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Northern Circuit Safari

Seven Days, the Full Northern Circuit

Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti from Central to North, with two nights up at the Mara River where the great migration plays out.

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The trip

The Classic Tanzania Safari

What you'll do

This is the trip people picture when they imagine a Tanzanian safari. Across nine days you visit every headline destination of the northern circuit: Tarangire for elephants and baobabs, Lake Manyara for forest and Rift Valley views, the Ngorongoro Crater for some of the densest wildlife in Africa, and the Serengeti from the Central plains all the way up to the Mara River in the north.

The two nights at Gnu Mara River Camp are the centrepiece. From July through October the wildebeest crossings of the Mara River are the headline event, but the area rewards visitors any time of year. You sleep in unfenced tented camps in the heart of the parks, where the night sounds carry. On day nine we transfer you back to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Day by day

Nine Days, the Full Northern Circuit

Arrival, a day in each of Tarangire, Manyara and Ngorongoro, and three days across the Serengeti from Central to North.

Kilimanjaro Airport picking up clients for safari
Day 1

Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport

Welcome to Tanzania. We collect you from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you to Tumbili Lodge in Arusha, a boutique base set within tropical gardens. Settle in, swim, and enjoy a quiet first evening. We will brief you on the days ahead over dinner.

Activity
Airport pickup and transfer to Arusha
Stay
Tumbili Lodge
Meals
Dinner
Elephants beneath baobab trees in Tarangire National Park
Day 2

Into Tarangire National Park

After breakfast we head south to Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is famous for its huge elephant herds and ancient baobabs, and the afternoon is a game drive across the baobab dotted savannah. Lions, giraffes and zebras are all part of the day. By evening you arrive at Tarangire Greenland Retreat, deep inside the park, for dinner around the fire.

Activity
Afternoon game drive in Tarangire National Park
Stay
Tarangire Greenland Retreat
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Safari landscape
Day 3

Sunrise in Tarangire, Evening on the Rift

Sunrise in Tarangire is when the park is at its most alive. After a long morning game drive we leave the park and climb west onto the Rift Valley escarpment, arriving at Africa Safari Manyara Escarpment for the night. Views stretch across Lake Manyara and the valley floor far below, with flamingos visible on the lake on a still day.

Activity
Morning Tarangire game drive, transfer to Manyara Escarpment
Stay
Africa Safari Manyara Escarpment
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Black rhino on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater
Day 4

Down into the Ngorongoro Crater, On to the Serengeti

An early start to make the most of the Ngorongoro Crater, descending onto the crater floor in time for the morning's activity. Few places concentrate wildlife the way this one does: elephants, lions, buffalo, zebras, hippos and the rare black rhino are all possible within a single morning. After lunch by the hippo pools, we drive on into the Serengeti, arriving at Conserve Safari Camp in Central Serengeti by evening.

Activity
Morning game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, transfer to Central Serengeti
Stay
Conserve Safari Camp
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Safari landscape
Day 5

Central Serengeti

A full day in the Central Serengeti, with morning and afternoon game drives in the Seronera river valley and the surrounding kopjes. This is some of the most reliable big cat country in Africa. Lion prides, leopards in the acacia trees, cheetah on the plains, and herds of impala, zebra and buffalo are all part of the daily picture.

Activity
Full day game drives in the Central Serengeti
Stay
Conserve Safari Camp
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Safari landscape
Day 6

North to the Mara River

We move north today, tracking towards the Mara River and the heart of the great migration. The exact location of camp depends on where the herds are moving when you arrive, but you will be close to the action. An afternoon game drive on arrival is part of the day.

Activity
Transfer to Northern Serengeti, afternoon game drive
Stay
Gnu Mara River Camp
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Serengeti great migration
Day 7

A Full Day with the Migration

A full day in the Northern Serengeti, where the great migration plays out. From July through October the wildebeest crossings of the Mara River are the headline event, but the area rewards visitors at any time of year with predator action, hippo pools and herds spread across the plains. Long, slow drives are the way to do it.

Activity
Full day game drives in the Northern Serengeti
Stay
Gnu Mara River Camp
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Migration river crossing
Day 8

Back to Arusha

A final morning in the Serengeti before flying back to Arusha and settling into Tumbili Lodge for one last evening. Time to slow down, enjoy the gardens, swim, and look back on the days that brought you here.

Activity
Morning game drive, flight to Arusha
Stay
Tumbili Lodge
Meals
Breakfast and dinner
Elephant walking away
Day 9

Departure

A slow breakfast at Tumbili, a final wander through the gardens, then we transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight. We recommend an afternoon or evening departure so the morning isn't rushed.

Activity
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport
Stay
No overnight, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport
Meals
Breakfast
Where you'll stay

Where You'll Stay

Cottage and tropical gardens at Tumbili Lodge in Arusha
Night 1

Tumbili Lodge

Tumbili Lodge is a boutique base on the green outskirts of Arusha, close to Arusha Airport and the start of the northern safari circuit. Rooms and cottages sit within tropical gardens, with a swimming pool, a relaxed restaurant and plenty of birdlife. A calm place to wind down at the end of a safari.

Type
Lodge
Location
Arusha, Tanzania
Canvas suite at Tarangire Greenland Retreat surrounded by baobab trees
Night 2

Tarangire Greenland Retreat

Tarangire Greenland Retreat is an intimate, solar powered camp tucked inside Tarangire National Park, surrounded by ancient baobabs and open wilderness. The canvas suites are spacious and quietly luxurious, each with an en suite and a private verandah looking out into the bush. A campfire and warm communal areas tie the days together, and game drives start right from camp.

Type
Tented Camp
Location
Inside Tarangire National Park
Luxury glamping tent on the edge of the Manyara Escarpment with Rift Valley views
Night 3

Africa Safari Manyara Escarpment

Africa Safari Manyara Escarpment sits high on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, looking down across Lake Manyara. The luxury glamping tents combine cool, breezy comfort with one of the best views on any safari, and the pool and campfire areas are ideal places to slow down between game drives.

Type
Luxury Glamping
Location
Manyara Escarpment, Tanzania
Conserve safari camp ith legend safari clients
Night 4-5

Conserve Safari Camp

Conserve Safari Camp sits in central Serengeti, within easy reach of the Seronera river valley and the kopjes that make this part of the park such reliable predator country. The tents are spaced through the long grass under acacia, unfenced, each with an en suite bathroom and a private verandah looking out into open bush. The camp runs on solar power, with hot bucket showers, family-style dinners and a fire pit lit at dusk. Full board with drinks included.

Type
Tented Camp
Location
Central Serengeti, Tanzania
Gnu Mara river camp
Night 6-7

Gnu Mara River Camp

Gnu Mara River Camp is a mobile tented camp in the Northern Serengeti, set up close to wherever the migration is moving when you arrive. Spacious canvas tents have proper beds and en suite bathrooms, dinner is taken family-style under an open canopy, and an askari walks guests between tent and mess after dark. Full board with drinks and laundry included. If the herds are far from camp, we may use an alternative mobile or fixed camp closer to the action; the final choice is confirmed at the time of booking.

Type
Mobile Tented Camp
Location
Northern Serengeti, near the Mara River
Cottage and tropical gardens at Tumbili Lodge in Arusha
Night 8

Tumbili Lodge

Tumbili Lodge is a boutique base on the green outskirts of Arusha, close to Arusha Airport and the start of the northern safari circuit. Rooms and cottages sit within tropical gardens, with a swimming pool, a relaxed restaurant and plenty of birdlife. A calm place to wind down at the end of a safari.

Type
Lodge
Location
Arusha, Tanzania
The route

Your travel route, top to bottom.

Start pointKilimanjaro International Airport

End pointKilimanjaro International Airport

The route

  • Day 1Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha
  • Day 2Arusha to Tarangire National Park
  • Day 3Tarangire to Manyara Escarpment
What's included

Everything is included. Here's the honest list.

Included in your fee

  • Private Toyota Land Cruiser safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Experienced English-speaking Legend safari guide for the full trip
  • All Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti park fees
  • Pickup from Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • Eight nights of accommodation as listed
  • All meals from dinner on day one to breakfast on day nine
  • House drinks at Conserve Safari Camp and Gnu Mara River Camp
  • Laundry at Gnu Mara River Camp
  • Drinking water throughout the safari
  • Game drives as per the itinerary
  • Light aircraft flight from the Northern Serengeti to Arusha on day eight
  • All transfers between Kilimanjaro Airport, the parks and the lodges
  • Free access to the SafariBuddy app
  • All government taxes and VAT
  • 24/7 in-country support from the Legend team

Not included

  • International flights to and from Tanzania
  • Tanzania entry visa fee (arranged on arrival or in advance)
  • Travel insurance, which is essential for travel to Tanzania
  • Vaccinations and recommended anti-malarial medication
  • Tips and gratuities for your guide and lodge staff
  • Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and bottled drinks beyond water at meals
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
  • Optional activities not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Any costs arising from delays or events beyond our control
DATES & PRICING

Built around your dates, not a calendar.

Every Legend safari is private. Tell us when you're climbing or arriving and we'll build the trip around you. Most clients confirm within 24 hours.

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Questions, answered

The things people ask before they book.

Our reviews

Stories from the bush.

Verified Trustpilot, TripAdvisor and Google reviews.

★★★★★Trustpilot

Our safari in Tanzania with Legend Expeditions was absolutely incredible - an experience of a lifetime! The scenery was beyond breathtaking, and everything about the trip was seamless, thanks to Jack, the owner of Legend Expeditions and our safari guide, Magoma 🦁

Bethany Three Day Safari · United Kingdom
★★★★★TripAdvisor

Jack kept in constant contact with me prior to me leaving the UK, whilst I climbed Kili and on safari, this level of communication was beyond my expectation! and we have kept in touch afterwards because I will certainly be going on another adventure with them! If I could give more than a 5 star review I would for Legend Expeditions!

AlysonKilimanjaro & Safari
★★★★★TripAdvisor

I would whole heartedly recommend adding the safari package on to your trip. The knowledge of the Legend team on locating and explaining about the animals is second to none. The accommodation and catering were also excellent.

Al MacThree Day Safari

Ready?

Start Planning Your Safari

Speak directly with Jack, who has spent years guiding expeditions across Tanzania's northern circuit. No hard sell, just honest advice from someone who knows the ground.

Jack Fleckney

Lead Trip Designer

★★★★★5.0 on TripAdvisor