9 Days Northern Tanzania Safari, Serengeti and Ngorongoro

This 9-day Northern Tanzania safari takes you through the best wildlife destinations on Tanzania’s famous Northern Circuit. The itinerary covers Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park, combining classic game drives, scenic landscapes, Big Five wildlife viewing and guided safari experiences. The safari gives you a strong chance to see lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos, especially in Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Depending on the travel season, you may also witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti, including large wildebeest and zebra herds moving across the plains.

Safari Highlights

• Day 1, Arrival in Arusha and safari briefing
• Day 2, Tarangire National Park game drive
• Day 3, Full day Tarangire safari and guided walking safari
• Day 4, Drive to Serengeti National Park with en route views
• Day 5, Full day Serengeti safari and migration tracking
• Day 6, Serengeti game drive and optional hot air balloon safari
• Day 7, Ngorongoro Crater safari and Big Five viewing
• Day 8, Lake Manyara National Park safari and Rift Valley views
• Day 9, Departure from Arusha

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Arrival in Arush

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be welcomed by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Arusha is the main gateway to Northern Tanzania safaris and offers a good place to relax before starting your wildlife adventure. Depending on your arrival time, your guide may brief you about the safari route, park rules, travel times and what to expect during the next days. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel as you prepare for your Tarangire safari the following morning. Accommodation Africa Safari Arusha Hotel for budget or Masai Land Safari Lodge for mid-range

Day 2, Tarangire National Park Game Drive

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your safari guide for a short briefing before departing for Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is one of the best parks in Northern Tanzania for elephant sightings. The park is known for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, seasonal swamps and the Tarangire River, which attracts wildlife during the dry season. After arrival, enjoy a game drive through open savannah, woodland and river areas. You may see elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, elands, buffalo, lions, leopards and different bird species. In the late afternoon, proceed to your lodge or campsite for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Twiga Campsite for budget or Burunge Tented Lodge for  mid-range

Day 3, Full Day Tarangire Safari and Guided Walking Safari

After breakfast, return to Tarangire National Park with a packed lunch for a full day of wildlife viewing. Begin with a morning game drive when animals are more active and temperatures are cooler. This is a good time to look for elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, dik-dik, gazelles, lions and leopards.

Tarangire is also excellent for birdwatching, with more than 500 recorded bird species. Enjoy lunch at a picnic site before continuing your safari experience. In the afternoon, join a guided walking safari with a ranger. This gives you a closer view of the park’s smaller details, including animal tracks, plants, insects, birdlife and the surrounding landscape. It is a good contrast to vehicle-based game drives. Later, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4, Drive to Serengeti National Park

After an early breakfast, depart for Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most famous safari destinations. The drive takes you through scenic landscapes as you head towards the vast Serengeti plains. Depending on the route, you may pass through the Ngorongoro highlands before entering the Serengeti ecosystem. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge or picnic site, then continue with an afternoon game drive. The Serengeti is known for its open savannah, predator sightings and large herbivore herds. During the game drive, look out for lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, hyenas and hippos around water areas. Proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation Mara River Camp by Tanzania Bush Camp

Day 5, Full Day Serengeti Safari and Migration Tracking

After breakfast, head out for a full day of game drives in Serengeti National Park. Start with an early morning game drive, the best time to see predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas. You may also see elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, antelopes, hippos and a variety of bird species. If staying in the northern Serengeti, your guide will focus on areas around the Mara River and the surrounding plains. Depending on the season, this region can offer excellent migration viewing, including wildebeest and zebra herds moving towards or across the river. Enjoy lunch at the lodge or as a picnic in the park before continuing with an afternoon game drive. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 6, Serengeti Game Drive and Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari

Begin the day with an optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti plains, followed by breakfast in the bush. This activity is available at an extra cost and is best booked in advance. If you do not take the balloon safari, start with a morning game drive after breakfast. Your guide will explore different areas of the Serengeti depending on wildlife movement, weather and recent sightings. The Serengeti offers excellent chances to see lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, hyenas, hippos and many bird species. The open plains also make it one of the best places for photography. After lunch, enjoy another game drive in the afternoon before returning to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 7, Ngorongoro Crater Safari

After breakfast, depart Serengeti and drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend about 600 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. The crater is one of the best wildlife viewing areas in Tanzania because of its high concentration of animals within a compact area. During the game drive, look out for lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, warthogs, hippos and different antelope species. The crater is also one of the better places in Northern Tanzania to see black rhinos, although sightings still depend on luck. Visit Lake Magadi, where flamingos and other water birds may be seen depending on the season. After the crater safari, drive to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation Eileen’s Tree Inn, budget or Hhando Coffee Lodge, mid-range

Day 8, Lake Manyara National Park Safari and Rift Valley Views

After breakfast, transfer to Lake Manyara National Park, a scenic park located at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Lake Manyara is known for its groundwater forest, lake shore, open plains and rich birdlife. The park is also famous for tree-climbing lions, although sightings are not guaranteed. After check-in and lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive through the park. You may see elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, impalas, buffalo and many bird species. The lake area attracts flamingos, pelicans and other water birds depending on water levels and season. Enjoy views of the Great Rift Valley before returning to your lodge or campsite for dinner and an overnight stay. Accommodation Twiga Campsite for  budget or Manyara Safari Lodge for mid-range

Day 9, Departure from Arusha

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and drive back to Arusha. Depending on your travel plans, your guide will drop you off at your hotel in Arusha, Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight. This marks the end of your 9 days Northern Tanzania safari.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions

• Hotel and lodge accommodation during the safari
• 4×4 safari Land Cruiser
• Professional English-speaking safari guide and driver
• All national park entry fees
• All meals during the safari
• Game drives and activities mentioned in the itinerary
• Price quoted per person sharing
• Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
• Concession fees and crater fees
• Drinking water in the safari vehicle

Exclusions

• International and domestic flights
• Entry visas
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry and shopping
• Hotel accommodation before or after the safari
• Optional activities such as hot air balloon safari
• Tips and gratuities
• Anything not mentioned in the itinerary