Balanced Circuit
4-Day Classic Northern Safari
A compact but rich safari through Tanzania’s most iconic parks.
- Duration
- 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Route
- Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro
- Best time
- June to October for dry weather
- Pace
- Active
Overview
About this safari
The northern circuit’s three headline parks in four days: Tarangire’s elephants, a night and a full morning in the Serengeti, and a finale in the Ngorongoro Crater. A brisk pace, but a complete first taste of Tanzania.
Trip highlights
- Elephants and baobabs in Tarangire
- Big cats in the central Serengeti
- The Ngorongoro Crater floor
- Three very different landscapes
Your route
Trip at a glance
- Duration
- 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Start / end
- Arusha → Arusha
- Style
- Balanced Circuit
- Pace
- Active
- Stay
- Lodges and tented camps along the route
- Ideal for
- First-time visitors with limited time
- Best time
- June to October for dry weather; January to March for green plains.
- Price
- Quoted per trip; depends on season, group size and lodges
Day by day
Your itinerary
Timings and camps can shift with the season and wildlife; your guide adapts each day to give you the best sightings.
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire
Drive two hours to Tarangire for a full day of game viewing along the river, with a picnic lunch among the baobabs. In the late afternoon continue up the escarpment to the green highlands of Karatu.
Day 2: Through the highlands to the Serengeti
Cross the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping at the crater viewpoint, and descend onto the Serengeti plains. Afternoon game drive in the Seronera Valley on the way to camp.
Day 3: Serengeti morning to the crater rim
A full morning in the Serengeti following the big cats and, in season, the migration herds. After lunch, drive back to the highlands and settle in for the night near the crater.
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater and Arusha
Descend into the crater early for a morning with rhino, lion and elephant, with lunch on the crater floor, before driving back to Arusha in the afternoon.
What’s included
Included and not included
This is what a standard private safari with us includes. Your written proposal confirms the details for your trip.
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- All park and conservation fees for the itinerary
- Accommodation as listed, with the meals shown for each day
- Drinking water in the vehicle throughout the safari
- Airport transfers in Tanzania
Not included
- International flights and Tanzanian visa
- Travel insurance (required)
- Optional activities such as balloon flights
- Tips for guides and camp staff
- Drinks and personal expenses unless stated
When to go
Best time for this trip
June to October for dry weather; January to March for green plains.
- JanGood
- FebGood
- MarGood
- AprQuieter / wet
- MayQuieter / wet
- JunGood
- JulPeak
- AugPeak
- SepPeak
- OctPeak
- NovGood
- DecGood
Destinations
Places on this safari
Read our in-depth guide to each park on the route.
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Change the length, the camps or the route. A safari designer replies within 24 hours with a tailored plan and price.