunity to experience the Great Wildebeest Migration seasonally
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Full game drive inside the Ngorongoro Crater
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Chance to see elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs and rhinoceroses
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Beautiful views of the Rift Valley and Ngorongoro highlands
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Hand-picked mid-range lodges and tented camps
Follow the journey
A clear route, refined when your dates are known.
- Arusha
- Tarangire National Park
- Serengeti National Park
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
5-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari
5 Days / 4 Nights · Arusha → Tarangire National Park → Serengeti National Park → Ngorongoro Conservation Area → Arusha
Day by day
A detailed journey with room to adapt.
Meet your Nature Quest Safaris guide in Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park. Enjoy an afternoon game drive along the Tarangire River, where elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and predators are frequently seen. Continue to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Lunch and dinner
- Stay
- Mid-range lodge near Tarangire or Karatu
After breakfast, travel through the scenic Ngorongoro highlands toward Serengeti National Park. Enter the Serengeti and enjoy a game drive across the endless plains while searching for lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and large grazing herds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Stay
- Mid-range tented camp in Central Serengeti
Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti. Your guide will select the best wildlife areas based on current animal movements. Depending on the season, you may encounter the Great Wildebeest Migration, predator activity and large herds gathering around water sources.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Stay
- Mid-range tented camp in Central Serengeti
Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti before travelling toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Stop at scenic viewpoints along the way and arrive at your lodge near the crater rim or in Karatu for dinner and relaxation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Stay
- Mid-range lodge near Ngorongoro or Karatu
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable game drive. Search for lions, elephants, hippos, zebras, wildebeest and the rare black rhinoceros. After lunch, ascend from the crater and return to Arusha, where the safari ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay
- Not included
Proposal clarity
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Four nights of accommodation
- Meals during the safari as specified
- Drinking water inside the safari vehicle
- National park entrance fees
- Ngorongoro Crater service fee
- Government taxes and statutory charges
- Game drives according to the itinerary
- Pickup and drop-off in Arusha
- Emergency support from Nature Quest Safaris
Excluded
- International and domestic flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Alcoholic and soft drinks unless stated
- Tips for safari guides and lodge staff
- Optional activities
- Balloon safari fees
- Accommodation before or after the safari
- Items not specifically listed under inclusions
The approved proposal is the controlling record for inclusions, exclusions and payment terms.
Journey logistics
Pickup, drop-off and route information
- Pickup
- Pickup is available from hotels in Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport. The final pickup time will be confirmed after the client provides flight and accommodation details.
- Drop-off
- Drop-off is available at a hotel in Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport after the safari. Additional transfers can be arranged on request.
- Route
- Arusha → Tarangire National Park → Serengeti National Park → Ngorongoro Conservation Area → Arusha
Extensions and add-ons
Optional additions for this journey
Journey questions
Useful details before choosing this safari.
This is designed as a private safari. You will travel in your own safari vehicle with a dedicated professional guide.
Yes. Nature Quest Safaris can adjust the accommodation, destinations, number of days, activities and travel dates.
The safari uses a specially prepared four-wheel-drive safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, charging facilities and drinking water.
Yes. The itinerary can be adapted for families travelling with children, including shorter game drives and family-friendly accommodation.
The Northern Circuit can be visited throughout the year. June to October is generally dry, while January to February is excellent for wildlife viewing and the southern Serengeti calving season.
Yes. A Zanzibar beach extension, domestic flight and accommodation can be added to the package.
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