13-Day Explore Tanzania's Northern Circuit Gems

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Arusha

Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your lodge, nestled in the lush foothills of Mount Meru. Take the day to relax and settle in after your journey, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and the vibrant ambiance of this safari gateway town.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Gran Melia Arusha

• Luxury hotel located in Arusha (City)

+15 Photos

+14 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Explore Arusha

Wake up to a cool Arusha morning and enjoy a hearty breakfast at your lodge with sweeping views of Mount Meru. Begin your day with a visit to the Cultural Heritage Centre, a vibrant gallery and museum showcasing Tanzania’s rich cultural diversity through artwork, carvings, beadwork, and tribal artifacts. After the visit, return to your hotel for a relaxing lunch featuring local and international cuisine. Enjoy some downtime in the serene gardens or rest before your afternoon adventure. Later, head to Arusha National Park for an evening game drive through diverse landscapes, including forest, open plains, and crater lakes. Keep an eye out for giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, and colobus monkeys, as well as stunning views of Mount Meru and, on clear days, Mount Kilimanjaro. As the sun sets, return to your lodge for a flavorful dinner of Swahili and international dishes. Unwind and reflect on a fulfilling day filled with culture, nature, and wildlife.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Gran Melia Arusha

• Luxury hotel located in Arusha (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Arusha to Tarangire

After breakfast at your lodge in Arusha, depart for the scenic drive to Tarangire National Park. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and enjoy lunch while taking in the views of the surrounding wilderness. In the afternoon, set out on your first game drive, exploring the baobab-dotted plains and spotting elephants, zebras, giraffes, and predators. The Tarangire River draws large herds during the dry season, making this a rewarding area to start your safari. As the sun sets, return to your lodge for a warm dinner and a peaceful night in the wild, with the distant sounds of nature lulling you to sleep.

Main Destination:

Tarangire National Park

Best Time To Visit July to November (Animals come to the Tarangire River)

High Season June to October (The park is full of visitors)

Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Tarangire NP

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

HippoCommon

HyenaOccasional

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp

• Luxury tented camp bordering Tarangire NP without fences

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Tarangire National Park

Start your day with an early breakfast, then head out for a full day of exploration in Tarangire. Roam through savannahs, riverbeds, and swamps while tracking herds of elephants, lions, and over 500 bird species. Stop at a scenic spot for a picnic lunch, surrounded by the sounds and sights of the bush. In the afternoon, continue your game drive to lesser-traveled corners of the park, increasing your chances of spotting elusive wildlife like leopards or cheetahs. Return to your lodge in the evening to relax, followed by a delicious dinner under the stars and the gentle ambiance of the African bush.

Main Destination:

Tarangire National Park

Accommodation:

Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp

• Luxury tented camp bordering Tarangire NP without fences

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Tarangire to Lake Manyara

Enjoy breakfast before departing Tarangire and heading to Lake Manyara National Park. The drive takes you through vibrant countryside and rural villages. Arrive at your lodge nestled near the park entrance and settle in for lunch. In the afternoon, venture into the park for a game drive through its rich landscapes—watch for flamingos along the lake, baboons in the forest, and tree-climbing lions in the distance. After the drive, return to the lodge to unwind, then enjoy a flavorful dinner while overlooking the Rift Valley escarpment.

Main Destination:

Lake Manyara National Park

Best Time To Visit June to October (Easier to spot animals)

High Season July to March (The northern section gets crowded)

Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Manyara NP

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

HippoCommon

Show more

LionOccasional

HyenaOccasional

LeopardRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

Accommodation:

Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located on the escarpment above Lake Manyara NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Lake Manyara

Wake up to the sounds of birds and enjoy breakfast with forest views. Begin your full-day exploration with a morning game drive through Manyara’s groundwater forests, acacia woodlands, and grassy lake shores. Watch for elephants moving through the trees and hippos lounging near the water. Midday, pause for a scenic picnic lunch at a quiet park site. After lunch, continue exploring, or opt for a short walk or cultural visit nearby. Return to your lodge in the evening and relax before sitting down to a cozy dinner, reflecting on the variety of wildlife seen throughout the day.

Main Destination:

Lake Manyara National Park

Accommodation:

Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located on the escarpment above Lake Manyara NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro

After breakfast, leave the lake and ascend into the green highlands of Ngorongoro. The drive offers panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley and vibrant farming villages along the way. Arrive at your lodge near the crater rim and enjoy lunch with a breathtaking view. Spend the afternoon at leisure, take a guided nature walk or relax at the lodge while soaking in the cool highland air. As the mist begins to settle over the landscape, gather for dinner and prepare for tomorrow’s incredible journey into the crater’s depths.

Main Destination:

Ngorongoro Crater

Best Time To Visit June to October (Wildlife viewing is best)

High Season Most of the year – July to March (Expect crowds)

Best Weather June to October (Rainfall is little to none)

Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater

Black RhinoCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

HyenaAbundant

Show more

ElephantCommon

HippoCommon

LeopardOccasional

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

CheetahNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

• Luxury lodge located on the crater rim of Ngorongoro Crater

+12 Photos

+11 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Ngorongoro

Begin with an early breakfast before descending into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive. Explore the floor of this vast caldera, home to black rhinos, lions, buffaloes, flamingos, and more. Traverse forests, lakes, and grasslands as you witness one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Enjoy a picnic lunch by a hippo pool or forest clearing. In the afternoon, continue tracking animals along the crater floor, then ascend the rim by late afternoon. Return to your lodge for a well-earned dinner and a restful evening in this natural sanctuary.

Main Destination:

Ngorongoro Crater

Accommodation:

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

• Luxury lodge located on the crater rim of Ngorongoro Crater

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Ngorongoro to Serengeti

After breakfast, depart Ngorongoro and drive toward the iconic Serengeti. En route, you can stop at Olduvai Gorge for a fascinating insight into early human history. Arrive in the Serengeti by midday and enjoy lunch at your camp with views across the open plains. In the afternoon, head out for a game drive in the vast savannah, home to lions, cheetahs, wildebeests, and endless herds. Return to your camp before nightfall, freshen up, and sit down to a hearty dinner surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Serengeti wilderness.

Main Destination:

Serengeti National Park

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to October (Different areas are best at different times)

High Season July to March (The Seronera area is crowded)

Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)

Wildlife in Serengeti NP

ElephantCommon

LionCommon

CheetahCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

GiraffeCommon

HippoCommon

HyenaCommon

LeopardOccasional

Black RhinoVery Rare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Melia Serengeti Lodge

• Luxury lodge located inside Central Serengeti NP

+13 Photos

+12 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Serengeti

Wake early and enjoy breakfast at camp before setting out for a full day of game viewing in the Serengeti. Explore diverse habitats in search of the Big Five, and during migration season, witness the spectacle of thousands of animals on the move. Midday, stop for a picnic lunch at a safe and scenic site. Continue your game drive in the afternoon, with opportunities to see dramatic predator-prey interactions or peaceful scenes of elephants grazing. Return to camp in the evening, unwind by the fire, and enjoy dinner under the stars.

Main Destination:

Serengeti National Park

Accommodation:

Melia Serengeti Lodge

• Luxury lodge located inside Central Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Serengeti

Begin your day with a sunrise game drive for a chance to see the predators while they’re active, followed by breakfast back at camp. Spend the rest of the day discovering new areas of the Serengeti or revisiting wildlife-rich regions for more sightings. Pause for a packed picnic lunch in the bush, then continue exploring the park’s wide horizons and hidden valleys. In the evening, head back to your lodge or camp for dinner and a final night under the African sky, listening to the sounds of lions, hyenas, and night birds calling in the distance.

Main Destination:

Serengeti National Park

Accommodation:

Melia Serengeti Lodge

• Luxury lodge located inside Central Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Serengeti to Lake Manyara

Enjoy breakfast at camp before beginning the journey back toward Lake Manyara. Travel through the Serengeti’s game-rich corridors, with a final morning of wildlife viewing en route. Stop for lunch along the way or upon arrival at your lodge near Manyara. In the afternoon, relax at the lodg. Reflect on the week’s unforgettable wildlife experiences over your farewell dinner, soaking in the tranquility of your last night in the Tanzanian bush.

Main Destination:

Lake Manyara National Park

Accommodation:

Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located on the escarpment above Lake Manyara NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Return to Arusha

After breakfast at the lodge, begin your drive back to Arusha. The journey offers beautiful final glimpses of Tanzania’s landscapes, with options to stop for souvenir shopping or a cultural visit depending on your schedule. Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be transfered to the airport for your onward flight. Your safari adventure concludes with lasting memories of breathtaking scenery, incredible wildlife, and warm East African hospitality.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.