6 Days Northern Circuit Tanzania Safari

Rwakabunga Safaris invites you to experience the ultimate luxury journey through Tanzania’s iconic Northern Safari Circuit, a land of legendary landscapes and magnificent wildlife. This bespoke, 6-day itinerary has been meticulously designed to offer our discerning tourists an unparalleled blend of world-class game viewing, exclusive experiences, and sophisticated comfort. From the vast elephant herds of Tarangire to the spectacular concentration of life in the Ngorongoro Crater and the endless plains of the Serengeti, you will traverse diverse ecosystems while enjoying the finest accommodations and personalized service. Prepare for an unforgettable immersion into the African wilderness, culminating in a safari that is as enriching and thrilling as it is opulent.

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

The journey begins with a private luxury transfer from Arusha/Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO/ARK) to the enchanting Tarangire National Park. Known for its massive herds of elephants and the iconic baobab trees that dot its landscape, Tarangire offers a spectacular welcome to the Tanzanian wilderness. Upon arrival, you will check into your lavish lodge and embark on an exclusive afternoon game drive, seeking out large buffalo herds, the endemic fringe-eared oryx, and the abundant birdlife. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the permanent Tarangire River, a magnet for animals during the dry season, providing high-quality photographic opportunities before returning to your lodge for sundowners and a gourmet dinner.

Accommodation Options: Tarangire Treetops, Chem Chem Safari Lodge, Sanctuary Swala Camp

Meals: (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2: Tarangire to Karatu and the Ngorongoro Highlands

After an early, sumptuous breakfast, you will enjoy a final morning game drive in Tarangire, focusing on areas with a high density of predators or lesser-seen species, ensuring a comprehensive view of the park’s biodiversity. Following the drive, your professional guide will conduct a scenic, comfortable private transfer towards the cooler, verdant Ngorongoro Highlands. The drive takes you through the lovely, bustling town of Karatu, where coffee plantations and farms abound, providing a pleasant change of scenery. You will arrive at your elegant lodge, strategically positioned near the crater rim or nestled in the farmlands, allowing ample time to relax, perhaps enjoy a spa treatment, and take in the magnificent panoramic views before a fine-dining experience.

Accommodation Options: Gibb’s Farm, The Manor at Ngorongoro, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Descent – A Natural Wonder

Today promises one of the most magnificent wildlife experiences on Earth as you descend 600 meters to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a natural geological marvel. This world’s largest intact volcanic caldera acts as a self-contained ecosystem, supporting an incredible concentration of over 25,000 animals, including the Big Five. Your full-day game drive will focus on locating the rare black rhino, a highlight of the crater, as well as vast numbers of lions, elephants, buffalo, and flamingos along the soda lake. A specially prepared gourmet picnic lunch will be served in a scenic spot on the crater floor, maximising your time to observe and photograph the astonishing density of wildlife before ascending back to the lodge in the late afternoon.

Accommodation Options: Gibb’s Farm, The Manor at Ngorongoro, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Ngorongoro to Central Serengeti National Park

Following a leisurely breakfast, you will depart the Ngorongoro Highlands and embark on a scenic drive across the vast plains of the Serengeti National Park, often referred to as the “endless plains” in the Maasai language. The transition in landscape is breathtaking, moving from highland forests to open savanna, providing an en-route game drive experience where the anticipation of predator sightings is high. Upon entering the Central Seronera region, renowned for its resident Big Cat populations due to the permanent water sources of the Seronera River, you will immediately begin your game viewing. You will arrive at your secluded, ultra-luxury tented camp in the late afternoon, with time to settle in before enjoying a delightful dinner and listening to the sounds of the African night.

Accommodation Options: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, One Nature Nyaruswiga, Namiri Plains

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Full Day Game Drives in Central Serengeti

This full day is dedicated to maximizing your game viewing experience in the heart of the Serengeti, the Seronera Valley, a region famous for year-round wildlife and spectacular sightings. You will set out early on a morning game drive to catch the predators, such as lions and cheetahs, while they are most active during the cooler hours, often seen hunting or resting on the granite kopjes. The day is designed for flexibility; you may choose to return to the camp for a lavish lunch or take a private, gourmet picnic to maximize time in the field. The afternoon will focus on tracking other species like the topi, giraffe, and various antelope, as your expert guide shares profound insights into the complex ecology of this incredible ecosystem before your final, celebratory camp dinner.

Accommodation Options: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, One Nature Nyaruswiga, Namiri Plains

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6: Final Morning Safari – Departure

On your final day, you have the option of an exhilarating pre-dawn Hot Air Balloon Safari (optional activity, additional cost) followed by a champagne breakfast, or a final, evocative morning game drive in the Seronera area. The drive will provide one last opportunity for a spectacular wildlife encounter, allowing tourists to savor the vastness and beauty of the Serengeti before the end of the tour. Following the drive and a final hearty camp breakfast, your guide will transfer you comfortably to the Seronera Airstrip. From here, you will board a scheduled light aircraft flight back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), concluding your luxurious and unforgettable Northern Circuit safari with Rwakabunga Safaris.

Meals: (Breakfast)

End of the 6 Days Northern Circuit Tanzania Safari.