5 Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari
Where we will go
- Arusha NP
- Tarangire National Park
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Serengeti National Park
- Serengeti → Arusha National Park
Trip Overview
Our 5 Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari is the most complete and most rewarding introduction to Tanzania's legendary wildlife — a carefully crafted five-day journey through five of East Africa's greatest national parks, combining elephant herds, tree-climbing lions, the world's greatest volcanic caldera, the vast Serengeti plains, and the beautiful landscapes of Arusha National Park in one seamless and unforgettable Tanzania safari adventure.
Distance: 120 km from Arusha | 95 km from JRO + 80 km within park
Meals: Lunch & Dinner Overnight: Tarangire area
Depart Arusha or JRO at 6:30 AM and drive southwest toward Tarangire National Park for a full day game drive through the iconic baobab-studded savannah and along the life-giving Tarangire River. Search for massive elephant herds, lion, leopard, wild dog, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, and over 550 bird species. Bush picnic lunch served in the field. Dinner and overnight at Tarangire camp or lodge.
Distance: ~145 km including game drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight: Karatu area
After breakfast drive north to Lake Manyara National Park for a morning and afternoon game drive. Explore the lush groundwater forest, open floodplains, and alkaline lakeshore — searching for the world-famous tree-climbing lions, flamingo flocks, relaxed elephant herds, hippo pools, and 400+ bird species. Bush picnic lunch in the field. Drive up the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment to Karatu for dinner and overnight.
Distance: ~235 km Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight: Serengeti National Park
Early 5:30 AM wake-up and depart for the dramatic descent into the legendary Ngorongoro Crater. Spend a full morning searching for black rhino, lion, elephant bulls, buffalo herds, hippo pods, and flamingos on Lake Magadi. Crater floor picnic lunch served before ascending the crater walls and continuing westward across the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to enter the Serengeti National Park through Naabi Hill Gate. Afternoon game drive en route to camp. Dinner and overnight in the Serengeti.
Distance: 100 to 150 km within park Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight: Serengeti National Park
A full and glorious day dedicated entirely to exploring the Serengeti National Park — Africa's greatest wildlife destination. Dawn game drive through the legendary Seronera Valley searching for leopard in acacia trees, lion prides on kopjes, cheetah on the open plains, hippo pools along the Seronera River, and vast wildebeest and zebra herds stretching to the horizon. Bush picnic lunch in the field. Afternoon game drive with sundowner stop before returning to camp for dinner under the brilliant Serengeti stars.
Distance: ~435 km including game drive
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Overnight: N/A — return to Arusha or JRO
Early morning game drive in the Serengeti before departing eastward back toward Arusha. Stop at Arusha National Park for an afternoon game drive and optional canoeing on the beautiful Momella Lakes — spotting giraffe, buffalo, colobus monkey, zebra, hippo, and flamingos with breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Continue to Arusha or JRO — arriving approximately 6:30 to 7:00 PM.
- ✅ Hotel or airport pickup and drop-off — Arusha or JRO
- ✅ All transport in a private 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- ✅ Professional English-speaking Mercy Travel guide for all 5 days
- ✅ All park & conservation fees — Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Ngorongoro CA, Serengeti NP & Arusha NP
- ✅ Ngorongoro Crater descent fee
- ✅ All meals as specified — bush picnic lunches, dinners & breakfasts
- ✅ Bottled drinking water throughout
- ✅ All fuel costs
- ✅ Snacks & refreshments during game drives
- ✅ Sundowner drinks
- ✅ Government taxes & levies
- ❌ International flights to and from Tanzania
- ❌ Tanzania visa fees (USD 50 per person)
- ❌ Travel insurance
- ❌ Tips & gratuities (recommended USD $15 to $20 per day for guide)
- ❌ Personal items & souvenirs
- ❌ Alcoholic beverages
- ❌ Optional hot air balloon safari — Serengeti (available on request USD $599 per person)
- ❌ Optional Maasai cultural village visit (USD $30 per person)
- ❌ Optional canoeing on Momella Lakes — Arusha NP (USD $35 per person)
