Northern circuit · Mid-range
Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in five days — a private Land Cruiser, tented lodges and unlimited game drives.
Overview
This is the itinerary we suggest to first-time visitors with a week to spare. It touches the three parks that define a Tanzanian safari, with a tented camp in the Serengeti and no back-tracking.
You are met at Kilimanjaro International Airport by your driver-guide and travel in a private Land Cruiser 4×4 fitted with a pop-up roof, a refrigerator and charging points. Game drives are unlimited — the day's rhythm follows the animals, not a timetable.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be warmly welcomed by our driver and transferred to Rivertrees Country Inn on the outskirts of Arusha. Settle in, meet your guide and go over the days ahead over dinner.
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire — renowned for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Game drive through the day with a picnic lunch in the park, then continue to Lake Burunge Tented Lodge for the night.
Travel north-west via the Ngorongoro highlands into the legendary Serengeti National Park, game-driving as you go. Arrive at Into Wild Africa Serengeti Tented Camp in the afternoon and head out again as the light softens.
An early-morning exploration of the Serengeti, then the drive back towards the crater. Descend into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater — home to the Big Five — for an afternoon on the crater floor before ascending to Eileen's Trees Inn in Karatu.
A scenic drive back to Arusha with time for lunch and, if you wish, a stop at a curio market, followed by your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for departure.
Yes — the same route works with luxury lodges and camps, or with public campsites for a budget version. Tell us your preference and we will re-quote.
Yes. Drives are moderate and each lodge welcomes families. For younger children we suggest our 6-day family itinerary, which shortens the driving days.
It works year-round. June to October is dry with easy wildlife viewing; January to March brings the calving season on the southern Serengeti plains; April and May are green, quiet and good value.
Prices depend on season, group size and lodge choice, so we quote each journey individually. Use the planner or WhatsApp us and we will reply with a full quotation.
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Seven days across the four great northern parks, with time to slow down in the Serengeti and watch the light change.
Shorter drives, family-friendly camps and guides who know how to keep young explorers curious from the first game drive.
Seasonal
Timed and routed around the herds — river crossings, calving plains or the northern woodlands, depending on the season you travel.
Change the pace, the camps or the parks. We will send a tailored version with a quotation within a day or two.
