Northern Circuit in Five
Five honest, well-paced days across Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara without the exhausting rush.
Based on 2 sharing private 4x4 expedition vehicle. Group-size and season adjust price.
Expedition Overview
Rather than trying to squeeze the massive Serengeti into five rushed days of marathon driving, this route gives you the northern parks that actually fit comfortably into a shorter window: massive elephant herds, tree-climbing lions, and the wildlife spectacle of Ngorongoro.
Route Highlights
- Honest, relaxed pacing with minimal time spent sitting on transit highways
- Full day inside Ngorongoro Crater tracking the Big Five before afternoon crowds arrive
- Two days in Tarangire National Park, famous for four-hundred-strong elephant herds
- Four nights in characterful highland lodges and luxury tented camps
The Trail & Stop Sequence
Arusha Base
Arusha1 nightTarangire Camp
Tarangire1 nightKaratu Highland Cottages
Ngorongoro2 nightsArusha Base
Tarangire Camp
Karatu Highland Cottages
Day-by-Day Expedition Plan
Morning:Depart Arusha heading southwest toward the Tarangire River basin.
Midday:Hot trail lunch under a shaded acacia tree while watching zebra and impala drink.
Evening:Sunset drive through the baobab valleys tracking elephant family groups.
Route Photography Gallery
Field perspectives from this specific itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical advice for this specific route.
Price Breakdown
What is Included
- ✓Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and guide
- ✓All 4 nights in vetted wilderness camps and boutique cottages
- ✓All national park entrance fees and Ngorongoro crater service permits
- ✓All meals from lunch Day 1 to lunch Day 5
- ✓Filtered drinking water and field coffee/tea service
- ✓AMREF Flying Doctors emergency medical evacuation cover
Not Included
- ✕International flights
- ✕Tanzania tourist visa
- ✕Gratuities for driver-guide and lodge staff
- ✕Personal travel insurance