9-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Itinerary

Beneath the soaring peaks of Mount Meru, Arusha’s lush forest-green landscapes and golden plateaus unroll towards the horizon in all directions. A wilderness paradise rich with vegetation, idyllic environments, flourishing ecosystems, and breathtaking landscapes, Arusha is arguably Tanzania’s safari capital. Upon transferring from the airport within your private transfer and entering the reserve, you will immediately discover the remarkable untouched wilderness on a safari trip en route to your lavish camp. You may even ascend the staggering Mount Meru for unrivaled vistas of Arusha.

Hemmed in Tanzania’s phenomenal Manyara Region, Tarangire National Park is a marvel to behold, consisting of jagged granite mountains, vast stretches of river, slices of lush vegetation, and sweeping plains. Tarangire is home to massive herds of elephants who slowly meander along the pastures and groups of friendly animals, including eland, zebra, buffalo, gazelle, impala, and others mingling with one another in the tranquility shrouding the watering holes. These scenes, among opportunities to witness lions and other predators hunting in the early hours of the morning, will make for thrilling safaris during your stay.

With another day dedicated to exploring Tarangire’s wilderness, you will join your ranger in the morning who possesses an incredible ability to track and spot the indigenous game. Heading off the beaten path, along trails winding through the mountains and across dirt tracks only accessible by 4x4, you will encounter animals and birds of all shapes, sizes, and colors during your extensive safaris in Tarangire. You may stumble upon creatures rarely seen elsewhere, such as oryx and gerenuk, as well as appreciate the majesty of the towering baobab trees peppering the park’s vast stretches of land.

Presenting boundless natural beauty and staggering wildlife diversity, the Ngorongoro Crater’s idyllic landscapes are a sight to behold, and you will soon explore all that this rich region has to offer after transferring to northern Tanzania and being whisked away to your spectacular campsite pinned in the proliferating wilderness. Today, you will join your knowledgeable ranger and head for the hills, winding through forests carpeting the rolling terrain and down to plateaus where pink flamingos gather and display their flamboyant pink coats. You will encounter surreal wilderness scenes across the volcanic caldera during your leisurely safaris today.

You will leave camp with your ranger before the sun rises, hoping to witness lions and leopards hunting in the early hours of the morning. Afterward, you will carefully approach tranquil watering holes where the remainder of the Big Five may be quietly lapping up water to drown out the blazing sun. In the afternoon, you may visit a traditional Maasai village where you will delve into the fascinating local culture through generations-old traditional performances before continuing to the Olduvai Gorge, a historical landmark destination tracing back the roots of humankind in the fossils once found here.

Apart from the fascinating creatures inhabiting the Serengeti’s rolling savanna, the region is famous for hosting the greatest natural spectacle on earth. Every year, millions of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and other animal herds make a great trek across the savannah in search of greener pastures. During this episode, which you may be fortunate enough to witness with your own eyes if you visit during the right time of the year, you will marvel at the lion prides and wild dog packs chasing at the heels of herds racing across the Serengeti.

Besides the Great Migration, the Serengeti promises extraordinary wildlife sightings you will be delighted to discover during morning and afternoon game drives today. From catching the early hunters in action before the sun has peeked its head beyond the horizon to witnessing nocturnal beings in their natural night-time habitats in the evening, the untouched wilderness is yours to explore at great lengths during your stay in the Serengeti. These safari memories are bound to last a lifetime, captured flawlessly in the images you snap up along the way.

Enjoy your final full day at leisure, slowly soaking up the scenes stretching out from the terrace of your gorgeous campsite. You may spend the day whichever way you please, returning to the savanna to see what else you can find or relishing the amenities on offer at your accommodation. In the evening, you will cherish the enchanting night sky spectacles as the stars pierce the midnight heavens and the constellations shine brightly against the silhouette of the savanna. These are some of the most memorable stargazing spectacles you will treasure as you embrace the heat of the crackling campfire.

The Northern Serengeti sun will rise early in the morning and illuminate the surrounding wilderness in a warm, golden embrace. As the songs of birds whistle through your window with the breeze and the chorus of crickets fades behind the symphony of nature’s diurnal beings coming to life, you will feel blessed to be standing within the untamed wilderness for one last breakfast and sightseeing safari. After your slow galavant through the greenery, you will exit the reserve and transfer to the airport, where you will board your plane bound for home.