5-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit
Tarangire • Serengeti • Ngorongoro Crater
5-Day Safari Itinerary
From Tarangire's elephant herds and baobab forests to the vast Serengeti plains and the wildlife-packed Ngorongoro Crater — the perfect short Tanzania safari.
Arrive Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Airport welcome, check in on a bed-and-breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure — rest, explore Arusha, and prepare for the exciting 5-day safari ahead.
Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park — famous for Africa's highest concentration of elephants, ancient baobab trees thousands of years old, and exceptional wildlife including lions, leopards, and over 550 bird species. Enjoy a full-day game drive with a packed picnic lunch in the bush. In the late afternoon, drive to Karatu for dinner and overnight.
Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, drive through the Ngorongoro highlands — lush montane forests, Maasai pasturelands, and panoramic crater rim views — before descending onto the vast Serengeti plains. Enjoy game viewing en route with packed lunches. Afternoon game drive in the central Seronera area upon arrival. Dinner and overnight at your camp or lodge surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.
Full Day Serengeti
A full dawn-to-dusk day of game drives across the Serengeti — the world's greatest wildlife spectacle. Search the vast savannahs for lions, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeest, and zebra. During peak season, witness the Great Migration herds moving across the plains. Optional hot air balloon safari at $500pp at dawn for a breathtaking aerial perspective over the Serengeti.
Ngorongoro Crater & Departure
An early descent into the 19km-wide 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, critically endangered black rhinos, hippos, and thousands of flamingos on Lake Magadi. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor. In the afternoon, ascend and drive to Arusha or the airport.
Get Your Custom Quote
Pricing depends on your group size, travel dates, accommodation preference, and season. We build every safari to order — contact us for a personalised quote within 24 hours.
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)
- ✓ Airport pickup & drop-off
- ✓ Drinking water in vehicle
✗ Not Included
- ✗ International flights
- ✗ Tanzania visa fees (~$50)
- ✗ Travel & medical insurance
- ✗ Tips & gratuities for guide and staff
- ✗ Optional balloon safari ($500pp)
- ✗ Holiday surcharges (24, 25, 26 & 31 Dec)
- ✗ Bar accounts and personal expenses
5-Day Safari FAQ
Pricing varies by group size, travel dates, and accommodation tier. Contact us for a personalised quote — we respond within 24 hours.
Five days covers all three iconic Northern Circuit destinations — Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater — with one full day each. It is the minimum recommended for a first Tanzania safari. You won't feel rushed at key sightings, and you'll have dawn-to-dusk time in the Serengeti. If your schedule permits, the 7-day version gives you an extra night in the Serengeti for a more relaxed experience.
Included: all national park and conservation area fees (including Ngorongoro Crater descent fee), private 4WD safari vehicle, experienced English-speaking driver-guide, all accommodation per selected tier, all meals (fullboard on safari days, B&B in Arusha), and airport transfers. Not included: international flights, Tanzania e-visa ($50), travel insurance, gratuities, balloon safari (optional $500pp), and holiday surcharges.
The 5-day safari runs year-round. July–October is peak season for Great Migration Mara River crossings in the Serengeti. January–March is calving season — newborn wildebeest and predator action. June and November offer excellent wildlife with fewer crowds. April–May (low season) has the best prices. The 5-day format works in all seasons.
Yes — adding 3–4 nights in Zanzibar after the safari is very popular. A domestic flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport to Zanzibar takes about 1 hour and costs $100–200 per person. We can arrange accommodation, beach transfers, and spice tours as part of a combined safari + Zanzibar package. Ask us when requesting a quote.
The 5-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit safari operates year-round with 2026, 2027, and 2028 departures available. Prices shown include 2026 rates. For 2027 and 2028 departures, current pricing applies with an annual rate adjustment of approximately 6–8%. Contact us to confirm current availability and pricing for your preferred year.
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Send us your travel dates and group size — we'll confirm availability and send a personalised quote within 24 hours.
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