5-Day Northern Circuit Safari Plan – Tanzania
Tanzania’s Northern Circuit is one of the most iconic safari routes in Africa, combining breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife safari experiences, and cultural encounters. This 5-day itinerary is designed to offer a well-rounded safari through the most famous parks: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park.
Day 1: Arrival and Tarangire National Park
- Morning: Pick-up from Arusha (or Kilimanjaro International Airport) by your safari guide. After a quick briefing, drive (or fly, if arranged) to Tarangire National Park—famous for its massive baobab trees, large elephant herds, and seasonal swamps.
- Afternoon: Enjoy your first game drive. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, and perhaps leopards and cheetahs in the drier season.
- Evening: Drive to a lodge or tented camp near the park for overnight stay. Enjoy a bush dinner and early night under the stars.
Overnight: Tarangire area (e.g., Tarangire Sopa Lodge, Sangaiwe Tented Lodge)
Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park
- Morning: After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park (about 2 hours).
- Midday: Enter the park and begin a game drive along the lake’s shores. Look for tree-climbing lions, flamingos, baboons, hippos, and elephants.
- Afternoon: Picnic lunch in the park followed by a visit to the Mto wa Mbu village for a cultural tour if time permits.
- Evening: Drive to your lodge near Karatu or Ngorongoro Highlands for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Karatu/Ngorongoro area (e.g., Ngorongoro Farm House, Marera Valley Lodge)
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Safari → Serengeti
- Early Morning: Depart for a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places to spot the Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard.
- Midday: Enjoy a packed lunch at a picnic site inside the crater while surrounded by wildlife.
- Afternoon: Ascend the crater rim and drive to the Serengeti National Park via the Naabi Hill Gate, with game viewing en route.
- Evening: Arrive at your lodge or tented camp in the central Serengeti in time for dinner.
Overnight: Serengeti (e.g., Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Tortilis Camp)
Day 4: Full-Day Serengeti Game Drive
- Morning to Evening: Spend the entire day exploring the vast Serengeti plains, famous for the Great Migration (depending on the season) and resident wildlife including lions, cheetahs, elephants, and thousands of herbivores.
- Optional: You can opt for an early morning hot air balloon safari followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush (extra cost).
- Lunch: Packed or picnic lunch in the park to maximize game viewing time.
- Evening: Return to your camp for dinner and a night around the fire.
Overnight: Serengeti (same camp as Day 3)
Day 5: Serengeti to Arusha (via Flight or Drive)
- Morning: Optional early morning game drive if time permits.
- Midday: Transfer to Seronera Airstrip for a domestic flight to Arusha (or drive back with a lunch stop en route).
- Afternoon: Arrive in Arusha; optional shopping or relax at a hotel day room.
- Evening: Transfer to airport for your onward flight or overnight in Arusha.
Key Highlights
- Big Five sightings in Ngorongoro and Serengeti
- Diverse ecosystems: baobab forests, soda lakes, open savannahs, and crater floors
- Excellent birdlife and predator viewing
- Cultural experience in Mto wa Mbu (optional)
This itinerary can be customized based on your budget (luxury, mid-range, budget), travel season, and interests. Safari operators usually include accommodation, meals, park fees, transport, and a professional guide in the package.