Overview
Set out on an unforgettable safari through Tanzania’s complete Northern Circuit, visiting Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Arusha National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the world-famous Serengeti National Park. As you search for the Big Five—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and Cape buffalo—you’ll spend two incredible days exploring the Serengeti, where you’ll witness a breathtaking sunrise and encounter vast herds of wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, hippos, cheetahs, hyenas, monkeys, and many other wildlife species.
Trip Highlights
- Luxury tour: This luxury tour uses lodges and tented camps.
- Private tour: This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
- Can start any day: If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
- Can be customized: You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
- Suitable for solo travelers: Solo travelers can book this private tour.
- Suitable for all ages: This tour is suitable for children of all ages.
Itinerary
You'll be picked up from your accommodation in Arusha and driven to the park.
You'll embark on a full-day game drive through the park. Your drive will take you to park landmarks such as the Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater, sometimes known as “Little Ngorongoro.”
Canoe Safari: Available at an extra cost. You'll trade the car for a canoe as you take a guided canoe safari on the Momella Lakes to see bushbucks, giraffes, hippos, and buffalo.
Walking Safari: Available at an extra cost. Stretch your legs with a guided walking safari through the park. While on your safari, you can expect to see endless acres of forest, home to black and white colobus monkeys, zebras, buffalos, and a variety of antelopes. You will also have a chance to observe more than 400 bird species, including the crowned eagle, lanner falcon, and Levaillant’s cuckoo. You'll return to Arusha late in the afternoon with a head full of memories and a camera full of unforgettable photos, or be dropped off at Arusha Airport.
Main Destination:
Arusha National Park
Accommodation:
Olerai Lodge
Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City)
Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
You'll depart from Arusha after breakfast for the drive to Lake Manyara National Park. The journey takes approximately two hours, but we'll pass through the market town of Mto wa Mbu along the way. This agricultural and fresh produce market is a melting pot of local cultures and a souvenir hunter's paradise.
After a brief stop at the village market, you'll enter Lake Manyara National Park. The park is truly a photographer's playground and offers some of the best game viewing in the world. You can expect to see many of Africa's most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat.
Bird-watchers will find Lake Manyara is an absolute delight, with a huge variety of birds on display in the park. Even the novice can expect to be amazed by large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey, and the brightly coloured lilac-breasted roller.
You'll then retire to your chosen accommodation for dinner and a good night's rest.
Main Destination:
Lake Manyara National Park
Accommodation:
Mawe Mawe Lodge
Luxury lodge located on the escarpment above Lake Manyara NP
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
We'll take an early breakfast, as we've got a big day of exploration and adventure ahead of us!
We'll begin the day with the scenic drive towards the Serengeti. Along the way, we'll pass through the mist-shrouded rainforests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you might be lucky enough to glimpse Cape buffalo, baboons, or even elephants and leopards in the dense undergrowth.
After a delicious lunch at the Serengeti National Park picnic area, it’s time to explore the Serengeti itself. Witness Africa’s iconic savannah landscape and be amazed by the sheer number of animals that roam these grassy plains.
Dinner and your overnight stay will be in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.
Main Destination:
Serengeti National Park
Accommodation:
Nyota Serengeti Camp
Luxury tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast, we will get right on the road towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Our drive takes us back through the Serengeti via a different route, offering plenty of opportunities to spot the animals that eluded you on day two. As far as the eye can see, you’ll spot thousands upon thousands of animals in herds; wildebeests and zebras migrating together, tall and graceful giraffes, jumping antelopes and gazelles, the powerful African elephant and the most respected group of animals: the predators. You will have the chance to spot lean cheetahs and shy leopards, foraging hyenas, and last but not least, the king himself; the lion.
Dinner and your overnight stay will be in nearby Karatu Town according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.
Main Destination:
Ngorongoro Highlands
Accommodation:
Kitela Lodge
Luxury lodge located less than 1hr drive from Ngorongoro Highlands
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast, you'll depart for Ngorongoro Crater; considered by some to be the eighth Wonder of the World. When you get your first glimpse of this vast, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you'll soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation.
Home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought after safari destinations in the world.
From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you'll be able to observe and photograph some of Africa's most recognizable faces. The crater is home to a large number of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, as well as a large population of wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, Cape buffalo, and more. It is truly one of Africa's premier safari destinations.
You'll then continue to the border of Tarangire National Park for dinner & overnight.
Main Destination:
Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation:
Lake Burunge Baobab Tented Lodge
Luxury lodge located less than 1hr drive from Tarangire NP
All meals included
All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)
You'll depart your accommodations early for the drive south to Tarangire, where you'll spend your day driving through Tanzania's most underrated national park.
Once inside the park, you'll see the eponymous Tarangire River lined with acacia and baobab where game amble to and fro throughout the day. During the dry season, thousands of animals from the Maasai Steppe migrate to the Tarangire region looking for water so you can see dozens of different species in a small amount of time.
Exclusive to the park are endangered animals such as the greater kudu, fringe-eared oryx, and the ashy starling.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the park's picnic areas and take in an unparalleled view of the Tarangire River. Keep an eye on your food though, as the local monkey population will be only too happy to make off with a tasty treat if given the opportunity!
You will return to Arusha in the late afternoon and be dropped off at your hotel in Arusha or at Arusha Airport.
Main Destination:
Tarangire National Park
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Cost Excludes
- International flights (From/to home)
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$15.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
FAQs
The 6-Day Big Five Safari – Luxury takes you to Tanzania’s premier wildlife destinations, which may include Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park. The itinerary is designed to provide exceptional game viewing while staying in luxurious safari lodges or tented camps.
During the 6-Day Big Five Safari – Luxury, you’ll have an excellent chance of seeing the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and black rhino. You may also encounter cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, hyenas, crocodiles, antelopes, and a wide variety of bird species.
The 6-Day Big Five Safari – Luxury includes accommodation in carefully selected luxury safari lodges or premium tented camps that offer spacious rooms or suites, private bathrooms, fine dining, outstanding hospitality, and spectacular views of the surrounding wilderness.
The 6-Day Big Five Safari – Luxury typically includes luxury accommodation, meals as specified in the itinerary, park entrance fees, transportation in a private 4×4 safari vehicle, unlimited game drives, the services of a professional driver-guide, bottled drinking water, and airport or hotel transfers.
For the 6-Day Big Five Safari – Luxury, pack lightweight clothing in neutral colors, a warm jacket for early morning and evening game drives, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera, and any personal medications.
The 6-Day Big Five Safari – Luxury is available throughout the year. The dry season from June to October is ideal for wildlife viewing, while the green season from November to May offers lush scenery, fewer visitors, excellent birdwatching, and seasonal highlights such as the Serengeti calving season.
