Explorer Circuit
6-Day Northern Circuit Safari
A deeper journey through Tanzania’s diverse northern ecosystems.
- Duration
- 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Route
- Tarangire · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro
- Best time
- June to October
- Pace
- Moderate
Overview
About this safari
All four northern parks with time to enjoy them: Tarangire’s south, Lake Manyara’s forest and flamingos, two nights in the Serengeti and a crater finale, after a restful first night in Arusha.
Trip highlights
- A quiet day in southern Tarangire
- Lake Manyara’s groundwater forest
- Two nights in the central Serengeti
- Big Five chances in the Ngorongoro Crater
Your route
Trip at a glance
- Duration
- 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Start / end
- Arusha → Arusha
- Style
- Explorer Circuit
- Pace
- Moderate
- Stay
- Boutique lodges and tented camps
- Ideal for
- First-time visitors who want a complete northern safari
- Best time
- June to October; January to March is also excellent.
- 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: Arrive in Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to a garden lodge outside Arusha. Safari briefing with your guide and a relaxed evening beneath Mount Meru.
Day 2: Tarangire’s elephant trails
Drive to Tarangire and explore its quieter southern reaches and Silale Swamp, tracking elephant herds and spotting the park’s rich birdlife.
Day 3: Lake Manyara
Game drive in Lake Manyara National Park: groundwater forest, baboon troops, the hippo pool and, when the water suits them, flamingos on the lake. Continue up to the highlands for the night.
Day 4: Into the Serengeti
Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and descend into the central Serengeti, the park’s wildlife hub, with an afternoon game drive among the kopjes.
Day 5: The endless plains
A full day following the Serengeti’s predators and, in season, the migration herds, before returning towards the crater rim in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater and Arusha
An early descent into the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera for a final Big Five game drive, then the drive back to Arusha.
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; January to March is also excellent.
- 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.