Experience the remarkable wildlife and landscapes of Tanzania's Northern Circuit on a five-day private safari. From Tarangire's elephant-filled plains to the endless Serengeti and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, discover four iconic destinations with the knowledge and personal care of your local safari team.
The 5-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari brings together four remarkable wildlife destinations in one carefully paced journey. Explore Tarangire's elephant-rich landscapes and ancient baobab trees, discover Lake Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions and seasonal flamingo shallows, then spend two nights in the legendary Serengeti with a full day dedicated to its remarkable wildlife. Your journey concludes with an unforgettable game drive across the Ngorongoro Crater floor.
Adding Lake Manyara between Tarangire and the Serengeti gives this itinerary a distinctive character. Its groundwater forest, open lakeshore and tree-climbing lion habitat offer a different experience from the open savannas visited on the other days. The extra day also allows more time to enjoy the Northern Circuit without rushing from one destination to another.
Lake Manyara is particularly well known for lions that rest in the branches of trees. This unusual behaviour has made the park one of Tanzania's most distinctive wildlife destinations. Researchers have suggested several possible explanations, including avoiding insects, enjoying cooler breezes and gaining a better view of their surroundings. Sightings are never guaranteed, but looking for these lions adds a special highlight to the day.
A dedicated TANAPA-licensed naturalist guide accompanies your group throughout the five-day journey. Having the same guide from Tarangire to Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro creates continuity. Your guide gets to understand your wildlife interests and can shape the game drives around the sightings and experiences that matter most to you.
This five-day route is an excellent wildlife extension after a Kilimanjaro climb. Following a suitable recovery day in Moshi, you can begin your safari and enjoy several days of game viewing at a more relaxed pace. It combines naturally with a mountain expedition for travellers who want to experience both Tanzania's highest peak and its celebrated national parks.
Each destination has its own character — from baobab-dotted savanna and forest to open plains and a volcanic crater. Every day brings a different landscape and new wildlife encounters.
Known for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and the wildlife that gathers around the Tarangire River. The park offers excellent opportunities to look for elephants, giraffes, zebras and predators across its varied landscapes.
A varied park of groundwater forest, open grassland and soda lake shoreline. It is especially celebrated for tree-climbing lions, seasonal flamingoes, hippos and a rich variety of birdlife.
Days 3 & 4 ★
The Serengeti is one of Africa's most celebrated wildlife landscapes, with expansive grasslands, rocky kopjes and acacia woodland. Two nights here give you time to explore the central plains on arrival and enjoy a dedicated full-day game drive, following wildlife activity from the early morning through to sunset.
Day 5
The Ngorongoro Crater is a remarkable natural caldera with a rich concentration of wildlife on its floor. Descend into this enclosed ecosystem for a final game drive, with opportunities to look for black rhino, lions, elephants, buffalo and hippos before returning to Moshi or Arusha.
Explore the daily route, activities and wildlife highlights. Select any day below to open its full itinerary.
Your private 4×4 safari vehicle and naturalist guide collect you after breakfast. Travel south from Moshi towards Tarangire National Park, where ancient baobabs and open grasslands create a distinctive safari landscape. The Tarangire River attracts wildlife, particularly during drier periods, and offers opportunities to look for elephants, giraffes, zebras and predators. Enjoy a full day exploring the park before checking in at your lodge or camp.
Meet your guide and depart in your private 4×4. Enjoy the drive through the Maasai steppe towards Tarangire.
Begin your game drive around the Tarangire River. Look for elephant herds, giraffes, zebras and other wildlife along the river and open grassland.
Enjoy a packed picnic lunch at a designated scenic site before continuing your afternoon exploration.
Explore the park's distinctive baobab landscapes while your guide looks for predators and other animals in the woodland and grassland.
Arrive at your accommodation for dinner and relaxation. Tomorrow you continue to Lake Manyara.
Lake Manyara is the centrepiece of today's journey. Travel from Tarangire to the park and enter through its lush groundwater forest before reaching the open lakeshore. Your guide will look for the famous tree-climbing lions while also exploring the park's birdlife, hippo pools and varied habitats. Later, leave Manyara and travel up into the cooler Ngorongoro Highlands for your overnight stay.
Travel north towards Lake Manyara Gate, enjoying the changing landscapes along the way.
Explore the forest habitat, where you may encounter blue monkeys, baboons, forest birds and elephants.
Your guide explores suitable woodland areas and checks for lions resting in tree branches. Wildlife sightings depend on natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
Explore the lakeshore and its seasonal birdlife. Flamingo numbers vary with water conditions and the season. Look out for hippos in permanent pools.
Leave the park and ascend through the highlands towards your accommodation near the crater area.
Settle in for the evening. Tomorrow you travel towards the Serengeti.
Travel from the Ngorongoro Highlands towards the Serengeti, passing through the changing scenery of the Conservation Area. After entering through Naabi Hill Gate, begin exploring the central Seronera region. This area is known for its varied habitats and year-round wildlife, including big cats, hippos and large herbivore herds. Enjoy an afternoon game drive before arriving at your Serengeti camp.
Travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area towards the Serengeti plains.
Enjoy your first views of the expansive plains before continuing with game viewing in the central region.
Take a break at a designated picnic site among the Serengeti's distinctive rocky outcrops.
Explore the central area with your guide, looking for lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes and other wildlife.
Arrive at camp for dinner and a restful evening. Tomorrow is your full day in the Serengeti.
Today is dedicated to exploring the Serengeti. Set out early to experience the plains as the day begins, then enjoy breakfast in the bush before continuing to look for wildlife. Your guide follows the day's conditions and sightings, allowing time to observe animals without rushing. After a picnic lunch, explore more of the plains and return to camp as the sun sets over the savanna.
Head out in the cool morning hours when some predators and other wildlife may still be active.
Enjoy breakfast at a designated location in the bush, surrounded by the open Serengeti landscape.
Continue searching for the Serengeti's well-known predators and other wildlife, spending time at interesting sightings.
Take a relaxed picnic break at an authorised site before continuing your afternoon game drive.
Explore different areas based on seasonal wildlife movements and your guide's knowledge of current sightings.
Return to camp for dinner and your final night in the Serengeti. Tomorrow you travel to Ngorongoro Crater.
Begin the final day with an early departure from the Serengeti towards Ngorongoro. After reaching the crater area, descend to the crater floor for an extended game drive through its varied habitats. The crater is known for its concentration of wildlife and offers opportunities to look for black rhino, lions, elephants, buffalo and hippos. After your game drive and picnic lunch, ascend from the crater and begin the return journey to Moshi or Arusha.
Travel east through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area towards the crater rim.
Pause to appreciate the vast caldera from above before preparing for the descent.
Descend to the crater floor and explore its different habitats with your guide. Look for black rhino and other wildlife.
Enjoy lunch at a designated picnic site within the crater before continuing your final game drive.
Explore more of the crater floor, including its wetland and lakeside habitats, before beginning the ascent.
Leave the crater and begin your return journey. Arrival time depends on road and traffic conditions.
Both itineraries explore Tanzania's celebrated Northern Circuit. The five-day option adds Lake Manyara between Tarangire and the Serengeti, giving you another distinct park experience and more time across the route. The four-day option is suitable for travellers working with a tighter schedule.
The Northern Circuit offers opportunities to look for some of Africa's most iconic wildlife. Sightings depend on the season, animal movements and natural conditions, but your guide will help you make the most of every game drive.
Explore alternative safari durations and choose the journey that best matches your available time and interests.
Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. A shorter route for travellers with limited time.
View 4-DayTarangire, Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Four parks with a dedicated Manyara day.
Choose this safariA shorter wildlife-focused route featuring the Serengeti and Ngorongoro area.
View 3-DayExtend your Northern Circuit experience with more time and a visit to Lake Natron.
View 6-DayEvery package includes a private safari vehicle, a professional naturalist guide and the Northern Circuit experience. Choose the accommodation level that suits your travel style.
Review what is covered in your safari arrangement and what you should budget for separately.
The Northern Circuit can be visited throughout the year. Wildlife movements, rainfall and the Great Migration change with the seasons, so the best travel period depends on the experiences you want to prioritise. Lake Manyara lion sightings and flamingo numbers also vary naturally.
| Months | Game Viewing | Migration | Manyara Lions | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan – Feb | Excellent | Calving — southern Serengeti | Good opportunities | Generally warm and dry |
| Mar – May | Good; rain may affect access | Western corridor movements | Variable | Long rains · Green season |
| Jun – Jul | Excellent | Western corridor movements | Good opportunities | Dry season |
| Aug – Oct | Excellent | Possible northern river crossings | Good opportunities | Dry season · Popular period |
| Nov | Good | Herds begin moving south | Variable | Short rains |
| Dec | Very good | Southern plains | Good opportunities | Short rains / festive period |
Wildlife sightings and migration locations are seasonal and cannot be guaranteed. Your guide will adapt the route to current park conditions and wildlife movements.
The extra day gives you time to explore all four Northern Circuit destinations without rushing. You visit Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, with two nights in the Serengeti. That additional full day in the park creates more opportunities to follow wildlife movements, look for big cats and enjoy the plains at a relaxed pace.
No wildlife sighting can be guaranteed. Lake Manyara is well known for its tree-climbing lions, and your guide will look for them in the woodland and suitable resting areas. Sightings depend on the lions' movements, weather and natural conditions on the day.
Yes. You can arrange your Kilimanjaro climb before this safari, allowing time to rest and recover after your summit attempt. GoAccessAfrica can help coordinate the mountain trek, transfers, accommodation and your Northern Circuit safari as one connected Tanzania adventure.
Absolutely. A full day in the Serengeti gives you more time for early-morning wildlife activity, a relaxed bush breakfast, different game-drive areas and the changing scenery of the plains. Staying a second night also means less time packing and transferring between camps, and more time enjoying the wildlife.
Yes. You can extend your trip with a Zanzibar beach holiday after your safari. We can help plan the flight connection, accommodation and island experiences to suit your available time and travel preferences.
Keep exploring Tanzania with more wildlife, remarkable landscapes and unforgettable journeys. Choose another safari or combine the wilderness with a Kilimanjaro climbing expedition.
From $1,200 · Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro
Enquire about this safari →From $1,600 · 5 parks · Lake Natron · Volcanic landscapes
Enquire about this safari →From $3,350 · Kilimanjaro summit · 5-Day Northern Circuit
Enquire about the combo →