How many days is this safari?

This itinerary is an 11-day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari experience.

Is this safari suitable for budget travelers?

Yes, this safari is designed to offer a complete experience at a budget-friendly price.

What animals can I see?

You can see lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and many other wildlife species including the Big Five.

11-Day Northern Circuit Budget Safari

START FROM

$1,850

duration

11 Days

Min people

2 PEOPLE

MIN AGE

1+ YEARS

tour type

camping safaris

OVERVIEW Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari

Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari is an 11-day adventure designed to give you the ultimate wildlife and cultural experience across Tanzania’s most iconic destinations. This Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari takes you through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater, offering unmatched opportunities to witness the Big Five and diverse landscapes.

Beyond wildlife, this Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari includes unique cultural encounters with the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes at Lake Eyasi, as well as scenic experiences at Materuni Waterfalls and Chemka Hot Springs. Perfect for budget-conscious travelers, this safari blends nature, culture, and adventure into one unforgettable journey.

TOUR PLAN Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport, you will be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Time permitting, enjoy an optional city tour visiting the Cultural Heritage Art Gallery, the Tanzanite Experience, and a local market to experience the vibrant cultural scene.

Main Destination: Arusha (City)
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Hotel – Luxury hotel in Arusha
Meals & Drinks: Meals at own expense

Day 2: Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, renowned for its ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds. Begin your morning game drive, spotting lions, giraffes, zebras, and a variety of bird species. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing your afternoon game drive. Conclude the day at Elephant’s Springs Camp, a luxury camp within the park, for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination: Tarangire National Park
Accommodation: Elephant’s Springs Camp – Luxury camp within Tarangire NP
Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Day 3: Full Day in Tarangire National Park

Start early with a morning game drive to explore the park’s diverse landscapes and wildlife. Return to Elephant’s Springs Camp for a hot lunch and some relaxation. Continue with an afternoon game drive to discover more of Tarangire’s unique ecosystems before returning to camp for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination: Tarangire National Park
Accommodation: Elephant’s Springs Camp
Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Day 4: Lake Eyasi – Hadzabe & Datoga Cultural Visit

After breakfast, head to Lake Eyasi to meet the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes. Learn about their traditional ways of life, hunting and gathering practices, and artisan skills. Later, continue to Karatu for an overnight stay at The Retreat at Ngorongoro, a luxury lodge with panoramic views.

Main Destination: Lake Eyasi
Accommodation: The Retreat at Ngorongoro – Luxury lodge outside Ngorongoro Gate
Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Day 5: Serengeti National Park

Depart Karatu after breakfast, passing through the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands en route to Serengeti. Arrive at Naabi Hill Gate around 2:00 p.m. for an afternoon game drive, spotting big cats and witnessing the vast plains of the Serengeti. Overnight at Serengeti Sametu Camp, a premium tented camp in a remote area of the park.

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Serengeti Sametu Camp – Luxury tented camp inside Serengeti NP
Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Day 6: Full Day in Serengeti National Park

Enjoy a full day of game drives across the Serengeti, seeking lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, and other wildlife. Picnic lunch amid the park’s stunning scenery. Return to your camp in the evening. Optional activities include a sunrise hot air balloon safari or guided walking safari.

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Serengeti Sametu Camp
Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Day 7: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After a morning game drive in Serengeti, transfer to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive at Lion’s Paw Ngorongoro Camp on the crater rim for dinner and overnight, enjoying breathtaking views of the crater.

Main Destination: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Accommodation: Lion’s Paw Ngorongoro Camp – Luxury camp on the crater rim
Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

Start early with a descent into Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive. Explore its diverse ecosystems, spotting black rhinos, lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, and countless bird species. Picnic lunch at a scenic spot within the crater. Return to Lion’s Paw Ngorongoro Camp for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation: Lion’s Paw Ngorongoro Camp
Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Day 9: Empakaai Crater Walking Safari & Return to Arusha

Drive to Empakaai Crater for a guided walking safari, descending into the crater to observe flamingos, antelopes, and spectacular scenery. After the walk, drive back to Arusha, concluding your unforgettable safari adventure.

Main Destination: Empakaai Crater / Arusha
Accommodation: End of tour (No accommodation)
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch included

This 11-day safari is designed to give you the ultimate Northern Circuit adventure. You will visit the famous national parks of Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, as well as enjoy cultural experiences with the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes at Lake Eyasi.

In addition, you will explore Materuni Waterfalls and a traditional coffee farm, followed by relaxation at the Chemka Hot Springs. With a mix of wildlife safaris, cultural encounters, and scenic adventures, this is the perfect trip for travelers seeking both nature and culture at a budget-friendly level.

WHAT TO BRING

Insect repellent
Warm clothing (nights can be cold in Ngorongoro)
A towel and toiletries
Hand sanitizer
Snacks for the journey

TOUR PLAN Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN ARUSHA

You will be met at the airport (Arusha or Kilimanjaro) and transferred to your lodge. If you arrive early, you can enjoy a short city tour of Arusha, visiting Cultural Heritage, Maasai Market, or local shops.
Accommodation: Lodge in Arusha
Meal Plan: None

DAY 2 – TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its giant baobab trees, large elephant herds, and diverse wildlife. Enjoy a full-day game drive before heading to your campsite inside the park.
Accommodation: Tarangire Public Campsite
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3 – TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Spend another day exploring Tarangire, with morning and afternoon game drives. Visit Silale Swamp, which attracts many animals and birds, and offers excellent predator sightings. End the day with a sunset drive.
Accommodation: Tarangire Public Campsite
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 4 – LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park. This park is famous for its flamingos, over 500 bird species, hippos, giraffes, and tree-climbing lions. You will enjoy a full-day game drive before dinner and overnight at a lodge near the park.
Accommodation: Lodge near Lake Manyara
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5 – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Today you journey towards the legendary Serengeti National Park, passing through the Ngorongoro Highlands with beautiful views. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the way, followed by an afternoon game drive.
Accommodation: Serengeti Campsite
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 6 – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Spend the entire day exploring the endless plains of Serengeti. This is the best place to spot lions, leopards, cheetahs, and—if traveling in season—the spectacular Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras.
Accommodation: Serengeti Campsite
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 7 – SERENGETI TO NGORONGORO CRATER

Begin with an early morning sunrise game drive, then return to camp for brunch. In the afternoon, depart Serengeti and drive to Ngorongoro, where you will overnight at the Simba Campsite on the crater rim.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Simba Campsite
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 8 – WALKING SAFARI AT EMPAKAI CRATER

After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking safari into Empakai Crater, where you can see wildlife, birds, and flamingos around the lake. Later, transfer to Lake Eyasi for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Lodge at Lake Eyasi
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 9 – CULTURAL EXPERIENCE AT LAKE EYASI

Spend the day with the Hadzabe (hunter-gatherers) and Datoga (blacksmiths) tribes. Join a hunting trip with the Hadzabe, learn about their way of life, and visit the Datoga workshops. This is a rare opportunity to experience authentic local culture. Overnight in Karatu.

Accommodation: Lodge in Karatu
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 10 – MATERUNI WATERFALLS & CHEMKA HOT SPRINGS

In the morning, visit Materuni Waterfalls and a local coffee farm. Learn how coffee is grown, processed, and roasted while enjoying a traditional lunch. In the afternoon, continue to Chemka Hot Springs, a natural swimming pool surrounded by lush forest. Return to your lodge in Arusha for overnight.

Accommodation: Lodge in Arusha
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 11 – DEPARTURE

After breakfast, transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward flight.