Tanzania Northern Circuit — Eight Day Safari
An eight-day Tanzania northern-circuit safari combining Tarangire's elephant herds, the Ngorongoro Crater's caldera concentration, and the limitless plains of the Serengeti.
About this safari
Tanzania's northern circuit is one of Africa's great wildlife journeys — a route that links three of the continent's most celebrated parks in a single, manageable itinerary. Beginning in Arusha, the route heads first to Tarangire National Park, famous for its baobab-studded landscapes and exceptional dry-season elephant concentrations. From there it climbs to the Ngorongoro highlands and descends into the crater — a collapsed volcanic caldera that holds one of the densest wildlife populations on earth, with four of the Big Five — lion, elephant, buffalo and black rhino — regularly seen in a single morning. The final leg crosses into the Serengeti, the vast plains that give the migration its rhythm. Depending on the season, the migration herds can be found in the southern Serengeti (December to March, calving season), the central Serengeti and western corridor (April to July, the long rains and the Grumeti crossings), or the northern Serengeti (July to October, the Mara River crossings).
Wildtouch shapes the Tanzania safari around the season and around you. The same depth of guiding and logistical care that runs through the Kenya safaris applies here — a private 4×4 with an experienced Tanzania-licensed guide, accommodation matched to your taste, and full ground handling from arrival to departure.
What makes this one special
- Three of Africa's most celebrated wildlife parks in a single itinerary
- Tarangire's baobab landscapes and large elephant herds
- Ngorongoro Crater — lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino in a single morning
- Multiple days in the Serengeti to follow the migration
- Seasonal migration positioning — south, central or north depending on month
- Outstanding photographic variety across volcanic, savannah and woodland landscapes
- Optional Lake Manyara extension and Maasai cultural experiences
The journey, morning by morning
Arrival, Arusha
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, met by Wildtouch and transferred to your Arusha accommodation. Afternoon at leisure to recover from the flight, with a safari briefing over dinner.
Arusha to Tarangire
A morning drive to Tarangire National Park, with an afternoon game drive in one of Tanzania's most photogenic parks. Tarangire's landscape of giant baobabs and the meandering Tarangire River draws large herds of elephants and a rich variety of birdlife.
Tarangire to Ngorongoro
A morning game drive in Tarangire before continuing west to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive at your highland lodge in time for lunch, with the afternoon at leisure to take in the panoramic views over the crater rim.
Ngorongoro Crater day
An early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive on the crater floor — a self-contained 260km² wilderness holding one of the densest wildlife populations in Africa. Lion, elephant, buffalo, black rhino, hippo and exceptional birdlife are all routinely seen. Picnic lunch on the crater floor, then the ascent back to the rim in the late afternoon.
Ngorongoro to Serengeti
A scenic drive into the Serengeti via the Maasai plains of Olduvai Gorge — site of the Leakey hominid discoveries. Arrive at your Serengeti camp, positioned to match the season's migration movement, in time for an afternoon game drive in the area.
Serengeti — full day
A full day in the Serengeti. The day's movements depend on the season and the migration's current position — but always include early-morning and late-afternoon game drives, with the middle of the day in the shade or back at camp. Lion prides, leopard, cheetah, and — for the lucky — black rhino are all possible.
Serengeti — full day
A second full day in the Serengeti gives time to follow up on specific wildlife the trip has not yet covered in depth — a leopard sighting, a cheetah hunt, or a closer approach to the migration herds. An optional hot-air balloon safari at sunrise offers an unforgettable aerial view of the plains.
Serengeti to Arusha — departure
A morning flight from the Serengeti airstrip back to Arusha and onward to Kilimanjaro International Airport for the homeward flight. Day rooms in Arusha can be arranged for evening departures.
How this journey unfolds — 4 stops in 8 days
- 1Arusha
- 2Tarangire
- 3Ngorongoro Crater
- 4Serengeti
The year on this safari, month by month
June to October for the dry season and Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti. December to March for the calving season in the southern Serengeti. The Ngorongoro Crater holds wildlife year-round.
Indicative pattern for Tanzania's northern circuit. The migration's position depends on the rains; exact timing varies year to year.
Conditions along the route
Live readings where this safari spends its days.
The world this journey moves through
Representative photography of the landscapes and wildlife on this route — tap any photo to view it full screen. Client photography replaces these once Jacob's library arrives.
Included and not included
Included
- Meet-and-greet on arrival and all airport transfers
- Private guided 4×4 game viewer with an experienced Tanzania-licensed Wildtouch guide
- Internal flight between the Serengeti and Arusha
- All national park and conservation area fees
- All accommodation as specified in your itinerary
- All meals as outlined per day
- Bottled water in the vehicle throughout
- Government taxes and levies
Not included
- International flights to and from Kilimanjaro
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal items, drinks, laundry
- Optional excursions (balloon safari, cultural visits if not included)
- Tips for your guide and camp staff
First-time Tanzania travellers seeking the iconic northern circuit. Photographers wanting variety of landscape. Wildlife enthusiasts whose primary interest is the migration. Honeymoons and small-group safaris travel well at this pace.
From comfortable tented camps to flagship luxury lodges and seasonal mobile camps that move with the migration. You select the tier; Wildtouch handles every booking and all in-country operations.
Questions travellers ask
- When can I see the migration in the Serengeti?
- The herds move with the seasons: the southern Serengeti for the calving season from December to March, the central Serengeti and western corridor during the long rains and the Grumeti crossings from April to July, and the northern Serengeti for the Mara River crossings from July to October. Wildtouch positions your Serengeti camp to match the season you travel.
- How much driving does the circuit involve?
- The parks are linked by scenic road transfers, with a return internal flight between the Serengeti and Arusha to keep the longest leg short. If you would rather fly more of the route, additional light-aircraft hops can be arranged.
- Can I combine Tanzania with Kenya or Rwanda?
- Yes. Many travellers pair the Serengeti with Kenya's Maasai Mara for a complete migration journey, or add Rwanda's mountain gorillas. Wildtouch operates all three countries, so a combined trip is handled under a single booking with one team.
This itinerary is a starting point
Dates, lodges and pace are shaped around you — by Jacob, who runs the trip. Share your dates and party and we'll make it yours.