Day 1
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Route: Arusha → Tarangire National Park → Karatu / selected overnight area
Your safari begins in Arusha with pickup from your hotel or another agreed location. Where arrival timing allows, pickup can also be coordinated from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Depart for Tarangire National Park, one of the most distinctive wildlife areas on the Northern Circuit.
After entering the park, begin game viewing among baobab trees, open grassland and the seasonal Tarangire River. Tarangire is particularly known for its elephant populations, which often gather along the river during the dry months.
Wildlife highlights
- Elephant herds along the Tarangire River
- Baobab-dotted landscapes
- Lions, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and antelope where encountered
- Rich birdlife, including species typical of riverine and open woodland habitats
In the late afternoon, continue toward your selected overnight area around Karatu or the Tarangire region, depending on the confirmed route and accommodation.
Accommodation: Safari lodge or tented camp according to the selected package.
Meals: Lunch, dinner.
Day 2
Karatu to Serengeti National Park
Route: Karatu → Ngorongoro Highlands → Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, depart Karatu and travel toward the Serengeti. The route passes through the Ngorongoro Highlands and the edges of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where applicable, giving you a first look at the higher-altitude landscapes that define this part of Tanzania.
Continue toward the Serengeti. Entry gate depends on the confirmed route and travel dates. Once inside the park, begin afternoon game viewing in the Serengeti's open plains.
Wildlife highlights
- Wildlife viewing as you enter the Serengeti ecosystem
- Giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and resident plains species
- Predators where conditions allow
- Wide-angle views across the Serengeti's open country
Accommodation: Serengeti lodge or tented camp according to the selected package.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 3
Full-Day Serengeti Game Drive
Route: Serengeti National Park — full-day game viewing
Today is dedicated to the Serengeti. Start early to make the most of the cooler morning hours and the increased wildlife activity that comes with them. Your guide will choose the day's route based on recent sightings, current conditions and local knowledge.
Morning and afternoon game drives are combined with a packed lunch, allowing more time inside the park and reducing the time spent returning to camp.
Wildlife highlights
- Lions — often found on open plains and around kopjes
- Leopards — usually in riverine trees where present
- Cheetahs — where conditions and open terrain allow
- Elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hyena and a range of antelope
- Numerous bird species, including raptors and ground birds
Accommodation: Serengeti lodge or tented camp according to the selected package.
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner.
Day 4
Full-Day Serengeti Safari
Route: Serengeti National Park — second full day of game viewing
The second full day in the Serengeti allows you to explore a different section of the park. Depending on the season and the location of the herds, this may involve a different area from yesterday, offering a fresh set of landscapes and wildlife opportunities.
The day is designed around the same rhythm as the previous one — early start, morning game drive, picnic lunch, then continued wildlife viewing in the afternoon.
Wildlife highlights
- Big cats — lions, leopards and cheetahs where present
- Wildebeest and zebra moving in response to grazing and water
- Scenic open plains ideal for photography
- Seasonal wildlife movements — the best area depends on your travel dates
The Great Migration moves through the Serengeti ecosystem during the year and does not sit in a single fixed location. Your guide will advise the most productive areas to explore based on the season and current herd positions.
Accommodation: Serengeti lodge or tented camp according to the selected package.
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner.
Day 5
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Route: Serengeti National Park → Ngorongoro Conservation Area (crater rim or nearby)
After a final morning game drive in the Serengeti, begin the journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The route passes through the Crater Highlands, with the landscape shifting from open plains to higher, cooler terrain.
On arrival, continue to your accommodation near or on the Ngorongoro rim depending on the confirmed booking. The altitude and scenery create a distinct contrast with the Serengeti.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro-area lodge or tented camp according to the selected package.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 6
Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
Route: Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha (optional JRO transfer where compatible)
After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a dedicated morning of game viewing. The crater's enclosed ecosystem hosts a high concentration of wildlife, and the flatter terrain makes it easier to cover more ground in a single morning.
Search for lion, buffalo, elephant, hippo, zebra, wildebeest and hyena. The crater is also one of the more realistic locations in northern Tanzania for spotting black rhinoceros — although, as with all wildlife, sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Wildlife highlights
- Lions and buffalo on the crater floor
- Elephants — often older bulls with large tusks
- Hippos in the crater's freshwater areas
- Black rhino opportunity where conditions allow
- Numerous bird species, including flamingos and raptors
A picnic lunch is typically taken inside the crater where applicable, following park regulations. In the afternoon, ascend the crater and return toward Arusha. Drop-off at your hotel or, where the departure schedule is compatible, at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch.
End: Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport where the departure schedule is compatible.