5-Day Classic Northern Circuit Complete (Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro).
Features
Overview
Experience the ultimate Tanzanian wilderness adventure with our 5-Day Classic Northern Circuit Complete Safari. This comprehensive itinerary covers all four world-renowned northern parks: Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater. Witness massive elephant herds, tree-climbing lions, the endless plains of the Serengeti, and the dense Big Five populations inside the Ngorongoro caldera. Guided by experienced local driver-guides in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser.
Highlights
- View giant baobab trees and massive elephant herds in Tarangire National Park
- Spot tree-climbing lions and flamingos along the Great Rift Valley at Lake Manyara
- Two dedicated days tracking big cats and Great Migration herds in Central Serengeti
- Full 6-hour Big Five game drive on the UNESCO Ngorongoro Crater floor
- Travel comfortably in a private 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and fridge
- Free cancellation Full refund if cancelled up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time).
- Reserve now & pay later Secure your spot while staying flexible.
- Lowest price guarantee Find a lower price online? Get the difference refunded!
What's Included
- Private round-trip ground transport from Arusha in a 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser
- All TANAPA & NCAA entry passes, spatial permits, transit fees, and 18% VAT
- Mandatory NCAA Ngorongoro Crater descent vehicle permit ($295 USD value)
- 4 Nights full-board accommodation at selected mid-range camps/lodges
- All meals (4x Breakfast, 5x Picnic Lunches, 4x Dinner)
- Unlimited bottled mineral water inside the safari vehicle
- Licensed, professional English-speaking driver-guide
What's Excluded
- International or domestic flight tickets
- Tanzania Tourist Visa fees
- Premium alcoholic drinks and soft beverages at lodges
- Driver-guide and lodge staff tips/gratuities
- Hot air balloon safari in the Serengeti (optional add-on)
- Personal travel insurance and laundry services
Itinerary information
Day 1 - Arusha to Tarangire National Park Game Drive
Depart Arusha in the morning and drive west to Tarangire National Park, famous for its iconic baobab trees and high density of elephants. Spend the full afternoon on game drives tracking large elephant families, lions, leopards, giraffes, and impalas along the Tarangire River. In the late afternoon, head to your lodge in the Karatu highlands for dinner.
Day 2 - Lake Manyara National Park to Central Serengeti
Start with a morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, exploring groundwater forests, baboon troops, and flamingos along the alkaline lake shore. Afterward, travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the central Seronera valley of the Serengeti. Enjoy an afternoon game drive before checking into your tented camp for dinner.
Day 3 - Full-Day Serengeti Big Cat & Plains Safari
Spend a full day exploring the endless plains of Serengeti National Park. Focus on tracking lions, leopards, and cheetahs around the Seronera River and rocky granite kopjes. Follow seasonal wildebeest and zebra movements across the savanna and enjoy a packed picnic lunch under an acacia tree. Return to camp for an evening fire and dinner.
Day 4 - Serengeti Morning Safari & Transfer to Ngorongoro Rim
Enjoy an early morning game drive in the Serengeti while predators are active. After a late breakfast at camp, begin a slow game-drive exit toward Naabi Hill gate. Ascend back into the Ngorongoro highlands, stopping at the crater viewpoint for photo ops before checking into your rim lodge for dinner.
Day 5 - Ngorongoro Crater Floor Safari & Return to Arusha
Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater at dawn for a 5- to 6-hour game drive. Track endangered black rhinos, massive bull elephants, hyenas, and lion prides across the caldera floor. Enjoy a picnic lunch near the hippo pool, then ascend the rim and drive back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) by early evening.
Tour Map
Map location coming soon.
Calendar & Prices
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which month is best for this 5-day tour?
This itinerary is exceptional year-round. June through October offers dry-season game viewing around rivers, while December through March features the Great Migration calving season in southern Serengeti.
Is 5 days too rushed for four parks?
Not when planned correctly. Because Tarangire and Manyara sit right along the transit road to Serengeti and Ngorongoro, visiting them on the way out adds minimal extra driving time while doubling your wildlife sightings.
What airport should I use?
Book your flights into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), located 45 minutes from Arusha city center.
Is 5 days enough for a Tanzania safari covering Serengeti and Ngorongoro?
Yes, a 5-day itinerary is the optimal timeframe to explore Tanzania’s top northern parks—including Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Central Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater—without feeling rushed. It allows for two dedicated game-viewing days in the Serengeti and a full 6-hour descent onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor.
Can you see all the Big Five on the 5-Day Northern Circuit tour?
Yes. This continuous 5-day route provides the highest mathematical probability of spotting all the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino). Lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes are abundant across the Serengeti and Tarangire, while the Ngorongoro Crater floor offers your best opportunity to spot the rare black rhino.
How long are the drive times between parks on the Northern Circuit?
Drive times are manageable because the parks sit in a continuous line west of Arusha:
Arusha to Tarangire / Lake Manyara: 2 to 2.5 hours on paved roads.
Lake Manyara to Central Serengeti (Seronera): 3.5 to 4.5 hours through the Ngorongoro highlands.
Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim: 3 to 3.5 hours.
Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha: 3 to 3.5 hours on paved highways.
It was a nice experience
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