10-Day Northern Circuit Safari
Tarangire • Serengeti • Ngorongoro • Kilimanjaro Slopes
10-Day Safari Itinerary
From Tarangire elephants to Serengeti lion prides, Ngorongoro rhinos, and Kilimanjaro cultural immersion — the complete Tanzania experience.
Arrival in Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha town. Check in on a bed-and-breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure — rest, explore Arusha town, and prepare for the exciting 10-day safari ahead.
Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park — Tanzania's hidden gem, famous for Africa's highest concentration of elephants outside Amboseli, ancient baobab trees thousands of years old, and exceptional year-round wildlife including lions, leopards, buffalo, and over 550 bird species. Enjoy a full-day game drive with a packed picnic lunch in the bush. In the afternoon, drive to Karatu for dinner and overnight.
Karatu to Serengeti via Ngorongoro Highlands
After breakfast, begin the scenic drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands — lush montane forests, Maasai pasturelands, and panoramic crater rim views — before descending onto the vast Serengeti plains. Game viewing along the route with packed lunches. Afternoon game drive in the central Serengeti upon arrival. Dinner and overnight at your camp or lodge, surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.
Full Day in the Serengeti
A full day of thrilling game drives across the Serengeti — the world's greatest wildlife spectacle. Search the vast savannahs for the Big Five, cheetah sprints, leopard in acacia trees, and the Great Migration herds. With 3 nights in the Serengeti, you have far more time than standard 1–2 night itineraries to explore different zones and witness predator-prey encounters at dawn and dusk.
Serengeti — Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari
Wake before dawn for an optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti ($500 per person). Drift silently above the endless plains as the sun rises, spotting lions, elephant herds, and wildebeest from above — an unforgettable perspective. After the balloon flight, enjoy a champagne bush breakfast in the field. The rest of the day continues with more game drives, giving you yet another full day exploring the Serengeti.
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, enjoy a final half-day morning game drive in the Serengeti before heading east toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The afternoon drive passes through Maasai grazing lands and the striking Ngorongoro highlands. Check in at your lodge or camp perched on the crater rim, with dramatic sunset views over the caldera. Dinner and overnight on the rim.
Ngorongoro Crater & Return to Arusha
An early start for the descent into the Ngorongoro Crater — the world's largest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This extraordinary ecosystem shelters Africa's densest concentration of wildlife: lions, leopards, elephants, black rhinos (critically endangered), hippos, zebras, wildebeest, and thousands of flamingos on Lake Magadi. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor. In the late afternoon, ascend and drive back to Arusha town for dinner and overnight.
Arusha Cultural Tour & Transfer to Moshi
A unique cultural day exploring the best of Arusha. Visit the Tanzanite Museum to learn about this rare gemstone found only near Kilimanjaro. Then explore Shanga River House — a remarkable social enterprise employing people with disabilities to create stunning handmade jewellery, glassware, and homeware from recycled materials. Afternoon visit to Serval Wildlife Centre, where you can touch and feed rescued African wildlife up close. Transfer to Moshi Town for dinner and overnight.
Marangu Cultural Tour — Slopes of Kilimanjaro
A full-day immersion into Chagga culture on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Your local Marangu village guide will lead you through:
- Materuni Waterfalls — swim in the cool mountain waters with stunning Kilimanjaro views
- Chagga Museum — reconstructed traditional thatched homestead with cultural exhibitions
- Underground Chagga Tunnels — the WWII-era tunnels used during clan wars
- Marangu Market — Tanzania's largest banana market, drawing buyers from across the country
- Coffee & Banana Farm — learn the traditional bean-to-cup coffee process; sample local dishes
- Local Chagga Bar — taste traditional mbege, banana wine brewed from millet
Return to Moshi for dinner. Note: this excursion is strenuous — bring comfortable shoes and a swimsuit.
Departure from Kilimanjaro
After breakfast, check out from your lodge and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight home. As your 10-day Tanzania safari comes to an end, we bid you farewell with wonderful memories of Africa's landscapes, wildlife, and warm Tanzanian hospitality — until we meet again!
10-Day Safari Rates 2026
All prices are per person (USD) based on double-room sharing. Choose your accommodation tier and travel season.
Season Guide: PEAK — Jan, Feb, Jun–Oct, 16–31 Dec | HIGH — Mar, 1 Nov–15 Dec | LOW — Apr & May
* Prices are per person in USD based on double occupancy. Holiday surcharges apply 24, 25, 26 & 31 December 2026. Easter supplements apply.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✓ What's Included
- ✓ All national park & concession fees + Ngorongoro Crater fee
- ✓ Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- ✓ Private 4x4 non-AC safari vehicle
- ✓ All accommodation as per selected option
- ✓ All meals as per itinerary (fullboard on safari days)
- ✓ Serval Wildlife Centre visit
- ✓ Slope of Kilimanjaro / Marangu Cultural Tour
- ✓ Airport pickup & drop-off (Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport)
✗ Not Included
- ✗ International flights
- ✗ Tanzania visa fees (~$50)
- ✗ Travel & medical insurance
- ✗ Tips & gratuities for guide and staff
- ✗ Optional hot air balloon safari ($500pp)
- ✗ Easter / holiday surcharges (24, 25, 26, 31 Dec)
- ✗ Bar accounts and personal expenses
- ✗ Lunch on Day 8 (at own cost in Arusha)
10-Day Safari FAQ
This Northern Circuit safari is 10 days / 9 nights. It covers Tarangire (1 day), Serengeti (3 nights — the most of any package we offer), Ngorongoro Crater, an Arusha cultural day, and a Marangu Cultural Tour on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro.
Prices start from $2,508 per person (budget option, low season, 6 passengers). Budget peak-season rates start at $2,712pp. Mid-range from $2,922pp. Serena chain from $3,128pp. Premium lodges (Kubu Kubu, Lion's Paw) from $3,389pp. All prices are per person based on double occupancy.
A full-day cultural excursion on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Marangu village. Highlights include: Materuni Waterfalls (swim in mountain water), Chagga Museum with underground WWII tunnels, Tanzania's largest banana market, coffee & banana farm (learn the bean-to-cup process), and a taste of traditional Chagga mbege banana wine. Bring comfortable shoes and a swimsuit.
This itinerary runs year-round. Peak season (Jan–Feb, Jun–Oct) offers Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct) and dry-season game viewing. March and Nov–Dec offer lush landscapes and fewer crowds. April–May (low season) offers the best prices with good wildlife sightings and greener scenery.
No — the Serengeti hot air balloon safari is optional at $500 per person and not included in the base package price. It takes place on Day 5 of the itinerary (early morning departure, ~4:00am). Let us know when enquiring and we will arrange it.
Included: all park fees (including Ngorongoro Crater fee), private 4x4 safari vehicle, professional English-speaking driver-guide, all accommodation (per selected tier), all meals as per itinerary, Serval Wildlife visit, Marangu/Kilimanjaro Cultural Tour, and airport transfers. Not included: flights, visa, travel insurance, tips, balloon safari, holiday surcharges.
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