Great Northern Circuit Highlights – 7 Days
7-day Great Northern Circuit Safari
Iconic destinations, condensed into seven quick days of action-packed safari adventures.
Visit Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and more on this quick, but exciting Northern Circuit tour.
Tour Itinerary
Safari Type: Budget Camping, Mid-Range and Luxury options available
Destinations:
- Manyara Nat Park
- Serengeti Nat Park
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Tarangire Nat Park
- Arrival: Arusha, Tz/ Kilimanjaro Int. Airport
- Departure: Arusha, Tz/ Kilimanjaro Int. Airport
- Customizable: Yes
- Season: Year-Round
Day 1: Manyara National Park
Your driver/guide will meet you after breakfast at your Arusha-area accommodations.
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive. This part has a large Crater lake, home to flamboyant flamingos, hippos and lions which climb trees.
The drive out of the park offers stunning views of the magnificent Rift Valley.
- Overnight and dinner at a nearby camp or lodge.
Top Attractions: Tree climbing lions, giraffes, and excellent bird viewing.
Day 2: Serengeti National Park
In the early morning, depart for Serengeti National Park via Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The drive meanders through the grassy highlands of Ngorongoro, and wildlife sightings of zebras, giraffes and other herbivores are common.
Option to pause at Olduvai Gorge, a famous excavation site where Louis and Mary Leakey made world-changing discoveries about the earliest civilizations.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the Ndutu area of Serengeti and take in an afternoon game drive around the Seronera or Ndutu area of Serengeti.
- Overnight accommodation in Serengeti National Park.
- All meals included.
Top Attractions: Shifting Sands – an incredible moving sand dune, and Olduvai Gorge museum.
Day 3: Full-day Serengeti National Park
Begin with an early morning game drive through Serengeti National Park. See the largest migration of animals at the Grumeti River Crossing, visit the famous kopjes (rock formations) and check out the interactive Visitor’s Center in the Seronera area.
Dinner and overnight at your camp or lodge.
- Full Board, all meals and overnight included.
Top Attractions: Stunning game viewing in Serengeti: from the famous Serengeti migrations to the endless grasslands. You’ll feel like you stepped back into time, or into a real-life Lion King.
Kjopes are the natural rock formations that inspired scenes in Disney’s Lion King; it is common to see lions lounging in the shade of these.
Day 4: Half-day in Serengeti National Park
Opt for a sunrise game drive, when big cats like cheetahs and leopards are most active, then return to your accommodation for a hot breakfast.
In the late morning, drive out of Serengeti, back through Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
You may camp within the Conservation area, or select from one of our beautiful partner lodges, situated just outside of Ngorongoro Crater.
Option to add a day hike to view the beautiful Olmoti Crater (approx 1-2 hrs hike), and stretch your legs. Additional fees may apply.
- Full Board, all meals and overnight included.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater
After an early breakfast, drive back to Ngorongoro and descend into the famous Ngorongoro Crater.
Stop at the viewpoint to look down into the crater from above, then enjoy a full morning of animal viewing. Animals you might spot include the endangered Black Rhino, prides of Crater lions, and Forest Elephants.
After a picnic lunch, continue to visit a seasonal soda lake and Forest areas of the Crater floor.
Drive out of the Crater in the late afternoon.
Option to add a day hike. Empakai Crater, a 2-3 hours trek offers scenic views and a chance to see flamingos up close.
- Full Board, all meals and overnight included.
Top Attractions: Black Rhinos, the Hippo Pool for a picnic lunch, Lake Magadi’s pink flamingos, and the largest concentration of animals found anywhere in the world
Day 6: Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, depart to Tarangire National Park on a scenic route passing through parts of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours
This park is famous for it’s large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. The Tarangire River attracts animals year-round, making this a favorite park during the dry seasons.
- Full Board, all meals and overnight included.
Top Attractions: East Africa’s largest herds of elephants are found within Tarangire National Park. You’re sure to see these gentle giants during your game drive.
Day 7: Tarangire National Park
Start your morning with breakfast and a half-day game drive in Tarangire National Park.
Explore areas of the park you didn’t get to visit the day before, and you may spot lions and cheetahs during your drive.
In the afternoon, return to Arusha, with options to stop at gift shops and art galleries along the way.
Depending on your plans you may stay a night or transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
- Breakfast, lunch and transfer to airport/Arusha included.
End of Safari
It’s always an Adventure!
Safari Prices – 7-Day Great Northern Circuit Tour
| Prices valid for 2023-2024 | Camping | Standard | Premium |
| 2 ppl | $2128 | $2893 | $3427 |
| 4 ppl | $1635 | $2402 | $2940 |
| 6 ppl | $1471 | $2238 | $2778 |
