Family Northern Tanzania Circuit Safaris

Overview

About this safari

• Arusha National Park
• Tarangire National Park
• Lake Manyara National Park
• Serengeti National Park
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Day by day

Itinerary

1. Day 1 · Arusha National Park

   Arrival in Arusha – Arusha National Park

   Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or pickup from your hotel in Arusha, you will be welcomed by your professional safari guide for a briefing before departing to Arusha National Park (approximately 45 minutes).

   This park is ideal for the first day, offering varied landscapes and a relaxed atmosphere. The morning game drive takes you through montane forest where black-and-white colobus monkeys leap between trees. As you exit the forest, the scenery opens into rolling grasslands with giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, and warthogs grazing peacefully.

   You will continue toward the Momella Lakes, shallow alkaline lakes that often attract flamingos and other water birds. On clear days, spectacular views of Mount Meru dominate the skyline, and Mount Kilimanjaro may be visible in the distance.

   After a picnic lunch inside the park, enjoy a short afternoon drive before returning to Arusha for dinner and overnight rest.

   Overnight: Mount Meru Hotel
   Meals: Lunch & Dinner

   • Gentle morning game drive through forest and open plains
   • Spot giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, and playful colobus monkeys
   • Visit Momella Lakes with possible flamingo sightings
   • Scenic views of Mount Meru and, on clear days, Mount Kilimanjaro

   

   Meals: Lunch, Dinner  ·  Stay: mountmeruhotel.co.tz

2. Day 2 · Tarangire National Park

   Arusha – Tarangire National Park

   After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park (approx. 3–4 hours). The drive passes through Maasai villages and open countryside before reaching the park gate.

   Tarangire is famous for its enormous baobab trees and large elephant populations. Upon entering the park, wildlife viewing begins immediately. Herds of elephants often gather along the Tarangire River, which serves as the primary water source during dry months.

   You may encounter giraffes browsing acacia trees, zebras grazing in open plains, and predators such as lions resting under tree shade. The park is also rich in birdlife, making it excellent for photography.

   After a picnic lunch at a designated site, continue with an afternoon game drive before heading to your camp for dinner.

   Overnight: Tarangire Safari Haven Camp
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   • Scenic transfer across Maasai steppe
   • Afternoon game drive along Tarangire River
   • Observe large elephant herds gathering at water sources
   • Spot lions, giraffes, impalas, and diverse birdlife

   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  ·  Stay: safarihaven.com

3. Day 3 · Tarangire National Park

   Full Day in Tarangire National Park

   Today allows for deeper exploration of Tarangire. An early departure maximizes chances of spotting active predators before temperatures rise.

   You may track lions near the riverbanks or observe elephants digging for water in dry riverbeds. The diversity of landscapes open savannah, woodlands, and swamps  supports a wide range of wildlife including wildebeest, impalas, hartebeests, and occasionally leopards.

   Midday can be spent enjoying a relaxed picnic in a scenic area, followed by a slower-paced afternoon drive focusing on areas not covered the previous day.

   Return to camp in the late afternoon for rest and dinner.

   Overnight: Tarangire Safari Haven Camp
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   • Early morning game drive when predators are active
   • Explore remote areas with fewer vehicles
   • Picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint
   • Afternoon drive focusing on elephants and river wildlife

   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  ·  Stay: safarihaven.com

4. Day 4 · Lake Manyara National Park

   Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park – Karatu

   After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park (approx. 2 hours). The park lies beneath the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment.

   The morning game drive begins in a lush groundwater forest filled with towering mahogany trees and playful baboons. As you move toward the lake shore, you may spot hippos, flamingos, pelicans, and other aquatic birds.

   Lake Manyara is also known for its tree-climbing lions, although sightings are never guaranteed. The compact size of the park makes wildlife encounters frequent and varied.

   After lunch inside the park, continue to Karatu for dinner and overnight stay.

   Overnight: Farm of Dream Lodge
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   • Game drive through lush groundwater forest
   • Search for tree-climbing lions
   • Flamingo sightings along the lakeshore
   • Observe hippos and diverse bird species

   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  ·  Stay: farmofdreamslodge.com

5. Day 5 · Serengeti National Park - Central

   Karatu – Ngorongoro Highlands – Central Serengeti

   Depart early after breakfast and drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The road climbs into highlands offering breathtaking panoramic views before descending into the Serengeti plains.

   Upon entering Serengeti National Park, the landscape transforms into endless grasslands stretching to the horizon. Wildlife viewing begins immediately. Large herds of wildebeest and zebras roam freely, accompanied by gazelles.

   The Seronera region in Central Serengeti is known for year-round predator activity. Lions are commonly seen resting on kopjes, while cheetahs may be spotted scanning the plains.

   Arrive at camp in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

   Overnight: Mbuni Tented Camp
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   • Scenic drive across Ngorongoro Highlands
   • Game drive en route to central Serengeti
   • Spot wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles
   • Afternoon predator search in Seronera region

   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  ·  Stay: mbunitentedcamps.com

6. Day 6 · Serengeti National Park - Central

   Full Day in Central Serengeti National Park

   Today is dedicated entirely to exploring Central Serengeti. An early morning departure provides the best opportunity to witness predators on the move.

   Game drives may include visits to the Seronera River area, where leopards are often found in riverine trees. You may observe lion prides, hyenas, jackals, and large herbivore herds moving across the plains.

   A picnic lunch allows maximum time inside the park before continuing exploration in the afternoon.

   Return to camp before sunset.

   Overnight: Mbuni Tented Camp
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   • Early morning lion and cheetah tracking
   • Explore rocky kopjes where big cats rest
   • Picnic lunch in the bush
   • Afternoon game drive along Seronera River

   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  ·  Stay: mbunitentedcamps.com

7. Day 7 · Serengeti National Park - North

   Central Serengeti National Park– Northern Serengeti National Park

   After breakfast, begin your scenic journey north toward the Mara River region. The drive itself is a continuous game viewing experience across remote and less crowded areas of Serengeti.

   Northern Serengeti features rolling hills, river systems, and seasonal migration activity. If traveling during migration months (typically July–October), you may witness wildebeest herds gathering near river crossing points.

   Arrive at camp in the late afternoon.

   Overnight: Sero Camp 
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   • Morning game drive before departure
   • Scenic drive through vast savannah plains
   • Search for migrating herds (seasonal)
   • Evening drive near Mara River

   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  ·  Stay: serotentedcamps.com

8. Day 8 · Serengeti National Park - North

   Full Day in Northern Serengeti National Park

   This full day focuses on exploring the Mara River ecosystem. Early departure increases chances of witnessing migration movement.

   You may observe herds approaching riverbanks cautiously while crocodiles wait in the water. Resident lions and other predators often follow the herds closely.

   Even outside migration season, the northern region supports abundant wildlife and offers spectacular scenery with fewer vehicles.

   Return to camp for dinner.

   Overnight: Sero Camp
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   • Early morning drive to Mara River crossing points
   • Observe wildebeest and zebra herds
   • Watch crocodiles and resident predators
   • Afternoon game drive across open plains

   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  ·  Stay: serotentedcamps.com

9. Day 9 · Serengeti National Park - Central

   Northern Serengeti – Central Serengeti

   Enjoy a final morning game drive in the north before returning to Central Serengeti.

   The drive south offers additional wildlife viewing opportunities. Upon arrival in the central region, enjoy a relaxed afternoon drive or time at camp.

   Overnight: Mbuni Tented Camp
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   • Morning wildlife viewing in Mara region
   • Scenic transfer south with game viewing en route
   • Afternoon exploration of central plains

   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  ·  Stay: mbunitentedcamps.com

10. Day 10 · Arusha City

    Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha

    Depart early for Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend approximately 600 meters into the crater floor.

    Ngorongoro Crater hosts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and the rare black rhino.

    After a half-day game drive and picnic lunch near the hippo pool, ascend the crater and return to Arusha, arriving late afternoon or early evening.

    Overnight:None/On Request

    Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

    • Early transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
    • Crater descent for half-day game drive
    • Spot Big Five including black rhino
    • Picnic lunch near hippo pool
    • Afternoon return drive to Arusha / Airport

    

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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