Northern Tanzania Safari, 12 days
Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Northern Serengeti, Ngorongoro and a Hadzabe cultural visit at Lake Eyasi.
This 12-day private safari takes you through some of northern Tanzania's most distinctive landscapes and wildlife areas, combining classic game viewing with the Great Migration and an authentic cultural experience. Starting in Arusha, the journey begins with two nights in Tarangire National Park, followed by Lake Manyara and its canopy experience. You then travel north to the Northern Serengeti for two nights, allowing time to explore this remote area and, depending on the season, witness the Great Migration around the Mara River. The safari continues south to Karatu before exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Tanzania's most extraordinary wildlife areas. The final experience is a visit to the Hadzabe community around Lake Eyasi, offering a genuine cultural encounter before returning to Arusha.
Depending on the season and location of the herds, the Northern Serengeti can offer the Great Migration around the Mara River, with opportunities to witness river crossings.
A visit to the Hadzabe community around Lake Eyasi to learn about their traditional lifestyle, hunting and gathering practices, local knowledge and close relationship with the surrounding environment.
- ✓Private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- ✓Professional English-speaking safari guide
- ✓All national park entrance fees
- ✓Ngorongoro Conservation Area and crater fees
- ✓All game drives mentioned in the itinerary
- ✓Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- ✓Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- ✓Drinking water during the safari
- ✓Lake Manyara Canopy Walk
- ✓Hadzabe cultural experience
- ✓Airport transfers as specified
- ✓All applicable government taxes and VAT
- ✓Emergency rescue service during the safari
- —International flights
- —Domestic flights unless specifically stated
- —Tanzania visa fees
- —Travel and medical insurance
- —Tips and gratuities
- —Alcoholic and premium beverages
- —Laundry and personal expenses
- —Souvenirs and other personal purchases
- —Optional activities not specifically mentioned
- —Additional accommodation or meals outside the itinerary
- —Any expenses resulting from changes requested by the guest
- —Anything not specifically listed under Safari Includes
Change anything on this itinerary
This is a starting point, not a fixed departure. Add nights, move parks, change the accommodation tier — tell us and we rebuild it.
12 days, in order
Arrival in Arusha
Met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Arusha.
Arrive in Tanzania and meet your private safari representative at the airport. You will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha for a relaxed evening and overnight stay.nnThis first night allows you to rest after your journey and prepare for the safari ahead.
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
An afternoon game drive among Tarangire's baobabs and elephant herds.
After breakfast, depart Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its enormous baobab trees, large elephant herds and diverse wildlife.nnEnjoy an afternoon game drive exploring the park's varied landscapes. Keep an eye out for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, lions and many other species.
Full-Day Tarangire National Park
Morning and afternoon game drives along the Tarangire River.
Spend a full day exploring Tarangire with morning and afternoon game drives.nnThe Tarangire River is an important source of water for wildlife, particularly during the dry season, attracting large concentrations of elephants and other animals.nnYour guide will choose the best areas for wildlife viewing according to the season and current conditions.
Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park
A Lake Manyara game drive and the Canopy Walk, then on to Karatu.
After breakfast, drive towards Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive.nnThe park combines groundwater forest, open plains and the Rift Valley escarpment, creating an excellent habitat for elephants, giraffes, buffalo, birds and, with luck, the famous tree-climbing lions.nnLater, enjoy the Lake Manyara Canopy Walk, a series of suspension bridges through the forest offering a different perspective of the surrounding landscape.nnContinue to Karatu for your overnight stay.
Karatu to Northern Serengeti
North through Ngorongoro into the remote Northern Serengeti.
After breakfast, begin the journey towards the Northern Serengeti, travelling through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and onward into the Serengeti.nnThe landscape gradually changes as you move deeper into this remote part of the ecosystem. Upon reaching the northern Serengeti, enjoy an afternoon game drive before settling into your camp or lodge.nnDuring the Great Migration season, this area can offer particularly exciting wildlife encounters around the Mara River.
Full-Day Northern Serengeti
A full day of game drives in the Northern Serengeti, around the Mara River in season.
Today is dedicated entirely to exploring the Northern Serengeti.nnEnjoy morning and afternoon game drives in search of the area's resident wildlife and migrating herds. Depending on the season and location of the herds, there may be opportunities to witness dramatic river crossings.nnThe region is also home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffalo and large numbers of plains game.
Northern Serengeti to Karatu
A final morning drive, then south to Karatu.
Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Northern Serengeti before beginning your journey south.nnTravel through the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoying the changing scenery along the way.nnArrive in Karatu in the afternoon and relax at your lodge after the long but scenic journey.
Ngorongoro Crater
A full day on the crater floor with a picnic lunch.
After an early breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Crater and descend into the crater floor for a full-day game drive.nnThe crater is home to an exceptional concentration of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and hyenas. With luck, you may also encounter the endangered black rhino.nnEnjoy a picnic lunch during the day before ascending from the crater and returning to Karatu.
Hadzabe Cultural Experience
A cultural visit with the Hadzabe community at Lake Eyasi.
After breakfast, travel towards Lake Eyasi for an authentic cultural experience with the Hadzabe community.nnSpend time learning about their traditional lifestyle, hunting and gathering practices, local knowledge and close relationship with the surrounding environment.nnThis is a very different experience from the wildlife-focused days of the safari and provides a deeper understanding of one of Tanzania's indigenous communities.nnLater, return to Karatu for the evening.
Karatu to Arusha
Back to Arusha for a final evening.
After breakfast, depart Karatu and begin the drive back to Arusha.nnThe journey provides a relaxed transition out of the safari areas, with time to enjoy the changing landscapes along the way.nnArrive in Arusha and check into your hotel for a final evening in Tanzania.
Relaxed Day in Arusha
A free day in Arusha.
Enjoy a free day in Arusha after your safari.nnYou may relax at the hotel or, depending on your interests, arrange an optional local experience or explore some of the city's attractions.
Departure
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
After breakfast, enjoy your final morning in Tanzania before your private transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Accommodation
Longer stays, fewer moves
Two nights in Tarangire and the Northern Serengeti, and three in Karatu, so most days start without packing.
Arusha
Hotel, Arusha
1 night
- Room and board
- Dinner
The arrival night.
Tarangire
Lodge or camp, Tarangire
2 nights
- Room and board
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
A full day in the park between the two nights.
Karatu
Lodge, Karatu
1 night
- Room and board
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
After Lake Manyara and the Canopy Walk.
Northern Serengeti
Camp or lodge, Northern Serengeti
2 nights
- Room and board
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
In the remote north, near the Mara River.
Karatu
Lodge, Karatu
3 nights
- Room and board
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
One base for the crater day and Lake Eyasi.
Arusha
Hotel, Arusha
2 nights
- Room and board
- Breakfast and lunch, then breakfast
A relaxed finish before departure.
One team, from the first email to the airport
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