The prominent “Northern Circuit” safari of northern Tanzania offers some of the world’s most diverse safari experiences, consisting of National Parks, game reserves, conservation areas and private concessions. Among these are the world famous and iconic Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, and of course their less well-known neighbours, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park.
Serengeti is a great place to visit any time of year and for those with a little more time this should be on everyone’s travel bucket list. Who wouldn’t wish to see the Great Migration? One of the most amazing wildlife spectacles in the world. What about Ngorongoro Crater? A visit to the Crater floor of the extinct volcano at Ngorongoro. This offers the best game viewing environment that has no equal.
Highlights
- Lake Manyara National Park – Game drive
- African Rift Valley – Viewpoint
- Serengeti National Park – Game drive
- Ngorongoro Crater – Game drive
Day 1 Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park – Mto wa Mbu
In the morning after a short breafing, you will travel from Arusha to the small Lake Manyara National Park. Not only is this park a bird-lover’s paradise with over 400 species of birds, but is also home to primates such as baboons and blue monkeys and many herbivores, such as elephants, hippos, wildebeest, impalas and giraffes just to mention a few. You might even catch a glimpse of the more carnivorous inhabitants, such as leopards and lions. Through the pop-up roof of your safari vehicle you will see the landscape changing from lush acacia woodlands to grassy floodplains, where colonies of flamingos and other water fowls can be found on the alkaline Lake Manyara’s shoreline. After extensive game viewing you will leave the park and head to your booked accommodation small town of Mto wa Mbu. The evening can be spent lounging at the pool or bar, before you have your evening meal and overnight.
Day 2 Mto wa Mbu – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will continue toward the fertile highland where wheat, coffee and corn are grown by the Iraqw people. Passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you will be able to see the breath-taking Ngorongoro Crater before travelling onwards to the Serengeti National Park, which you will reach by midday. The Serengeti National Park is the largest park in Tanzania with a diversity of landscapes and habitats, such as grassy plains, swamps, lakes, savannah and mountains. This is where the biggest wildebeest and zebra migration takes place and depending on season you will have the opportunity to witness thousands of animals on their search for nourishment. You will camp the night in the Seronera area in central Serengeti/ Have a night in a tented Camp/ Lodge. (Accommodation depends on your prior request)
Day 3 Serengeti National Park
Today you will explore the Serengeti National Park. Your guide will take you closer to where the migrating herds are to be found. During the short rainy season in November and December the herds make their way from the hills in the north to the plains of the south, returning north during the longer rainy season from April to June. Their exact location differs annually as they migrate according to the weather issues, but your guide will know where you will be able to see them best. Waiting close by, you might even spot some leopards, cheetahs and lions around these areas. After an eventful day, you will return to your camp/ Lodge for your evening meal and overnight.
Day 4 Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Early morning you will set out on another game drive in the Serengeti before continuing towards the Ngorongoro Crater. Soon the 600 meters deep unbroken caldera will open up before you and you will have a moment to take in the fantastic, awe-inspiring views of the collapsed volcano. Your accommodation might lie directly on the crater’s edge, offering a once in a lifetime view as the sun slowly sets over the crater. Nestled in your tent/ Hotel room, thinking about the adventure the next morning brings, you will drift off to sleep.
Day 5 Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha
Early in the morning you will head down the forested slopes into the crater on a steep and narrow path. The crater floor is covered in open grassland with the occasional acacia tree and two small wooded areas. Teaming with wildlife, you will be able to see many animals in a short period of time and might even be able to tick the “Big Five” (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard) off your list. Other animals existing in the crater area include wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, warthogs, hippos and more than 500 species of birds. You will spend the entire morning exploring the park and after a picnic lunch in the crater, you will return to Arusha where you will arrive by early evening.
What is included
- Full board accommodation at safari lodges as per itinerary
- Exclusive use of 4WD safari vehicle and English-speaking driver guide
- All Park fees and Crater fees
- Game drives as indicated in the itinerary
- Bottled mineral water while on game drives
- Prices are based on 2 people sharing a room at the safari lodges
What is not included
- Drinks of choice at safari lodges
- Extra excursions / services available at safari lodges
- Items of a personal nature, such as laundry, phone calls & snacks
- Deviation from the safari itinerary provided
- Tips and gratuities for guide and lodge staff
- Hotel accommodation in Arusha; can be booked on request
Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti