Classic Safari Circuit
5-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
A well-balanced introduction to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit.
- Duration
- 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Route
- Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro
- Best time
- June to October and January to March
- Pace
- Moderate
Overview
About this safari
The classic northern safari at a comfortable pace: an afternoon in Tarangire, two nights in the Serengeti, a stop at the Olduvai Gorge and a morning in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Trip highlights
- Tarangire’s elephants and baobabs
- A full day in the Serengeti
- The Olduvai Gorge, cradle of humankind
- Ngorongoro Crater game drive
Your route
Trip at a glance
- Duration
- 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Start / end
- Arusha → Arusha
- Style
- Classic Safari Circuit
- Pace
- Moderate
- Stay
- Mid-range or luxury lodges and tented camps
- Ideal for
- First-time visitors and families
- Best time
- June to October and January to March.
- 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 to Tarangire for an afternoon among elephant herds and baobabs along the Tarangire River.
Day 2: Over the Rift Valley to the Serengeti
Climb the Rift Valley wall past Lake Manyara, cross the Ngorongoro highlands and descend onto the Serengeti plains, game viewing on the way to camp.
Day 3: Full day in the Serengeti
A full day exploring the central Serengeti for lions, leopards and cheetahs, with a bush lunch to make the most of the day.
Day 4: Serengeti to the Olduvai Gorge and the highlands
Morning game drive as we leave the park, then a stop at the Olduvai Gorge museum, where some of the most important early human fossils were found. Continue to the crater rim.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater and Arusha
A morning on the crater floor looking for black rhino and big-tusked elephants, then the drive back to Arusha by late 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 and January to March.
- 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.